Buying a house and land package can make building a new home feel more straightforward. Instead of searching for land and then finding a suitable home design, a package brings the two together, helping you understand your options and plan your budget.
But what exactly is included in a house and land package? And what should you check before committing?
If you're exploring house and land packages on the Sunshine Coast or in Moreton Bay, understanding how pricing, contracts and land registration work can help you make a more informed decision.
A house and land package combines a specific block of land with a home design suited to that block, advertised at an indicative combined price.
The land and home are generally purchased through two separate contracts, but they're presented together to make comparing your options easier.
With AUSMAR, you can explore house and land packages across growing communities, including Aura and Harmony on the Sunshine Coast, and Kinma Valley and Rivermont in Moreton Bay.
Packages are not necessarily homes already under construction. They provide a starting point for selecting your land, home design and inclusions before building begins.
While inclusions vary between packages, an advertised price generally brings together two main components.
This is the advertised purchase price of the specific block, including its location, dimensions and land area.
Before choosing a block, it's important to consider:
These factors can influence which home designs will suit your block and whether additional construction costs may apply.
The building component typically includes the selected floor plan, standard construction specifications and nominated inclusions.
Depending on the package, this may cover:
Not every package includes the same items. Driveways, fencing, landscaping, window furnishings, upgrades and certain site costs may be additional.
Always request a detailed inclusions list so you understand exactly what is covered in the advertised price.
One of the most important things to understand is that a house and land package typically involves two separate contracts.
The first contract is with the land developer or seller. It covers the purchase of your block, including the land price, deposit, settlement conditions and any registration requirements.
The second contract is with AUSMAR for the construction of your new home.
This outlines the agreed home design, construction specifications, inclusions, pricing and contractual conditions.
Because these are separate agreements, each may have different deposits, conditions and timelines.
Before signing, have your solicitor or conveyancer review both contracts and speak with your lender about financing the land and construction.
When exploring house and land packages in new estates, you may come across blocks described as registered, titled or unregistered.
Understanding the difference is important because it affects when your home can begin construction.
Registered land: The subdivision plan has been registered, creating the individual lot title. Settlement can proceed once the relevant contract conditions are satisfied.
Unregistered land: The developer is still completing the subdivision and registration process. The land cannot settle until the title is issued.
If you purchase unregistered land, there may be a waiting period before construction can begin.
Registration dates are estimates and can change due to infrastructure works, approvals, weather or other development requirements.
Before committing, ask about the expected registration timeframe and how delays may affect your building contract, pricing and finance arrangements.
An advertised house and land package price is a useful starting point, but it may not represent every expense involved in completing your home.
Some additional costs to discuss include:
A detailed quote and inclusions schedule will help you distinguish between included items, allowances and potential additional expenses.
It's also worth allowing room in your budget for expenses outside the building contract, such as moving costs and furniture.
The Sunshine Coast and Moreton Bay offer several masterplanned communities with opportunities to build a new home.
On the Sunshine Coast, explore Aura in Caloundra South and Harmony in Palmview. Both offer established community facilities and access to surrounding Sunshine Coast amenities.
Further south in Moreton Bay, Kinma Valley in Morayfield and Rivermont in Lilywood provide opportunities to explore new-home living in growing communities.
Each estate has different lot sizes, development stages and design guidelines, so choosing the right location involves more than comparing the advertised package price.
Package availability changes as land is released and sold.
Before deciding on a package, ask your New Home Consultant:
Asking these questions early can help you compare packages confidently and avoid unexpected surprises.
Choosing the right house and land package starts with finding a location that suits your lifestyle, a home design that meets your needs and a budget you're comfortable with.
At AUSMAR, our New Home Consultants can help you explore available packages, understand inclusions and work through your options.
View Current House and Land Packages and take the next step towards building your new home.