Buying off the plan involves buying a home (whether that’s a townhome or house) before it’s built. For people who want a brand-new home but don’t want to go through the full building process, from buying the land to sourcing appliances, this can be a great option.
The process involves signing a contract for sale, paying a deposit, which is usually between five and 10 per cent upfront with the rest of the payment made at various key milestones throughout the construction process.
Stockland is here to help you throughout the process, from providing support through Stockland’s customer service team who can answer any questions, to providing you with a pre-move-in checklist. We also recommend getting advice on the contract and sales process from a solicitor or conveyancer.
You may be eligible for a stamp duty concession (subject to eligibility requirements) if buying off-the-plan. These vary from state to state, so check with your relevant state revenue office.
This is the fun part when you get to flick through magazines, go for drives and do online research to find the right townhome or house off-the-plan solution to meet your needs.
To secure your preferred home, you’ll be asked to pay a refundable holding deposit. This is when your contract becomes ‘conditional’. Your contract will detail everything from floorplan to appliance inclusions. Make sure you review this carefully with your legal adviser, paying particular attention to the cooling-off period, which varies from state to state.
We’ll provide you with an estimated timeframe for settlement, although this is subject to change as there are a number of variables throughout the construction journey (e.g., local council requirements, weather, and availability of building materials and suitable tradespeople). Start working with your legal adviser and lender early to make the final arrangements before settlement and avoid any unnecessary delays.
Stockland will provide you with updates during the construction process. We will also provide you with updates on access and when you are able to inspect your new home.
Inspections are completed by independent certifiers throughout the build process as required by law.
Although buying off-the-plan can take a few months from start to finish, there’s no time like the present to start styling your dream home. Our Dreamcatcher tool lets you browse hundreds of images, discover your style DNA, get inspiration from design gurus and create your own Styleboard.
