14 Feb 2018 Mansfield Courier, Mansfield VIC (General News) THE State Government is making it easier for Victorians to build and own their first home in country Victoria. Jaclyn Symes (MLC, Northern Victoria) said as of July 1, 2017, the First Home Owner Grant which applies to all newly constructed homes was doubled in regional Victoria from $10,000 to $20,000. The grant is available to first home buyers building new homes valued up to $750,000. The initiative is giving first home buyers in Northern Victoria a chance to enter the property market and own their dream home in country Victoria, Ms Symes said. We are helping families to stay in their home town and also providing incentives to attract people to move to country Victoria. Stamp duty has been abolished for first home buyers purchasing new and existing homes up to $600,000, and discounted stamp duty up to $750,000. In the six-month period between July 1 and December 31, 2017, more than 9700 first home buyers across the state paid no stamp duty, while another 2000 paid reduced stamp duty. The grant will be applicable to contracts signed from now until June 30, 2020.Licensed by Copyright Agency. You may only copy or communicate this work with a licence.