--- title: "House & Land or Off-The-Plan: What You Need to Know" description: Simplify off-the-plan buying with Norus Projects. Secure deposits, dedicated builders, and risk management make us a smart choice. image: https://blog.norus.com.au/hubfs/Drone%20Photos-4.jpg --- [Skip to the main content.](https://blog.norus.com.au/house-land-or-off-the-plan#main-content) [![Copy of NORUS BRANDING](https://blog.norus.com.au/hs-fs/hubfs/Norus%20Projects/Copy%20of%20NORUS%20BRANDING.png?width=500&height=125&name=Copy%20of%20NORUS%20BRANDING.png "Copy of NORUS BRANDING")](https://www.norus.com.au) [![Copy of NORUS BRANDING (1)](https://blog.norus.com.au/hs-fs/hubfs/Copy%20of%20NORUS%20BRANDING%20(1).png?width=500&height=125&name=Copy%20of%20NORUS%20BRANDING%20(1).png "Copy of NORUS BRANDING (1)")](https://www.norus.com.au) - [Projects](https://www.norus.com.au/sanctuary_sandringham) - [Norus | Beach Point](https://www.norus.com.au/beach_point) - [Norus | Parkview](https://www.norus.com.au/park_view) - [Norus | Riverbend](https://www.norus.com.au/riverbend_ivanhoe) - [Norus | Sanctuary Sandringham](https://www.norus.com.au/sanctuary_sandringham) - [About](https://www.norus.com.au/about) - [Construction Updates](https://www.norus.com.au/construction_progress) - [Completed Projects](https://www.norus.com.au/completed_projects) - [Blog](https://blog.norus.com.au) Toggle Menu Toggle Menu - [Projects *Toggle Menu*](https://www.norus.com.au/sanctuary_sandringham) - [Norus | Beach Point](https://www.norus.com.au/beach_point) - [Norus | Parkview](https://www.norus.com.au/park_view) - [Norus | Riverbend](https://www.norus.com.au/riverbend_ivanhoe) - [Norus | Sanctuary Sandringham](https://www.norus.com.au/sanctuary_sandringham) - [About](https://www.norus.com.au/about) - [Construction Updates](https://www.norus.com.au/construction_progress) - [Completed Projects](https://www.norus.com.au/completed_projects) - [Blog](https://blog.norus.com.au) [*Facebook*](https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61554483013407) [*Instagram*](https://www.instagram.com/norus.projects/) [*LinkedIn*](https://blog.norus.com.au/house-land-or-off-the-plan#0) [*Twitter*](https://blog.norus.com.au/house-land-or-off-the-plan#0) [*Youtube*](https://blog.norus.com.au/house-land-or-off-the-plan#0) [*Medium*](https://blog.norus.com.au/house-land-or-off-the-plan#0) 2 min read # House & Land or Off-The-Plan: What You Need to Know [Norus Blog](https://blog.norus.com.au/author/norus-blog) : Updated on September 2, 2026 [off-the-plan](https://blog.norus.com.au/tag/off-the-plan) [Apartment](https://blog.norus.com.au/tag/apartment) [Choosing property](https://blog.norus.com.au/tag/choosing-property) ![House & Land or Off-The-Plan: What You Need to Know](https://blog.norus.com.au/hubfs/Drone%20Photos-4.jpg) The construction sector has garnered significant attention lately, highlighting opportunities amid rising material costs and supply chain disruptions. In this context, we see a vital opportunity to clarify any uncertainties surrounding off-the-plan purchases and selecting a new residence through Norus Projects. Our goal is to simplify the off-the-plan buying process and inspire confidence in your decisions. We're excited to demonstrate why choosing a seasoned developer like us is a smart choice. ## What Makes Norus Projects Different? First and foremost, your deposit is secured in a lawyer's trust account, which we can’t access until settlement, so we are unable to just disappear with your money. In contrast, if you buy a house and land package, the deposit goes straight to the company, so you might not be able to get your money back in cases of insolvency.  Furthermore, at Norus, we collaborate closely with a dedicated builder who specialises in constructing our projects. This strategic partnership empowers us to oversee the entire process minimising any potential risks. With this arrangement, we possess the freedom to adapt plans as needed and we rest assured knowing that our builder isn't tied up in numerous open-ended contracts awaiting payments. In contrast, some developers opt for builders who are juggling multiple large and financially burdensome projects with different developers. This scenario often leads to uncertainties regarding project completion timelines and lingering debts from other contracts.   ## What’s the difference between entering into a house and land package and an off-the-plan apartment project?   | **Aspect** | **House and Land Package** | **Off-the-Plan Apartment** | | --- | --- | --- | | Acquisition Process | Land acquired from one company, house bought through builder | Engage with a developer or real estate agent acting on behalf of the developer | | Deposit Handling | Loan for land arranged through a bank; Deposit for land kept in a trust account until land transfer; Deposit for the house goes directly to the builder | The deposit goes into an (untouchable) trust account held by a lawyer | | Contract Structure | Two contracts: one for land sale, one for building | Single contract for the purchase | | Financing | Requires two loans: mortgage for land, construction loan | Locks in price with a 5 or 10% deposit; No loan repayments until the project is complete | | Risk of Deposit Loss | Risk if builder folds before Homeowners Warranty Insurance is purchased | Deposits protected in an untouchable trust account | | Loan Repayments During Construction | Yes | No |   ## How has COVID affected the building industry? It’s been reported that the quarterly growth rate for [national construction costs](https://www.corelogic.com.au/news-research/news/2024/construction-cost-growth-returns-to-trend) has accelerated, with the CCCI showing a 0.8% increase over the three months to December. This marks a reversal from the easing trend observed over the previous four quarters. Despite the increase, the growth rate remains below the pre-COVID decade average, suggesting that the reacceleration is more of a return to the normal trend rather than a new surge. In the past with house and land packages, many builders were withdrawing their contracts due to rising construction costs and leaving their purchasers stuck with the land and no home. At Norus, we ensure our builder cannot withdraw from their contract by subsidising the builder for any cost escalation relating to material price increases.  Although there has been some pessimism regarding the real estate market, there are numerous positive elements that buyers can anticipate, including substantial savings on off-the-plan stamp duty. By conducting thorough research, evaluating your developer or builder and comprehending your contract, the process of purchasing and constructing a property can be smooth and gratifyin If you have any questions regarding the current climate within the industry, speak to your sales team member. If you’re looking to purchase a home from a trusted and reliable source you can contact Norus Sales on 1800 299 359 to discuss our current project or fill in the form below. ### Register Your Interest Just enter your details below. Loading... - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![Choosing the Right Property - House, Townhouse or Apartment?](https://blog.norus.com.au/hubfs/8723834-b-0-1258b74c707946.jpeg)](https://blog.norus.com.au/choosing-the-right-property-house-townhouse-or-apartment) 1 min read #### [Choosing the Right Property - House, Townhouse or Apartment?](https://blog.norus.com.au/choosing-the-right-property-house-townhouse-or-apartment) [Norus Blog](https://blog.norus.com.au/author/norus-blog) : Dec 20, 2024, 3:13:00 PM Are you at a crossroads, contemplating your next property move? Whether you're a first-time buyer, a growing family or a downsizer, the choice... [First Home Buyer](https://blog.norus.com.au/tag/first-home-buyer) [Investor](https://blog.norus.com.au/tag/investor) [off-the-plan](https://blog.norus.com.au/tag/off-the-plan) [Apartment](https://blog.norus.com.au/tag/apartment) [Choosing property](https://blog.norus.com.au/tag/choosing-property) [Find Out More Details](https://blog.norus.com.au/choosing-the-right-property-house-townhouse-or-apartment) [![Investing for Income: What Makes a Floor Plan Rentable in Melbourne?](https://blog.norus.com.au/hubfs/Untitled%20design-Mar-26-2026-05-27-58-2863-AM.jpg)](https://blog.norus.com.au/rentable-floor-plan-melbourne) 1 min read #### [Investing for Income: What Makes a Floor Plan Rentable in Melbourne?](https://blog.norus.com.au/rentable-floor-plan-melbourne) [Norus Blog](https://blog.norus.com.au/author/norus-blog) : Apr 3, 2026, 2:15:00 PM A rentable floor plan is one that leases quickly, supports steady demand, is genuinely easy to live in and stays low-maintenance over time. In... [Developer](https://blog.norus.com.au/tag/developer) [Investor](https://blog.norus.com.au/tag/investor) [off-the-plan](https://blog.norus.com.au/tag/off-the-plan) [Apartment](https://blog.norus.com.au/tag/apartment) [Choosing property](https://blog.norus.com.au/tag/choosing-property) [Find Out More Details](https://blog.norus.com.au/rentable-floor-plan-melbourne) [![Why Off-the-Plan is Worth the Wait. A Comparison with Established Properties.](https://blog.norus.com.au/hubfs/iStock-918374518-30p-1447x800.webp)](https://blog.norus.com.au/why-off-the-plan-is-worth-the-wait.-a-comparison-with-established-properties) 1 min read #### [Why Off-the-Plan is Worth the Wait. A Comparison with Established Properties.](https://blog.norus.com.au/why-off-the-plan-is-worth-the-wait.-a-comparison-with-established-properties) [Norus Blog](https://blog.norus.com.au/author/norus-blog) : Jun 20, 2025, 2:02:00 PM When it comes to purchasing a home or investment, the age-old debate of off-the-plan vs. established property continues to divide opinion. While some... [First Home Buyer](https://blog.norus.com.au/tag/first-home-buyer) [Investor](https://blog.norus.com.au/tag/investor) [off-the-plan](https://blog.norus.com.au/tag/off-the-plan) [Apartment](https://blog.norus.com.au/tag/apartment) [Buying process](https://blog.norus.com.au/tag/buying-process) [Find Out More Details](https://blog.norus.com.au/why-off-the-plan-is-worth-the-wait.-a-comparison-with-established-properties) - [Privacy Policy](https://www.norus.com.au/privacy_policy) © 2026 Norus Projects [*Facebook*](https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61554483013407)[*Instagram*](https://www.instagram.com/norus.projects/) *Return to Top* ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Norus Blog", "url" : "https://blog.norus.com.au/author/norus-blog" }, "dateModified" : "2026-09-02T00:36:17.048Z", "datePublished" : "2024-05-20T16:23:49.000Z", "headline" : "House & Land or Off-The-Plan: What You Need to Know", "image" : [ "https://blog.norus.com.au/hubfs/Drone%20Photos-4.jpg" ], "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://blog.norus.com.au/house-land-or-off-the-plan", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://blog.norus.com.au/hubfs/3%20(10)-1.png" }, "name" : "Franky Pty. 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