Why more WA buyers are choosing to build right now

Right now, WA homebuyers are considering a broader range of options than before. Stay put? Renovate? Buy established? Build new? According to the latest research from realestate.com.au, 82% of people currently considering a property are looking at both new and established homes.

That is a wide net, and taking time to understand each option properly makes sense given what is at stake. If building new is one of the options you are considering, here is a clear-eyed look at why it deserves serious consideration. Not as a sales pitch, just a fair assessment of what the numbers and our experience show.

The Financial Case 

Building new carries a set of financial advantages that established homes simply can’t match.

For a start, stamp duty on a house and land package is calculated on the land value only, not the completed home. At the current WA average purchase price of $939k, that’s a meaningful saving before you’ve broken ground.

If you’re a first-time buyer, building new also keeps the WA First Home Owner Grant within reach. Buying established removes that eligibility entirely.

For investors, the landscape has shifted considerably. Under the 2026 federal budget, both negative gearing and the 50% capital gains tax discount are now limited to new builds. 

This combination shows financial incentives now point clearly towards new builds.

The Home You Get

Beyond the finances, building new gives you something an established home can’t: the chance to make every decision yourself.

New builds are also designed for the way people live today. 75% of buyers agree that new homes offer a more modern, technology-enabled living experience than established properties. Smart security and home automation are built in from the start, not bolted on later. With the year ending June 2025 confirmed as Australia’s hottest on record, a home built to current standards for insulation and weather resistance isn’t a luxury. It’s a practical advantage.

Confidence to Commit

For many buyers, hesitation about building new comes down to trust. And that’s a fair concern.

What the research shows, though, is that the trust signals people look for are those a good builder can genuinely offer. A 10-year structural guarantee is the top factor buyers consider when choosing a builder. Local knowledge and a proven track record matter just as much.

And perhaps the most telling figure of all: 80% of people who have built or bought a new property say they would make the same choice again.

WA Country Builders has built more than 6000 homes across regional Western Australia since 1991. We are proud to have won more awards than any other regional builder, which clients themselves vote for.

Building new isn’t for everyone. But if you’re genuinely considering it, the case is strong. 

Talk to WA Country Builders about what’s possible for your situation.