There are a lot of things to consider when you’re planning a new home. Like, do you find the perfect block and then plan your dream home? Or purchase both at the same time?
Land vs House and Land – what’s best for you?
You’ve made the exciting decision to build a new home—but now you're faced with another choice: do you buy a block of land and build from scratch, or opt for a ready-made house and land package? The truth is, you may not know what suits you best just yet – and that is okay. Some people love the flexibility of picking their own block and then tailoring a home design to match. Others prefer the simplicity of choosing a package where everything is taken care of at once.
Rather than locking yourself into one option, take the time to explore both. You might find that what you thought you wanted doesn’t quite fit once you see what's available. It’s not about choosing the “right” path—it’s about finding what works best for you.
Let’s look at the key differences.
House and Land Packages
Choosing a house and land package means purchasing a block of land and a home design in one go. It’s a streamlined option that takes much of the stress out of building a new home.
- Less stress, more certainty
House and land packages remove a lot of the new build stress and decision-making. You’ll have a higher degree of certainty over the finished product, because your builder is project managing everything to a well-established design, you know what you’ll be getting.
- Clear upfront expectations
House and land packages offer a clearer picture of what you’re getting from the start. You’ll receive a detailed outline of the home design, inclusions, and land, giving you confidence in the overall plan. Just keep in mind that variations or upgrades during the build can still lead to changes in the final price.
- A faster path to move-in day
Purchasing your land and house at the same time also streamlines the process, often meaning a shorter timeframe overall. That’s particularly helpful if you’re paying rent while you build - shorter timeframes can lead to big savings.
- Thoughtfully designed, with your own twist
Generally, the builder’s team have already worked their design magic, so you’ll end up with a home that is both functional and beautiful, without all the hassles of decision making. There could still be opportunities to customise the interior, but these might come at an extra cost.
- See before you buy
Many builders offer display homes, so you can step inside and see the finished product first – something that’s hard to match when you’re building from scratch.
- An appealing option for investors
If you’re building for investment, the faster build times and ready-to-rent finish mean you can start earning rental income sooner. Plus, new builds offer strong tax depreciation benefits and faster returns.
- Cost-saving on stamp duty
You may still have two contracts – one with the developer for the land and the other with the builder for the home – but you’ll only pay stamp duty on the land. This can translate into significant savings.
Land Only
Buying land on its own can give you more breathing room – both financially and creatively. By securing your ideal block first, you can then take your time choosing the right home design and builder to bring your vision to life.
- More time, more flexibility
One of the biggest advantages of buying land only is flexibility. Buying land first and then choosing a home gives you the freedom to choose not just your location, but your preferred block and preferred house design and builder.
Once you’ve secured your block, there’s no pressure to rush into construction. You can continue saving while planning the home that truly fits your lifestyle and budget.
- Choose your builder, design and finishes
You’re not locked into one design or builder. Instead, you’re free to explore your options—whether that means customising the floorplan, selecting your preferred finishes, or tailoring every element to suit how you want to live.
- A strategic choice for investors
If you are investing and seeking capital growth, buying land – especially in the early stages of a masterplanned community – may be better suited for you.
- Stamp duty savings
Just like with house and land packages, you’ll only pay stamp duty on the land itself, not the future home. This can result in noticeable savings at settlement.
Both options clearly have their advantages, it all comes down to what suits your situation best. Take the time to explore your options, speak with experts and consider your budget, timeframe and lifestyle goals.
When your ready, explore the property for sale today at Millars Landing
