Space to build in today’s property market
urban series
With all the talk about interest rates, a housing shortage and the cost of building in today’s residential property market, it can be difficult to know which locations and what type of build you might be able to afford. Fortunately, there’s a wealth of great ideas for the residential builder looking for options on where and how to build a new home around the Hunter Valley, Newcastle and Lake Macquarie. Read on to find out more…
Affordable location options
There are always opportunities if you look in the right places and consider all of your options with regard to both location and house design.
The Lake Macquarie area has great appeal with its suburbs nestled around the largest coastal saltwater lake in the southern hemisphere. There’s an abundance of outdoor activities from boating and fishing at various locations across the lake to cycling along the Fernleigh bike track or walking along the foreshore at Warners Bay. At its northern end, Speers Point is where you’ll find the best and biggest playground between the Central Coast and Newcastle.
For those with a passion for creative pursuits the Lake Macquarie Museum of Art and Culture is a unique arts and cultural destination hosting exhibitions and events. Affordable housing is a real possibility particularly when you start exploring the western side of Lake Macquarie where it’s possible to snatch up blocks of land for a great price in suburbs like Teralba, Cameron Park and further south to Cooranbong. These provide opportunities for development for investors or the residential builder making first steps into the property market.
For those more inclined to a rural setting, the Hunter Valley offers economical blocks of land in areas such as Lochinvar, Paterson, Vacy, Gillieston Heights, Farley and Chisolm, all within easy reach of Maitland, where there’s a continued demand for affordable housing.
So too, the City of Newcastle Council’s housing strategy has a focus on infill housing in corridors stretching out to Mayfield, Broadmeadow and Adamstown and it’s a great opportunity for investors to meet the need for affordable housing in this ever growing metropolis.
When less is more
Smaller blocks of land are obviously more affordable and there are plenty of benefits to starting small especially when you’re new to the property market. Long term maintenance is reduced and so too heating and cooling costs.
Smaller blocks of land benefit from clever design to make the most of the space but that doesn’t have to come at a huge cost. In line with our belief that great design should be affordable for everyone, Valley Homes came up with the Urban Series. Whether you’re a first-time builder or an investor, off the plan can reduce the stress of design by offering a complete package. What’s more, the Urban Series maximises space and creates a relaxed flow throughout each design while providing an abundance of choices.
Striving for originality
Certainly the residential builder can opt for custom home design to create the unique dream home however this does require architecturally drawn plans and the skills of an experienced builder. Most construction companies will warn of the increased cost of building due to current shortages in the labour market as well as delays caused by supply of materials whether it’s a standard or off the plan design. However, house designs and costs related to the creation of ‘one of a kind’ homes will be considerably more. This raises the question — is it possible to create affordable housing without compromising on style?
Finding a happy medium with flexible home design
What if you could have ‘off the plan with a twist’? Valley Homes created the Valley Series with this in mind. While offering a range of practical floor plans that answer to the needs of every household, you then have the pleasure of matching your chosen floor plan with a front and rear facade from the extensive range on offer. The beauty of the Valley Series is that you can have an architecturally inspired home at an affordable price which satisfies the needs of both the residential builder and the investor.
The Valley Series offers six different four bedroom, two bathroom floor plans each with alfresco entertainment areas and ample living space. This Series employs passive design principles to make best use of heating, cooling, ventilation and light. All of these designs allow the home to be light-filled with a natural flow throughout. Having the choice of a facade and rear, from a classic Hamptons with gabled roofline to a sleek lined contemporary design with skillion roof, allows you to make your own particular stylistic statement.
When it comes to affordable housing, great design also reduces the cost of heating and cooling a home and that’s where the Valley Series offers further appeal. By including passive design principles in each of these house designs, the Valley Series ensures ongoing affordability.
Partner with the right builder
Whether you’re looking for a Lake Macquarie builder or you’re investigating construction companies in Newcastle, Port Stephens and the Hunter Valley, the company with over 50 years experience in the building industry is Valley Homes. From off the plan to custom home design Valley Homes offers house designs and costs to meet the budgets of both investors and residential builders.
Contact us to find out more today.
Year in review: answers to the affordability question
urban series
At Valley Homes our end of year wrap is a chance to review what news in particular really piqued our readers’ interest.
One of the common themes was about making wise choices in the face of a challenging economy. Throughout 2022, the rising cost of living and interest rates have been on people’s minds as they contemplate future investments and new home construction. We appreciate that people are seeking trustworthy guidance as well as affordable solutions and that’s perhaps why our top five blogs have been so popular.
In keeping with tradition here’s our countdown starting with number 5.
5. Build an Economic Family Home in NSW
Packed full of information about the various government discounts and grants Build an Economic Family Home in NSW was the blog that brought a lot of hope to first time buyers who’d been feeling overwhelmed by the gloom and doom prevailing over the housing market. It also suggested exploring new suburbs within the Maitland and Hunter Valley region as a way of securing a great deal on land.
We explored the Urban Homes series with energy efficient designs to contribute to reducing energy bills and the cost of living. The compact design of these three and four bedroom homes reduces the build times which can also provide additional cost reductions. When it comes to new home construction every saving counts especially in a time of rising inflation.
This blog also served to remind readers that in the search for affordable home builders it makes sense to stay local. At Valley Homes we know that our customers benefit from the knowledge we have of local councils, the relationships we have built with complimentary businesses and our reputation as the go-to Maitland builder. Which leads us seamlessly onto our fourth most popular blog …
4. Location is Key When Building a Townhouse
With councils in Newcastle and the Hunter Valley looking to increase affordable and diverse medium density housing, townhouses are a great investment for property developers. Location is Key When Building a Townhouse was a blog that raised lots of ideas and answered plenty of questions on this topic. With location being key, we encouraged investors and developers to thoroughly research the demographics, amenities, transport and demand for multi unit developments in their chosen suburb.
Most importantly we reminded readers to ensure the feasibility of the project and factor in rising interest rates and inflation.
3. Creating a Modern Country Home
Creating a Modern Country Home was a great opportunity to celebrate the magic that comes from working with passionate people. One of our Valley Homes customers generously shared the story behind their unique house design and allowed us to showcase its many features.
A custom home design, 36 Vista Parade exemplifies the way in which Valley Homes works closely with clients to achieve their vision with great in-house design and quality craftsmanship, all within budget.
We’re sure that this home will inspire more readers to build their own dream homes and choose Valley Homes as their custom home builder.
2. What it Takes to Build a Duplex
In looking for secure strong returns with a relatively lower risk it’s not surprising that many new and experienced investors start with a duplex. The amount of interest in this topic placed What it Takes to Build a Duplex as our second most read.
This blog included a thorough checklist of all the essentials to consider before embarking on building a duplex. As we’ve already stated, the right location is a big factor with particular emphasis on the shape and size of your block of land. Meeting the requirements of the local council is an aspect that often overwhelms many inexperienced home builders and that’s why we proudly recommend Valley Homes as the Hunter Valley and Maitland builder with over 50 years of knowledge and experience working with local councils. Valley Homes also has a great range of duplex plans that can be adapted to suit your budget and specific block of land.
Champagne at the ready for our most read article…
1. Factoring All Costs Building a New Home or Investment
Early in 2022 we wrote a blog that laid bare some hard facts about the state of the building industry. We wanted our customers to have a clear understanding of the challenges we were, and still are, faced with and how we move forward. Readers appreciated our honesty and advice and that’s why Factoring All Costs Building a New Home or Investment came in at number one!
Our key message was: do your research! We cautioned readers about builders tendering on jobs at a preliminary stage without factoring any known or anticipated supplier price rises. Be aware of the risks and make informed decisions.
It’s essential that you work with a reliable and trustworthy builder who has already weathered the construction industry storms. With five decades of experience you need look no further than Hunter Valley and Maitland builder, Valley Homes.
Time for dreaming
From the Valley Homes family to yours, we wish you a Christmas full of joy and peace. We look forward to sharing more great ideas and inspiration in 2023 with all you big dreaming home builders!
Build an economical family home in NSW
urban series
Consider this an antidote to the seemingly endless talk of rising inflation, concern about the state of the economy, the cost of living and a housing market that seems inaccessible for the first time builder or buyer.
Despite the doom and gloom, there are still reasons to feel optimistic about building a family home economically. This month we’re here to share some great family home designs to suit your budget, some more affordable NSW locations worth considering and a few handy tips to get the most out of your home loan. First time builders can also be heartened by the NSW government’s grants and concessions, read on to learn more….
Get a leg up to the property ladder
First time builders and buyers with their sights set on their very own family home are getting a great hand up with the First Home Buyers Assistance scheme (FHBAS).
When buying property or land in NSW you’re required to pay transfer duty – once known as stamp duty. As a first home buyer in NSW, you may be eligible for a duty exemption, concession and/or a grant.
If you buy a new home valued at less than $650,000, you can apply for a full exemption, and pay no transfer duty. A concessional rate is also available on new homes valued between $650,000 and $800,000.
Should you choose to buy a vacant block to build your own home you won’t pay transfer duty on that land if it is valued at less than $350,000. For land valued between $350,000 and $450,000, you’ll receive a concessional rate.
These discounts are determined by a number of factors so it’s worth taking a look at the NSWgovernment website which also has a First Home Buyers Assistance calculator.
If you’ve never previously received the First Home Owner Grant of $10,000 you can apply for it when purchasing a new home up to the value of $600,000. This includes homes bought ‘off the plan’.
The first time builder wanting to purchase land and build a brand new home can also apply for the First Home Owner Grant as long as the combined cost of land and building doesn’t exceed $750,000.
To determine eligibility, and to find out further details we recommend you head to https://www.revenue.nsw.gov.au/grants-schemes/first-home-buyer/new-homes and see what best applies to your situation.
If you’re also wrestling with the build vs buy home question then determining which of these discounts and grants apply to you might also help answer.
Finding the best deals on home loans
In the face of rising inflation, and the inevitable increase on variable rates, it’s a good idea to shop around for a home loan that not only suits your budget but also your ethical standpoint.
For the first time builder or buyer fixed rate home loans can provide certainty and are useful for organizing your budget. It’s also worth investigating a split loan which still provides protection from sudden rate hikes but allows you to take advantage of variable rates as well.
If reducing your carbon footprint is a priority then it’s worth considering a green home loan, exclusive to homes that qualify certain environmentally friendly criteria stipulated by the lender. Ensuring your home has a Nationwide House Energy Rating Scheme (NatHER) 7 star rating can assist in getting the best ‘green deal’. This will however require you to spend more on insulation and efficient glazing.
Urban Homes: economy of size with all the essentials.
For house designs that meet every requirement for the perfect family home look no further than the Urban Homes series. These versatile designs are ideal for the smaller block of land and make an affordable choice for the first time builder in search of the three or four bedroom family home. With Urban Homes being more compact the build times are reduced which can also provide additional cost reductions.
An energy efficient design ensures greater comfortable and can reduce energy bills which is a priority with rising cost of living and inflation a current concern. The Urban Homes series is designed so that the alfresco and main living areas can benefit from a northern aspect for solar gain in winter to also help reduce heating costs.
Choosing an affordable NSW location
One of the big issues for the first time builder or buyer is finding affordable land. So what do we suggest? If you want value for money plus huge options on block sizes, Maitland is a great place to explore.
Maitland is the gem of the Hunter Valley offering something for everyone. There’s ample community and sports facilities, a superb Art Gallery and thriving creative sector, good public transport links and easy access to the vineyards or Newcastle and the coast.
There are blocks of land, in a multitude of sizes, now on sale in and around Maitland and further into the Hunter Valley. They provide exciting options for the first time builder eager to create an affordable family home.
Make it happen
For the first time builder or buyer, with a deposit ready to go, the dream to build your own home might just be possible by making some wise choices and getting the right support. Do the research, explore your options and let Valley Homes help make your home building dreams a reality.
