5 steps to finding the perfect block of land
The benefits of building a new home speak for themselves.
You get peace of mind and the convenience of a home that’s never been lived in. Plus, you get to personalise your home and pick an interior design scheme and furnishings that perfectly complements your lifestyle and meets all your needs and preferences.
But before you start dreaming up how you’re going to style your new home, it pays to be informed about the first steps in the process – finding the perfect block of land.
‘There’s not a lot of point finding the perfect home design if you can’t find the right piece of land in the right location to make the perfect floorplan possible,’ says ABN Group’s Developments General Manager, Oscar Stanley.
‘It’s important to follow a simple three-step process: finance, land and then house, before you jump straight into designing your new home’.
So once you’ve determined your budget and identified your preferred suburb, it’s time to find your perfect block of land. The block you choose has many impacts on your home, including the design, final cost and time it’ll take to build. It’s important to find one that does not only meet your current needs but also cater to your future requirements – this’ll help to avoid unnecessary constructions and maintenance costs.
Below, Oscar talks you through what to look out for when buying a block of land in Victoria:
1. The area and land developer
Understanding the location, estate and land developer is key.
Research when the land will be titled and able to be accessed by your builder. This is important as the delivery of untitled land can cause delays and impact the start of your construction. Choosing a block in a stage that is under construction reduces the risk of delays, and the closer it is to titling, the better.
Estate amenities will have a big impact on your family’s lifestyle. Park, schools and retail amenities can take time to deliver, so if these amenities are ‘proposed’ it’s always worth asking the developer for more information on the expected timing.
Consider if the estate has easy access to the freeway and public transport, as well as any privacy or noise concerns. Visiting the area at different times during the day will help you understand each of these concerns.
Finally, it’s important to understand how the estate will present. If it’s an established project, then a drive around some of the older stages is strongly recommended. If it’s a new estate, then definitely do your homework on the developer.
‘It’s really important you do your due diligence and understand the developer’s experience and track record,’ says Oscar, who has over 15 years’ experience in land development and building.
‘I always suggest that our customers visit the developer’s previous projects to see how they present. If this is difficult to do, our Homebuyers Centre New Home Consultants are always dealing with Victoria’s best developers and can provide sound advice to ensure there are no surprises.’
Finding a builder who can recommend the best estates and locations, or that can offer house and land packages in the best areas, will remove the stress and uncertainty from the process.
‘We really are lucky to work with the best land developers who are committed to not just constructing an estate, but also investing heavily in creating places that leave a thriving community,’ says Oscar.
2. Council and developer restrictions
When it comes to purchasing a block of land in Victoria’s growth areas, it’s important to consider the various restrictions imposed by different councils and developers. These restrictions can significantly impact your home design, especially if you already have a specific floorplan and facade design in mind.
‘Councils can place restrictions on features such as the proximity of the dwelling from the boundary fence and to neighbouring properties, right down to the materials and colours you can use on your facade or the trees you can remove,’ says Oscar.
‘Homebuyers Centre will always work with you to research these restrictions before you put down a deposit on a block to make sure you can build your home without compromise.’
3. Block slope and dimensions
The slope and dimensions of your block will impact both your new home design and how much it will cost to construct. If your block has a slope of over 1 meter, it will require cutting and filling to ensure it is level, which adds to your site work expenses. Since each block is unique, the best way to avoid surprises is to work with a trusted builder to understand how the slope will impact your design.
The size and shape of your block is, of course, a fundamental part of your decision making. Is your lot frontage wide enough to fit a double garage? Is your lot deep enough to fit all the rooms of your preferred design? Do you need a big backyard, or is there a park within walking distance?
‘If you’re looking at an irregular shaped block, be careful as it may mean your preferred home design simply won’t fit and bespoke changes will need to be made,’ explains Oscar. ‘You can always ask your New Homes Consultant who can provide a preliminary siting to make sure your home will fit on the block.’
4. Land orientation
Think about how natural light will enter your home, especially in living spaces and alfresco or outdoor entertaining areas. Maximising the use of sunlight not only ensures your space is light and bright, but also increases your home’s energy efficiency, keeping ongoing costs down.
Since the sun rises in the east and spends most of the time passing over the north during the day, Homebuyers Centre usually recommends looking for a north-facing block without too much slope. However, we understand that orientation preferences can vary based on personal preferences.
5. Soil profiles
‘When buying a block off the plan there are two key documents that are recommended for reviewing prior to depositing. These include the Engineering Plans and Plan of Subdivision. As you can’t access your block until construction is complete, these two documents are very important as they describe your block’s features,’ says Oscar.
‘Crossover locations, easements, slope, retaining walls, expected soil conditions etc are all found between these documents and are relevant to consider as they will impact the home design and cost.’
‘Both of these documents can be complicated to interpret as they are highly detailed, once again your trusted New Home Consultant can be of great assistance here to ensure you understand exactly what your block will look like once complete.’
At Homebuyers Centre, we make first homes happen. Ready with finance, land and homes in the one place to make the whole process as easy as possible, we are your one-stop-shop first home specialist.
Ready to start your new home journey?
Now is the time!Contact one of our friendly New Homes Consultants today.