First Home Buyers
Your first home, without the confusion
Grants, guarantees and lender criteria change often. We keep track of it so you don't have to, and tell you plainly what you actually qualify for on the Fraser Coast.
What first home buyers on the Fraser Coast need to know
Hervey Bay and Maryborough sit in a sweet spot for first home buyers compared to South East Queensland: prices are more accessible, and because the Fraser Coast is classified as a regional area, you may qualify for support that isn't available to buyers in Brisbane or the Gold Coast.
First Home Guarantee
This federal scheme lets eligible first home buyers purchase with as little as a 5% deposit while the government guarantees the rest, so you avoid paying Lenders Mortgage Insurance. Under current settings there's no income cap and no annual place limit, and the property price cap for Queensland outside Brisbane, the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast — which covers the whole Fraser Coast — sits well above typical Hervey Bay and Maryborough purchase prices. Scheme terms are set by government and can change, so we confirm the current caps and criteria as part of your free assessment.
Queensland First Home Owner Grant
A one-off grant toward a new home under a set price threshold — whether that's a house and land package in one of Hervey Bay's newer estates, or a new build in Maryborough. It doesn't apply to established homes, so if you're eyeing an older Queenslander in central Maryborough, this one won't help, but stamp duty concessions might.
Stamp duty concessions
Queensland currently offers a full stamp duty exemption for eligible first home buyers on new homes and vacant land (for building your first home), and an exemption on established homes up to a set value with a partial concession above that — relevant whether you're looking at a new estate in Urangan or an established home in Maryborough West. Eligibility rules include residency requirements, so we'll confirm what applies to your situation.
What we actually do for you
- ✓ Check which grants and guarantees you're eligible for, honestly
- ✓ Get you pre-approved so you can make offers with confidence
- ✓ Compare lenders on your panel rather than pushing one bank
- ✓ Handle the paperwork through to settlement
Check what you qualify for
Tell us a bit about what you're after and we'll be in touch within one business day.
Common questions
First home buyer questions
Does the Fraser Coast qualify for the First Home Guarantee?
Yes. As of the current scheme settings, there's no income cap and no annual place limit, and Queensland properties outside Brisbane, the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast — including the whole Fraser Coast — have a $700,000 price cap, well above typical Hervey Bay and Maryborough prices. Scheme settings do change over time, so we confirm current figures as part of your assessment.
How much deposit do I actually need?
It depends which scheme (if any) you use. With a government guarantee it can be as little as 5%. Without one, most lenders want 10-20% to avoid Lenders Mortgage Insurance. We'll map out what's realistic for your situation.
Can I use the First Home Owner Grant on an established home in Maryborough?
No — Queensland's First Home Owner Grant applies to new homes only (built, bought off-the-plan, or built by an owner-builder) under a set price threshold, not established homes. Established properties can still be eligible for stamp duty concessions and the First Home Guarantee, though.
How long does pre-approval take?
Typically a few business days once we have your documents together, though it varies by lender. We'll tell you upfront what to expect for your chosen lender.
Ready to find out what you qualify for?
A free assessment takes a few minutes and gives you a straight answer — not a sales pitch.
Get my free assessment