What should I check before buying a land?
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How to choose a block of land for your home?
Choosing a block of land is probably the most important decision of your home-building journey.
It’s so important because most of the resale or lifestyle value of the house depends on the plot you choose.
The factors that contribute to this decision are multi-fold and require a unique combination, depending on you and your family.
In this article, we take a look at these factors to help make your choice easier.
Factors in choosing a block of land
Local Rules and Regulations: Before you decide which plot to buy, you’ll need to decide the area it will be in. different councils and local authorities in Australia have different zoning courts. These authorities impose various kinds of restrictions and limitations such as the size, height or style of your home, among other factors.
Talking to your builder can make the situation go away easier as most reputable construction companies are well aware of the local rules and regulations.
Location: The cost-effective approach to where to buy is simple: as much as you can spend on the block with the most resale value.
Not only will you end up being as close as possible to amenities, you will also get clear access to the best schools, hospitals and shopping centers.
At the same time, it should be far away from urban areas so you don’t have to deal with a ton of noise from road traffic.
These factors will not only make it easier for you to live, but also to rent out or sell at the highest possible valuations.
The most important concern, especially in a country like Australia, is to be aware of any risks like cyclones, bushfires, or flooding as these factors are totally unpredictable in timing and severity.
Size: This depends on the size of the family. A bigger block means more space for a backyard and front lawn, hence it is ideal for growing families with kids and/or pets.
If it’s just a couple of people, you could easily make do with a smaller block, especially if you’re older. A smaller block also means less regular cleaning is needed. If you need more space, you can always opt for a double storey.
Existing condition of the plot: Costs associated with building a new home are generally on the low end when you;re constructing for the first time. In case the plot already has a structure or its residual debris , you may have to spend extra money on excavating and cleaning, especially if it’s an infill site as there may be existing homes in the neighbourhood. You’ll also have to take care that your construction doesn’t damage or disturb your neighbours.
Shape and Aspect: Rectangular plots are the best bet if you’re looking to maximize value. However, they’re also more expensive.
If you’re shopping on a budget, you can look at corner plots or even a ‘battle axe’ shaped plot. Even though the resale value will be less, it’s financially easy, especially if you’re planning to stay for a long while.
Slope of the plot: Building on a hill is popular, as you get access to amazing scenes and good weather. Evolution in engineering techniques has also made it easier than ever to build on a sloping block.
Having said that, building on a slope has a lot of issues like draining and soil instability. This means construction of retaining walls and displacement of soil is needed as a fix. This extra preparation adds to both the cost and complexity of the entire project.
Make sure you have detailed discussions with your chosen builder before you finalize such a location. At ABM, we are experts at building on slopes, having years of experience building and upgrading such homes.
Easements: Things like telephone poles, underground pipes are present in every neighbourhood and are used by all the homes, this means that you and your neighbours all have easement rights.
This means that in the future, a section of your house; say a shared driveway, may need to be disturbed and may interfere with your everyday life for some time.
Make sure you are aware of all existing local easements, so you can integrate them into your home’s design.
Local soil conditions: Soil stability is very crucial to building a solid foundation that will last for years to come. In case of estates, the information on the kind of soil at the site should be readily available with the local land agency.
In case you are thinking of a location that is more rural, make sure you get the soi tested beforehand. Soil classified as ‘M’ is considered safe, with E, H, and P classes being quite unstable and hence not good for construction.
Orientation: North-facing plots are the most popular options in Australia. You’re able to get a lot of sunlight that helps with passive solar heating which means you save a ton on your electricity bills.
Convenience and Lifestyle: Buying land in establishing or upcoming communities is generally a safe bet. There are always places to meet people, shops as such areas have a lot of commercial activity.
More rural or underdeveloped areas however may not have modern amenities nearby which means you may need to pay extra for things like water and gas connections. You may also need to invest in infrastructure like sewerage or drains.
How do I go ahead with buying land?
Buying a plot of land can be very financially rewarding as well as an exciting experience. Make sure you do a lot of research.
ABM Homes is a leader in construction in Canberra today. With all our experience we know a thing or two about how to make land buying a stress-free experience.
Not only do we provide house and land packages, but we can also help in sourcing your own plot. You can visit out to our team of experts by sending an email or giving us a call. We’d love to help.
