There’s no such thing as the perfect block of land. What’s right for one person may not be right for the next. Choosing your home is a very subjective thing. And choosing the right block of land takes time. That’s why it’s imperative you do your homework to ensure that your chosen piece of land will give you the foundations for your ideal home for years to come.
Be clear about what you want before you purchase any block of land. You’ll need to have spent time exploring your wants and needs, also discussing your plans with a builder or architect so that they can adequately guide you in the right direction. Purchase the land before you’ve clarified your home design, and you could limit your options.
If you are purchasing a relatively new block of land from a developer, find out if there are any guidelines or covenants set and exactly how you need to comply. If it’s a particularly new development, there may be quite strict guidelines that may even affect colours, materials or even balconies, so make sure you find out. Remember, others can advise you, but adhering to compliance is up to the homeowner.
Alternatively, if you find the thought of buying the right block for your property too stressful, you may want to consider buying a home and land package. This is where your builder has already matched the block of land, and a lot of the hard decisions have been done for you.
Building your own house is a primal urge, one of those universal genetic drives like the need to provide for your family. – Kevin McCloud
Obviously, if you’re planning on a large family home, you’ll need a large block to accommodate carports, several bedrooms, a garden and possibly even a granny flat. Conversely, if inner-city living is your thing, you can get away with a smaller block.
Does the block give you the opportunity to build your home in the ideal north-facing aspect to make the most of morning light so you can flood many rooms with natural light and also include other passive design principles? The right positioning makes it easier to enjoy natural light and keep electricity bills down.
Work with your builder or architect, and find out from your local council the required setback. In Perth, single story homes require a 1.2 m set back while double story homes required 2 m.
Blocks of land with a steep fall may be cheaper (and may still work in your favour, if you love the position) but consider how much it will cost to level part or all of it in preparation for the building. The same goes for trees and bush. Find out the clearance costs and while you’re at it, investigate any other ‘hidden surprises’ that may be waiting for you.
If you’re not familiar already, do your homework and find out everything you can about the area. Key concerns are traffic, public transport, amenities, schools and hospitals, and so on. Speak to locals and find out what they like about the place and what they wish would change.
If you’re planning on building your dream home, the last thing you want to discover is that the block of land next door has been swept up and developed into a warehouse or factory. Find out what the Council zoning restrictions are, whether it is strictly residential, residential/ commercial or industrial.
Recognised as one of Perth’s Leading Custom Home and Farmhouse Builders, JFK Custom Homes builds homes for the Perth Region including the Perth Hills.
