This grant is to encourage people to build new homes and to support the state’s construction industry which is Queensland’s fourth largest industry by revenue.

As one of Australia’s leading builders of new homes, the team at Dixon Homes Western Downs welcome the initiative which helps homeowners work with a team of carefully selected builders and contractors to construct some of Australia’s best value new homes. Paired with our coveted national buying power and great value house and land packages, the Great Start Grant and Dixon homes give first home buyers real value for money options.

So what do you have to do to secure this grant from the QLD Government? Read below to find out.

Eligibility Requirements for the Great Start Grant

- At least 18 years

- Must be you or your partner’s first home

- You or the person you are applying with must be an Australian resident or permanent citizen

- You must be building or buying a new home i.e. property has never been lived in or sold by someone else.

- All people applying must live in the home.

- Home, unit, townhouse must be valued under $750,000

How can I apply for this grant?

Applications can be made through most Australian financial institutions or through the Queensland State Revenue Office.

When it comes to delivering new homes, Dixon Homes specialise in quality new homes for those entering the property market for the first time with our competitive house and land packages priced to sell and significantly more affordable than many of our competitors.

To find out about more about our new homes in Dalby, Chinchilla and across the Western Downs, call the new home dream team at Dixon Homes today on 1300 10 10 10.

1.     Lower Crime and Higher Feeling of Safety

Residents of country areas enjoy lower crime rates and higher sense of security. Leaving doors unlocked while out to the shops is a done thing by many, something that would be unheard in the city in today’s day and age.

2.     Clean and Healthy Environment

Skip the concrete, its open skies and spacious farmland here. And with it comes lower pollution, fresher air and what many report as a general feeling of wellbeing.

3.     Cheaper cost of living

Forget the expenses of city living. Say goodbye to tolls, parking charges, and say hello to cheaper housing  (can we suggest Dixon Homes) and fewer business trying to compete for your money. Fewer fast food outlets and impulse buying means that saving your money for what really matters is often easier in rural and regional areas.

4.     Down to Earth People  

You don’t have a choice in the country to not know those in your community. And you’ll be glad you do with a real sense of belonging and country folk being among some of the most genuine and caring out there. Forget image consciousness and fake-ness. Country people are generally very respectful and easy to get along with.

No traffic, good schools with smaller class sizes, caring teachers and an appealing and pretty rural backdrop to enjoy it all in. Embrace the change and stretch your dollars further with Dixon Homes Western Downs, the premier builder of new homes in Dalby and other communities across the Western Downs. Contact us today: 1300 10 10 10.

Questions to ask at the very beginning

• What are the ‘must haves’ to include in your home?
• What is your budget?
• What are the number of bedrooms and bathrooms you’d like?
• What are some desirable features that you have on your wish list?

Questions to ask to decide where to live

• What types of suburbs/locations are ideal?
• Will you be able to position your home on the block of land to take advantage of natural light?
• Will any neighbouring properties impact on your views or light?
• Can the floor plan be rotated to take advantage of north facing light and heating?

Questions to ask to help to decide on a floor plan

• Does the floor plan use space effectively and include areas for storage?
• Is there easy access to the home through a choice of entry/exit points?
• Are there enough doors to close off areas of the house to assist with heating and cooling?
• Can living areas be used for many a range of different purposes and functions?

Questions to ask your builder

• Is solar hot water or other water and energy saving features included in the home?
• Will the alfresco area get natural sun in winter and shade in summer?
• Does the ceiling height allow ceiling fans without feeling claustrophobic?
• Will bathrooms and laundries have a window for natural ventilation?

We realise there are a lot of questions here, but only by asking questions can you get answers and will be able to make informed decisions when building a home that will work best for you. Best yet, our team of dedicated consultants are standing by to answer all your questions right now, so call us today – 1300 10 10 10.

1.     To clean a microwave oven, add four tablespoons of lemon juice to one cup of water in a microwave-safe bowl. Boil for five minutes in the microwave, allowing the steam to condense on the inside walls of the oven. Then wipe them with a soft cloth.

2.      To stop drawers from sticking, rub a bar of soap across the runners to make them glide smoothly.

3.     To remove body oil stains from clothes including collars and cuffs of coloured shirts and blouses, rub hair shampoo directly on the stains. Rinse out the shampoo, and then wash the clothes as usual.

4.     To restore toilet bowls back to their shiny best, clean with old flat Coke or Pepsi. To dissolve limescale leave the soda overnight to soak.

5.     To remove fingerprints from stainless steel appliances, place a small amount of baby oil on a napkin and wipe the affected areas – the fingerprints will just wipe away!

6.     To remove permanent marker off hard surfaces, spray on hair spray and just wipe it off – simple!

Isn’t it surprising to discover the cleaning potential of just a few seemingly regular household items? Stay tuned to Dixon Homes’ Latest Updates centre for further editions of Housework Help. To discover the Dixon Difference with over 1600 quality new home designs call us on 1300 10 10 10 and get your dream home ball rolling today.

More than 1600 Unique Home Designs

Dixon Homes customers have the option to choose from over 1600 individual floor plans depending on their size, living and design preferences. With such a vast range of homes on offer, we’re confident we can find a design to suit you. Additionally, designs can be easily altered to match differing budgets and preferences.

Select from a variety of inclusions

All Dixon homes come with a variety of in built inclusions which can be tailored to suit individual requirements, whether it is colour preferences, material preferences or add on features. Dixon has three different packages levels that customers can choose from when choosing what inclusions to incorporate in their new home.

Different home styles available

Whether it is a single storey home, a duplex, multi storey dwelling or a townhouse, the team of expert builders are well versed at building different styles of structures based on customers living requirements. Dixon’s builders understand each new home is different and tailor each build based on the input from their customers. When it comes to building homes, Dixon understands that one size does definitely not fit all.

Have a vision? We want to hear about it!

Dixon Homes are committed to bringing your vision to life and can give advice to achieve a desired look or feel in your property. Our knowledge and experience in different building methods and styles can let you know the variety of options that are possible when designing a home to suit individual lifestyle aspirations.

Here at Dixon we strongly believe in keeping our clients involved in the building and design process and providing an range of different choices ensures the finished product is 100 per cent compatible with the client’s needs and preferences. Our specially trained consultants can guide you through the process today by providing obligation free expert advice. Call them on 1300 10 10 10 and get the ball rolling on your new home journey today!

Chinchilla Historical Museum

This museum has an extensive collection featuring an early twentieth century steam sawmill, steam engines, period costumes and other historical relics from the yesteryear. The grounds of the museum include buildings that have been re-erected adding to the sense of former era. Buildings include an authentic slab hut, a blacksmith shop and much more.

Dogwood Crossing, Miles

Considered the cultural heart of the Miles community, this award winning building is a hub for locals and visitors and features striking external architecture. The centre is comprised of a local art gallery which hosts national touring exhibitions, a library with an emphasis on local literature and a fully equipped IT centre including Wi-Fi access and printing, scanning and copying facilities.

Carnarvon Gorge – Carnarvon National Park, Roma

With an extraordinary gorge system featuring towering cliff faces and lush greenery lapping against the rock formations plus fantastic bush walking potential, it’s easy to see why the Carnarvon Gorge is the Western Downs’s most popular attraction. Featuring ancient eucalypt and palm forests, this national park is home to more than 150 species of birds, and with other wildlife already found in abundance including wallabies and the platypus, often spotted in Mickey Creek in the early morning.

These are just a few of the favoured attractions for visitors and residents of the Western Downs region. Stay tuned for more updates on activities and places to visit in the Western Downs, proudly brought to you by the premier new home builders in the region – Dixon Homes. Call us today on 1300 10 10 10 to speak to one of our consultants about house and land packages available in this appealing and diverse region.

Construction of a large number of new homes over the last few years has rapidly sought to keep up with demand in the region with many people choosing to build new properties to live in, or to invest in the region. Today’s news article looks at four reasons many people are choosing to invest in the booming Western Downs region.

Demand for rental properties and great rental returns

With the influx of mining workers to the region, rental demand has increased by 34 per cent over the last five years. This means that finding a tenant for your property will be hassle free and the high demand is also reflected in above average rental returns with an average three bedroom rental property fetching $500 per week.

Continuing growth of the property market

House prices in Chinchilla are almost 38 per cent lower than the national average. This means entering the property market in this region is an affordable alternative to major capital cities. Prospective buyers should move quickly however as these prices are not static. With a 9 per cent annual median house price growth rate as of May 2012, the Western Downs region has bucked the trend of Australian capital cities, which have recorded a 4.5 per cent decrease in house prices over the same period. Terry Ryder from property forecasting website hotspotting.com.au has said it best.

The development of multi-billion-dollar projects based on CSG will bring major change to towns such as Dalby, Chinchilla and Miles. Rapid population expansion is predicted and property price growth appears inevitable

Billions Being Spent on Infrastructure

Massive infrastructure investments are being made throughout communities in the Western Downs area over the next are sure to keep the future of the region looking bright. Major projects include the Surat basin rail project due for completion in 2014 which will connect the Surat Basin with the major central Queensland port town of Gladstone. Major ongoing mining and energy infrastructure projects are also planned providing jobs and helping to secure future growth in the region.

Location and Lifestyle Benefits

For those wanting to make the move to the area, Dalby’s appealing rural setting, and just a 2.5 hour drive to Brisbane and 1 hour drive to Toowoomba, ensures residents in the community get the best of both worlds. With a friendly local community and a secure and safe environment to raise children, along with all the facilities of living in a prosperous community at the centre of the Western Downs, it’s not difficult to appreciate the unique lifestyle benefits of the region.

So there you have it – there are more than just a few reasons why so many are choosing the Western Downs district for their property investment initiatives. With an enviable forecast for sustained growth and a bright outlook into the future, Dixon Homes Western Downs can work with you each step on the way to help secure you house and land package in this booming region.

Why choose Dixon Homes Western Downs?

Dixon Homes have been building houses for over fifty years and know the Western Downs area like the back of their hand. We have also won over 100 industry awards, so rest assured you’re in good hands.

Don’t settle for less than your dream home

Our online catalogue has a vast selection of modern designer homes for you to choose from, over 1600 different models to suit everyone’s needs. However if you aren’t fully satisfied with these designs, then you have the option to customise a design to create your dream home.

Save Money

When you purchase a house from Dixon Homes, you cut out the costs of the middle man. You don’t have to go through real estate agents or pay any commission. All costs are included in the total pricing package which is paid directly to Dixon Homes.

Track Your Progress

If you would like to keep up to date with your house’s building progress you can track it online on our website. If you have any queries or you want to ask a question about the progress don’t hesitate to contact us.

Why You Can’t Go Wrong With Dixon Homes

Dixon Homes are dedicated to providing potential buyers with homes and not just houses. We want our home owners to wake up every morning thinking they’re still having a dream. We want our home owners to be 100% satisfied and proud of the place they call home. So remember, a house is not a home, unless it’s a Dixon.

For housing solutions in the Western Downs area please contact our team on 1300 10 10 10.

The construction industry has welcomed the changes as it helps to create sustainable long term growth for the building trades. The previous build boost grants could be used on any property, although they were viewed as only offering a short term solution and many commented they considered it to increase house prices. The construction industry is often the first to feel when people tighten their belts, it is one of our most important industries and the region is in much need of new developments to continue to provide the level of housing we require.

If you are considering buying your first home why not consider taking advantage of owning a new property, with a 50 year structural warranty, high performance energy efficient features such as solar hot water and PV solar panels, building a new home with Dixon will help you beat the ever increasing energy costs.

Dixon Home Builders Western Downs offer house and land packages with multi award winning home designs, energy efficient features, combined with our buying power means we can offer them at the best price.

Want to know more? Contact us on 1300 10 10 10

Why choose to invest in Chinchilla?

The population of the Western Downs region is predicted to grow considerably due to the continued expansion of the coal and gas industries in the area. Rapid growth in a region presents obvious challenges, one of which is the provision of homes, and infrastructure to support a growing community. Chinchilla already has a large hospital, numerous schools and sporting facilities in the town, and the Government has allocated $24 million dollars into further developing the infrastructure in the Western Downs region.

Property prices and rentals have remained stable through 2012. It is a region that is not only supported by the mining industry, it has strong agricultural ties, giving it is economy a diverse base. Agriculture in the area supports a quarter of Australia’s melon production. There are also cattle and pig farms, cotton production and crops. Unlike many remote mining towns the proximity to Brisbane makes the area more desirable.

At Dixon Homes, we pride ourselves on being Australia’s largest debt free building company. Whether you are looking for a house and land package in Chinchilla for investment purposes or looking to build within the Western Downs region, our local team will talk you through the most suitable options. You can contact us on 1300 10 10 10 or send us an email enquiry.