By Chaice Paterson, CEO & Founder, Low Deposit Homes | Updated June 2026

The number one question first home buyers ask Low Deposit Homes — usually in the first five minutes — is “how long does this whole thing take?” The honest answer in 2026: typically 8 to 14 months from first call to keys, with titled lots delivering at the faster end and untitled lots at the slower end. That’s significantly faster than even two years ago, because the QLD and VIC growth corridors now have substantially more titled land available — meaning settlement can happen within 30–60 days of contract instead of waiting 12+ months for the developer to register title. The wait is also one of the most underrated advantages: you keep saving while you wait, locking in today’s prices while your future deposit grows.

What Are the Stages from First Call to Keys?

Titled lot (now widely available across many QLD and VIC growth corridors):

Untitled lot (newer releases — early-stage Rosewood, future Ripley stages, newer VIC estates):

The key driver of your timeline is whether the lot is titled or untitled. Always ask specifically.

Stage 1: The Free Consultation (15 Minutes)

The first stage is a 15-minute call where we assess your eligibility, savings position, income, and goals. The key outcomes:

• Confirmation you qualify for the 5% Deposit Scheme or Help to Buy
• Confirmation your income supports the loan size you want
• Identification of any red flags (HECS debt, car loans, dependents, credit issues)
• Initial corridor and price-point recommendation

This is also where the first reframe happens. Most buyers walk in believing they need $122,000+ and walk out understanding the actual number is around $54,500.

Stage 2: Finance Pre-Approval (1–2 Weeks)

You’re routed to our preferred mortgage broker, who works through full income verification, savings verification, and lender selection. What you’ll need:

• ID (driver’s license, passport)
• Last 2–3 payslips per applicant
• Last 3–6 months of bank statements
• Latest tax returns (especially if self-employed)
• HECS/HELP debt balance from MyGov
• Employment letter or contract
• Details of any debts (car loans, credit cards, personal loans)

Lender selection is critical. Different lenders treat HECS, dependents, overtime, and rent ledger very differently. Wrong lender = $50K–$80K less borrowing capacity.

Stage 3: Land Selection & EOI (1–4 Weeks)

While pre-approval is in progress, we work with you to identify the right house and land package. This involves:

• Confirming corridor that fits your work, family, and lifestyle
• Reviewing available estates and current land releases
• Site visits where practical
• Reviewing house designs that fit your block and budget
• Confirming the package is fixed-price turnkey (non-negotiable)
• Signing the Expression of Interest (typically $1,000–$5,000 holding deposit)

Stage 4: Contracts & Formal Finance (2–4 Weeks)

Once finance is conditional and the package is selected, you sign:

1. Land contract — purchasing the lot from the developer, conditional on land registration
2. Build contract — engaging the builder for fixed-price construction once land settles

Your conveyancer reviews both. The bank moves from conditional to unconditional approval through this period.

“The thing I tell every client about the wait is this: you’re not waiting for nothing. You’re locking in today’s price on a property you’ll move into 8 to 14 months from now. The corridors we work in have many more titled lots than they did two years ago — many of our clients now settle within 30 to 60 days of contract. You’re also continuing to save during the wait — most clients add $15K–$25K to their offset by handover. The wait isn’t dead time. It’s compounding time.” — Chaice Paterson, founder of Low Deposit Homes

Stage 5: Land Settlement (30 Days for Titled / Up to 6 Months for Untitled)

You’ve signed contracts; now you wait for the land to settle. Two scenarios:

Titled lot: Land has already been registered by the developer and the title exists. Settlement happens 30–60 days after contract signing — similar to an established home purchase.

Untitled lot: Land hasn’t been registered yet. You wait for the developer’s master plan to be approved by council and individual lot titles issued. In current market conditions, this is typically up to 6 months from contract signing.

Your contract typically has a sunset date (12–18 months) — if registration hasn’t occurred by then, you can rescind and recover your deposit. Sunset clauses are important protections.

The 2026 market has substantially more titled options than was the case a few years ago. Always confirm titled vs untitled before signing — the timeline difference is months.

Stage 6: Construction (6 Months)

Construction itself takes about 6 months from slab pour to handover. Major milestones:

• Slab: Concrete foundation poured
• Frame: Wall and roof framing installed
• Lock-up: External walls, roof, openings complete
• Fix: Internal walls, plumbing, electrical, fixtures
• Practical completion: Home functionally complete

You’ll receive progress payment claims at each milestone — paid by your bank directly to the builder as their valuer signs off each stage. As each progress payment is drawn down, your interest-only repayment increases slightly — but you don’t need to come up with additional lump-sum cash.

Stage 7: Settlement & Move-In (2–4 Weeks)

The final stage:

• Pre-handover inspection — walk through with builder, identify defects
• Defects rectification — builder addresses your list (1–4 weeks)
• Final inspection — defects confirmed resolved
• Settlement — final payment to builder, keys handed over

Important: handover is NOT the same as land settlement. Land settlement is the title transfer (months earlier). Handover is the keys to your finished home. They’re separate events — important for tax planning and timing.

Why the Wait Is Actually an Advantage

A few things to understand:

• You’re locking in today’s price. A property worth $850K today may be worth $900K+ when you take handover. You contracted at $850K.
• You continue saving. Most clients add $15K–$25K to their offset during the wait — that’s debt reduction the day they settle.
• You can keep renting alongside. Repayments during construction are interest-only on the drawn-down portion, which is lower than full P&I. You typically still rent during this period — but the gradual ramp-up gives you time to adjust before full repayments start at handover.
• You’re not locked into market timing. If rates drop during your wait, you may be able to lock in a lower rate at settlement.

Common Timeline Mistakes

• Underestimating land registration. Newer estates can be 12+ months. Don’t assume “next month.”
• Confusing land settlement with handover. Different events, often 6–10 months apart.
• Letting your lease end before realistic handover. Build conservative timelines into your rental planning.
• Not maintaining contact with your broker. Pre-approvals can lapse if not refreshed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can the process be faster?

Yes — significantly faster than was typical a few years ago. Choosing an estate with land already titled delivers settlement within 30–60 days of contract and a total timeline of 8–10 months from first call to keys. Pre-organising your finance documentation and avoiding customisations helps too. For genuine speed, an established home settles in 30–60 days — but the cash position is much harder ($122,000 vs $54,500 in QLD).

What’s the longest it’s taken?

In current market conditions with the 2026 corridor activity, most untitled lots settle within 6 months of contract — meaning a total timeline of 12–14 months from first call to keys. Significant delays are unusual now but can still occur with newer estates if developer or council processes slip. The sunset clause in your contract protects you — if registration doesn’t happen by the sunset date (typically 12–18 months from contract), you can rescind and recover your deposit.

Do I pay anything during the wait?

Yes — but less than you’d think, and it changes through the journey:

• Pre-settlement (waiting for land to title): You pay a holding deposit at EOI ($1K–$5K typically) and a 5% deposit at settlement. No mortgage payments yet — you continue paying rent.
• After land settlement (start of construction): Your construction loan activates and the lender draws down on the land portion first. Repayments start at this point — but they’re interest-only on the amount the bank has actually drawn down, not the full loan amount. Initially this is just the land portion (around 30–40% of the total loan), so the interest payment is relatively low.
• During construction: As each progress payment is released to the builder (slab, frame, lock-up, fix, completion), the drawn-down amount increases — and so does your interest-only repayment. By the final stage, you’re paying interest on most of the loan.
• At handover: The loan converts to principal and interest on the full loan amount. This is when full mortgage payments start.

Practically, this means your monthly repayments ramp up gradually through construction rather than hitting you with the full mortgage payment on day one. You typically continue paying rent in parallel until handover, then move in and rent stops.

What happens if my circumstances change during the wait?

Material changes (job loss, partner separation, significant income change) need to be flagged with your broker immediately. Pre-approvals can be revoked if your circumstances change adversely. Minor changes (job change with similar income) usually aren’t a problem. The wait period is one reason we route clients only into deals we’re 90–95% confident will succeed — to minimise the risk of falling out late.

Can I visit during construction?

Yes — most builders offer scheduled site visits at key milestones (typically pre-pour and pre-lock-up). You can also drive past at any time to see progress. Most clients do a few drive-bys during the build for the simple joy of watching their future home come out of the ground.

Ready to Start the Timeline?

Book a free 15-minute consultation with Low Deposit Homes — Book your free call | Call 1800 920 172

The first conversation costs you nothing and clarifies everything. We’ve helped 1000+ families navigate this exact timeline. The sooner you start, the sooner you finish.

Low Deposit Homes operates under Winning Homes Australia Pty Ltd (ACN 633 321 758). All deposit calculations are indicative and based on general scenarios. Individual circumstances may vary. Government grant eligibility is subject to assessment by the relevant authority. This guide is for informational purposes and does not constitute financial advice.