What is a house and land package?
If you have been looking at new homes you may be wondering how house and land packages work….
These days, many new homes are built by property developers who acquire land when it’s released by the government.
Developers, like Homecorp, lay down infrastructure like roads, utilities, water and sewage, and then either:
- build homes and sell them as a complete house and land deal, or
- offer a number of standard or customisable home designs, where you can choose a plot of land with a house plan designed for that size block.
One potential benefit of building new is that environmentally friendly materials and features are often part of the package, as sustainability has become a key benchmark in the construction industry.
How do you choose a house and land package?
House and land packages are often tailored to appeal to a specific buyers. You might find the one you want in a golfing estate or even an eco-village. Then there are new subdivisions, with opportunities for investors or first-home buyers.
This is the type of estate Homecorp develop across Australia.
Financing for a house and land package usually consists of two steps: buying the land then building the house. The loans can be arranged separately, but are usually bundled together.
Buying the land is a standard real estate transaction with a regular mortgage. The second step requires a construction load where you ‘draw down’ an agreed amount to pay for each stage as your home is built. This way you only pay interest on the money you are using as the home is being constructed.
What is included in a house and land package?
The ‘standard inclusions’ in a home include a fully fitted kitchen and bathroom, windows and doors, built-in robes, electrical points, TV and phone points, fans, stairs and tiles.
Some design elements will cost extra, as well as driveways, landscaping and fencing.
When buying a house and land package, costs such as stamp duty and registration fees are not included in the price.
Buyers also need to appoint a legal representative to liaise with the developer, as with all property purchases, to ensure council and regulatory requirements are met.
There are also connections, like power, water, gas and internet to take into account. Homeowners need to contact utility providers, such as electricity and telephone providers, to arrange their home account and connection.
Below is a selection of Homecorp’s projects and house and land estates….