Answering your house and land questions!
Dreaming of slapping a sold sticker on your very own slice of paradise? This blog post is for you!
Hey there, aspiring homeowners! This week on the Property Playbook we had superstar guest Ellen Nurse from Homebuyers Centre joining Jess to answer some of your burning questions about house and land packages.
Now we know there’s a fair bit of confusion floating around when it comes to house and land (because you told us on Instagram), so we thought why not bring in an expert to get down to it once and for all. We’ve summed up a couple of the most popular questions here, but we answered *so* many more in this week’s podcast episode, so be sure to check it out here. Now let’s dive in and get those answers you've been waiting for!
Is it okay to ask a consultant to run the numbers on a potential build for me, even if I haven't committed to building with them yet? I don’t want them to think I’m wasting their time.
Consultants are generally happy to crunch the numbers and provide you with valuable insights, even if you're just in the early stages of considering a build (and to be honest if they’re not, it’s a bit of a red flag!). After all, how can you decide if a build is right for you without knowing whether or not it will fit within your budget? The consultant’s job is to help you understand the costs involved to ensure you have all the information you need to make an informed decision.
Can you use your own land for a house and land package?
Absolutely! With a house and land package, you have the flexibility to use your own land. It's like having a custom-made sundae, where you get to choose the scoop of land and top it with your dream house design. So whether you already own a piece of paradise or have your eye on a particular block, your builder can work their magic and help you find a package that fits your land like a glove.
Can you make changes to the floor plan of a house and land package?
This one will vary builder to builder, but at Homebuyers Centre the answer is yes (within reason)! Of course, it's your future home, and you deserve to have it just the way you want, but one of the reason volume builders are able to offer competitive prices is because they build lots of homes (and are therefore able to purchase things like materials in bulk). While you may not be able to completely rework the floorplan, you can choose from a huge range of home designs and design options so you can personalise your floorplan to suit your lifestyle.
Are there things we should look out for when looking at blocks of land that make them more ideal?
When it comes to land, for many people location is key. You might want to consider factors like proximity to amenities, transportation, schools, and the potential for future growth. On an aesthetic level, block orientation may also be worth considering as different directionalities impact the flow of light withing the home. And then just to make things tricky, depending on where you’re building there may quirks or considerations specific to the area or lot, such as soil conditions, easements, flood and fire zones and local regulations. Again, your consultant (or buyers advocate if you’re working with one) should be able to take a look at a block you’re considering and help you assess if there’s anything that might make it less than ideal.
Why do house and land package prices vary so much from suburb to suburb for the same house design?
Factors like land availability, location, amenities, and infrastructure play a role in the variation. Additionally, local council regulations, terrain, and market demand can also tip the scales. One suburb might be a dream to build on with flat dense soil that requires little work to be build ready, while another might need a bit of an overhaul before you can even think about pouring a slab.
So there you have it!
If you have a question that wasn’t answered here be sure to check out this week’s podcast episode over on the Property Playbook. And if we STILL didn’t answer it, check out our Facebook Group or Instagram, where we have thousands of incredible community members sharing knowledge and asking questions every single day.
A big thank you to our friends at Homebuyers Centre for helping us bring this blog post to life! They're the superheroes of affordable housing, and they help first home buyers find the perfect package to suit their budget and lifestyle every single day. Learn more about them here.