For buyers who have never purchased land before, it can seem like a complicated process. After all, when you’re buying an established home or a house and land package, you don’t have to visualise how your dream home will look, its orientation or whether you’ll have room to expand it in future years.
That’s why we’ve taken the stress out of buying land with our 7-point guide.
1. What’s the orientation?
There’s a lot to be said for designing your home in tandem with the land’s orientation. Using the north-facing aspect, for example, allows your home to use the sun all year round without enduring direct sunlight, which can lead to overheating and discolouring on certain materials.
2. Block size
You’ll need to factor in the size of your block as well as the house you plan to build on it. Also think about how much of a front or backyard you want. A small block may allow you to be closer to amenities, but a larger block of land may give you that ideal garden you’ve been dreaming about, or room to install an in-ground swimming pool.
3. Building on a sloping block
It might seem like a non-issue, but if you plan to build on a sloping block it can actually make the building process a bit more challenging. The weather may affect the soil differently – such as having run-off water from roads above – and that can add additional costs to the final build. That being said, the result of a well-built home on a sloping block can often mean fantastic views and a unique look for your property. So depending on your tastes it might be worth investigating whether a flat or sloping block is best for you.
4. Climate
How cold are the winters and how hot are the summers? This will impact how you insulate your home. Similarly, if the area is prone to drought, frost of severe rainfall, it could influence what type of home you build and even how you build on the land.
5. Are there any zoning restrictions?
Be sure to check the council rules on zoning laws so you understand what you can and can’t do with your block of land. Are there any laws on how high you can build a home? Are there any plans to build a highway in the coming months or years? You’ll also need to consider design guidelines, because to maintain standards at certain developments – as well as to secure its future lifestyle benefits and investment appeal – you may be required to comply with their specific design guidelines. It’s best to get all this information from the developer in the early stages so it doesn’t impact the home you want to build.
6. Ensure the soil is quality
The quality and composition of soil can play a big role in not only how you build your home, but also things like what type of garden you can grow and whether you’ll be able to install an in-ground pool. In terms of the actual build, whether the soil is high quality or not will also impact the amount of earthworks needed and the cost of putting in the home’s foundations.
7. Are all the essential amenities nearby?
Unless you’re an investor looking to expand your portfolio, you’re likely buying a block of land with the intention to build and live in it. That means the empty block will soon be your new home, so you’ll want to ensure all the essential amenities – such as shopping centres, schools, healthcare facilities and public transport – are close by. Buying land in a new community like Savana means you get to enjoy all the benefits of an address that’s connected with high-quality amenities.
As a boutique village address near Werribee that offers an exceptional location and a true sense of neighbourhood spirit, it all comes together at Savana. You can start your new journey by purchasing land at Savana, so enquire today.