Becoming a homeowner for the first time is an exciting life milestone. Deciding whether to build or buy, where you want to live, and how you want to decorate your home, are all things to look forward to when purchasing your first home. However, an important thing to remember is budgeting for costs, and knowing what exemptions and discounts you’re eligible for.

There are some different rules depending on the type of home you choose to buy. If you are looking at house and land packages in Clyde North, the type of package you purchase may affect what discounts you’re eligible to receive. We take a look at some common first homeowner exemptions and discounts below.

What is the First Home Owner Grant?

The First Home Owner Grant (FHOG) programme began in mid-2000. It’s a national government scheme that aims to offset the effect of goods and services tax (GST) on homeownership. The system is funded by all states and territories in Australia, with each state arranging their own set of rules and regulations. First-time buyers need to prove eligibility by satisfying application criteria. If successful, applicants will receive a one-off grant of $10,000, and even more if you are buying a house in regional Victoria.

What is the FHOG eligibility criteria?

If you are over the age of 18 and are buying or building a new home valued at up to $750,000, you may be eligible for the FHOG. Other prerequisites involved in applying for the grant include the following:

• The home must not have been previously sold or occupied, therefore a house and land package is suitable. 
• If applying with a partner, one of you will need to be an Australian citizen or Permanent Resident at the time of application. 
• You’ll need to live in the home and select it as your primary dwelling place for a minimum of one year. This period needs to commence within 12 months of construction ending or the settlement being approved. 
• If your home is not in regional Victoria, it must be less than five years old to be deemed eligible for the FHOG.
• You cannot apply if you or your partner have previously qualified for the grant, or lived in an Australian home that you have owned or joint-owned for more than six months.

Stamp duty exemptions Victoria 

It’s important that you understand how much the stamp duty is for first time buyers and if there are stamp duty exemptions in Victoria.

Stamp duty is a government property tax placed on your home with the amount varying depending on its value. When you purchase your first home, you may be able to claim a first home stamp duty concession or exemption on both a new and established property with a dutiable value of up to $60,000. If you satisfy the criteria for the FHOG, you will be eligible for these discounts. It’s important to speak to your solicitor or conveyancer to help establish your options and apply for these first home buyer duty exemptions on your behalf.

Choosing the right house and land package in Clyde North can also affect what stamp duty you pay. If choosing a package with the home already built, you are liable to pay stamp duty on both the land and the build, however, if you just purchase land to build on, you are only required to pay stamp duty on this component, not on the new house itself. This can be a good workaround for couples who may not be eligible for the stamp duty concession or exemption.

First Home Super Saver Scheme 

Across Australia, you can now use your super to help save for your first home. Since 2017, eligible first home buyers can use their super account to build savings which can be withdrawn when you are purchasing your first home. There is a set of criteria for this scheme, such as being over 18 and having no previous withdrawals from your super. The big advantage to this is that you may incur fewer taxes and charges than you would if you were using a regular deposit account.

The Family Home Guarantee

If you are a first-time buyer as well as a single parent, you may be eligible for The Family Home Guarantee. Introduced in this year’s Federal budget, for the next four years, the scheme allows 2,500 parents a year to purchase a new home with as little as 2% deposit and without needing Lenders Mortgage Insurance (LMI). This programme is open to both first-time buyers and previous owner-occupiers, whose income is no more than $125,000 annually, and whose loan term is no longer than 30 years.

First Home Loan Deposit Scheme (FHLDS)

Now known as the New Home Guarantee, this scheme by the Federal Government provides up to 10,000 first home buyers each year with support to buy a home. Under the program, eligible first home buyers (who are purchasing a new build only), can qualify for a home loan with a deposit of just 5% instead of the standard 10-15%. The federal government supplies up to 15% of the deposit, leaving you with more budget to spend on enjoying your home. While it’s subject to price caps and availability, it is available through 27 different lenders so is worth researching when purchasing a house and land package.

Whether you’re eligible for the family home guarantee or stamp duty exemptions for first home buyers, there are various programs aimed at helping home buyers.

Aside from the stamp duty discounts and exemptions, there are many benefits to purchasing a house and land package as a first-time buyer. If you’re interested in a house and land package in Clyde North visit perchclydenorth.com.au