TOP FIVE SOLUTIONS FOR NEW HOME BUILDERS
From first homebuyers utilising available government grants to building million dollar dream homes, there is a Home Builder Solution to suit.
An advantage to building your new home using professional builders is they offer a range of options, tailoring the package to your individual needs. Most reputable building companies based in the Hunter Valley, Newcastle or Maitland offer at least five Home Builder Solutions:
Customise a standard design to create a home that incorporates your ideal floor plan, as well as taking advantage of your specific site. Look for builders that have extensive experience managing the complete building process, ones that work with designers and source quality building materials.
When building a new home in or around the Hunter, Port Stephens or Newcastle choosing a house and land package can simplify finding the perfect home and land combination, and usually has the additional security of a turnkey guarantee. Keep an eye out for current developments to know what packages are available.
To save on the time it takes to professionally design a new home, as well as save money on architect fees, selecting an existing In-house Design might be the way to go. From compact space savers to more expansive acreage style homes, there are usually designs to suit any budget and block size.
If you want to live in a brand new, energy efficient home, but don’t want to leave your neighbours, friends and local amenities, then a knockdown-rebuild solution is a great option. Most professional building services will take care of everything, such as council approvals, demolition, designs, and of course the build.
If you have a unique plan for your dream home or have an architect you are already working with, then you may want to only sign with a homebuilder for the actual build – most professional builders offer a joint program working with local architects, contractors and suppliers to streamline the process for you.
Whichever Home Builder Solution appeals to your budget and specific requirements, there are multiple advantages to building your new home using locally respected and trusted professionals. These include having a proven track record, accurate pricing, professional installation and fit-out, high quality technical skills and tradespeople, council requirements and applications taken care of, plus building insurances.
With over 40 years building experience Valley Homes can facilitate the Home Builder Solution that suits your needs – so talk to the Valley Homes team about your ideal Home Build Solution today.
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LUXURIOUS ACREAGE LIVING
The latest style of acreage homes are set to revolutionise the old-adage – forevermore known as ‘living on the land in luxury’!
The new style of luxurious acreage living will most often appeal to two groups of people – those who already live in a country area and want to upgrade their quality of living and those who want to slow things down and enjoy some of the quieter, more refined things in life. Does this sound like you? Well, to whet your appetite for luxury, here are some of the elements usually available in acreage developments by Australian professional builders:
- Classic front verandah. Enjoy your morning cuppa or evening glass of wine taking in the natural beauty of your very own piece of Australia, complete with landscaped
- Home theatre. Experience a night out at the cinema without having to drive into town and spend a fortune on popcorn. Simply recline in comfort with your favourite people and snacks on hand.
- Gourmet kitchen with butler’s pantry. Entertain effortlessly and create culinary masterpieces in your very own centrally integrated space, complete with the latest appliances and finishes.
- Sliding stacker doors. Perfect for summer barbecues or winter dinner parties, enjoy a beautifully integrated indoor / outdoor entertaining area, to take advantage of Australia’s temperate climate.
- Triple garage with workshop. Give yourself ample space to store your beloved vehicles, machinery and tools, plus have a dedicated area to work or simply tinker.
- Several bedrooms. Whether you have a big family or want to entertain, having the space to accommodate everyone will be a breeze. Floor plans generally range from four to five bedrooms.
- Walk-in robes. A walk-in space in the master bedroom is the perfect place to keep the likes of a shoe collection or to simply hide any clutter, keeping your bedroom a tranquil and calm oasis.
- Study / Home office. Whether you run a business from home or have a household member who studies, having a quiet, dedicated room is invaluable when you need to stay organised.
- Portico entrance. With an entrance befitting the luxury housed inside, you’ll impress yourself and any visitors every single time with a grand portico at your entranceway.
Valley Homes has an exciting new Acreage Series features six luxurious floor plans, specially designed by our In-house Designer, Stef Kinsey, in collaboration with our Sales Manager, Kaye Purdon. There are a host of development opportunities within this range of homes, designed to help you take advantage of your unique rural environment. Plus, all of the Acreage Series plans can be altered to suit your specific landscape – meaning the options are only capped by your imagination, property layout and budget. If you’re interested in creating your ultimate rural retreat talk to our team.
10 REASONS HOUSE AND LAND PACKAGES ARE A SMART INVESTMENT
Choosing a house and land package from a reputable building company offers more than just the convenience of less paperwork, reliable project management, streamlined timelines, reputable builders, quality finishes, overall savings and a turnkey contract.
House and land packages are a smart investment for 10 reasons:
- You choose the block. You don’t need to settle for a beautiful home on an ordinary block or vice versa. There are many house and land packages available with the perfect position for your dream home just waiting to be discovered.
- Choose the plan that suits you and your block. Want two, three, four bedrooms? It’s all about matching the aspect and size of your block with a plan that suits your budget – and Valley Homes has a wide range of architecturally designed floor plans to choose from.
- Customise the home to suit. Dreaming of an adult’s escape or a rumpus room? Maybe wine cellar or even a deck perfect for entertaining? The options are endless. All it takes is talking to our team and tailoring your plans to suit.
- Save on stamp duty. You only pay stamp duty on the land component of the sale, as the house hasn’t been built yet. This can save you thousands.
- Package savings. Of course you can still enjoy your dream home on your dream block by doing it all separately, but it will cost you more to do so. A package makes financial sense as fees are streamlined.
- Little maintenance with no need to renovate. Apart from the warranty that comes with a new home build, you won’t need to worry about the ongoing maintenance costs associated with older homes – and forget about the stress and cost of renovating. Phew!
- It’s energy efficient. All new homes built by Valley Homes comply with government regulations regarding energy efficiency. This is a huge bonus for your future savings as you are going to pay less for energy costs.
- Modern technology. Your new house will be built using modern technology and the best materials, as well as being wired with the latest innovations, plus modern fixtures and fitting.
- Tenant friendly. New homes can often attract higher rent and better quality tenants. So if you are a property investor then buying a house and land package for a rental investment could be a smart move.
- Turnkey confidence. By using and established and respected building company, such as Valley Homes, at the end of the build you are going to be handed a set of keys to a brand new home, in your chosen location, without anything further to worry about.
So once you have narrowed down your ideal location, such as the increasingly popular area of Port Stephens, then it’s time to find the house and land package that’s right for you. Talk to our team to find out more.
DUAL OCCUPANCY PROPERTY - SIMPLIFIED
As inner-city land, particularly around Newcastle and Maitland, becomes more valuable the demand for dual occupancies are increasing. Dual occupancy is essentially a development where you subdivide a block of land, creating two attached or freestanding homes. The appealing aspect about a dual occupancy investment is that it usually doesn’t cost much more to build two average sized properties, than building a single large home – and by using a single block to do it means equity is created by essentially halving the land cost. It is a great way to create value, boost your income or even improve housing affordability. Dual occupancy properties are particularly appealing to three groups of buyers:
- Investors: who see the potential to turn a reasonable profit by building two homes on a subdivided block and selling or renting both.
- Owner-occupiers: who own a large block and have the space and means to build a second home on the land. Often they are rented for an ongoing income, or sold to boost their retirement nest egg.
- First home buyers: who either join together with family or friends to buy a large block to subdivide between them, essentially halving their land price.
Here’s what to look for when buying a new block to subdivide:
If you are buying a block with the intent to subdivide one of the most sought-after options is a wide street frontage. A wide block allows the new properties to stand side-by-side with separate driveways, which is very appealing to buyers if you wish to on-sell one or both properties. Another popular option is a corner block, which creates the opportunity for the driveways to be on separate streets. Whatever block style / size you are seeking, make sure you research the area and check with local council regulations to ensure it is zoned to allow dual occupancy dwellings.
Already own a large block of land?
Subdividing a block of land you already own is a relatively low risk investment. It creates equity in your land, plus it means you can yield a rental income. Or you can sell the new property to either help pay off your mortgage or to put towards your retirement plans. Many owner-occupiers may be situated on large, narrow blocks. While these may not be the first choice for investors they can usually accommodate a battle-axe solution – with the second property sitting behind the front / existing property. The only change to the frontage is often a second driveway visible from the street.
Planning to rent or sell – know your market
Before you do anything it pays to get to know the local market. Talk to experienced dual occupancy property developers like our team at Valley Homes who manage the entire process, including surveying, planning and liaising with council. It is important to speak to your financial lender and know what fees you are up for including stamp duty and land rates. Also speak to your local real estate agents for advice on rental rates and tenant agreements. This will help you gauge the types of properties you can build, the return you can achieve from your investment and whether or not you will be better off selling or renting your second property.
TURN YOUR KNOCKDOWN INTO A KNOCKOUT
Demolishing your tired old house and transforming it into a modern, energy efficient dream home without having to lift a paintbrush might be easier than you think. But is it the best option for you? To help you determine if knocking down your house is a viable option we’ve put together a list of key indicators.
Top 5 reasons to why people choose to knockdown and rebuild:
1. You love your location and feel part of the local community
Sensational Valley views, easy for school pickup, close to Maitland CDB or even Maitland Hospital, you play touch football just down the street, you meet up with neighbours for morning walks, or you just can’t live without a morning coffee from your local café. Whatever the reason or your stage in life, if you love where you live then capitalising on your location and making your property work for you is smart.
2. You have outgrown your house and/or it is out-dated
If your property has the perfect aspect, but it isn’t working for you any more, then a fresh start on the same block might be the most suitable and cost effective solution. It pays to remember building additional rooms, updating failing electrics or rejigging layouts may solve your immediate issues, but renovating may end up costing you more than building a brand new home.
3. You need solid budgets and want to maximise your investment
It can seem surprising, but with soaring renovation costs it is usually more cost effective to start fresh right where you are. When you knockdown to rebuild not only can you save money, but you also get to build the home you’ve always wanted. Selling to buy a larger or newer house may seem like a feasible option too, but with extra costs such as Stamp Duty and Agent Fees you are throwing away money you could be reinvesting into your new build.
4. Your prized plot of land and family home are now too big, but you don’t want to move
The option to demolish and rebuild isn’t just growing in popularity for young families. If your property’s potential is being underutilised for your current stage in life, demolishing your old house, sub-dividing and rebuilding a smaller home or even building a duplex can make solid financial sense. It may mean create a rental income or give you a much-needed financial boost from selling the additional land.
5. You want a streamlined process using reputable builders
Just as going through the renovation process, or searching ‘for sale’ ads (not to mention countless inspections), building a new home with solid workmanship and quality finishes take time. However, by using a reputable company to streamline the knockdown rebuild process, you can be living in your new home sooner than you think. With council approvals, demolition, designs and project management all taken care of, not only is time efficiently managed, stress is also alleviated.
If you are nodding your head to one or more of the reasons above then talk to your local Knockdown Rebuild specialists Valley Homes who have extensive experience in Newcastle, Maitland and the Hunter Valley or get inspired by previous projects by viewing our Knockdown Rebuild Gallery.
STEP INTO YOUR DREAM HOME WITH CUSTOM DESIGN
Custom design is a sound investment if you’re interested in making the most out of your site. It can help you embrace environmental features, improve energy efficiency or simply give your home the extra room or two you need while nestling perfectly into your surrounding landscape. However, many people looking to build a new home assume that once you start to talk ‘customisation’ you are looking at a considerably larger investment. But that is not necessarily so…
Here are 6 simpe steps on how custom home design works:
Step 1. Write a list of everything you want your new home to include. Outline the number of bedrooms and think about the types of living areas you prefer, e.g., open plan. Do you need a study, an ensuite with a luxurious bath or maybe an indoor/outdoor entertaining area? Don’t limit yourself here. This is your opportunity to put your property dreams down on paper. You can address site restrictions, layout practicalities and your budget with our Custom Design Team at a later stage.
Step 2. As part of our Custom Design Service our team will help you browse our comprehensive range of house plans to find the design that best suits your site, budget and property requirements. You may find more than one that satisfies your needs or you may even want to combine elements from a couple of plans.
Step 3. Get creative with our team to design a plan that accommodates your list from Step 1. If you have an architect you are already working with we can help facilitate that relationship also. By using existing plans your investment is streamlined to minimise any extra costs that result from designing a home from scratch.
Step 4. With your customised house plans complete now it’s time to select finishes and fixtures. For many this step can be one of the most daunting due to the overwhelming amount of products on the market. To simplify this we have trusted suppliers you can talk to about the best, quality solutions for your home.
Step 5. You made it – all of the design decisions have been made. It’s time to relax and let Valley Homes take care of your new development including the entire building process.
Step 6. Whether it’s a tranquil retreat or an entertainer’s paradise, simply enjoy the lifestyle you have always wanted in your brand new custom designed home!
Need some custom design inspiration?
Over the past 40 years Valley Homes has worked with Newcastle, Maitland and Hunter Valley families who have been blown-away by their finished design – and the possibilities are endless. Here are some custom design features that recently delighted an Aberglasslyn family:
Our full gallery also includes more inspirational builds and for more information please read our Custom Design Service page or talk to our team.
CHOOSING THE RIGHT BUILDER FOR YOUR HOME OR INVESTMENT
Finding the right builder is key to the success of your home or investment construction project in Maitland and the Hunter area. It’s worth doing your research on the company and the builder that you are planning to hire. Deciding who should build your home is an important decision. Making the wrong choice could see your construction project suffer in delays, costs and stress. Here are some top questions to ask to guide you and make the right decision when choosing a builder.
- How long has the builder been operating?
Ask the builders that you are planning to hire some simple questions such as;
- How long have they been in the construction business?
- If the builder owns the company? Perform the necessary checks with the relevant authorities.
These simple questions and performing background checks will paint a better picture of the construction professional you’re looking to hire.
- Does the company have a permanent business address?
Find out the exact location of the building company’s office and take the time to visit it to get an impression of how professional their business is. It’s also important to know their location if you ever need to drop in during the construction process. A verified trading and registered office address also tends to reflect a company that is more reputable.
- Have you read any client testimonials?
Experiences of other customers are always a great reference point for making your decision. If possible, ask your builder to put you in touch with two past clients and ideally see them and their project for yourself. When you talk to the clients extract as much information as possible and ask them about their experiences with the builder.
- Are you getting a detailed quotation?
A good indication of how reputable a builder is can be discovered by the kind of quotation that they provide. A thorough and detailed construction estimate means that every small detail is accounted for and provides complete transparency. Quotations that are quick, short and lacking in detail could mean that the builder is inexperienced or less reputable.
- Are you getting everything in writing?
Remember, you should only proceed with your home or investment construction project when the price is fixed and you get a well-written contract from your builder. Get all details about the build in writing. This will help you for future reference with issues that might arise during construction.
Follow these tips to guide your decision with which builder to appoint for your property or investment project in the Maitland and the Hunter area.
3 TIPS FOR BUILDING AN ENERGY EFFICIENT HOME
With rising energy bills it is becoming increasingly important that your home is built with energy efficiency in mind. Not only is this good for your wallet but it’s also great for the environment. Even if you are not buying or building a new house you can take steps to make an older house more energy efficient.
Energy prices have risen significantly over the past few decades. Government regulation mean that many new houses in Australia must meet tough energy efficient guidelines such as double glazing, insulated roofing and the amount of glass that can be used per square metre.
However an older property built before the 1990’s might not be as efficient as energy conservation was a not a major deciding factor in the building of these properties.
3 energy efficiency tips when building a new house or improving your current home:
- Install adequate insulation
Inadequate insulation is the main reason for energy wastage, especially in older buildings. Most home owners spend a significant amount of their hard earned dollars on cooling and heating their homes to compensate for this.
Here’s a handy checklist that might indicate whether your home is sufficiently insulated or not:
- High energy bills
- Excessive drafts
- Home is very cold in the Winter and excessively hot in Summer
- Excessive noise from outdoors (insulation stops sound)
If your home falls under two or more of the above criteria then you should investigate whether your home is insulated properly. It’s highly recommended that you hire a professional to help solve the problem.
- Select exterior colours and finishes wisely
You may find it hard to believe but you can cut down your energy bills and improve energy efficiency by applying the appropriate paint on your home’s interior & exterior walls. A light coloured roof plays a vital role in conserving energy in your home. Especially with the arid climate in Australia, homes can become extremely hot in summer so a light coloured roof can lower cooling costs significantly. High quality paints deflect extreme light and heat, preventing it from entering your property in the first place.
- Ensure your home is well ventilated
Ventilators, fans, whirly birds and well-positioned door and window openings not only provide fresh air but also exhaust stale air from the home. Poor ventilation can result in unwanted condensation on windows or cause surfaces to become mouldy. Allowing airflow through the building is enough create a cooling effect on a warm day.
HOW TO BUILD YOUR DREAM ACREAGE HOME
A prime piece of acreage is a blank canvas for any residential home builder. A dream home can be tailored to the individual needs and desires of the resident. Landowners intent on building a dream home using acreage property face an exciting range of possibilities as well as a number of challenges, but the path becomes much simpler with a defined and reliable process. Valley Homes offer an exceptional one-on-one service every step of the way from initial discussions through to stepping over the threshold of your new home.
Set a Budget
The most important part of building a dream home is to set a budget well in advance of the planning stages. A hard cap on expenses helps builders make more efficient decisions about resources and lessens the chance of a design suddenly becoming too ambitious. Wants and needs should be evaluated carefully against the total to minimise unnecessary costs.
Develop a plan
Building on acreage requires Development Approval from the local council and this requires a comprehensive building proposal. The application is evaluated for its total impact on the surrounding area and even a minor issue or oversight could mean the denial of a proposal. For this reason it is beneficial to have an application prepared by a professional builder like Valley Homes.
Be prepared to compromise
Local building codes can occasionally create restrictions on the designs of a dream home. There are a multitude of factors that go into a home’s suitability for construction from technical issues such as drainage to aesthetic concerns about the size and layout of a home. Any concerns raised must be addressed in the finalised plans in order to receive approval and for most landowners, it is better to sacrifice small elements of the ultimate dream home design to ensure it can become anything more than a dream.
Stick to your budget
It cannot be emphasised enough how surprisingly easy it is for home construction to rapidly spiral out of control without a professional to guide you - beware of hidden expenses.
Planning and building a dream home can quickly become a nightmare without the proper plans in place. Valley Homes will take care of the building process from start to finish.
Most important when planning a dream home is to consider its long-term potential. The best home designs in the Hunter Valley not only fulfill all of their resident’s current needs but grow with them to respond to changes in their lives and lifestyles. Careful consideration, meticulous planning and well-advised action are essential components for building your dream acreage home.
For more information see:
• Valley Homes Acreage Series designs
• NEWS: Introducing the new Acreage Series
HOW TO FINANCE BUILDING A HOME
Building a property can be an attractive proposition in that it allows the purchaser to obtain the home they want whilst adhering to the budget they have available. It’s important to note that home building budgets need to be carefully planned to include any required land acquisition costs as well as the building process itself.
In New South Wales there are certain grants available both for first home owners and for new home construction. Construction loans are tailored to those purchasers who are building a home and can help meet any remaining purchase cost. Financing needs to be in place before the purchaser enlists the services of any construction professional such as a home builder in Maitland.
What is a first home owner grant?
Available for the purchase of brand new homes only, including the building of a new home, these grants are available to adult permanent residents or Australian citizens who have not had a relevant interest or investment in a residential property prior to 1 July 2000. Purchasers who have had a relevant investment in a property since 1 July 2000 may qualify, if they have not resided in the property for a continuous period of six months.
Availability of the grants is to individuals only, not companies or trusts, and is subject to a strict list of criteria. Purchasers can obtain details of these grants from their financial institution. They can also apply by approaching the New South Wales Office of State Revenue, but only after the home construction is complete and the title is signed over.
Currently the amount of the first home owner grant is $15,000, but the amount is scheduled to reduce to $10,000 on 1 January 2016.
What is a new home construction grant?
Instigated on 1 July 2012, the new home construction grant is available for purchasers of a newly constructed home, an off the plan home or a plot of land with the intention of building a home. If the purchase is of a plot of land then building of the residence must commence within 26 weeks after purchase of the land purchase.
The new home construction grant is for residential property only. Unlike the first home owner grant it is available to trusts, companies and investors as well as individual prospective home owners. Applicants for the grant must be an Australian citizen or resident, or an Australian owned body and any award is subject to the applicant satisfying a list of conditions. A full list of these conditions is available from the New South Wales Office of State Revenue, to whom applications should also be made.
The amount awarded as a new home construction grant is $5,000 which is allocated to the payment of any duty due on the purchase.
What are the benefits of a construction loan?
Whether or not there is any entitlement to a grant, a purchaser needs to secure funding for any remaining costs. This finance needs to be in place before land is purchased and any professionals, such as builders in Maitland, start work.
A construction loan is specifically formulated for use by those people starting from scratch with the building of a home. It allows for the drawing down of finance at specific stages during the building process. This means that the purchaser only pays interest on the amount of the loan that has actually been used. It’s a good solution to the financing of building a new property. On completion of the build the purchaser is then given the option of which home loan product the construction loan is converted to.
THE ENERGY EFFICIENT HOME
Energy efficient homes are designed to reduce energy consumption for heating, cooling and lighting purposes. The following ways can help you to improve energy efficiency.
1. Bioclimatic design:
This type of construction considers the local micro climate and site features to help achieve indoor comfort. By considering the local environment the design uses low or ‘no’ energy solutions for a comfortable home environment.
Bioclimatic design includes the following principles:
- Compact building footprint to minimise surface area in direct contact with the environment .
- Orientation combined with well positioned windows & doors to provide cross ventilation and to control solar access. Interior spaces positioned depending on their heating/cooling/lighting requirements for time of day and season.
- Treatment of the external building envelope and openings to protect the structure from extreme solar heat. Solar radiation is collected by passive solar systems that act as “free” lighting and heating systems.
2. Thermal insulation:
Effectively installed insulation works to ensure energy efficiency in all elements of the home including walls, roofs, lofts, ground decks and facades.
Insulation is just as important in hot regions as it is in colder climates. In warmer areas the system keeps the heat out, minimising the use of air conditioning whereas in cold areas it keeps the heat in, limiting the use of energy for heating.
3, Air tightness:
To create comfortable, controllable energy efficient homes, air leakages should be reduced as much as possible. Air tightness has become a widely discussed and an increasingly important issue, with stricter building regulations coming into effect that require greater energy efficiency.
4. Ventilation:
Defined as controlled or intended ingress and egress of air through homes. Ventilators and well positioned door and window openings not only provide fresh air but also exhaust stale air from the home. Neglecting insulation or ventilation can result in warm, humid air condensing on poorly insulated or cold surfaces causing mould growth. Allowing air flow through the building also in itself provides a cooling effect on a warm day.