Fitzpatricks Real Estate’s own Helen Woodhouse spoke recently at a seminar for first home buyers. The seminar offered essential tips for those looking to purchase their first home. It also provided a unique insight in to what first home buyers are looking for in a property.

The ideal home of those surveyed would have three bedrooms, two bathrooms, two living areas, a double garage and an alfresco area.

The most popular suburb for house and land packages was Bourkelands, followed by Lloyd. Hilltop, Estella, Estella Rise and Boorooma tied as next in popularity with Uranquinty and Forrest Hill generating less interest from survey participants.

Energy efficiency was important to the majority of those surveyed. On average, they would be willing to spend an extra of $5,050 to future proof their home.

The anticipated average budget for house and land packages was $365,260. Nearly a third said they would be looking to be in their new home in three to six months, while over half planned for six to twelve months.

First home owners who purchase or build a new home may be eligible for a $15,000 grant. The grant will reduced to $10,000 when the commencement date (contract date) is on or after 1 January 2016.

Since the inception of the first home owners scheme back in 2000, Wagga Wagga has continued to remain in the top 20 postcodes for overall benefits received. Wagga Wagga is the only regional based city to be in the top 20 in New South Wales.

Wagga is currently ranked this year as 12^th in NSW for 1^st Home Buyer claims. This could be as a result of being able to buy or build a brand new property as a 1^st home buyer at a really competitive price, compared to other towns and cities throughout NSW.