More than 2300 people at Dubbo have taken up the First Home Buyers Assistance Scheme, delivering a total of more than $24 million, the government reports.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The stamp duty concessions, as well as $10,000 grants for builders and purchases of new homes is part of its package to improve housing affordability introduced in 2017.
Combined, the two measures can save buyers more than $32,000.
Dubbo MP Dugald Saunders said the government was continuing to support regional communities by making it easier for people to own a home.
"Families across regional NSW have now taken advantage of the opportunity to save up to $24,740 in stamp duty when purchasing their first home," he said.
"So far in Dubbo we have seen more than 2300 people take up the First Home Buyer Assistance Scheme, totalling more than $24 million and 575 First Home Owner Grants delivered for a total in excess of $5.7 million.
"Buying your first home is an important milestone for many people but these days it can be very challenging financially."
The scheme eliminates stamp duty for first homebuyers purchasing a new or existing property valued up to $650,000 and provides stamp duty savings for purchases of homes valued between $650,000 and $800,000.
The First Home Owner Grant of up to $10,000 is available for new housing constructions valued up to $600,000, or for land and a new construction the buyer intends to build valued up to $750,000.
ABS data shows the number of first homebuyers entering the NSW property market has increased from 17.3 per cent in July 2017 to 27.5 per cent in July this year.
Deputy Premier John Barilaro said the program allowed more families to stay in regional NSW at a time when small towns were doing it tough.
"It is no secret we are experiencing the worst drought on record," he said.
"The NSW Nationals are serious about supporting regional NSW and the best way to do that is by keeping young people in town...
"We are seeing a lot more first homebuyers in regional NSW getting the keys to their first home, reflecting the success of this program."
Housing Industry Association senior economist Geordan Murray said it was good to see first homebuyers in regional areas taking advantage of the state government's support package.
"Given that home prices in regional areas tend to be lower than those in capital cities, the price caps that apply to the first homebuyer grant and the stamp duty concessions are far less restrictive and provides regional first homebuyers with more options than their counterparts in Sydney," he said.