1. Know what support you’re eligible for

If you’re a first-home buyer in South Australia, it’s worth understanding what government support you may be eligible for before making decisions about your new home.

Depending on your circumstances, this may include the First Homeowner Grant and stamp-duty relief.

Eligibility requirements apply, so don’t assume you qualify. Take the time to check what you’re eligible for and understand how any available support fits into your overall financial position.

Start crunching the numbers with the help of loan experts from Loan Gallery, enquire now!

2. Know your numbers before you choose your home

It’s easy to walk into a display home, fall in love with the kitchen or master bedroom and start imagining yourself living there.

But before choosing your home design, it’s important to understand what you can afford.

Speak with your broker to understand your borrowing capacity, repayments and overall financial position. Then it’s time to start looking at what you can realistically build within your budget.

Knowing your numbers early doesn’t mean you’re committing to anything. It simply gives you a clearer starting point.

3. Compare value, not just the headline price

When comparing home builders, the price isn’t necessarily the only thing to consider.

Two homes that look similar on paper can have very different specifications, inclusions, site costs, allowances, contract terms, warranties and building processes.

Instead of only asking, “who’s cheaper?”, look at what you’re actually getting for your money.

Understanding what’s included can help you make a more informed comparison between builders and avoid unexpected costs later on.

4. Budget for the whole project – not just the house

Your budget needs to cover more than the price of your new home.

Think about the entire journey from buying your land to moving into your finished home. Depending on your circumstances, this could include the land, construction, site-specific requirements, upgrades, driveway, fencing, landscaping, window furnishings and moving costs.

Individual costs can add up quickly, so make sure you leave enough room in your budget for the things that come after choosing your home.

5. Understand the land before you commit

Finding a block you love is exciting, but there’s more to choosing land than the suburb, price or view.

Before committing to a block, consider factors such as the frontage, orientation, slope, easements, developer requirements and other site considerations.

Most importantly, make sure the home you want will actually work on the block.

It’s also worth looking beyond the boundary. Consider nearby schools, shops, transport, infrastructure and what’s planned for the surrounding area. Because when you buy land, you’re not just buying the block – you’re buying into the location around it.

If you're still figuring out the land side of things, a convenient house and land package makes the whole process seamless and stress-free. Start exploring our house and land packages under $750k now.

Building your first home in South Australia?

There’s a lot to think about when building your first home, but getting the fundamentals right early can make the process easier to navigate.

Know what support you may be eligible for, understand your budget, compare builders based on value, plan for the whole project and take the time to understand your land and location.

Speak with the Simonds team about what could work for your site.