Choosing the right land

When choosing your home to suit your land it is vital that, at this point, you receive the best advice you can. This is where we can help you.

The right block of land will ensure you can build the home of your dreams to gain maximum capital investment.

Everyone agrees on one basic fact when buying a home …… location!

The same applies to choosing your block of land; the correct aspect, the proximity to services and schools, its overall shape, its slope, exposure and of course affordability.

Foundations:

The type of soil on a site can influence the building requirements of a home, especially the foundation. Soil moves, and these movements are known as ‘soil reactivity’.

As the soil gets ‘wet’ it increases in volume and when it dries it shrinks again. This expansion and contraction in the soil can move the foundations.

Building codes have been formulated to govern the type of footings used in reactive foundation situations. A soil test is best commissioned prior to purchase or can be found in a LIM report.

Slope and Stability:

Regardless of soil type, the steeper the land the more site preparation there is to provide a secure foundation to build your home.

If you cannot achieve the Council's required minimum set-backs you can still build on the site, however you may have difficulties with insurance and find you have a notation placed on the title, that can effect value and re-sale.

Best advice is to do as much homework on these sites as possible to avoid nasty surprises. If you can’t afford the extra costs, avoid steep blocks!

Aspect:

Aspect and designing a home to suit a particular block of land is a subject that deserves more explanation than just a few lines here. We suggest you talk to one of our Home Consultants for all the correct advice.

Water:

Factors to consider when choosing the right block extend to basic, even essential services such as water, sewerage and electricity.

If these services aren’t available at the time when the land is being purchased, check with each supply authority and confirm the planning and supply program for the area.

Developers are obliged to provide power to the boundary. On rural properties this can often be some distance from your building platform. The same applies to sewerage connection services. If sewerage isn’t available, you will need install your own septic system.

Council:

With the fundamentals handled accordingly i.e. aspect, soil type, topography, services etc., it’s time to check with council. All councils have well defined requirements and guidelines for any building or renovation in the areas under their control.

There is often Consent notices, easements and covenants to check, for example height to boundary. These all need investigating, as they will have an effect on the final design of your home.

Exposure:

All areas are different in the way they are exposed to wind and weather. Your house must be designed structurally to withstand pressures from these.

Rule of thumb is the higher you are, the windier it will probably be, which usually requires more bracing and more foundations.

What now?

Designing a home to suit your land and living requirements can be a difficult undertaking.

It is paramount for you to have a truly functional and energy efficient home that makes the most out of your aspect and views.

Short of spending a small fortune dealing with an architect firm to design your home and hence wade through the laborious task of tendering, the choice has been somewhat limited......................

However, The House Company provides a solution to this daunting experience…..an inspirationally designed home tailored to suit your own individual budget and wish list.

The House Company provides the perfect solution for those who want more than a mass produced project home.

With a building tradition since 1989, our company works to specifications of sound quality and has done so for hundreds of happy families, focusing on the principles of quality as opposed to quantity.

All plans are developed from your personal wish list. Alternatively, we have a range of plans that can be a terrific starting point.

If you believe a home means more than just a project home, then a House Company home is for you.

Buying Property:

Property Title:

A Certificate of Title is the ownership paper for your property. It may have covenants, easements and protection orders registered on it.

Property Ownership:

Freehold ownership means you own the land and buildings. Leasehold is where you own your home but lease the land. A cross lease lets two or more people own their own homes and jointly own the land. A strata title is when you own part of a building or airspace, but not the land underneath, for instance if you have an apartment.

LIMS and PIMS:

These are reports from your local council on various things to do with the property including land features, problems like flooding, erosion and subsidence, drainage rates and consents. Anyone can apply for a LIM (Land Information Memorandum). Only the land owner can apply for a PIM (Project Information Memorandum). You need to read and check the contents of a LIM against what is actually there, as the property is not physically inspected by the council.