Do you know exactly what you need to think about when you are looking at buying a block of land for your new dream home? There are a few important things you really need to check and consider before buying land, as your selected block is going to determine far more than just your new home address!
It may seem like a confusing task at first, but once you know what to look for, it’s actually quite simple! Here are some tips to help you get started.
House or land – what comes first?
‘Block of land before dream home?’ or ‘dream home before the block of land’? This is the chicken and egg question frequently asked by people as it is easy to get excited and rush straight into listing all the necessities for the design, style and colours of your new home and figure out the rest later.
The block of land is an important starting point when you consider your lifestyle, location, availability, budget and what suits you and your family best now and in the future.
Location
This might seem obvious but think about how the area feels- do you like the area? Is it conveniently located to the things that are important to you like schools, shops, work, medical services, leisure activities or would you prefer it to be ‘just far enough away’ from all those things?
Have you looked -into the proposed future amenities, zoning, roads and development plans for the area? Is this area both practical and comfortable and most of all- does it suit your lifestyle?
How can the location affect the home’s materials, design and cost?
So, you love the area and want to move ahead with your plans?
Talk to the developer and check if there are any covenants or service easements that may restrict your design and building options and plans. Covenants dictate the style, colours and materials for your new home and what is allowed to- be built in the area, for example, sheds, fencing style, specific building materials, colours etc.
Easements may restrict future -plans for digging in swimming pools or other solid structures on certain blocks. Boundary set back requirements determine where exactly you are allowed -to position your home.
Find out if the area is rated for bush fire or floods, high winds or if it is heritage restricted?
These points can also have an impact on the design of your home, the materials you can use as well as the construction cost. For example, building in a bushfire prone area or a flood prone area will require your home to meet certain upgraded standards in order to comply with building codes and to stand up to the natural elements!
