Myth-Busting… Buying Off the Plan

First… what is ‘buying off the plan'???

Buying off the plan means purchasing a property - usually a house, townhouse or apartment - before it has been built. You're buying based on plans, artist impressions, and specifications rather than walking through a finished home.

Buying off the plan can sound like the perfect solution - brand new home, shiny inclusions, and time to save before settlement. But there’s a lot more to it behind the scenes.

Let’s bust some of the biggest myths we hear:

Myth 1: “It’s always cheaper.”
Not necessarily. You might lock in today’s price - but if the market drops or the final valuation comes in lower than expected, you could end up paying more than the property is worth.

Myth 2: “You’ll know exactly what you’re getting.”
The truth? Plans can change. Finishes, layouts, material availability or even the overall build might shift during construction. What you think you’re buying and what gets delivered might differ.

Myth 3: “It’ll be ready when they say it will.”
Delays happen - and they're more common than you’d think. Weather, supply shortages, and approvals can all push your timeline out, sometimes by months (or more).

Myth 4: “You don’t need legal advice - it’s all in the contract.”
Contracts for off-the-plan purchases are long, complex, and heavily favour the developer. Having a legal expert review the fine print can protect you from nasty surprises.

Myth 5: “It’s less hassle than buying an existing home.”
While everything’s shiny and new, off-the-plan comes with its own risks - like builder reputation, market shifts, and construction quality. It's not necessarily ‘easier’ - just different.

If you're thinking about going this route, make sure you've got someone in your corner who knows what to look out for. That’s where we come in.

Let’s make sure what you sign up for is what you actually get.