This is one of the most common questions people ask when they are considering building a new home, rather than buying an existing one. So what’s the answer? It really is a ‘chicken-or-egg’ scenario. Do you buy land first in a location you like and then look for a home design, or do you choose a home design you like and then find a suitable block of land? The good news is that you can go either way – it really depends on your individual situation. Here, we take a closer look at both options.
Buying the land first helps you avoid choosing a home design that doesn’t suit a particular block. It’s no good falling in love with a sprawling, single level home design, when you’re thinking of buying a narrow lot. If you purchase your land first, you’ll also have the advantage of showing the builder the block and choosing a home design that suits the size and aspect of the land, as well as the look and feel of the neighbourhood.
If you already have a particular area in mind, you may prefer to buy the land first. That said, most people fall in love with a neighbourhood after they move in and get to know it – so once again, it’s personal choice.
When searching for land, make sure you check for any height or setback restrictions, and consider the energy savings you could make by choosing the right orientation. You can find out more about how best to position your home on your block of land here. You should also consider the slope of the land, as not all home designs are suitable for steep blocks, plus they are usually more expensive to build on. A soil test will also need to be done to determine the foundations required for your new home, as some soil types are more expensive to build on.
Don’t forget to check out the land’s zoning, and if a building covenant applies to the area. Depending on the council, there may be rules about the style of house you can build, the colours and materials allowed, where you can position your house on the block, and even the kind of fence you can have.
During your search for a home design, you’ll probably start by visiting a number of display homes, usually located in master planned communities. Many of these areas have land for sale as well, and it’s not uncommon for prospective home buyers to fall in love with these communities while on the hunt for their dream home. In fact, many home builders and land developers often work together to provide the perfect combination of house and land. Alternatively, some home builders offer a selection of new house and land packages ready for purchase, which may also be an option for you.
When choosing the right community to live in, consider the local services you will need such as shopping centres, public transport, schools, medical services and childcare, as well as things that can add to your quality of life like sporting, recreation and entertainment facilities. Do you want to be close to friends and family? How will you get to work? Do similar types of families live in the area? These are all things that should be taken into consideration when buying a block of land.
When it comes to building a new home, people usually check out various display villages, find a house plan they love, and then start looking for suitable blocks of land for sale. There are new land releases happening all the time in South East Queensland, so keep an eye out for these.
If you’ve already found a display home or house plan you really like, chances are you’re attracted to particular components, such as the layout of the kitchen, the indoor/outdoor living spaces, the location of the bedrooms, and so on. But this doesn’t mean this home is the only one for you. There are many ways to incorporate these elements into various different floor plans. If you have already selected a design that you love, your builder will be able to let you know the minimum block width and depth required for your design. Once you’ve had a chat to a few builders, you’ll soon discover that there’s more than one design solution to suit your needs. Your sales representatives will also be able to help you select the perfect block for your home.
Recognised as one of South East Queensland’s most trusted builders, Hallmark Homes offer a diverse selection of house plans that suit different aspects, frontages and block sizes. So we can help you build your dream home, whether you’ve already purchased your block of land or not.
Remember, we do this all day, every day, so if you do fall in love with a particular home design, we can give you all the information you need to find the right block of land to suit. In some instances, we can even introduce you to a developer who has just what you need – from narrow lots, right through to acreage land for sale around Brisbane and surrounding areas.
So if you’re thinking of building a new home in South-East Queensland, our friendly team is ready to help. Come and visit one of our display centres or check out our virtual tours and house plans from the comfort of your own home. If you have any questions about our single storey, double storey, acreage, narrow lot, home designs, house and land packages, or how you can take advantage of the government grants on offer, please contact us today.
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