What to know before picking a House & Land Package
Purchasing a House & Land Package has become a popular option for buyers looking to enter the property market in Australia.
Having to only deal with a single contract, less building decisions and issues in a faster build time and access to the First Home Owner Grant – House & Land Packages are an attractive option.
For most people selecting a suburb, block and finding a trustworthy builder can be tough. Here are some key things to keep in mind when trying to find the perfect House & Land Package for your lifestyle.
Location is Key
The first thing to consider is location; what is this location going to offer you and how will it fit into your desired lifestyle.
Some key things that should affect your decision when researching for both lifestyle and long-term value are commute times to employment, access to public transport, amenities and schools nearby and whether there is NBN access.
If you see your house as both a home and an investment you will want to think about purchasing in a suburb rising in value. When researching look at rental yield data, median house prices and building approvals to find suburbs that have potential.
A Chip off the Old Block
Size, Shape and placement of your block will have a major impact on your build time, restrictions on design and liveability.
Power costs in South Australia are no Joke; buying a block with exposure to the sun in mind can save you money on cooling your home. Ideally, homes designed orienting the backyard facing north keeps the house cooler and allow you take advantage of sunlight in your living areas.
Get the low down on what properties your neighbors are building, as it will potentially affect the value of your property, restriction on your home design and how private your yard will be.
Time and again it comes down to considerations for your lifestyle. Do you want to be secluded from potential noise? How much upkeep would a backyard need?
Odd shaped blocks may seem like a bargain; however, may prove to be a detriment – limiting the future potential of your home. If eventually, you want to add an extension, garage or garden – allowing yourself the room to grow is essential.
Choosing a Design
Many packages include similar features, it is worth taking the time to ask yourself what are the absolute necessities for your individual or family needs.
How flexible is the design, can you make changes to the layout? What points of the difference does one design have; sustainability, solar power, skylights and energy saving builds can save you thousands of dollars a year.
Be sure to shop around for a good builder, investigate other houses they have built, and explore all the packages available by various builders. There are a lot of questions to ask when building a house, so make sure they are answered by the builder!
If you decided on your build from seeing a display home – ensure you confirm with the builder what features are included or not.
Finance
When buying a house and land package, it’s important to consider not only the cost of the package, but also long-term investment return, securing loan approval and value.
Financing a House & Land Package can consist of two steps – first buying the land and then building the house. The loans can be approved separately however, for ease most people bundle them together. Generally, you can borrow up to 95% of the on-completion value of the house & land package.
Expect the best but budget for the worst, some builders include driveways, fencing, landscaping and additional extras while others may not.
Turnkey Finance
For turnkey properties, the whole cost of the build and land is laid out in the standard sale and purchase agreement between the builder and yourself. Turnkey properties come with everything you need to move in and straight living immediately such as lighting, appliances, cooling and so on.
The main benefit for many first home buyers who are currently renting is the fact that you only start making your mortgage repayments once the property is complete and your home loan is settled.
Browse our Packages in South Australia here
If you would like to find out more information about Home & Land Packages – contact us today.