Your First Home.
We've Got You.

Helping you build smart, not stressed.

Empowering you with confidence, clarity, and choice - we're the building broker that champions your journey, not the builder's bottom line.

First home buyers VIC2026-10-03T14:55:16+08:00

Why Victorian first home buyers trust Locale Homes

We’re changing the way people achieve home ownership. We help you take control, backed by a team who genuinely cares and delivers with purpose. With Locale Homes, you get a process that’s built around your needs, not the sales goals of a builder.

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.

A star rating for FIFO Home Buyers

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.

Quality for FIFO Home Buyers

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.

A young couple and their dog standing in a new home under construction.
A young couple and their dog standing in a new home under construction.

Understanding your options

There’s never been a better time to get started than right now. Victoria’s diverse market offers incredible opportunities for every budget and desire. Take a look at the wide range of options available – your dream home could be closer than you think.

The Victorian government provides a one-off $10,000 grant (aka FHOG) to eligible buyers for new homes only. The total value of the new home must be under $750k and be a new build or a new home that has not been lived in before. This is a helping hand for first home buyers.

Saving 20% for a home loan has become even harder as the property market continues to rise. This Australian Federal Government initiative allows eligible first home buyers to purchase or build a home with as little as 5% deposit, without needing to pay costly Lenders Mortgage Insurance (LMI). A great option to get you onto the property ladder sooner.

Learn more about it >

Help to Buy is a shared equity scheme by the Australian Government, where the government will contribute up to 40% of your home’s value, meaning you may be able to buy with as little as a 2% deposit.

It can reduce your loan size and repayments, helping your deposit go further, but eligibility criteria and limits apply. We can help you see if it’s right for you.

Stamp duty (or transfer duty) is a one-off, state-governed tax imposed on the purchase or transfer of property, land, and certain other assets, typically calculated as a percentage of the purchase price or market value.

First home buyers of new homes (or vacant land to build their first home) may be eligible for a full stamp duty exemption — meaning no stamp duty to pay for qualifying new builds up to $600K.

Raising a family on your own and dreaming of a place to call home? The Family Home Guarantee is here to help. This federal scheme is designed to support single parents looking to enter or re-enter the property market, and it can make a big difference.

With this guarantee, eligible single parents can buy a home with as little as a 2% deposit, and avoid paying Lenders Mortgage Insurance (LMI). That’s a huge saving and a powerful way to fast-track your homeownership goals.

This space can be so foreign for first home buyers (even those doing it for a second time). That’s why our in-house experts over at Locale Financial are here to help you clear debt, build savings, and access the right loan, with zero judgment and a clear plan.

We compare a wide range of lenders, unlock low-deposit options, and guide you through government incentives. Most importantly, we keep it real: telling you what you need to hear, not just what sounds good.

Ready to see what’s possible? Let’s get started.

Ready to get started with a real advocate on your side?

Stop navigating confusing promises alone. Start with a partner who’s committed to making your experience smooth and successful.

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To rent (or keep renting)
that is the question…

Paying rent week after week can feel like pouring your hard-earned money into someone else’s pocket, covering a mortgage, just not your own. If you’ve just moved out (or are about to), it can feel like a trap: an endless cycle that leaves you falling behind while others step into the market. But what if that same money could go toward building something that’s yours?

With the right support and a plan that fits your lifestyle, building your first home can be not just possible, but smart.

If setting down roots in one place is not the right move for you right now, but you want to get onto the property ladder, rentvesting might be the perfect solution for you.

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?

We are not a builder…
or a banker or a developer.

As your dedicated new home broker, we are on your side. We champion your best interests, expertly negotiate the best deal and provide the straightforward advice you need to hear, every time.

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. First home buyers deserve an exceptional experience, and that’s exactly what we deliver.

What we do for you:

Pre-approval with expert finance partners

Match you with a vetted builder

Source the block of land that you will call your new locale

End-to-end support through to handover

adam schaal headshot, director of Locale Homes

We are here to make something special happen.

Our founder Adam Schaal started Locale Homes with one simple premise in mind. It was that West Australians deserved a better property buying experience – one that’s focused on the customer’s needs and aspirations, not those of big corporations.

We have decades of experience and are in partnership with some of the industry’s biggest names. Why does this matter? It gives us the ability to connect you with the perfect home, land, and finance options at affordable prices, with no extra or hidden fees.

Experience the Locale Homes difference where you’ll have one point of contact, offering guidance and advocating for you, at every step in your homeownership journey.

What our clients say

Don’t just take our word for it, our clients say it better than we ever could.

★★★★★

​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.

Kelly Heesom, Google Reviews

★★★★★

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

Travis P, Google Reviews

★★★★★
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!

Callum Webber, Google Reviews

★★★★★

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.

Sam Lord, Google Reviews

★★★★★

I had the opportunity of meeting Brett last year. Even when we fell short financially, he never gave up and always looked for ways to make it work for us. He kept in touch from time to time until the day came when he found something that makes home ownership possible for us. We are very thankful for his dedication and guidance that we are now able to enter the property market and have secured a nice block of land that falls within our budget. He also helped us find a great builder with nice house designs. I highly recommend Brett and Ankit of Locale Homes to anyone who is planning to build a house. They will surely guide you well to achieve your goals of home ownership. Thank you that we have started our home ownership journey with you guys.

khary osmena, Google Reviews

★★★★★

Monique from locale homes is super helpful & detailed about your house and land packages !
Our transition was much smoother using her to break down everything and to have a clear plan as we didn’t know where to start.

Highly recommend the locale homes group & Monique Juratovac if anybody is looking to build a house.

Adam Stewart, Google Reviews

★★★★★

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.

Clare Castieau, Google Reviews

★★★★★

This is my partners and I first time building a home, and we’ve been nothing but pleased and impressed with our representative and the team at Locale Homes.
Our representative, Tayla Juratovac, has been so supportive and knowledgeable. Any concerns weve had along the way have been promptly addressed, and any info and advice we needed was always provided in the best possible way. We were expecting it to be a big tedious daunting process, but so far its been great, having Tayla and the team at Locale to guide us through has taken all the stress and worry out of it.
Looking forward to navigating the rest of the build with Tayla and Locale, and cant wait to see the end result. I think we`re in good hands.

Travis Wilson, Google Reviews

Not sure if you’re ready to take the plunge?

We understand that buying your first home is a huge decision, and you might have some questions or feel unsure about the next steps. That’s perfectly normal! We’ve created some helpful resources specifically for first home buyers in Victoria to help you feel more confident and informed.

Take the first step in your ownership journey with our FREE First Home Buyer’s Guide.

How is my borrowing capacity determined?2024-05-25T21:15:04+08:00

So, how do you decide on the budget for your first home? Determining your borrowing capacity for your first home involves several factors that assess your ability to meet home loan repayments. The process is crucial for banks and lenders to ensure responsible lending practices. Here’s what they typically consider:

  • Income
  • Assets
  • Debts
  • Living expenses
  • Credit score
  • Property value
  • Type of home loan
  • Deposit amount
To take advantage of the 5% Deposit Scheme, do I need to be a first home buyer?2026-01-22T14:04:48+08:00
For the 5% Deposit Scheme (previously known as the First Home Guarantee (FHBG), you can be a first home buyer or a home buyer who hasn’t owned a property in Australia in the last 10 years.
Where can I build with Locale?2026-01-09T14:59:46+08:00

We invest in relationships with our developer partners, from Australia’s largest master-planned communities to small boutique developments, providing you with the largest selection of land from Two Rocks to Mandurah, all the way down to the Margaret River, and everywhere in between.

What is a Squat Lot?2026-01-15T09:02:48+08:00
A squat lot is a type of block that is more square in shape, generally around 20 meters in length. While shorter than some other blocks in Perth, squat lots can still offer ample space for a beautiful home. Our range of home designs is suited to these types of blocks to maximize every corner of your block, ensuring you don’t have to compromise. These designs feature open-plan living, ample storage, and great inclusions, perfect for squat lots. If backyard space is a priority, you can also select a design suited for a squat lot on a longer block to create more outdoor space.
What are Narrow Lot home designs?2024-07-29T16:13:35+08:00

Narrow lot home designs are specifically crafted for blocks that are narrower in width. Despite the smaller footprint, these designs offer plenty of space and functionality. Our narrow lot home designs feature open-plan living, plenty of storage space, and excellent inclusions. You’ll be amazed at how much can be incorporated into a narrow block house design.

What is an open floor plan and why are they popular?2026-01-21T14:53:31+08:00

An open floor plan combines common areas like the kitchen, dining room, and living room to create a more spacious and connected environment. It’s popular because it enhances natural light, improves traffic flow, and fosters social interaction. People love these layouts because they bring in more natural light, improve traffic flow, and encourage social interaction. These designs are perfect for entertaining guests or for young families. Imagine being in the kitchen putting the finishing touches on dinner while still being part of the conversation—or keeping an eye on the kids.

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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Your first home is your first move.

It doesn’t need to be your forever home. Getting into the market sooner can give you something waiting can’t: a foothold for whatever comes next.

Create your perfect place.

We’re all about customised house and land packages. Let us know what you’re looking for and we’ll do the hard work to make it happen.

Endless choice.

Through our select panel of builders we have a huge range of home deesigns so you can find your perfect place. From dual key and narrow two-storey to family homes, and everything in between.

Your property partners.

As new home advocates we’re 100% independent from the banks, the builders and developers.