House & Land Packages

The Pros & Cons You Need to Know

Before You Sign  Buying a house and land package sounds simple - pick a plan, choose a section, and wait for your new home to be built. But like anything in real estate, there’s a bit more going on under the surface.  Whether you’re a first-home buyer, investor, or downsizer looking for low-maintenance living, here’s the real story on the upsides and risks of going down the house and land track.  

The Upside: Why House & Land Still Makes Sense

1. Fixed Pricing (Usually) Most packages offer fixed-price contracts, which means no nasty cost surprises mid-build — good news in a volatile construction market.  

2. New Build Exemptions As a new build, you often benefit from lower deposit requirements, interest-only loans during construction, and you’re exempt from some bright-line rules and interest deductibility restrictions (if you're investing).  

3. Lower Maintenance Costs New homes = no leaky taps, no dodgy wiring, and warranties on just about everything. That means fewer unexpected bills in the first five years.  

4. More Efficient Living New builds are warmer, drier, and cheaper to run. Better insulation, double glazing, and modern heating mean long-term comfort and savings.  

5. GST Included in the Price What you see is often what you pay. Most new builds have GST included — handy if you’re financing and budgeting to the dollar.  

6. Developer Deals & Upgrades Some builders throw in landscaping, fencing, or even furniture packages to get you over the line. Not always, but worth negotiating.

 

The Risks: Why It’s Not Always a Sure Thing

1. Location Can Be a Trade-Off To get affordability, you’re often pushed to the city fringes or less established areas. That can mean longer commutes, less infrastructure, and slower capital growth.  

2. Valuation Gaps at Settlement Banks lend on completed value, not your signed contract. If the market dips during construction, you might face a funding shortfall at settlement.  

3. Build Delays & Cost Overruns Even with a fixed contract, delays are common - especially with council consents or builder shortages. Some contracts have “cost escalation” clauses, so read the fine print.  

4. Cookie-Cutter Builds Some developments suffer from sameness - rows of identical homes that don’t stand out. That can hurt resale value unless the area’s in high demand.  

5. Limited Design Flexibility Unless you’re going with a custom build, what you see is often what you get. You may be able to tweak colours and finishes, but don’t expect to redesign the floorplan. 

 

So, Is House & Land Right For You? It’s a smart move if:  

• You want a turnkey investment or low-maintenance lifestyle  

• You’re comfortable with construction timelines and possible delays  

• You’ve got a clear budget and access to finance  

• You’re buying with growth areas or tenant appeal in mind  

 

But it’s not ideal if:  

• You need to be central or near public transport  

• You’re tight on cash and can’t cover settlement risks  

• You’re after something architecturally unique  

• You can’t wait 12–18 months for keys in hand  

 

Need Help Finding the Right Package? We don’t sell every house and land deal - just the ones worth backing. At Mint Real Estate, we vet builders, check covenants, and look beyond the brochure to make sure the numbers - and the neighbourhood - stack up. 

Book a House & Land Strategy Call or drop as an enquiry with the form below.

 

You can download Our Free Guide: “7 Pitfalls to Avoid with House & Land”