Groceries are up. Fuel is up. Insurance and power bills are up. And yes—building costs have moved as well.
But here’s the part most people miss:
you still have more control over the build budget of a new home than you do with anything else in your life.
With smart timing, transparency, good decision-making, and a builder who locks in pricing properly up front—your new build can still become one of the most financially strategic decisions you make in 2026.
Interest Rates & Borrowing Power
The RBA’s recent movements have reshaped borrowing capacity for most families in regional NSW.
Higher rates don’t just impact repayments—they impact how banks assess income buffers, which affects what you can access in lending, not just what you spend month-to-month.
This is where a fixed-price contract matters.
Raulston Family Homes works with clear, structured pricing—so you aren’t hit with nasty surprises mid-build.
A fixed-price contract protects you if interest rates shift again while your home is being constructed. It gives you certainty while other areas of life feel volatile.
Material & Labour Costs
Even though the world is calmer than 2021–2023, we’re still not back at pre-COVID price levels.
Steel, timber, cladding, joinery, and skilled trades have stabilised—but stabilised at a new normal.
The key is this:
Local builders are not freighting materials across states for every item.
Shorter supply chains = shorter delays.
Local trades = better scheduling control.
These two things combined often save months in wasted build time—and time is money when you’re paying rent while you build.
Saving Money Without Compromise
New builds don’t have to be “basic” to stay on budget.
There are smart, strategic inclusions that pay for themselves over time.
Examples:
• LED lighting reduces ongoing power draw
• Good wall + roof insulation improves heating efficiency
• Thoughtful window orientation reduces summer sun load
• Maximising natural airflow reduces A/C usage
These are not aesthetic upgrades—they are lifetime cost-of-living reducers.
Our Inclusions Book is full of these value-based decisions that create comfort without overcapitalising.
Local Lifestyle Context – Why Wagga & Junee Still Make Sense
Wagga remains one of the strongest “value for money” regional build markets on the east coast.
There’s migration flow from Sydney + Melbourne that hasn’t slowed—and every family moving inland increases demand.
Junee is also becoming the “smart entry point” for first-home builders—where land pricing is more accessible, and commutes are still extremely workable.
Build now—and you’re building ahead of the wave.
Takeaway
Yes, the cost of living has increased—but with the right builder, the right planning, and the right contract structure—your dream home is still very achievable in 2026.
Ready to begin?
Download the Plans Book
Explore the Inclusions Book
Use the 7 Things Checklist
Call Troy on 0483 951 147 to start planning today.
(And remember—building smart beats waiting for perfect conditions. Perfect conditions rarely come.)
