If you’re ready to take the leap into home ownership and build a new home, you’re in for an exciting ride. So many Australians dream of opening the door to their new home and beginning their life, rent free!
As with any major purchase, there’ll be a few anxious times. That’s perfectly normal. Just remember, don’t be afraid to ask questions. To get you on the front foot, we’ve put together a list of everything you need to know before you build a new home.
One crucial element to remember when building is timing. If you don’t ask the right questions at the right time – it could be too late to change anything. Keep reading to find out how you can make your venture into home ownership as smooth as possible.
Choose your builder
This is an ideal place to start for many reasons, especially if you’re a first home buyer. In a sense, a good builder will do a lot of the initial legwork for you.
Finance
Once you know your financial situation, you’ll be able to decide what type of home you can build and in what suburb. A good builder will help you navigate through the minefield of banks and mortgage lenders and set you on the path to finance approval.
If you qualify for the first home owner grant and you’re unsure what it all means, your builder will be able to assist you. If you wish to work out your financial situation before talking to a builder, you can use their free online loan calculator.
Even if you don’t have any savings, you may still be eligible for a $0 savings home loan.
Qualified builder
Like any big purchase you make, you’ll want to look at who’s behind the product. Do they have a good track record? Have they been recognised and awarded in their industry? Choosing the right builder can save you a lot of headaches in the long run.
Planning stage
Once you’ve chosen a builder you’re comfortable with, and you know how much finance you have available, you can start looking at your house and potential land options.
House design
If you know the amount of space you’ll need – four bedrooms, two bathrooms, two-car garage – you can explore the range of home designs available online and go and visit the display homes. If you find that you like a specific part of one home and other parts of another home, ask your builder how you can customise your home.
Customising your home
Some builders, like Blueprint Homes, offer customised designs so that you get exactly what you want. That means, if you want to move a room or add a bedroom, you can. Choosing a custom builder also means that you can position your home to suit the block of land, allowing you to maximise natural heating and cooling.
House and Land
If you want to take the hassle out of searching for a block of land, talk to your builder about a house and land package. Your builder will expertly select the perfect house to fit the shape of the block. With the builder doing all the hard work, all you need to focus on is where in Perth you want to live.
Cost of building your home
Your builder will outline how the cost of your new home is worked out. Essentially, it comes down to these key factors:
- Site preparation costs
- Size of your home
- Multi-level or non-standard sizing
- Fixtures and fittings
If you purchase a set design and decide to make changes, be aware that extra charges may be added.
Adding your style
Your home may come with certain inclusions however, if you decide that you want to choose a different benchtop, that’s perfectly fine. It’s your home, so you should be able to select the products you want. Ask your builder if they have a showroom where you can view all your product options. It’ll save you from spending your weekends visiting display homes.
Communication
One of the most important things to remember when building a new home is communication. That means communication between yourself and the builder and between you and your family. You can never raise an issue too early.
Hopefully, we’ve been able to ease any concerns about the building process and help you with your decision-making process. For a more in-depth understanding of the building process, download a free copy of the Home Buyer’s Guide.
