Being a first home buyer can be challenging. You’ll have an innate disadvantage because you’ll be unfamiliar with the market and the processes. Well, you may read about it, but nothing beats actual experience. You don’t need to worry, however, as it won’t automatically mean you’ll have a hard time. You can take steps to lessen the complexity and make things easier for you. One favourable step is considering house and land packages.

When getting ready to purchase a home and land package, a potential home buyer’s first point of order is often how to organise the finances. But where should you begin? To help you get started, below are three of the most frequently asked questions about this aspect of home ownership.

Do you qualify for a home loan?

A bank will first have to make sure you qualify for a home loan before you they approve you for it. They are going to look at your financial history and assess whether you make the cut or not. Employment, steady income, savings, and ability to handle debt are some of the things they’ll look at

When you and your partner are looking for home and land packages in Perth, it’s an exciting time to start planning on how to truly make the home your very own. Display homes usually have generic interior designs, but with some inspiration, you can cook up a décor that’s cosy and romantic for the two of you. Here are some ideas you might like:

Plush for Two

Comfy furniture are must-haves for your bedroom and other living spaces (including outdoor areas like your alfresco dining area). Make sure the pieces are comfortable for the two of you in terms of size, style and materials.

According to Australia’s Housing Industry Association (HIA), the number of new homes purchased in the country rose by 1.2% in June, 2014. For Western Australia, sale of detached houses rose 4.1%. This means more and more people prefer to start fresh instead of purchasing an existing property.

Blame it on the government

More young and not-so-young families alike are taking advantage of the government’s First Home Owner Grant, which is likely to be the cause of the sudden increase in new home sales. Approved applicants are given financial assistance in building their first family home.

Everything’s nicer when it’s new

Who wouldn’t want to experience the smell of fresh paint, new timber, and pristine furniture? Developers and builders alike make this dream possible with home and land packages in Perth wherein the family pays one price for everything. The company oversees the design, construction, and finishing of the home.

Potential investment

Should your family’s plan change in the course of your stay, selling a not-so-old house is far easier than selling an older one. A younger house will have less maintenance problems than a newer one, and that is definitely something buyers look out for.

Swelling with pride

There’s no better way to tell that your Australian dream has come true than with a brand new house. For that sense of pride and achievement, it’s no wonder that the number of new homes has risen the way it has. At this rate, expect that number to rise even further.

Western Australia’s capital city, Perth, has the highest standards of housing in the world. It follows that settling down and finding a home in Australia’s most expensive city may be rather costly. The city’s cost of living is more expensive than cities like New York in the US and in Tokyo, Japan. So before moving, one should be financially prepared to take on the costs.

Despite the city’s high cost of living, the cost of buying or renting properties is still lower than that of Sydney’s. There are still many citizens and immigrants alike that would opt to settle in Perth for its Mediterranean climate, its sprawling natural resources, and rich and diverse marine life. Those who are planning on moving should know what part of the city to settle down in.

Finding a place to settle down can be easier if it comes with home and land packages. That already takes care of having of having to deal with Perth’s crowded and at times crazy rental market. Owning property and building a home in Perth has many legal requirements but with enough zeal, financial stability, and a good homebuilder and seller, the cost of settling down in the city will be a price worth paying for.

Everyone dreams of owning a home. The question is what kind of home would be best for you– apartment or house? Both have their share of advantages and disadvantages, depending on the needs of home buyers in Perth and other residential areas.

Compartmentalised living

Apartments are generally for single folk or a family of four at most. They cost less to own than a house. There is a deeper sense of community because of close proximity to neighbours. Safety is not an issue since apartments are easy to secure.

In contrast, high-density residential areas tend to be noisy, with units close together. Apartment owners need permission to make changes to their unit. Apartments don’t appreciate the way houses do, unless they are in a desirable location or unique in design.

The house to call a home

Owning a house makes you the king of your own castle. You can do as you please with it to match your lifestyle requirements. Furthermore, being a larger property affords the owner larger capital gains. On the down side, houses are more costly to maintain in the long run than apartments.

Everyone’s a winner

It’s impossible to weigh the advantages of one over the other because not everyone has the same needs and circumstances. Therefore, the winner is the home buyer whose needs are answered by whatever they chose. The best way to pick a winner is to be realistic and forward thinking before signing on the dotted line.