The term “buying off the plan” usually refers to purchasing a property that is not yet registered as a separate lot with the land titles registry, or not yet built.
Buying off the plan can refer to the purchase of a block of vacant land that is part of a subdivision, or a house or unit being built for sale where the land on which it stands is not yet registered as a separate title.
Selling property “off the plan” allows a landowner to develop the land in a less-expensive way, as the developer can negotiate lending rates with its Bank at a lower rate if some of the land, houses or units are already sold to buyers.
This is an advantage to the land developer and can also be attractive to a prospective purchaser who buys into an “off the plan” property in the early stages of the development.
There are however risks for the buyer of property “off the plan” and a diligent purchaser should take care when entering into this type of purchase contract.
Key Takeaways
- Buying off the plan generally involves purchasing land or a dwelling that has not yet been separately registered or fully constructed.
- Off-the-plan contracts are usually prepared by the developer and may provide the developer with considerable flexibility while strongly binding the purchaser.
- Settlement may be required shortly after the property is completed and separately titled, which can create difficulties if finance cannot be arranged within the required period.
- Finance approvals can expire before construction is completed, and market movements may affect the final valuation and the amount a lender is willing to advance.
- Plans, display homes and artistic impressions may differ from the completed property, so fixtures, fittings, finishes and permitted variations should be clearly documented.
- Purchasers should consider sunset clauses, land-area variations, deposit arrangements and the developer’s financial position before signing the contract.
The contract
In our experience, developers generally prepare the ‘off the plan’ contracts and these contracts are generally weighed heavily in their favour. Generally, developers will seek to give themselves the maximum amount of flexibility while locking the purchaser in. A contract for the purchase of property “off the plan” is a contract that does not have a precise completion or settlement date due to the incomplete nature of the building project and the subsequent separate registration process for the title to the land or new building.
“Off the plan” contracts generally include many clauses that are different to those in a standard contract for a lot that already exists. One major difference is the timeframe for the owner to complete the subdivision or the building on the land.
A standard contract will have a precise date for settlement to occur (either an exact date in the future or a completion period say “60 days after the contract is dated”). An “off the plan” purchase contract will still have a timeframe but it is usually stipulated that settlement will occur within a number of days following completion of the building project and registration of a separate title for the property being purchased. This is generally quite soon (usually 14 days) after a lot is created – short timeframes like this may not be achievable by your financier and this should be addressed before a contract is signed.
Off the plan contracts also often include a provision called a “sunset clause” which establishes a period within which the contract must be completed – say within 3 years of the date of the contract. This means that completion or settlement can be anytime in that 3 year period after the signing of contracts, subject to the land becoming registered as a separate title or the building works being finished. If the date passes the parties can terminate the contract. In our experience, the estimated dates for completion given by developers initially is well before any sunset date that is provided in the contract to allow them flexibility if there are delays.
If you are obtaining finance for an ‘off the plan’ purchase you should consider that most finance approvals will lapse after a certain amount of time (or if certain conditions are met or your circumstances change) so you should bear this in mind when considering the length of any sunset date and discuss the implications of this with your financier.
If you are buying a block of land “off the plan” in a subdivision the contract will usually include a clause allowing a variation in the area of that land that you will purchase on completion of the purchase, often because the local council and the land title registering authority have the final say on the area of the lots in the subdivision and may require the land owner/developer to change the areas. This reduction is usually capped at “not more than 5% of the area” in the contract and does not normally occur, but if it does your land area may be reduced but the purchase price is not reduced if the areas are changed.
When houses or units are sold “off the plan” the dwelling is not fully built or construction may not have even started until after you enter into the contract. The usual concerns with this type of purchase are that the progress of the building and the standard of the building work may be different to what you as the buyer contemplated. Remember you cannot see the finished product when you buy “off the plan” as the work will be done after you have signed the contract.
Often the developer will have a demonstration or “display home” to inspect showing you a model of how the buildings should look once completed, or they may have design guidelines and artist’s impressions of the building. These may not resemble exactly the finished building as some changes may be made during construction and you need to ensure that the contract provides some protection here. It is essential that you check the details of features, fixtures and fittings such as the stove, range hood, dishwasher, etc. and ensure that the quality of all finishes is clearly specified in a schedule that should be attached to the contract.
Market fluctuations
You should keep in mind that like the economy, property market conditions fluctuate and with long-term building projects such as luxury high-rise units, the value of the units may change prior to completion of the building and your contract. The price you agreed to pay stays the same regardless. Fluctuations in value may impact on the amount your financier will lend you.
Paying a deposit
Your deposit could be tied up for some time between signing the contract and settlement.
You should always seek legal advice if a request is made to release the deposit to the owner before the sale is settled. If you do pay a cash deposit you should stipulate in the contract who is holding the money and where it is being held, if possible it should be deposited in an interest bearing account by the stakeholder (often the real estate agent).
The developers financial position
Construction companies and land developers who become insolvent or go bankrupt during construction can leave a trail of destruction behind them. Rising building and material and labour costs may force a site closure and you may be locked into a contract for a home that is not finished within the timeframe you expected.
In some states the builder will be required to have insurance which may provide some compensation for defective work or loss due to a bankrupt builder. You should seek legal advice to see what protection is offered before signing a contract.
While an early buyer “off the plan” has the best choice of the land or homes available in a project, and has a longer time to on-sell the property for potential profit, the strategy is not without risk. There are many factors to consider before entering into a contract and our property experts can help guide you through this process.
If you or someone you know wants more information or needs help or advice in regards to property law, please contact us on the following:
Alternatively, you are welcome to send your enquiry via email to hedemail@hede.com.au.
We strongly recommend that you have a solicitor review any off the plan contract before you sign it to ensure you understand your obligations.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does buying a property off the plan mean?
It generally means purchasing property that has not yet been constructed or has not yet been registered as a separate lot with the land titles registry.
When does settlement occur for an off-the-plan property?
Settlement usually occurs within a specified number of days after construction is completed and a separate title is registered. Some contracts may require settlement within approximately 14 days of registration.
What is a sunset clause in an off-the-plan contract?
A sunset clause establishes the deadline by which the development and contract must be completed. If the deadline passes without completion, the contract may become capable of termination.
Can the size of an off-the-plan block change?
Yes. Subdivision contracts may permit the final land area to vary because council or land-title requirements can affect the registered boundaries. The permitted reduction may be capped, but the purchase price may not necessarily be reduced.
Why can finance be difficult for an off-the-plan purchase?
Finance approval may expire during a lengthy construction period, the purchaser’s circumstances may change and the property’s value may rise or fall before settlement. A lower final valuation can reduce the amount the lender is prepared to provide.
What should be specified for an off-the-plan house or unit?
The contract should clearly specify the included fixtures, appliances, materials and finishes. Buyers should not assume that a display home, design guide or artistic impression will exactly match the completed property.
