Help to Buy | A Faster Path to Homeownership

If you’ve been dreaming of owning a new home, now could be the perfect time to make it happen.  

The Australian Government has launched a new Help to Buy initiative which could boost your savings, strengthen your deposit, and maximise your borrowing power, enabling you to buy sooner than you thought. 

For many homebuyers, saving a deposit can be the hardest part of the journey. The good news? That hurdle just got a whole lot smaller.  

Under the scheme, homebuyers can purchase with a 2% deposit with the government contributing up to 40% (for newly built homes) of the purchase price as part of the shared equity in the property.  

If you’re considering buying a home or townhouse within a YourLand community, Help to Buy might make it possible much sooner than you expected. Instead of waiting years to save a large deposit and secure a loan, you could enter the property market with just a 2% deposit and still get into a home that matches your needs and budget. 

For eligible buyers who don’t currently own a home, this scheme provides a genuine pathway to entering the property market. 

Because the scheme supports newly built homes, townhouses or vacant land (for building), it works very well with YourLand communities, as we have both vacant land and townhouse offerings, as well as house and land packages through our builder network. 

At YourLand, we understand that buying a home can be equal parts exciting and overwhelming. Our communities across Melbourne are designed with homebuyers in mind, offering great locations, thoughtful design and homes that balance affordability with lifestyle. With the scheme now available, your path to ownership could be closer and more affordable than you think. 

Read more on the Help to Buy scheme here.  

If you would like more information on finance, reach out to YourLand’s mortgage broking service, Ello Lending Co. Specialists in off-the-plan loans, with access to competitive rates, their personalised service makes it easy to find the perfect loan for your needs. 

You can visit their website to find out more here: Ello Lending Company 

New vs. established: Which home delivers better long-term value?

Choosing between a new or established home is a big decision, and it’s about more than just the upfront price. It comes down to how you want to live, the lifestyle you’re hoping for, and the kind of value you’ll get over the long run. Both options have their strengths, but when you look at things like liveability, sustainability, and communities designed with the future in mind, new homes in well-planned neighbourhoods can be a very appealing choice.

Balancing upfront cost and long-term savings

Yes, established homes may appear less expensive initially, especially in mature suburbs. However, they can carry hidden costs: ageing infrastructure, outdated design, and higher maintenance needs. Building new lets you avoid renovation pitfalls and enter a home already tailored to your needs.

These days, new properties must meet at least 7-star energy efficiency standards. This can help to lower ongoing utility bills and reduced maintenance costs. In fact, according to Sustainability Victoria, 7-star homes are around 20-25% more efficient to run than a 6-star home. Imagine how much more efficient a new home is compared to older homes that often struggle to achieve 3-star efficiency!

Designed for the 21st century

You might have heard the term “dormitory suburb” before and wondered what it means. Well, it refers to areas that were largely designed for people to sleep at home and commute elsewhere for work, shopping, and leisure. These suburbs are typically car-dependent, with limited local services, and very little thought given to walkability, community connection, or access to amenities.

By contrast, today’s masterplanned communities are intentionally designed to bring essential services closer to home. Schools, parks, shops, and public transport are integrated into the local neighbourhood so residents can enjoy shorter commutes, active lifestyles, and stronger connections with neighbours.

Future growth potential

While established homes in mature suburbs benefit from proven capital growth history, buying early into a fast-growing new area can position buyers to capture upside as demand and amenities grow. According to realestate.com.au, house-and-land packages frequently offer lower entry costs in outer suburbs versus established prices in the same area. And because of the value of new infrastructure that’s added by the developer, buying in a new masterplanned community can see higher and faster property value trajectories over the short and medium term.

That said, it’s always important to research local growth drivers and infrastructure commitments to make a well-informed decision before you buy.

A fresh new start

One of the biggest drawcards of buying new is the freedom of choice. From day one, you can shape your home to your life—choosing your builder, floorplan, façade, finishes and features that matter to you. No inherited wear and tear, no patchwork renovations—just a home that works the way you live. And because it’s yours from the ground up, there’s a real sense of pride and ownership that comes with stepping over the threshold of a place you created—your home, your way.

While building a home can feel daunting, today’s volume builders often lock in prices and construction timelines, reducing uncertainty. Further bolstering consumer confidence, Victoria recently strengthened its regulatory landscape, led by the Building and Plumbing Commission. The new powers demand builders have appropriate insurance in place before they build and can compel builders to fix work that’s not up to standard, including after the building has been occupied.

Taken together, these measures give buyers more peace of mind—financially, emotionally and practically.

Grants & concessions

On top of the long-term cost benefits, if you’re a buyer in Victoria there are a range of financial incentives that significantly lower the barrier to entry on a new home:

• First Home Owner Grant (FHOG): A one-off $10,000 grant for eligible new homes valued up to $750,000, with regional buyers able to access up to $20,000 in certain areas (gov.au).
• Stamp duty exemptions & concessions: Full exemption for first home buyers on properties up to $600,000, with concessional rates applying up to $750,000.
• Off-the-Plan stamp duty concession: Stamp duty is calculated on the land value only, often delivering major savings on apartments, townhouses, and units purchased before completion. Anyone buying an apartment, unit or townhouse of any value off-the-plan can claim the concession.

And of course, the big recent announcement by the Federal government has brought forward the First Home Guarantee to October 1. This means that first home buyers only need 5% to get into their first home, with no lenders mortgage insurance penalty. Combined with other grants and incentives, buying a new home has never looked more appealing.

The bottom line
At the end of the day, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. Every buyer’s situation is unique. But if you value long-term savings, modern design, and a community that’s built with the future in mind, exploring new homes can be a smart move. For first-home buyers in particular, the combination of grants, concessions, and buyer protections makes this an ideal time to consider building new.

If you’re weighing up your options, and if building new feels right, YourLand’s current campaign lets you build it your way: choose from leading Victorian builders across seven communities, tailor your home to your block, and access savings of up to $50K* on selected packages.

Your choice. Your home. YourLand.

Search Seventh Bend packages eligible for this limited time only discount here.

Build it Your Way: YourLand offers homebuyers choice across seven communities and seven builders

YourLand has launched its “Build It Your Way” campaign, offering prospective homeowners the opportunity to build new with greater choice and customisation options. The offer spans seven communities, each working with reputable builders, giving buyers extensive options to create their ideal home.

Prospective homeowners can choose their preferred builder, select from various layouts, customise finishes, and pick their ideal block of land within their favourite YourLand community. This approach helps buyers avoid the compromises often associated with purchasing established properties.

For more information about the “Build It Your Way” campaign, visit buildityourway.com.au

This offer has now ended.

First Home Guarantee expansion: save thousands and step into your own home sooner

For many first homebuyers, saving a deposit feels like the hardest part of the journey. The good news? That hurdle just got a whole lot smaller. The Federal Government has announced it will bring forward its expanded First Home Guarantee by three months, now set to begin this October. What does that mean if you’re dreaming of a place of your own? A smaller deposit, reduced costs and your own home sooner.

Under the Guarantee, first homebuyers can purchase with just 5% deposit. On a $700,000 home, that’s $35,000 compared to $140,000 for a 20% deposit. You’ll also escape the hefty cost of Lenders’ Mortgage Insurance (LMI), which usually requires a 20% deposit to avoid. That’s a potential saving of tens of thousands of dollars – money that could go towards furnishing your home, landscaping or simply making the move easier.

Ranin Mendis, Managing Director of Ello Lending Co, comments, “The scheme helps first home buyers get off the sidelines sooner by reducing the years it takes to save, while avoiding the full cost of traditional pathways.”

Changes to the First Homebuyer Guarantee and what they mean for you

A major change is the removal of income caps, which means more people can now access the scheme. Additionally, property price caps have increased to $950,000 in Melbourne. Mendis explains that “raising these caps broadens eligibility to more properties in growth corridors, which is critical for buyers who were previously priced out despite solid incomes.”

Cutting down the time it takes to save a deposit could also save you thousands in rent. Treasury figures show it takes around nine years to save a 20% deposit* on a $700,000 property. With just 5% deposit*, it could take just two years, potentially saving you around $171,500 in rent**.

At YourLand, we understand that buying a home can be equal parts exciting and overwhelming. Our communities across Melbourne are designed with first homebuyers in mind, offering great locations, thoughtful design and homes that balance affordability with lifestyle. With the Guarantee now within reach for more buyers, your path to ownership could be closer – and more affordable – than you think.

If you’d like more information on finance, reach out to YourLand’s mortgage broking service, Ello Lending Co. Specialists in off-the-plan loans, with access to competitive rates, their personalised service makes it easy to find the perfect loan for your needs.

ellolending.co 

0475 753 705