A $25,000 top-up to a new build or renovation has been on offer from the federal government for one month now, and Albury-Wodonga builders have seen huge interest.
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So much so, that available land is quickly running out.
Southern Vale Homes sales manager Matt Griffiths said his team had received thousands of enquiries in the HomeBuilder grant since contracts could be signed from June 4.
"It's bringing out the 'forever home' builder, people who have been toying with the idea of building something bigger, and the first home buyer," he said.
"I do think there will be more offers, but people are looking at it as a rush to get it locked in.
"That's also because of the timeline - once you get to a contract and start building, that's when the government will pay you the money.
"The number of available blocks is definitely the smallest it has been in a long time.
"In saying that, there's so much land around here that is yet to be developed and engineered."
Alatalo Bros general manager Tony Moyle said he had been "caught by surprise" at the amount of interest in the federal government incentive.
"Basically, any block of land in Albury-Wodonga I think is going to be snapped up, and from a development point of view, I would think before the end of the year we'll be out of land," he told The Border Mail.
"I've never seen it happen before like this; we've always got plenty of stock available to the open market and we plan based on the market as we might see it."
Applicants must enter into a contract before December 31 and commence construction within three months.
Southern Vale Homes new homes sales consultant Joel Mallatt said interest had come from all types of Border people.
"We're getting a lot of people from Wangaratta and Oxley, I think because the land is quite expensive in Wangaratta," he said.
"The good thing about it is that it will go around a few times.
"It doesn't come back to us as builders, it goes back into the customer's pocket.
"Once they get the new house, the landscapers and fencers will be busy.
"With a small stimulus, it's going to go far."
Mr Griffiths said on top of the first home owners grant, it was an attractive offer.
"It [the first home owners grant] was due to wrap up at the end of the financial year," he said.
"So the fact they instantly said 'We'll go an extra 12 months at $20,000 for regional Victoria' was fantastic news.
Mr Griffiths said there was some criteria attached to HomeBuilder.
"It's for people looking to build, or to undertake a renovation between $150,000 and $750,000," he said.
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"There are some conditions around how much you earn; for a single [applicant] it's $125,000, and for a couple up to $200,000.
"It has to be your primary residence as well - it's not to encourage investors - it's to help people live the dream and build their home.
"It's put a really positive spin on what we do, especially this time of year when inquiries slow down a bit.
"During the uncertainty, we had existing clients who had a secure source of income - we have a lot of essential workers. Albury-Wodonga continues to grow, and that's comforting.
"All the other builders are up and about."
