5 steps to finding the perfect block of land
There’s nothing quite like moving into a brand-new home, especially when you have the chance to choose a floorplan and finishes that suit the way you want to live.
But before you start planning the details of your new home, there’s an important first step: finding the right block of land.
The block you choose can influence your home design, overall build budget and how soon you may be able to get your build underway. Taking the time to understand the land before you buy can help you make a more informed decision and avoid surprises later.
Here are five key things to consider when buying land in Victoria.
Start with the right foundations
Before you start comparing floorplans, it helps to get the order of your homebuying journey right.
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 understand your budget and where you want to live, you can start looking for a block that works for your home, lifestyle and plans for the future.
Homebuyers Centre can help bring the different parts of your journey together, with support across finance, land and finding a home design that suits your block.
1. The area, land developer and title timing
Where you buy can have a big impact on both your lifestyle and your building journey.
Start by looking at the things that matter to you day to day, such as schools, parks, shops, public transport and access to major roads. If amenities are still proposed, ask the developer when they are expected to be delivered.
It is also worth visiting the area at different times of day. This can help you get a feel for traffic, noise, surrounding development and how the estate is taking shape.
Another important question is when the land will be titled.
Whether you choose titled or untitled land can affect when you are able to move into the next stages of your build. If timing is important to you, titled land can offer a clearer path towards getting your build underway because the land is ready for the next stages of the building process.
If you are still weighing up your options, learn more about the difference between titled and untitled land and what each could mean for your build timeline.
The land developer is worth researching too. Look at how their previous communities have developed, the quality of the streetscapes and whether the amenities they committed to have been delivered.
A simple way to get a better feel for a developer is to look at what they have already delivered.
I always suggest that our customers visit the developer’s previous projects to see how they present.
– Homebuyers Centre Victorian Sales Manager, Tyler Lock
Your New Homes Consultant can also help you understand local estates and land options, particularly if you are unsure what to look for.
2. Council and developer restrictions
Before committing to a block, it is important to understand any council, estate or developer requirements that could affect the home you want to build.
These requirements can influence things such as:
- How your home sits on the block
- Setbacks from boundaries
- Your preferred facade
- External materials and colours
- Landscaping requirements
- What can be built around easements or other site constraints
If you already have a particular home design or facade in mind, checking these requirements early can help you understand whether your plans will work on the block.
Homebuyers Centre can help you understand the relevant requirements before you progress, so you have a clearer picture of what may affect your preferred home design.
3. Block slope and dimensions
The size, shape and slope of your block can have a big influence on the home you can build and the site requirements that may apply.
Start with the basics.
- Is the frontage wide enough for your preferred home and garage?
- Is the block deep enough for the floorplan you like while still giving you the outdoor space you want?
Slope also matters. A block with more fall may require additional site works to create a suitable building platform, which can affect your overall build budget. Irregular-shaped blocks can require some extra consideration too. A floorplan that works comfortably on one block may not fit another, even if the overall land size is similar.
If you are unsure whether a particular home and block combination will work, this is where getting advice before you commit can make a real difference.
You can always ask your New Homes Consultant who can provide a preliminary siting to make sure your home will fit on the block.
– Homebuyers Centre Victorian Sales Manager, Tyler Lock
If you already have a design in mind, explore our home designs and speak with a New Homes Consultant about which options may suit your block.
4. Land orientation
Think about how the block’s orientation could work with your preferred home design and the way you want to use your spaces.
Natural light can make a big difference to how your home feels, particularly in living areas, kitchens and outdoor entertaining spaces.
Rather than looking for one particular orientation in isolation, consider the block and floorplan together. The position of living areas, windows and outdoor spaces can all influence how sunlight moves through your home.
5. Soil profiles
There is more to a block than what you can see when you drive past it.
Engineering information can help provide a clearer picture of the land, including things such as slope, retaining walls, crossover locations, easements and the position of services.
These details can influence whether your preferred home suits the block and whether additional site requirements need to be considered as part of your build budget.
Once the land is ready, a soil test can also help determine the soil conditions on your block and inform the foundation design required for your home.
These documents can be technical, so you do not need to interpret everything yourself. Your New Homes Consultant can help explain the information and what it could mean for your preferred home and block.
Crossover locations, easements, slope, retaining walls and expected soil conditions can all influence your home design and build cost. These documents can be highly detailed, so your New Homes Consultant can help you understand what they mean for your block.
– Homebuyers Centre Victorian Sales Manager, Tyler Lock
Found the right block? Understand what comes next
Finding the right land is an important step, but what happens next will depend on where your block is in its journey.
If your land is already titled, you may be in a stronger position to start progressing your build. If it is still untitled, you can use the time before title to prepare your finance, explore home designs and understand what will be needed when your land is ready.
If you already own land, our building on your land guide can help you understand the next steps, from getting to know your block to choosing a home and preparing to build.
And if you are not sure whether your block is ready yet, our guide to titled and untitled land explains what each stage means and how it can affect your building journey.
We’ll help make it simpler
Whether you’re still looking for land or already have a block, our New Homes Consultants can help you understand your options and what to do next.
