How to Buy Your First Home in Perth
Everything you need to know about buying your first home in Western Australia - from grants and costs to inspections and settlement.
$10,000 Grant
First Home Owner Grant for new homes up to $800,000
$0 Stamp Duty
No stamp duty on homes under $430,000 in WA
2% Deposit
Keystart loans let you buy with just 2% deposit
What First-Time Buyers Actually Face
Let's be honest about the real costs, timelines, and challenges in Perth's housing market
$20K-$55K
Total additional costs beyond your deposit (including ALL fees and hidden expenses)
12-40 Weeks
Actual time from searching to keys in hand (not the 6-week promise)
12-20 People
Parties involved in your purchase with no central coordination
Government Grants & Assistance
Take advantage of these Western Australian benefits
First Home Owner Grant
$10,000 for new homes up to $800,000 in Perth metro
Stamp Duty Savings
Save up to $21,000 with WA first home buyer concessions
Keystart Loans
Buy with just 2% deposit, no LMI required
Building Bonus
You may qualify for additional grants on new home construction
Your Perth Home Buying Journey
A realistic timeline for first-time buyers in Western Australia
Get Pre-Approved (2-4 weeks)
Secure your finance before house hunting
- Apply for Keystart or bank loan
- Check FHOG eligibility
- Calculate stamp duty savings
- Get written pre-approval
House Hunting (4-16 weeks)
Find your perfect Perth property
- Research suburbs within budget
- Attend open homes with checklist
- Check council rates and zones
- Make offers subject to conditions
Inspections (1-2 weeks)
Ensure the property is sound
- Book building inspection ($600-$1,200)
- Arrange pest inspection
- Review strata reports (if applicable)
- Negotiate based on findings
Contracts (1-2 weeks)
Finalise the legal paperwork
- Engage conveyancer ($1,200-$2,500)
- Review contract terms carefully
- Arrange building insurance
- Sign and exchange contracts
Settlement (4-6 weeks)
Handle the final process
- Finalise home loan approval
- Coordinate with settlement agent
- Complete final inspection
- Arrange utilities and moving
Move In!
Keys to your first home
- Receive keys on settlement day
- Complete immediate maintenance
- Set up home and contents insurance
- Enjoy your new home!
Essential First Home Buyer Tools
Calculate costs, plan timelines, and prepare for inspections with our free interactive tools
Cost Calculator
Calculate exact costs for your situation including stamp duty, FHOG, and all fees
Timeline Planner
Get a personalised timeline based on your current stage in the buying process
Inspection Checklist
What to look for at open homes and during building inspections
Ready to Plan Your Home Buying Journey?
Use our free tools to plan your purchase, compare costs, and prepare for inspections with more confidence.
Have questions?
Lauren can answer general property questions, and our free tools are built to help first-home buyers understand the process before making decisions.