Here you'll find handy tips & calculators plus government concessions & grant information for buyers & first home buyers

It's a big decision to buy a property and chances are there are all sorts of features you'd like to find in your home.

Locating that ideal property should involve a bit of your heart and a lot more of your head, otherwise you could end up buying somewhere that's far from a perfect fit.

Compiling a list of what's important to you in a property is a great way of narrowing down your options and ensuring you purchase somewhere most suited to your needs.

1. Location:

One of the most important aspects to think about is the location of your property, which will largely depend on your individual circumstances. If, for example, you have children then you'll need to make sure there are plenty of quality schools nearby (our area's schools). Young professionals, on the other hand, will want to be close to their place of work. Pet owners may want to seek out areas which are closer to great dog-friendly parks etc. An area might seem ideal at face value, but spend some time doing some more in-depth research to ensure it's the right choice for you.

2. Price:

Another important factor is the price of the property - how much can you afford to spend on your first home? Some suburbs are more affordable than others, so it's worth knowing where you are able to buy before getting your heart set on a certain home.

3. The feel of the area:

It's essential that you feel at ease when you move into your first home, which is why speaking to people who already live there is another good way to research the area - they're likely to be the best source of information!

4. Renovation potential:

Some people like the idea of making their first property into a renovation project, while others simply want to move in and start living in it straight away. Decide which way is right for you and factor this into your property hunting process.

Taking action:

We understand that buying a home can be stressful, confusing and overwhelming at times. Our extensive industry experience coupled with in-depth local knowledge means we make your experience as seamless and stress-free as possible and ensure that you have the information you need to make a well-informed decision for you and your family.

Want to find out about our newest listings before everyone else?

Click here to register for VIP Alerts. Just give us your wish list and we'll make sure that you're notified the moment a new property hits the market.

Need more information about buying a home:

Click here to download our free buyer's guide. It's exactly what you need to get prepared and secure your perfect home.
The guide includes:
* How to find the home of your dreams
* How to finance it, negotiate, and secure the purchase
* How to prepare to move in

Keep reading for:

Handy Tips & Calculators + Government concession & grant information:

Transfer Duty:

First National has a quick calculator to estimate how much transfer duty you may have to pay. To access it, Click here.
To find out more about the rules for transfer duty in Queensland, Click here.

As a First Home Buyer, you could be much better placed than you might imagine to afford a home.
Although homes seem to cost so much more than they did when our parents bought them, interest rates are lower, government assistance is greater than ever and wages are far higher than our parents could have imagined.

The truth is, buying a home has always involved some sacrifice but it's not impossible and we have outlined below a guide to help you explore what financial assistance is currently available to you:

Federal Government Assistance Summary:

First Home Loan Deposit Scheme:

The Australian Government supports eligible home buyers to purchase a home sooner. For first-home buyers without a 20% deposit (subject to bank lending assessment) you may buy a new home with a 5% minimum deposit. There will be 35,000 places for financial year 2022/23 (restricted to new home builds and completed stock), the Government guarantees the 15% difference which enables you to avoid paying mortgage insurance. The purchase price is capped at $700,000 (Capital City/Regional Centre) and $550,000 (Rest of State).

First Home Super Saver Scheme - Salary sacrifice up to $15,000 per financial year up to a total of $50,000 across all years.

First Home Owners Grant - $15,000

Valid for purchases less than $750,000
Applicable when buying or building a new house, unit or townhouse (valued at less than $750,000, including land) that you will live in.
You must apply within one year of taking possession of the new home.
Established homes that have undergone substantial renovation can be considered.
Must move into home within a year of completing the transaction (and live there continuously for 6 months).
You can rent out one or more rooms in the home during your 6-month residency period, as long as this arrangement doesn’t affect your use of the home.
Investment properties not eligible.

Stamp/Transfer Duty Concessions or Waivers

First Home Concession – Save up to $15,925 on your first home valued under $550,000.

First Home Vacant Land Concession – Save up to $7,175 when buying vacant land valued at under $400,000.

Home Concession – Save up to $7,175 on the first $350,000 of the value of the residence (eligible buyers).

Mortgage calculator:

Want to get an idea of what you can afford. With this handy calculator, you can work out your estimated loan amount, monthly repayments and upfront costs. To find out more, Click here.

Your credit score:

Your credit score is important because it may influence how much a lender such as a bank will loan you to buy your new property. If you have a low credit score a lender may see you as being a bigger risk of not paying back your loan. Lenders advise that a bad credit score may actually result in you being knocked back for the loan. Conversely, if your credit score is good, it shows a lender that you have the ability to meet your financial obligations on the loan.

Since Australia switched to the Comprehensive Credit Reporting system, your credit history also now includes details of any businesses you own or are directors of, bankruptcy or court judgements, credit applications made in the past 5 years, payment defaults, overdue accounts, even what accounts have been opened and closed and how well you meet your repayments.

How to check your credit score:
You can actually check your credit score free of charge using several national credit reporting bodies.
To find out more, Click here.
You will need to provide your ID and complete the required information to get your credit score. This can be done quickly and easily and usually you will get an immediate indication of your credit score. It generally takesabout 10 working days to get a free copy of your credit report from the main credit reporting agencies.

Need further information?

Click here to download our handy free Home Buyer's Guide.

** All information provided is a general guide only. Please check with relevant Queensland Government departments and/or your accountant to verify your particular circumstances and/or individual eligibility.

Buying Tips, Grants & Calculators