First published in The Hills Shire Times.
Planning and research is essential when building your dream home to ensure it doesn’t quickly become a nightmare, writes Katrina Creer
Building a new home can appear an attractive and affordable option in Sydney’s growing northwest, but there are some essential steps needed to ensure it is a smooth process.
HomeWorld chief executive officer Phil Jones said one of the most common mistakes made by those building for the first time is a lack of understanding about their land.
This includes knowing whether the block is registered and ready for construction.
It can take as long as 2 1/2 years for unregistered land to be approved, during which time families can grow and prices can increase.
“It sounds so simple but these are things that people don’t realise”, Mr Jones said.
It is also essential to identify a builder who has a design that is going to suit your land.
“Ask the builder is the style meets specifics – so you have the right frontage, depth and fall”, Mr Jones said.
“They can excavate any block but the costs will be excessive and this is something that catches people out when they do their sums.”
HomeWorld is a co-op of more than 40 builders including Eden Brae, Metricon, Allworth and McDonald Jones attracting around 30,000 visitors every month.
Mr Jones, who has worked in the industry for 30 years, said while display homes are impressive, it is important not to get caught up in the “romance” of a new home.
“When you look at general real estate and then come to HomeWorld – you will see houses that are decorated and landscaped professionally – we are showing the potential of what can be achieved,” he said.
Most packages won’t include extras such as wallpapering, pools or landscaped gardens but don’t be afraid to ask about inclusions.
Andrea and Freddy Varas from Baulkham Hills spent a year researching for their dream home, including visiting display villages and reading online reviews.
They placed a deposit on a double-storey five-bedroom Rawson home early last year.
As the block already had an existing house they didn’t have to worry about land registration.
However, they still needed to allow time for council approval for the design and demolition.
The slab for their new home was poured in November and the house is expected to be completed in 10 months.
“You do need patience,” said Mrs Varas, who has two children Alicia, 13 and Emilia, 9.
“Knowing what you want it is a big help as it can be overwhelming because there is so much variety.”
The couple were not afraid to make modifications to their original plan and also tried to plan ahead for their family’s future needs.
“It is such an investment you have to be really happy,” Mrs Varas said.
PLANNING TIPS
– Don’t get caught up in the romans of a new home
– Ensure you know exactly what is included in the costs
– Remember display homes are presented with professional decorations and landscaping
– Choose a home design that will suit the frontage, depth and fall of the land.
– Do your own research
– Don’t be afraid to ask questions – no matter how silly they may seem
– Ask your builder for past references
– Set yourself a time line and stick to your budget
– Be patient
– Don’t forget to allow for rental accomodation you may need during construction
– Know if the land is registered or unregistered
– Allow time for Council approval
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