Building in South East Queensland: Five things land buyers should check before construction
From the 18-month settlement rule to first home buyer concessions and flood overlays, here’s what buyers in Moreton Bay, Ipswich and Logan should check before construction begins.
New estates across Moreton Bay, Ipswich and Logan remain some of South East Queensland’s most active areas for first home buyers, families and upsizers looking for space to build.
But buying a block in a new estate is rarely as simple as signing a contract and calling a builder. Queensland has its own rules for land sold before it is registered, its own support for first home buyers and its own site conditions to plan around.
These five checks can help buyers avoid delays and unexpected costs between signing for their land and starting construction.
1. Know your rights while the land is unregistered
In Queensland, land sold before the estate’s survey plan is registered is a “proposed lot”, and its sale is governed by the Land Sales Act 1984.
The developer must provide a disclosure plan and disclosure statement before the contract is signed, setting out details such as the lot number and area. The Act also requires the contract to settle within 18 months of being signed. If it doesn’t, and the buyer isn’t responsible for the delay, the buyer can end the contract.
Buyers also have stronger protection than they once did. Since November 2023, developers in Queensland have generally needed the buyer’s written consent, or a Supreme Court order, to cancel an off-the-plan land contract using a sunset clause.
2. Track when registration is expected
A block becomes a legal lot once the developer’s survey plan is registered with Titles Queensland and each lot receives its own title. Only then can the buyer settle, become the registered owner and begin the steps towards construction.
Knowing the expected registration date matters, because it drives everything that follows: when finance needs to be in place, when site investigations can happen and when a builder can start.
3. Check what government support you can claim
Queensland currently offers significant support for first home buyers who build.
Since 1 May 2025, eligible first home buyers purchasing vacant land to build their first home have been able to claim a full transfer duty concession, with no cap on the land’s value. The concession comes with conditions, including building and living in the home within set timeframes. From 1 August 2026, it is generally limited to Australian citizens and permanent residents.
The $30,000 First Home Owner Grant has also been continued for eligible contracts signed from 1 July 2026, and can apply to building a new home. As eligibility rules are detailed, buyers should confirm their position with the Queensland Revenue Office before committing.
4. Understand what your block will cost to build on
No two blocks are the same, and in South East Queensland, site conditions can make a noticeable difference to the final cost of a home.
Once the land has settled, a soil test determines the site classification, which guides the type of slab the home needs. Reactive clay soils in parts of the region can call for a more substantial slab. A contour survey shows how much the land falls and whether retaining walls or earthworks are required. Council planning overlays, including flood mapping in parts of Ipswich and Logan, can influence floor levels and design. The site’s wind rating also shapes construction requirements.
Buyers should also check the estate’s design covenants, which usually need developer approval before a certifier can issue building approval.
5. Lock in your builder and your price early
With so many steps tied to registration, choosing a builder early gives buyers time to select a design, understand the full cost of their build and arrange finance, so construction can progress once the land settles.
It can also protect against rising costs while they wait. Under Simonds Homes’ Titled Land Advantage campaign, buyers receive a 12-month price hold across the Elite, Elevate and Emerge ranges from the time they pay the initial fee. For buyers whose land is due to register in early 2027, that hold runs beyond the expected registration date.
The campaign is open to buyers with registered land, or land expected to register by 31 March 2027, and offers savings of up to $27,500 off the advertised base price of selected single and double-storey homes until 15 November 2026.
Savings vary by range. Elite, Simonds’ range of larger designs with premium inclusions and more scope for personalisation, carries the biggest saving of $27,500 on selected double-storey homes. Elevate, built around flexible layouts and contemporary finishes, offers $23,500 off single-storey and $24,500 off double-storey homes. Emerge, a streamlined option with practical designs and pre-selected finishes, offers $17,500 off single-storey and $18,500 off double-storey homes.
Buyers secure the offer with a $500 initial fee paid by 15 November 2026, before moving through sales acceptance, sales documentation and the building contract within set 14-day timeframes.
Homes are also backed by Simonds’ fixed price guarantee, guaranteed site start and Lifetime Structural Guarantee for the original homeowner. Eligibility criteria and terms and conditions apply.
About Simonds Homes
Founded by Gary Simonds in 1949, Simonds Homes is one of Australia’s leading residential builders, helping Australians achieve home ownership for more than 75 years. Operating across Victoria, Queensland, South Australia and Western Australia, Simonds creates homes for every stage of life, from first homes to growing family homes and knockdown rebuilds. With a focus on quality, affordability and thoughtful design, Simonds remains committed to making home ownership more accessible and giving customers confidence throughout their building journey.
Home designs by Simonds Homes in Queensland
Joel Robinson
Joel Robinson is the Editor in Chief at iBuildNew, where he leads the editorial team and oversees the country's most comprehensive news coverage dedicated to the new home building industry. With more than a decade of experience in residential real estate journalism, Joel brings deep insight into Australia's evolving home building and construction landscape.
