With demand for housing on
the rise, more and more New
Zealanders are looking at
building new homes. However,
not everyone will know what to
look for when they are looking
at prospective sites for their new
dream home.
There’s more to buying land than
size and sale price. Dig a little
deeper and you’ll find that not all
sections are created equal. What’s
going on below the surface and
down the road will have a marked
influence on the time and cost of
your home’s construction, as well
as its value in the future.
Like most of us, you’re probably
working within a set of parameters
when choosing land—with
minimum and maximum size
requirements, areas you would
prefer to live in, and a budget to
keep you grounded.
These considerations are
important, and can be easily
ascertained on face value. If you
already own land, or have fallen
head over heels for a particular
spot, your builder will able to work
with you to prepare the site for
construction and create the home
design that fits.
If you’re still on the lookout for
land, stretching your sight below
the surface and into the future will
help you keep construction costs
to a minimum and see your home
steadily grow in value.
Identify which services—such
as water, sewage, gas and
power—are already connected
to the site. When considering
sections of similar size and price,
development costs and ease of
access for construction could be
the difference.
It’s important to know if the land
you’re considering can sustain the
home you want. A geo-tech report
will tell you the stability of the soil
and a geographical survey will
reveal the lay of the land.
Find out if the section is subject
to a building covenant—a set
of rules governing the size and
style of home which can be built.
Covenants can be restrictive, but
they also ensure neighbouring
properties are of a similar
standard to your own—and in this
way can maintain the value of
your home over time.
Think about what the area will
look like five or ten years from
now. Many new homes are built
on newly developed land. What
amenities are close by? Are there
shops, hospitals, schools and
public transport? If not now, are
they planned for the future?
People buying land in established
areas have their own set of unique
future implications to consider.
Does the property feature any
protected trees that could one day
encroach on the house?
Choosing a section, like building
a home, is your chance to call
the shots, start from scratch and
make your home a reflection of
who you are and how you want
to live.
The best and easiest way to make
the right choice for you is to invite
your home builder to inspect the
land you’re considering. They
can share their specialist skills
and knowledge to help you find
the right patch of dirt to lay the
foundations of your home and
your future.
Jennian
