For first-home buyers looking for their dream forever family home, building or buying is one of the biggest decisions you’ll wrestle with. It’s not just a matter of budget; it’s about lifestyle, long-term value, and finding a place that feels right.
So, what is the best choice — and why?
While both buying an established home and building a new one come with their own pros and cons, building offers some distinct advantages that are hard to overlook — especially in a fast-growing city like Perth, where land is becoming increasingly rare in well-connected suburbs.
The Big Question: Buy an Existing Home or Build New?
At first glance, buying an existing home might seem like the simpler option: it’s ready to go, you can move in faster, and you can get a feel for the home before committing. But the trade-offs? You’re often compromising on layout, condition, and location.
Buying an Existing House
- Move in faster: Once your home loan is approved and the settlement period is complete (typically 30–90 days), you can move straight in.
- Character & location: Older homes often come with mature gardens, established street appeal, and desirable locations.
- Hidden costs: You might inherit wear and tear, ageing infrastructure, or need to budget for renovations and updates.
- Limited flexibility: You’ll likely need to compromise on layout, design, or energy efficiency.
Building Your Own Home
- Custom design: Choose your layout, finishes, and features based on your lifestyle.
- Modern standards: Enjoy better insulation, energy efficiency, and smart tech from day one.
- Fewer maintenance issues: Everything is brand new, reducing unexpected repair bills.
- Longer timeline: The building process can take 6–18 months, depending on design, council approvals, and builder availability.
While buying offers speed and convenience, building puts the control in your hands, and in a community like Rivermark, it could offer the best of both worlds.
Why More Perth Buyers Are Choosing to Build
With rising home values and greater competition in the established home market, more Perth buyers, especially first-home buyers, are choosing to build. Why?
1. Greater Energy Efficiency and Modern Design
Today’s homes are built with sustainability in mind, from double glazing and solar options to waterwise landscaping. These upgrades aren’t always feasible in an older home without major renovations.
2. Access to Grants and Incentives
If you're building a new home, you're eligible for the First Home Owner Grant (FHOG) of $10,000 in WA — but this doesn’t apply to buying an established home. You may also be exempt from government fees like stamp duty when buying land under the threshold.
These grants and exemptions can make building a more affordable entry point into the market.
Learn more about the FHOG here.
3. Long-Term Savings
Although you’ll need to pay for council approvals, siteworks, and other extra costs during the building process, your ongoing maintenance costs are generally much lower than with an older property. New homes also tend to attract better resale values due to their condition, design, and energy performance.
Building a Home in Viveash with Rivermark
Located just 18km from the Perth CBD and fronting a quiet bend on the meandering Swan River, Rivermark in Viveash offers one of the last remaining opportunities to build in a premium riverside setting within an already established suburb.
Why Choose Rivermark?
- Masterplanned living: Designed with community, nature, and lifestyle at its heart.
- Nature on your doorstep: Walking trails, green spaces, riverside views, and future parks.
- Connected convenience: Close to schools, shopping, healthcare, transport, and the heart of Midland.
Whether you’re a first-home buyer or experienced home builder, Rivermark gives you the flexibility to design your future from the ground up with blocks ranging from low-maintenance lots to large family-sized sites.
A Sustainable and Community-Driven Future
Rivermark has also been recognised for its environmental credentials, with a strong focus on sustainable land use, waterwise design, and native landscaping. Boasting a 6-Leaf accreditation under the EnviroDevelopment assessment framework, families, downsizers, and first-home buyers alike are drawn to its balance of green living and urban convenience.
Explore more about the lifestyle offered at Rivermark in The Ultimate Guide to Buying Your First Home.
Cost Considerations: Is It Cheaper to Build or Buy?
The answer depends on your goals but here’s how the numbers often break down in WA:
Buying an Established Property
For many first-home buyers, purchasing an existing house can offer the appeal of moving in sooner, living in a well-established area, and avoiding the wait times of the building process. But it's important to look beyond the sale price and consider the other factors that can impact your total spend and lifestyle.
- Total cost = Purchase price + stamp duty + any renovations or upgrades
- May be priced higher due to location or established appeal.
- Renovation costs can be unpredictable and trades are in high demand.
Building a New Home
Building a new house gives you full creative control, from selecting your vacant land to designing a home that perfectly suits your lifestyle. However, it’s important to plan for rising construction costs, factor in home construction loans or construction loans during your financing process, and review a detailed land report to understand site conditions before you begin.
With the proper planning and builder partnership, you can enjoy a smooth building process and long-term value that goes far beyond the first build.
- Total cost = Land price + construction costs
- More predictable budget (with a fixed-price builder contract).
- Lower upfront maintenance costs.
- Eligible for FHOG and stamp duty savings.
And don’t forget the long-term savings: new homes typically have lower energy bills, fewer repair costs, and may attract higher resale value due to modern features.
Buying an Established House – When Does It Make Sense?
While building has strong advantages, buying an established home could still be the right choice for some buyers.
When an Existing Home Might Work for You:
- You need to move quickly (e.g. for a job or a new school year).
- You love period architecture, mature gardens, or unique features.
- You’re ready for a renovation project and want to add your own value.
Just be mindful that older homes often come with hidden costs from things like rewiring and plumbing to insulation and roof repairs. The savings up front may not last in the long term.
Key Questions to Ask Before Deciding
Still torn between building or buying? Here are a few prompts to help guide your decision:
1. How important is custom design to you?
If you want full control over layout, fixtures, and finishes, building is the way to go. With a house and land package at Rivermark, you can work with trusted builder partners who can help you design a perfectly matched Rivermark home.
2. What’s your timeline to move in?
If you need to be in fast, an established home may suit. But if you can plan ahead, building gives you more value and flexibility over time.
3. Do you value sustainability and low maintenance?
Rivermark's modern homes are designed for efficient living — with a range of incentives, owners can benefit from waterwise gardens, solar options, and smart appliances.
4. What lifestyle do you want long-term?
Do you see yourself in a walkable riverside neighbourhood with room for kids to grow up, or in a more built-up area with limited outdoor space?
Why Rivermark Makes the Case for Building
There are plenty of places to build in Perth — but few offer what a master-planned community like Rivermark does: the rare combination of nature, connection, and quality.
What Sets Rivermark Apart:
- Rare land opportunity in an established riverside suburb
- Award-winning masterplanning and environmental design
- Proximity to public transport, top schools, hospitals, and shops
- Flexible block sizes and builder options
- Balanced lifestyle — from active families to downsizers
Unlike fringe suburbs with limited amenities, Rivermark in Viveash offers future-forward living in an established location. It’s a place where you can build your home and your life from the ground up.
Start Your Home Journey at Rivermark
Whether you're dreaming of your very first home, a riverside retreat, or a low-maintenance haven, Rivermark gives you the opportunity to build in one of Perth’s most desirable pockets.
Ready to take the first step? Explore land for sale or browse the exciting range of house and land options.