Suggested
plan of action
Make
an appointment to talk with us so we can get
a good idea of your needs and wants. We'll also be happy to meet you
on site to discuss your needs.
Here
are some tips:
Where to live?
There are many things to consider when you're choosing an area or suburb
to live in. Your needs, budget and personal preferences will all affect
your decision.
Think
about:
- Proximity
to essential services such as schools and hospitals
- Travelling
distance to work, family and friends
- Recreational
opportunities - beaches, parks and countryside
- Distance
to shopping centres, libraries and sports facilities
Choosing a section
Once you've decided on an area you can go either of two ways - select
a section and then choose your house design, or vice versa. When selecting
a section, there are many things to consider.
Think
about:
- Aspect.
Where does the sun rise and set?
- Where
do you want the morning sun?
- Where
do you want the afternoon sun?
- Sunshine
hours. If your section is on the side of a hill, it may receive less
sun than a flat section.
- The
prevailing wind. Is the section protected or exposed?
- Views
and outlook. If you're buying an attractive view or outlook, check
with the Territorial Authority to see if it's likely to change in
the future.
- The
shape of the section. An irregular shape could limit your choice of
house designs.
- Proximity
to busy roads. If you like peace and quiet, be sure to build back
from the road.
- Drainage
and soil type. Be aware of sections that show evidence of instability
- slips, slumps or boggy patches. If you're a keen gardener, look
below the grass cover to see what type of soil you're buying.
Sensible safeguards
It's
important to search the Title of the property you are looking to buy.
Your lawyer will be able to help you do this.
Ask
the council for a Land Information Memorandum (LIM). It covers matters
such as specific engineering problems, land stability, risk of flooding,
availability of drainage and zoning.
Types of Title
Each residential section should have a separate Certificate of Title,
but there are several different types of Title. Before you buy, be sure
you're clear on the type of Title that applies to your section, and
what that means for you.
In
general terms:
- Fee
Simple, The owner holds the individual Title Leasehold.
- Owner
leases section from another person
- Cross-lease.
Owners of a property have shares in a Fee Simple or Leasehold Title.
Watch for problems with shared driveways and services.
- Unit
Title. All unit owners are members of "Body Corporate".
Each contributes to common expenses.
Position your home
How your house sits on the section will affect the way you live in it.
Sunlight, privacy and outlook are the main things to keep in mind.
Think
about:
- Where
and when do you want the sun? East facing rooms will get morning sun.
West facing rooms get afternoon sun. North facing rooms get sun nearly
all day (in New Zealand the sun travels across the northern half of
the sky).
- The
section's best outlook. Do you want to use it for your deck and entertainment
areas, or do you want to save it for your kitchen?
- What
can the neighbours see? Privacy indoors can be created with tinted
glass or curtains. Privacy in outdoor entertainment areas depends
on your ability to screen with fences and trees.
- Access
for cars. Where will the driveway and garage go?
- Road
appeal. In the past, houses usually faced the road. Now it's not compulsory,
but you should still try to create an attractive first impression.
Choose
a Design
LifeSpace
gives you a choice of floorplans, ranging in size from 60 to 200 square
metres. The floorplans are shown in detail in each of the Mix 'n' Match
Selections. Which floorplan will work best for you depends
on your budget and your needs.
We also have an extensive library of plans to choose from. We can adapt our designs to suit your needs.
Think
about:
-
Your budget. How much home can you afford?
- The
size and shape of your section. Are there any council limitations
on the size of your house?
- The
number of bedrooms you needs - now and in the future?
- Room
for visitors?
- How
many living spaces? Indoor-outdoor flow. A deck for entertaining or
a place for a playground?
- One
or two bathrooms? Ensuite?
- Storage
space for sports equipment, linen, toys?
- Workspace
with room for a computer?
- Garaging
for your vehicles and other equipment?
Pricing
Once
you have decided on your design we will then price your home with any
changes that you have made. If no changes have been made a price will
take approximately 3 days. A design with changes can take up to 10 working
days.
Legal
We
will provide you with a copy of a building contract, specifications
and plans. We advise all clients to take this information to their Solicitors
for discussion and explanation.
Time to start
Once
all the paperwork is completed we will sit down with our experienced
Project Manager and discuss approximate starting
dates and approximate completion dates.
Plan of action