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The glossy brochure is the developer’s marketing, and the advertised base price often leaves out fencing, landscaping and driveway extensions. Compare the full cost of completion against established homes in the same area.
House and land packages have become one of the most popular ways to enter the property market in the Moreton Bay Region. With new estates popping up across Caboolture, Morayfield, Burpengary, and beyond, buyers are presented with glossy brochures promising modern living at attractive price points. But are house and land packages genuinely a good deal, or are there hidden costs and compromises you should know about?
The Advantages
House and land packages offer several compelling benefits. For first home buyers, they can be combined with the Queensland First Home Owner Grant of $30,000 (locked in for another four years by the 2026-27 State Budget), and eligible first home buyers pay zero transfer duty on new homes and vacant land — a saving worth more than the grant itself on many purchases. New builds come with structural warranties and builder guarantees, meaning fewer maintenance surprises in the early years. You'll also benefit from modern energy-efficient designs, contemporary floor plans, and the ability to customise finishes and layouts. From an investment perspective, depreciation benefits on new properties can provide meaningful tax advantages for investors — our property depreciation guide explains how.
The Potential Downsides
However, house and land packages aren't without their drawbacks. The base price advertised often excludes essential items like fencing, landscaping, driveway extensions, and upgraded fixtures, which can add $30,000 to $60,000 to the final cost. Build times typically range from 6 to 12 months, during which you may need to continue paying rent elsewhere. Land sizes in newer estates tend to be smaller than established suburbs, often 300 to 450 square metres compared to 600+ square metres in older areas. There's also the consideration that newer estates may lack mature trees, established communities, and nearby amenities during the early stages of development.
What to Look For
- Get a fixed-price contract that clearly itemises all inclusions and exclusions
- Research the builder's reputation, including reviews from previous clients and any history with the QBCC
- Visit the estate in person and check the progress of surrounding infrastructure
- Compare the total cost (including all extras) against established homes in the same area
- Understand the estate covenants and any restrictions on modifications or landscaping
House and land packages can represent excellent value when approached with realistic expectations and thorough due diligence. The key is to look beyond the headline price, understand the full cost of completion, and work with reputable builders who deliver quality homes on time and on budget. For many buyers in the Moreton Bay Region, a well-chosen house and land package remains one of the smartest paths to homeownership. Our buyer's hub covers the steps from budget to settlement, and our guide on how to find a builder covers what to check before you sign anything.
Keep reading
- Buying property in AustraliaEvery step of a purchase, start to finish.
- Conveyancing in AustraliaWhat conveyancers do for new builds and contract review.
- How much deposit do you need?House-and-land tends to need different deposit timing.
- Best Value Regional Towns for a Family Home Under $500,000 (2026)Fourteen regional towns with a published median house price under $500,000, plus the schools, rents and hospitals that matter to a family.
- The Cheapest Suburbs to Buy a House in Australia 2026Where can you still buy a house in Australia for under $500K in 2026? More places than you'd think. A state-by-state look at the genuine value plays, plus what to actually check before you buy.
- How to Buy Property Interstate in Australia: A Practical GuideBuying property interstate is increasingly common as buyers chase value, yield or lifestyle. But the practical, legal and financial differences between states catch out unprepared buyers. Here's how to do it properly.