A better way to build your first home in Victoria
Buying your first home should feel exciting, but for most people, it’s overwhelming before they even begin.
That’s where Locale comes in.
We’re your independent new home advocate (aka. building broker). We work for you, not the builder, helping you compare options, understand the real costs, and make confident decisions from day one.
No sales pressure. No confusing jargon.
Whether east or west of the bridge, we’ll help you build your future in Victoria with confidence.
Your path out of renting starts here
Renting can feel like you’re stuck in an endless cycle. Week after week your money is paying off someone else’s mortgage while you have little control over your future.
But what if that same money could go towards a place of your own?
From around $539 per week*, home ownership could be closer than you think, with a home designed to suit your lifestyle and your plans.
It starts with understanding what’s possible.
We’ll help you explore your options, so you can take the first step with clarity and confidence.
Convert your rent
How much rent do you pay per week?
Often you can achieve your perfect place for what you are paying in rent. Use our calculator to see what's possible.
Over a 2 year period you will pay your landlord
$money
Go Back and start again
If you want to stop paying your landlord's mortgage and get into a home of your own, find out if you qualify now!
Do I Qualify?Finance that fits your future
Getting financially fit is where your home journey starts. We’ll help you understand your borrowing power, compare loan options, and navigate grants – all in plain English, so you know exactly where you stand.
With access to a wide range of lenders, you’re not locked into one option. You’re in control, with a finance solution built around your lifestyle and long-term plans.
Our advice is always transparent and honest. We’ll tell you what you need to hear, not just what you want to hear.
With access to low-deposit options, and even $0 deposit home loans*, getting into your first home might be closer than you think.
$20K home deposit boost
Getting into your first home can feel out of reach, but the right support can make a real difference.
Our $20,000 home deposit boost is designed to help eligible buyers in Victoria get started sooner.
Combined with the First Home Owner Grant, it could mean up to $30K towards your first home.
We’ll help you understand your eligibility, explore your finance options, and map out the next steps so you can move forward with confidence.
Your first home support
Saving a full 20% deposit can feel out of reach when you’re just getting started.
The good news? Many first home buyers don’t actually need a 20% deposit to enter the market.
We’ve compiled a list of grants, incentives, and finance options available that can help you get started sooner:
Want to know what you’re eligible for and how much you could borrow?
Our team is here to offer honest, obligation-free advice, helping you understand your options and decide on the next step with confidence.
Free Guide: Everything you want to (and need to) know when considering building your first home.
How much deposit do you need? What to consider when looking at floorplans? How to choose the right builder for you? How much LMI will I need to pay? What even is LMI?
We answer these and so many more questions in our FREE First Home Buyer’s Guide.
Finding the perfect locale for you
It’s more than a physical address.
We get to know your lifestyle, your goals, and what matters most, then help you find the right block in the right location to match.
And when you’re ready to move, we’ll negotiate on your behalf to make sure you’re getting real value.
House and land packages from $506K*
It’s more than just a new address. You want a home that reflects your personality, in a location that compliments your lifestyle.
With hundreds of house and land packages all over Victoria, you can be confident that Locale Homes can connect you with your dream home.
House and land packages are one of the simplest ways to build new. The land and home come bundled, so you’re not juggling contracts, builders, or confusing timelines. Just choose the right package, and we handle the rest – with a fixed price and a clear path from day one.
Don’t just build. Build smarter.
With land shortages, shifting finance rules, and marketing overwhelm, it pays to have someone in your corner. Locale Homes is your property partner for life – not a salesperson.
Ready to start your journey the smarter way?
New or established: which is right for you?
You’re ready to take the leap into your first home, but should you build new or buy established?
Both options come with trade-offs, and it’s not always clear which path makes the most sense.
Here’s how they compare:
New
Established
Find a home design that fits your life
Building your own home is a chance to create something that reflects how you want to live, but there’s a lot to consider. From design and layout to energy efficiency, land use, and what’s actually included, the details matter.
That’s where choice (and the right guidance) makes all the difference.
Through our panel of builders, we’ll help you explore a wide range of designs and narrow it down to what truly fits your lifestyle, block, and budget.
The Bellarine
4
2
15m lot width
The Juliard
4
2
12m lot width
The Lethbridge
4
2
14m lot width
The Provenance
3
2
12m lot width
The Shadowfax
4
2
14m lot width
Create your perfect place
We don’t believe in one-size-fits-all house and land packages.
Everything we recommend is shaped around your goals, your budget, and how you actually want to live, not what’s sitting on a shelf.
Want a scullery? Need more backyard space for the kids? Working to a specific budget or location? That’s exactly the kind of detail we want to understand.
Tell us what you’re looking for in our quick quiz, and we’ll do the legwork, bringing you options that genuinely fit.
Got questions? We’ve got answers
In a way, yes – you could consider us to be a building broker platform with a finance arm. However, there’s a significant difference between Locale Homes and other building brokers out there. We’re proud to bring a level of scale and sophistication to the West Australian market (and eventually nationwide) that is unparalleled in the industry.
One of the ways we differentiate ourselves is through our ability to seamlessly integrate with builders using best-in-class processes, our dedicated support teams, and our ongoing investment in technology platforms. This means that we’re able to align with different builders’ processes and offer you a streamlined, hassle-free experience. You’ll have a singular point of contact throughout the entire buying journey, from attaining finance, selecting your land, to building your dream home. No need to worry about the confusion that comes when dealing with multiple people.
You can rest assured knowing that we will be by your side, offering guidance through the decision-making process and helping you steer clear of any costly mistakes.
Building a new home involves a lot of moving parts: from finding land and choosing a design, to comparing builders, understanding contracts, and managing costs. For most buyers, it’s unfamiliar territory.
A building broker helps you make sense of it all.
Just like a mortgage broker compares lenders, a building broker compares builders, helping you navigate the process with less stress and better outcomes.
People choose to work with a building broker because they want:
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Independent advice – not recommendations based on a builder’s bottom line.
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More builder and design choices – without having to shop around or be stuck with what one builder has on offer.
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Clarity on pricing and inclusions – including hidden costs that might catch you off guard.
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Guidance on timelines, contracts and the process – transparent and explained in plain language.
- Support from start to finish – from planning to key handover.
It’s about saving time, money, and hassle, while gaining confidence in your decisions.
Your new home journey deserves a better buying experience.
Going straight to a builder often means you’re only seeing one option. Their homes, their pricing, their terms.
A building broker works differently. We act as your advocate, comparing multiple builders and designs to help you find the best fit for your needs, goals, and budget.
Here’s why people choose a broker over going it alone:
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More choice: We compare a wide range of builders and floorplans — not just one catalogue.
- Peace of mind: Rely on the people in the know, who have vetted builders and selected those who will deliver.
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Impartial advice: We’re not tied to any one builder, so our guidance is genuinely in your best interest.
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Better deals: With insider industry knowledge, we can negotiate inclusions, price holds, build times and more.
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Clarity and confidence: We explain contracts, flag hidden costs, and break down the fine print so nothing catches you off guard.
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Ongoing support: From land sourcing to key handover, we’re by your side the whole way. We’re your property partner for life, after all.
Put simply: you get more value, less stress, and a better build experience when you have an expert in your corner.
No, it doesn’t cost you a cent more.
Building brokers, like us, are paid by the builder – the same way a sales rep working at a builder would be. The difference? We work for you, not them.
Instead of pushing one builder’s product, we compare a panel of trusted builders who have been handpicked for their quality, reliability, and customer care. We constantly review this panel to ensure they’re still delivering on time, to standard, and without overpromising and taking on too much work (because this will hurt your build experience in the long run).
So while the builder pays us, our loyalty is to you.
Everyone.
Of course, we would say that. But if you answer yes to any of these questions, a building broker could be a game-changer for you:
- First home buyer?
- Overwhelmed and not sure where to start?
- Too busy to shop around or even get started?
- Wasting time comparing builders and specs?
- Are you wasting time shopping around for a builder?
- Need advice on what builder to go with?
- New to the state and unsure about builders or finance options and government incentives?
- Looking for a full-service solution to sorting your finances, finding land, and the perfect home design from a builder that will deliver?
If any of these sound like you, we’re here to help simplify the process and guide you every step of the way. We’ll do that hard work for you.
Want to chat about how it all works? Book a free consult here.
Ready to make your perfect place a reality?
Find your perfect place with a building broker who works for you.
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We are here to make something special happen.
Our founder Adam Schaal started Locale Homes in WA with one simple premise in mind: first home buyers deserved a better property buying experience – one that’s focused on the customer’s needs and aspirations, not those of big corporations.
After helping hundreds of Perth buyers build with confidence, we brought our trusted model to Victoria. With the groundwork already done – strong developer partnerships in place, builders vetted, and local insight established through our sister business Locale Wealth – we wanted to help more first home buyers make their home ownership goals happen.
Experience the Locale Homes difference. Whether you’re a first home buyer or investor, we’re here to help you find the right block, compare home designs, choose a quality builder and get your finance sorted, all with one point of contact and zero pressure.
We are not a builder…
or a banker or a developer.
As your new home advocate (building broker), we’re on your side. We champion your interests, expertly negotiate the best deal, and provide the straightforward advice you need.
Backed by our expertise in the property and building landscape, we navigate the complexities, foresee hidden costs and know precisely who to trust with your dream. Expect clear communication, genuine advocacy, and an unmatched selection – all delivered by an expert who is 100% in your corner. You deserve an exceptional experience, and that’s exactly what we deliver.
It’s all about you
Our team takes the time to understand you and your needs, so we can help you secure the best solution and help create a home that’s uniquely yours.
We are your property partner that is with you every step of the way.
Clear advice & real support
We speak your language and simplify every step. You’ll never feel pressured or lost in jargon, just equipped to make smart, confident decisions.
There are no silly questions!
Curated panel of builders
No more guesswork, no more biased sales pitches. We work with a team of vetted building organisations, meaning we find the best fit for your needs.
Quality vetting process
We do the leg work to make sure that the builder will be able to complete your home, at a high standard, on time, and on budget.
Independent, transparent, on your side
We put you, the buyer, first – always. That means challenging industry norms, advocating for better outcomes, and offering you transparency and support from day one.
What our clients say
Don’t just take our word for it, our clients say it better than we ever could.
★★★★★
Shea was very professional and made the purchase of our land and house package happen! Without her we probably never would of pulled the trigger.
So stoked. Thanks Shea and team.
★★★★★
​I cannot recommend Audris at Locale Homes highly enough! From our very first meeting, she was incredibly friendly and approachable, making what could have been a stressful process feel exciting and manageable.
​She went above and beyond to help me secure the perfect piece of land, but more importantly, she gave me the confidence I needed to actually start my building journey. I am so grateful for her expertise and genuine care.
★★★★★
Thanks to Kristen and the team for finding me the perfect block of land and organising everything from working with developers and builders to finding the perfect house plan. The whole process has been fantastic, they always answer every question, keep me in the loop with updates and I would be so lost without all their work. Highly recommend Locale Homes.
★★★★★
Have had the most amazing experience with Locale and in particular Alistair who I just can’t thank enough for what he has done for us at an extremely difficult time. Securing our piece of land and building our new home is the most unbelievable venture we are so looking forward to and so excited! The journey so far has been smooth with everything explained to really put us in the picture of our dream becoming a reality in the not too distant future. Can’t thank you enough Alistair and Locale and really looking forward to our progress this year!
★★★★★
Adam and the team at Locale Homes are awesome. Easy to talk to, very well organized and efficient. We feel at ease diving into this major life milestone with the Locale Team in our corner. Can’t recommend enough!
★★★★★
I can’t recommend Josh Beardsall at Locale Homes enough. His help and guidance in choosing and securing the perfect block of land for my new home was amazing. Josh made what could have been a stressful process feel incredibly straightforward. If you are looking for a home advocate who truly has your back, Josh is your guy!!! Thanks mate 👌
Let’s get to know a little more about you:
There is a place that is just perfect for you, your budget and your specific time in life. We will help you find your place, your locale.
Our team can help you discover what you really want in your home and help you achieve it. We do this by working closely with you throughout the whole process, from start to finish.
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