The Big Decision

Building a house is a very exciting adventure, but choosing the block of land that’s right for you and your dream home is just as important as choosing what to build on it. However, making these decisions doesn’t need to be hard…

It’s important to visit the area you wish to live in to check out the established parts of the developments and to get an idea of what the new areas will look like once established. It’s also a good opportunity to look at the parks, schools, shops and facilities already available in the area to see if they fit in with your “must haves”.

We’ve come up with a handy estate comparison chart to help you decide!

Top TipsCheck with the developer to see if any building covenants or design guidelines exist on the land, these control the quality and aesthetics of the houses built on the estate and concern

» Driveways and fences » The external façade » Roof materials and pitch of

the roof

So it’s important to check you can have your dream house on your dream plot of land, exactly the way you want it.

At LWP we use a specialist Urban Design Consultant that can help you ensure your home design complies with any covenants or guidelines on homesites in our development areas. From design elements to making your home more sustainable, we’ve got you covered.

This guide has been put together by LWP Property Group to give general advice about the process of buying land and building a house on it. All advice is only general in nature and it is advised to always seek additional professional advice.

How to Choose Your Block of Land

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The Big Decision

Now comes the fun part, deciding what your dream house will look like!

Most land or builder’s sales offices can show you which houses are best suited to your block, as well as explain the building design guidelines and how to reduce your house’s carbon footprint – making the whole process a lot easier for you.

House DesignBefore you sign the contracts for the purchase of your house you will need to finalise the plans for your house design. Let your builder know of any tweaks you want made to the design. And remember, sooner is better than later as you may incur a fee for any changes you make after the contracts have been signed.

In order to help you choose your dream design, it is important you firstly understand the designs that will fit on your block! So make sure when you are visiting any builders’ displays that you take your block plan with you.

We often have grand ideas when choosing a house design, but you need to also consider your budget. A good idea to see what you really want from your house design is to write down your ‘must-haves’ and your ‘wish list’. It will help you prioritise what you really want.

1. First, write down your must-haves in your house design so you know what your priorities are. Buying a home is an emotional process and sometimes it is easy to walk into a display home and fall in love with a particular house feature or style without considering your lifestyle or budget. Your must-haves may include things like a certain number of bedrooms, good natural light, outdoor living space etc.

2. Next, write down your wish list. This might include extras that would be of great value

CONSIDER WHEN CHOOSING A DESIGN: » Your ‘must-haves’ » Your ‘wish list’ » Number of bedrooms » Number of bathrooms » Other important features for

you » Your budget range

This guide has been put together by LWP Property Group to give general advice about the process of buying land and building a house on it. All advice is only general in nature and it is advised to always seek additional professional advice.

How to Choose a House Design For Your Block

or use to you. It might include the finishes to the design, a separate study space, a separate laundry area and so on.

Your lists can help you to prioritise what you really need, while staying within your budget. They can also be really useful when you’re talking with your builder.

Sustainable LivingChoosing low energy options when choosing large appliances such as air conditioners, pool pumps and water heaters can significantly cut back your energy bill. Consider solar panels when making your decision. And remember the government offers a variety of rebates to help make your home and garden energy and water efficient and environmentally friendly.

Many builders and developers, such as LWP, will include sustainability incentives with house and land packages, so it is worth investigating your options in these areas too.

For more information on the rebates available visit www.energy.wa.gov.au

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