A house and land package can be one of the most exciting ways to get into a brand new home. You choose a block of land and a house design, lock in a fixed price, and end up with a new build that is entirely yours from the ground up. For many Australians, it feels like the perfect combination of affordability and choice. But the finance side of a house and land package works differently from a standard home loan, and that is where FinancePath comes in.
What Is a House and Land Package?
A house and land package is essentially two things bundled together: a block of land from a house land developer, and a build contract with a house land builder. Sometimes these are sold as a fixed price package, where everything is included in one agreed price. Other times, you sign two separate contracts, one for the land and one for the construction. Either way, the result is a brand new home built to your specifications.
Some packages are sold as a turnkey home or turnkey solution, meaning the property is fully completed and ready to move into at settlement, with everything managed from start to finish. Others require you to make progress payments during the build. Understanding which type you are buying matters a great deal when it comes to arranging your finance.
How Does the Finance Work?
Financing a house and land package is not the same as buying an established property. In most cases, you will need a construction loan to cover the build component. A construction loan releases funds in stages as the builder completes each phase of the new build, rather than as one lump sum. This means you typically only pay interest on the amount drawn down at each stage, which can help manage your cash flow during the build period.
The land component is usually settled first, using a standard home loan. Once the land settles, the construction loan kicks in for the build. This two-stage process affects how lenders assess your loan amount, your loan to value ratio (LVR), and the interest rate you will be offered. Some lenders offer a variable interest rate during construction, while others allow you to lock in a fixed interest rate once the build is complete. FinancePath works with banks and lenders across Australia to find the right package finance structure for your situation.
Deposits, Stamp Duty, and Grants
One of the biggest advantages of a house and land package is the potential savings on house land stamp duty. In Victoria, stamp duty is generally calculated on the land value only at the time of purchase, not the finished property value. This can result in meaningful savings compared to buying an established home at the same price.
Your house land deposit requirements will also vary depending on the lender and your LVR. Some buyers may be eligible for the First Home Owner Grant (FHOG), which can contribute toward the deposit or construction costs. FinancePath can help you understand what house land grants you may qualify for, including state-based incentives for first home buyers building a new home.
If you are concerned about your deposit size, it is worth exploring options like the Home Guarantee Scheme or speaking with FinancePath about how to structure your borrowing capacity to make the numbers work.
Choosing the Right Loan Structure
Not all construction loans are created equal. The interest rate, fees, and flexibility can vary significantly between lenders. A fixed price package deal gives you certainty on the build cost, but your loan structure still needs to match your financial goals. FinancePath helps you access home loan options from banks and lenders across Australia, comparing what is available so you are not locked into a product that does not suit you.
For example, if you are buying a house and land package as an investment, the loan structure and tax implications will be different from buying it as your primary residence. FinancePath can also assist with investment loans if you are looking at a new home package as part of a broader property strategy.
The House and Land Settlement Process
House land settlement typically happens in stages. The land settles first, and then the construction loan is drawn down progressively as the build reaches key milestones, such as slab down, frame up, lock-up, and practical completion. Your house land contract will outline these stages, and FinancePath helps you understand what to expect at each point so there are no surprises.
It is also important to know that lenders will conduct a valuation of the completed property before approving the full construction loan. This means the finished value of your new home needs to support the total loan amount you are borrowing. FinancePath works through these details with you upfront so your finance is structured correctly from day one.
Why Work With FinancePath?
At FinancePath, we understand that buying a home, especially through a house and land package, involves a lot of moving parts. From the initial house land deposit through to house land settlement, there are decisions to make at every step. Our team takes the time to explain your options in plain language, help you compare loan products, and make sure your finance is ready to go when you need it.
Whether you are a first home buyer exploring a project home package or a seasoned buyer looking at a display home package in a new estate, FinancePath is here to support you. We also help you understand how your LVR affects your borrowing power and whether you might qualify for any available house land grants or government schemes.
Ready to take the next step? Book an appointment with the FinancePath team today and let us help you make your new home a reality.
We begin by gaining a deep understanding of you - your goals, your lifestyle, your current position, and where you want to be in the future.
At this stage, we focus on asking the questions that matter to you, not just the questions lenders require. This allows us to build a strategy that supports your life today and your longterm plans, not just a transaction.
During this stage, we:
This first step ensures we're aligned and preparing a lending plan that's tailored specifically to your needs - not a one size fits all approach. It's all about setting the right foundation so the rest of the journey feels simple, informed, and stress free.
Next, we design a personalised lending solution around your unique circumstances and guide you through every part of the approval journey.
After analysing your position and reviewing the broader lending market, we provide you with a clear, personalised borrowing capacity and a lending structure that aligns with both your immediate needs and future goals.
In this stage, we:
You'll always know where things stand, what's coming next, and what actions (if any) you need to take. We remove the complexity from this step so you can move forward with confidence, clarity, and peace of mind.
Once approved, we support you through settlement and continue to work with you well beyond your loan being put in place.
Settlement is not the end of the journey - it's the beginning of an ongoing relationship designed to ensure your lending continues to support your life as it evolves.
Here's what this includes:
We proactively reach out to ensure your lending remains aligned with your goals - now and into the future - giving you the confidence and peace of mind that we have your back.
Your lending journey doesn't end at settlement, and neither does our support. Our ongoing approach ensures you're always well positioned to make the most of your financial opportunities.
















































Chris and his team have been a pleasure to deal with during the whole process. Very informative and got us a great result with our remortgage.
Nick Little
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John Denier
Jake was amazing, so personable and an excellent broker!
kath brundell
Hands down the best broker experience we have ever had. Mark, his team and network of property professionals made our experience 10/10. Have already told all my family and friends, can’t recommend FinancePath more!
Brayden King
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We envision a world where financial stress is a thing of the past. Where everyone has a trusted partner guiding them through life’s biggest financial decisions—24/7.
We’re here to help you seize opportunities, avoid pitfalls, and live your best life. Not just for you, but for your family, friends, and future generations.
Book AppointmentMany brokers focus on how much you can borrow. We focus on how much you should borrow — and, just as importantly, why.
Rather than producing a generic borrowing capacity figure, our role is to ask the right questions upfront so your lending strategy actually fits your life. We take the time to understand your income structure, expenses, lifestyle priorities, future plans, and risk tolerance before discussing numbers. This ensures your lending position supports where you’re heading, not just what a calculator says is possible.
From there, we help you shape a personalised lending strategy — considering cash flow, tax implications, flexibility, and future opportunities — so your finance decisions remain sustainable and intentional over time. Our focus is on clarity and confidence, not maximising debt.
We also stay involved beyond settlement. That means helping you understand how your loan works day‑to‑day, keeping an eye on whether it still suits your circumstances, and checking in as your goals or situation evolve.
Unlike many brokers, we hold an Australian Credit Licence (ACL), which means we are required to meet strict compliance standards, maintain professional indemnity insurance, manage dispute resolution processes, and demonstrate adequate resources and systems. This provides reassurance that you’re working with a licensed professional held to high regulatory and ethical standards.
In short, we don’t just arrange loans — we help you make lending decisions that still feel right years down the track.
Instead, we’re paid through commissions by the fund provider when a loan settles and, in some cases, while the loan remains in place. This payment structure does not change our legal obligations to you.
As licensed mortgage brokers, we are required to act in your best interests and comply with responsible lending obligations under Australian law. That means we must take reasonable steps to ensure any loan we recommend is suitable for your circumstances, aligns with your objectives, and does not place you in financial hardship. Our duty is to you — not the lender.
Banks, by contrast, are only required to ensure a loan is not unsuitable for their customer. They are not held to the same best‑interests obligation and are limited to offering products from their own range.
Our process is designed around these higher standards. We focus on understanding your full financial position, asking the right questions, and recommending lending solutions that are sustainable over the long term — not simply what you might qualify for today.
This approach gives you confidence that your lending decisions are being made carefully, responsibly, and with your interests at the centre — both now and into the future.
Not at all. Whatever stage of life you are in or financial position you find yourself in, we can help bring clarity to your money matters. We may identify loan products with better rates, or help you build a smarter end-to-end money management strategy. It all starts with a free smart money management consultation. Whether you are looking to reduce debt, grow wealth, or simply get a clearer picture of your finances, our team is ready to help you take the next step. There are no obligations and no pressure, just straightforward, honest guidance tailored to your situation. Give us a call on 1300 780 440 to get started.
Interest rate movements are one of the most common concerns we hear from borrowers — and understandably so. Even small changes can affect repayments and your longer‑term financial position.
At FinancePath, you’re not left to navigate these changes on your own. Our role is to help you understand how rate movements may affect your loan and to be available when it makes sense to review your options. When you’re considering a change — whether that’s reviewing your rate, restructuring your loan, or exploring refinancing — we’ll walk you through the implications clearly so you can make an informed decision.
We also focus heavily on getting the structure right from the outset. That includes discussing fixed versus variable rates, split loan options, and flexibility features, so your loan is aligned with your goals and risk tolerance from day one — not just current market conditions.
Our approach is about long‑term suitability, not constant switching. As your circumstances or the lending environment change, we’re here to help you assess what still makes sense, so your loan continues to support your broader financial plans over time.
Missing out on a great property because your bank is buried in paperwork is frustrating — and avoidable. We work closely with a wide range of Australian lenders, including specialist lending teams that don’t deal directly with the public. This allows us to assess your situation efficiently and guide your application through the process without unnecessary delays.
Whether you’re seeking pre‑approval or need a fast turnaround on a purchase, we focus on momentum so you’re always ready to act. No sitting on hold. No waiting weeks for updates. When the right opportunity comes along, you’ll be in a strong position to move forward with confidence.
While every situation is different, most applications move from initial submission through to settlement within two to six weeks. Your first financial assessment and loan recommendation can typically happen within days of providing your details. From there, formal application and lender assessment generally takes one to two weeks, though complexity, document readiness, and the lender's current workload can all influence the timeline. Property valuations and legal checks can also add time depending on the circumstances. Pre-approval can often be obtained faster, sometimes within just a few days. At FinancePath, we work to keep things moving efficiently at every stage and will keep you informed throughout so there are never any surprises. The goal is always to get you to settlement as smoothly and quickly as possible.
Most people approach a bank only after finding a property they want. By that point, time pressure is working against you, and any gaps in your application become urgent problems.
We take the opposite approach. Getting your lending position clear before you need it means we can ask the right questions, gather the correct documents, and present your application accurately, without the rush. Approval timeframes ultimately depend on the lender and loan type, but our role is to remove every delay on your side, avoiding back-and-forth, last-minute surprises, and unnecessary bottlenecks.
The result is that when the right property comes along, you're already organised, informed, and ready to act. Not scrambling to catch up.
Being self-employed or running your own business should never be a barrier to building your property portfolio or securing the finance you need. Traditional lenders often apply a one-size-fits-all approach that puts self-employed applicants at an unfair disadvantage. At FinancePath, we work with self-employed borrowers and business owners every day. We know which lenders genuinely understand variable income, what documentation they require, and how to present your application in the strongest possible way. Whether you are using business financials, tax returns, or business activity statements, we help you put your best foot forward. Some lenders actively specialise in self-employed borrowers and offer more flexible criteria, and our job is to connect you with the right one while making sure you are getting a competitive deal.