If you’ve been researching how to get into a new home in Western Australia, house and land packages have probably come up more than once. They’re one of the most popular pathways for first home buyers and for good reason. But like anything that sounds appealingly straightforward, there’s more to understand before you sign anything.
Here’s what you actually need to know.
What Is a House and Land Package?
A house and land package bundles a block of land and a home design together. Instead of buying land separately, finding a builder, and negotiating contracts independently, it combines the process into something far more manageable.
In WA, most new house and land packages are sold in new estates, where lots are paired with home designs suited to those specific blocks. You choose the combination that works for your budget and lifestyle, and the builder takes it from there.
Getting Advice on Choosing Land & Home Designs
Choosing a house and land package in Perth is easier when you can compare more than just the advertised price. At Home Collective, you can:
- Explore home designs from some of WA’s leading home builders.
- Talk through your land options.
- Understand your finance pathway with help from Resolve Finance.
- Get a feel for the finishes and fixtures that could go into your new home.
It’s a helpful first stop if you’re weighing up different builders or estates. Rather than trying to piece everything together yourself, you can get guidance across the big decisions in one place, from where to build and what floor plan works best, to what your selections may look and feel like in real life.
For first home buyers, we aim to make the process feel much clearer. You can ask questions and compare your options before you commit to a new house and land package.
Turnkey vs. Standard: Know the Difference
Not all house and land packages in Perth, WA are created equal, and this is where it pays to read carefully.
A standard house and land package includes:
- the land,
- the base home design,
- and a set of standard inclusions to make the home liveable.
What it doesn’t always cover is:
- landscaping,
- fencing,
- window furnishings,
- a letterbox,
- or other finishing touches you’d need before moving in.
A turnkey house and land package is designed to be move-in ready. The price is higher upfront, but what you’re buying is convenience (no coordinating trades, no organising landscapers or fencing contractors after handover, it’s all taken care of). When comparing house and land package inclusions, always ask for the full inclusions list and compare like for like.
We know that inclusions can be hard to understand on paper. This is where seeing inclusions in person helps. At Home Collective, you can explore complete kitchen and bathroom displays, flooring, cabinetry, fittings, smart technology, and more. Chat with experts or simply wander and gather ideas at your own pace.
Extra Costs That Catch Home Buyers Off Guard
A few things worth checking before you commit to a new house and land package:
- Site costs: these cover preparing your land for building and vary depending on soil conditions and slope. With many builders these aren’t included in the advertised price, but when you build with ABN Group, site works are included in your house and land package price, so there are no nasty surprises down the track.
- Upgrades: base inclusions are a starting point (upgrading your flooring or benchtops will sit on top).
- Landscaping and externals: unless you’re in a turnkey package, fencing and gardens are typically your responsibility after handover.
- Temporary accommodation: if you’re renting during your build, factor that cost into your overall budget from day one.
Finance and Grants for First Home Buyers
Getting your finance sorted before you fall in love with a floor plan is non-negotiable. Knowing your borrowing capacity early is important, so you can shop within a realistic range.
First home buyers in WA may be eligible for the First Home Owner Grant (FHOG), which is worth looking into early. It’s also helpful to know that stamp duty may only be payable on the land component, not the build, which could be a meaningful saving. If you want to find out if you’re eligible for a FHOG, a mortgage broker experienced with construction loans, like Resolve Finance, is worth having in your corner.
What to Check Before You Sign
A few things that are easy to overlook and important to get right:
Carefully read through both the land contract and the building contract. Understand what’s fixed, what’s variable, and what may trigger additional costs. Ask your builder for realistic build timeframes so you can plan around your current living situation.
And give yourself a realistic upgrades budget. The standard inclusions in most packages are a starting point, not always a finishing point.
Not Sure Where to Start? Visit Home Collective
House and land packages in Perth and across WA are one of the most accessible pathways into a new home, particularly for first home buyers. It’s important to go in with a clear picture of what’s included, what’s not, and what the full cost actually looks like, and a good builder will answer those questions with full transparency.
If you’re not sure where to start, Home Collective is the place. We’re home to some of WA’s most trusted builders, and under one roof you can explore everything that could go into your new home, from land and finance to the finishes and fixtures that bring it all to life. Come in, have a look around, and let our team help you take that first step with confidence. Book your free, 30-minute guided walkthrough and see what’s possible at Home Collective in Leederville or Bunbury.
