By Paul Palella – Director, Brisbane Buyers’ Agency
Stafford Heights has transformed over the past decade from a quiet, elevated family pocket into one of Brisbane’s most tightly held suburbs. Just 9km north of the CBD, it combines leafy streets, breezes, and, in many locations, sweeping city views. As buyers compete for a limited number of properties, the choice often comes down to two pathways: do you purchase a newly built home, or buy an entry-level block and build your own?
The Current Market Picture
Recent New Home Sales
|
Address |
Beds |
Bath |
Land (m²) |
Sale Price |
Sale Date |
|
9 Warma St |
3 |
1 |
625 |
$1,425,000 |
May 2025 |
|
1 Deerdale St |
3 |
1 |
597 |
$1,080,000 |
Mar 2025 |
|
26 Redgrave St |
3 |
1 |
647 |
$1,000,000 |
Jun 2025 |
|
21 Landscape St |
3 |
1 |
607 |
$985,000 |
Apr 2025 |
|
66 Chuter St |
3 |
1 |
703 |
$980,000 |
Jul 2025 |
Recent New Home Sales
|
Address |
Beds |
Bath |
Land (m²) |
Sale Price |
Sale Date |
|
80 Mawson St |
5 |
3 |
602 |
$2,700,000 |
May 2025 |
|
152 Redwood St |
5 |
3 |
655 |
$2,250,000 |
Aug 2024 |
|
47 Pangeza St |
5 |
2 |
607 |
$1,875,000 |
Feb 2025 |
|
32 Caratel St |
4 |
3 |
683 |
$1,800,000 |
Feb 2025 |
|
6 Ringrose St |
4 |
2 |
632 |
$1,770,000 |
Jan 2025 |
Entry-level homes in Stafford Heights typically take the form of three bedrooms, one bathroom, on 600m² blocks. In 2025, the median sale price for this stock is sitting around $992,500. By contrast, new homes in the suburb—often four to five bedrooms with multiple bathrooms and premium finishes—are selling at a median price of $1.875M.
This creates a clear gap of nearly $900,000 between the cost of established entry-level homes and newly completed prestige builds. The question for many buyers is whether bridging that gap by building makes more financial sense than buying new.
What Does It Really Cost to Build?
Keeping up with construction costs is essential when weighing up whether to buy or build. David Farrer, Director of Sales and Business Development at McCarthy Homes, explains that a typical turnkey build of 380m² currently comes in at around $2,700 per m². That price point includes premium finishes and applies to a fairly flat block—giving buyers a realistic picture of what it takes to bring a new home to life in the current market.That means a new home of this size in Stafford Heights would cost approximately $1.026M to construct.
When you combine this with the cost of acquiring an entry-level site plus landscaping ($70,000), the total project figure lands around $2.089M.
Buy vs Build: Side-by-Side
|
Option |
Land Purchase |
Build / Completed Home |
Landscaping & External |
Total Cost |
|
Buy New |
– |
$1.875M (median) |
– |
$1.875M |
|
Build Your Own |
$992,500 |
$1.026M (380m² @ $2,700/m²) |
$70,000 |
$2.089M |
Stafford Heights, 2025 data. Figures indicative and subject to site conditions and specifications.
Weighing Up the Options
- Buy New: Purchasing a finished property at around $1.875M offers immediate occupancy, zero build management, and premium finishes without delays. However, you’re paying a premium to secure a completed home in a tightly held suburb.
- Build Your Own: Acquiring land and building brings the cost closer to $2.09M, which is above the current median for completed new homes. The trade-off is the ability to design a bespoke home to your specifications, with the potential to generate instant equity if costs can be managed below the benchmark.
Strategic Outlook
For most buyers, buying new in Stafford Heights currently presents better dollar-for-dollar value, particularly when factoring in time, risk, and holding costs during construction. However, for those who prioritise design control and can manage build costs effectively, building remains an attractive pathway to creating a long-term family home in a suburb with proven growth.
At Brisbane Buyers’ Agency, we help clients weigh these decisions with a strategy-first approach. Whether your preference is to buy or build, our role is to ensure your choice aligns with both your lifestyle and your long-term financial goals.
If you would like to discuss your options with a Buyers Agent for Stafford Heights get in contact here or
📞 Call Paul Palella directly on 0409 499 034
📧 Email: paul@brisbanebuyersagency.com.au
Data disclaimer: Sale prices, rental yields, and median values have been sourced and calculated using figures from CoreLogic RP Data (2020–2025). Always consult your financial advisor or property strategist for personalised investment advice.