Building a new home is one of the most significant and rewarding decisions you will make. From securing your section to opening the front door for the first time, the process of buying at Homestead Bay is designed to be as clear and supported as possible.
Here is what to expect at each stage.
Step One: Get on the Database
The first and most important step is making sure you are registered to receive emails from Homestead Bay. Stage releases are communicated exclusively to the database. Being registered is the only way to be notified and given the opportunity to purchase your dream lot. You can register your interest at homesteadbayqueenstown.nz.
When a new stage is released, you will receive two emails. The first arrives on a Monday and serves as your advance notice. It contains the release plans, available lot information, and links to the Design Guidelines. The Sale and Purchase Agreement on the Homestead Bay website. This is your window to review the available sections, familiarise yourself with the covenants and building guidelines. Importantly, seek independent legal advice before the sales day arrives.
The second email lands on the Friday at 8:00am. This is the pricing release and the signal to act. From this point, purchasing is first-come, first served. Contact Jimmy Allen at Bayleys (jimmy.allen@bayleys.co.nz or 021 676 013) as soon as possible to secure your preferred section. It is worth having backup options ready in case your first choice has already gone.
Once the team at Bayleys confirm your section is available, a Sales and Purchase Agreement will be emailed to you to sign and return by a specified deadline. A 10% deposit is then payable to your solicitor within three working days of the contract date.
Stages 1 and 2 sold out quickly, so being prepared ahead of the Friday release is essential so you don’t miss out.
Step Two: Understand the Design Guidelines
Every stage at Homestead Bay has its own Design Guidelines, available to download from the Building at Homestead Bay page on the website. It pays to read these during the Monday-to-Friday window before a release. You can understand what is required before you purchase and make sure that you choose the right section for the home you have in mind.
The guidelines cover building materials, colours, fencing, landscaping and setbacks. They are there to protect the long-term quality and visual coherence of the neighbourhood. Reading them carefully before you engage a builder or designer will save time and help ensure your plans are approved smoothly.
Step Three: Choose Your Builder
One of the advantages of building at Homestead Bay is access to a panel of approved builders who are familiar with the site, the guidelines and the Queenstown building environment. These include Golden Homes, GJ Gardner Homes, Jennian Homes, Mike Greer Homes and Trident Homes. All of which offer a range of house plans and price points to suit different budgets and lifestyles.
You are also welcome to engage your own builder, provided they hold the appropriate licences and their plans meet the Design Guidelines. For many buyers, working with one of the approved builders offers a faster, more streamlined path to completing their home.
Take the time to meet with multiple builders, review their plans and specifications, and ask questions about timeframes and inclusions before committing.
Step Four: Design Your Home
Once you have chosen a builder, the design phase begins. Whether you are working from a standard plan or commissioning a custom design, your builder will work with you to finalise a layout that suits your lifestyle, your section’s orientation and the applicable design guidelines.
It is worth thinking carefully about how you want to live in your home, including the relationship between indoor and outdoor spaces. Where the sun falls at different times of day, and how the home will feel as your family grows and changes.
Step Five: Building Consent
Before construction can begin, your plans will need to go through the Queenstown Lakes District Council consent process.
Your builder will typically manage this process on your behalf, but it is worth understanding what is involved and how long it is likely to take. Consent timeframes can vary, so building this into your planning from the start helps avoid surprises later.
Step Six: Construction Begins
Once consents are granted, construction begins. Your builder will provide a construction programme and regular updates throughout the build. Depending on the complexity of your home, construction typically takes between 12 and 18 months from breaking ground to completion.
During this time, it is worth visiting the site regularly to see progress. Ask questions and stay engaged with the process. This is your home taking shape. Enjoy it.
Step Seven: The Final Inspection and Handover
As construction nears completion, your builder will carry out a series of inspections to ensure everything meets the required standards. A Code Compliance Certificate is issued by QLDC once the build is signed off, confirming the home meets the Building Code.
At handover, your builder will walk you through the home and explain the systems and appliances. They will also provide you with all relevant documentation. Then the keys are yours.
Building Something Worth Coming Home To
Building at Homestead Bay is about more than constructing a house. It is about creating a home that reflects how you want to live, in one of New Zealand’s most extraordinary settings.
The team at Homestead Bay is here to support you at every step. For more information or to download the Design Guidelines and Stage documents, visit the Building at Homestead Bay page or get in touch with the team directly.