5 steps to finding the perfect block of land
There’s nothing like the feeling of moving into a brand-new home. You’ll have the peace of mind knowing everything’s fresh, never been lived in, and built just for you. Even better? You get to choose the look and feel of your home, from the floorplan to the interior design style that suits your vibe.
But before you start dreaming about styling your new space, there’s an important first step to tick off, finding the right block of land. Let’s break it down so you know exactly where to start.
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. It’s important to follow a simple three-step process: finance, land and then house, before you jump straight into designing your new home.
– Homebuyers Centre Victorian Sales Manager, Tyler Lock
Once you’ve worked out your budget and locked in your ideal suburb, it’s time to hunt down the perfect block of land. The block you choose plays a big role in how your home comes together – from the design and overall build cost to how long the build might take.
That’s why it’s super important to choose a block that suits your lifestyle now and into the future. It can save you time, money and avoid any unexpected construction or maintenance costs down the track.
To help you get started, Tyler’s here to break down exactly what to look for when buying land in Victoria:
1. The area and the land developer
Understanding the location, estate and land developer is key. It’s important to find out when the land will be titled and ready for your builder to start work. Whether titled or untitled land is better suited to you depends on your unique circumstances, and our team are here to guide you every step of the way.
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.
It’s important to think about how well-connected the estate is. Look for easy access to freeways, major roads and public transport, and check for any privacy or noise concerns. Visiting at different times of day can give you a better feel for the area. Take a look at how the estate is shaping up. If it’s already partly built, drive through the earlier stages. If it’s brand new, do some research into the developer’s track record.
Finding a builder who knows the area and can recommend great estates or offer house and land packages in the right spots can really help take the stress out of the process. As Tyler, with over 10 years’ experience in new home construction, says: “It’s really important you do your due diligence and understand the developer’s experience and track record.”
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. I always suggest that our customers visit the developer’s previous projects to see how they present. If this is difficult to do, our New Home Consultants are always dealing with Victoria’s best developers and can provide sound advice to ensure there are no surprises.
– Tyler
2. Council and developer restrictions
If you’re looking to buy land in one of Victoria’s growth areas, it’s important to understand the restrictions that might come with it. Councils and developers often have specific guidelines that can significantly impact your home design, especially if you already have a floorplan or facade style in mind.
These rules can cover everything from how close your home can be to the boundary and to neighbouring properties, to the materials and colours you can use on your facade, and even which trees can be removed. Doing your research early can help avoid surprises later and keep your build on track.
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.
– Tyler
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 significant slope, 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. You can always ask your New Homes Consultant who can provide a preliminary siting to make sure your home will fit on the block.
– Tyler
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
Prior to the block of land titling, a key document to assess the suitability of the site are the Engineering Plans. These plans give insight into the slope of the land, potential retaining walls, crossover locations as well as the location of any gas, sewer and electrical services. Our team can assess these plans to give you more of an understanding on the suitability of the land for your preferred home.
It is important to understand different geographical locations will have unique soil conditions which will have an impact on the design of the foundations of your home.
Once construction of the land is completed and the land is titled, a soil test can be conducted to identify the unique conditions on your block of land. This test will help ensure the slab design of your home is suitable for the conditions.
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.
– Tyler
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.
