What first home buyers should check before buying a new Queensland property

First home buyers comparing new apartments and house and land packages often focus on the advertised price and the assistance they may receive. Edgar Natolo, founder of Natgroup, says two further questions deserve attention: What does the price actually include? And what else is going to be built nearby?

The cost of a new home may extend beyond the package price

Edgar learned about package exclusions through his own purchase. He had to arrange a driveway, fencing, landscaping and a television antenna himself. Basic grass was included at the front of the property, but not at the back.

His advice is to ask for a written list of inclusions and exclusions before signing. Buyers can then obtain prices for any work they will need to organise separately. Inclusions vary between properties, so a display home or marketing image should not be treated as a complete list of what the contract provides.

Ask how much new housing is still to come

Edgar also encourages buyers to look beyond the property itself. In a developing estate, he suggests finding out how much land remains to be released and how many similar houses are planned. Apartment buyers can ask about nearby projects that are approved or under construction.

A continuing supply of comparable new properties may give future buyers more choice and affect resale prices. Edgar sees this as a reason to be cautious about assuming quick capital growth in a newly developed area. An estate selling out does not, by itself, guarantee that values will rise: demand, location, amenities, interest rates and the wider market all matter.

Check the grant and duty concession separately

Queensland’s first home owner grant and transfer duty concession have different eligibility rules. Eligible buyers with contracts signed from 1 July 2026 onward may qualify for a $30,000 grant for a new home valued at less than $750,000, including land.

For eligible contracts dated 1 May 2025 or later, the first home (new home) concession can reduce transfer duty to $0 on the new home and its residential land. Unlike the grant, this concession has no home value cap. Additional requirements apply, including citizenship or residency rules for transactions entered into from 1 August 2026.

A buyer may qualify for one benefit without qualifying for the other. Edgar recommends checking the full purchase budget—including excluded work—and having a conveyancer confirm which concessions apply before signing.

For buyers, the practical takeaway is to compare more than the headline price: confirm what comes with the home, allow for what does not, and understand the supply planned for the surrounding area. Explore Natgroup Projects’ current opportunities when you are ready to compare.