Add in a worldwide pandemic and a housing shortage and the task becomes even more difficult.

However, Port Macquarie local Tim Hitchens didn't experience this when he made the decision to purchase a block of land at Sovereign Hills last year.

"I had been thinking about buying a house for a couple of years, but didn't look into it as much as I probably should have," he said.

"In August of last year I was out with friends and one of them was telling me how he had purchased a block of land out at Sovereign Hills. That's when I became more interested in it and started to look into it more."

Related content:

The 25-year-old owns his own business, Overall Photography Mid North Coast, and is also a flight instructor.

"Once I started to look into purchasing a block and was more serious about it, I was pretty lucky and snapped up one of the last remaining blocks in one of The Heritage precinct land releases at Sovereign Hills."

Tim said the process moved along pretty quickly after that.

"From speaking to the builder and buying the block of land, it was a matter of days," he said.

"Construction started in January this year and I moved in 22 weeks later in June.

"It was quite scary how quick it all happened."

Tim is a Port Macquarie local and said he had always wanted to have his own home here.

"I've always loved Port and have wanted to live here for as long as I could."

"It was an easy decision because I have family and friends here."

Although Tim's experience purchasing land and building his first home was a breeze, he said he understands how much more volatile the market has become.

"I think I was lucky that I entered the market when I did. There's a lot of builds out here now that have been slowed down because of building supply shortages and I know that there is also the issue of land shortages in the area too."

"My builder, Better Homes & Developments, also guided me through the whole process which made it a lot easier."

Sovereign Hills land sales manager Luke Moreta said many buyers purchasing land are first-home buyers.

"We have always aimed to offer the best value land in Port Macquarie and nothing has changed with first-home buyer targeted lots selling from $250,000 in our latest land release The Heritage Stage Six," he said.

Sovereign Hills is a $500 million, 2400 lot master planned community situated 10 minutes west of Port Macquarie's CBD.

All 54 lots in stage 3 of The Heritage land release sold in one day for a total land value of $13.5 million in October last year.

Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can continue to access our trusted content: