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FAQs For First Home Buyers

Let us take the stress out of building

It’s no secret that getting into your own home can seem like a pretty daunting process – with loans, grants, debts, guarantors, and more to take into account, it can get overwhelming.

At DreamStart Homes, we believe in demystifying the process to make it easier for Perth’s first home buyers to build their own home.

What are the advantages of building a new home?

When you build a new home, you are picking all your fixtures fittings, colours and design layout.

The new home is just that, new.  All the appliances come with a warranty and the House has a Lifetime Structural guarantee.

This provides peace of mind that you don’t get with a second hand home.

What do I need to do?

At DreamStart we appreciate that you might need help along the way, when building your first home. We can help you throughout the process including finance, land, and designing a house to suit your needs. We can also assist with Government Grants including the First Home Owner Grant.

Our aim is to make owning your own home an easy process, giving you a dream start in the property market. Simply contact us and we’d be happy to help you along your journey to home ownership.

Can my parents help?

More and More parents are helping their children get into their first home and there are several options available.  Contact us and we will be happy to go over these alternative options with you and/or your parents to see what will best work for you and them.

What is the First Home Owners Grant?

The Australian Government introduced the First Home Owners Grant to offset the effect of the GST in 2000 as a way of encouraging home ownership. It’s very popular among our clients, and for good reason – at time of writing, the First Home Owners Grant is a $10,000 boost you can put towards your new home.

How do I apply for the FHOG?

The easiest way to apply is through an FHOG approved agent, such as DreamStart Homes; alternatively, you can go direct to the Office of State Revenue. Your approved agent can receive and process your bank/credit union loan application, and you may also receive your grant and approval for the first home owner rate of duty earlier. The only thing you’ll need to do is provide the appropriate supporting documentation with your application.

Can my spouse and I both claim the FHOG for the one house?

No, only one grant is payable for the same eligible transaction. In other words, if more than one person buys the house, only one grant will be provided.

Does it matter how much I earn?

No. Your income will not be taken into account when your FHOG application is assessed.

I didn’t get a loan to build my house. Can I still get the grant?

Yes, you can; provided that you meet the eligible criteria.

I run my business from home. Will this affect my chances of getting the grant?

No. You will still be eligible for the grant as long as you meet the criteria and your home is your principal place of residence.

I have a flatmate/boarder, can I still get the grant?

Yes, as long as you meet the eligibility criteria.

Do I have to spend the grant on my house?

No. If you are eligible, you may use the money in any way that you want.

Can I renovate my (existing) house with money from the grant?

No. The grant must be used for first home owners and not those with existing buildings.

Will I still be eligible for other grants?

In certain conditions, yes. For example, you may be eligible for the Aboriginal Home Ownership Scheme, Good Start Scheme, Right to Buy Scheme, Access Home Loan Scheme, or the Home Buyers Assistance Account.

In West Australia, First Homebuyers are also exempt from paying stamp duty on the Land. This is applicable for Land Purchases up to $300,000 – which is a saving for first homebuyers of nearly $10,000.

Typically, if you have never owned a home in your name you are able to apply for the First Homebuyers Grant. There are circumstances where this does not apply and individual advice is the best course of action.

How much is it to get a home designed?

When dealing with a professional building company like DreamStart Homes, designing your home is part of the service offered. It shouldn’t cost you a cent to get your home designed, right up until the point where you decide you want to go ahead with purchasing a home from us. If your builder is trying to charge you for a custom design, reach out to our friendly team today – we would be happy to provide an obligation free home design consultation!

How much does it cost to build a house in Perth?

The cost of building a house in Perth can start from under $200,000. From there, the pricing goes up depending on the size and inclusions of the home in question. At DreamStart Homes we aim to be as transparent as possible with our home pricing, and as such, will be sure to run you through other costs such a land pricing, siteworks costs, and other costs related to finishing your home off that you may not have thought of – we want you to be comfortable with your home purchase, rather than feeling like you are stretching the budget from day one!

Where are the most affordable suburbs to build a first home in Perth?

Perth has some incredible areas to build a first home in. Areas such as Mandurah, Baldivis, Wellard and Byford in the South of Perth, as well as suburbs like Hilbert and Haynes to the East are popular options. Elsewhere in Perth, the Swan Valley is a popular option, with suburbs such as Ellenbrook, Aveley, Brabham, Bullsbrook and Upper Swan offering plenty of affordable options. As we head further North, Alkimos, Eglinton, Banksia Grove, Yanchep and Two Rocks are all extremely popular with first home buyers looking to get into a great suburb at an affordable price.

Is it cheaper to build or buy?

We get asked this question a lot and while it does vary from suburb to suburb, we find that a lot of our customers are able to build a home for less than it would cost them to buy. Incentives such as the First Home Owners Grant and exemptions from Stamp Duty for first homebuyers can mean a significantly lower deposit is required to build a home too – especially for first home buyers!

Is there another question you’d like answered? Feel free to contact our team on
6314 3444, or simply click the button below!

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