Having your own chunk of land is the ultimate Australian dream, but finding the perfect place involves many considerations. It can sometimes be daunting to find a house on the market that ticks all the boxes on your must-have list. If that’s the case, you always have the option of buying a piece of land and building your own home, customising it from top to bottom according to your desires.
But if buying a vacant lot is a potential alternative to buying a resale, you should take certain precautions before signing on the dotted line. If you don’t thoroughly research the land you have in mind, the enjoyment of your new home may be affected. Although navigating these waters may seem intimidating, having the advice of a professional will give you peace of mind. Before buying a building lot, be sure to consider the following factors.
Zoning Restrictions and Location
The most crucial factor to consider before buying land is its location. Before you purchase it, make sure you know the zoning bylaws for your property and surrounding area. City councils have strict rules about land use (residential, commercial, industrial).
For example, land located at the end of a peaceful cul-de-sac and next to green space will be worth more than land situated in the same neighbourhood and adjacent to a busy road. If the neighbouring area may eventually become a warehouse or a five-storey building, it may not be the best option for your quiet retirement away from home. You should also make sure that there are no plans to build a highway or other infrastructure on your land or in the surrounding neighbourhood.
Depending on your specific needs, you’ll need to evaluate the location of the land and its proximity to facilities such as public transportation, highways, schools, parks, etc. You will also need to consider the proximity of the property to your place of work to ensure that the trip will not be much longer than you would like.
Utility Sources
Once your house is built, how will it be powered? Are you aware of the water supply connections to your property? What about water restriction use or collecting your own rainwater? It’s essential to know how your home will have access to water, electricity, gas, garbage, and even telephone or cable. That’s especially relevant in remote areas where connection to municipal utilities can be costly. You will want to contact the water and utility companies before making an offer in the field to find out what the costs of connecting to water, electricity, garbage, etc. would be.
Perform Land Investigation
The quality and composition of the soil have an impact on both the way you build your new home and the potential for growing your own plants on your property. When it comes to construction, soil composition can have an impact:
- The cost of the building foundation
- Amount of earthworks required
- Soil stability and retention capacity
Contact a local and qualified engineer to have your soil analysed before finalising your build plans. Site investigation usually is crucial and carried out before the commencement of design of your construction project. The goal of a site investigation is to identify the ground conditions which might affect the proposed development. It enables a better understanding of the site and immediate surroundings.
Safety from Bushfires and Flooding
Australia is a land of extremes. Depending on where your block of land is located, it could be exposed to both fire and flood hazards. These real dangers can be avoided by consulting resources such as Geoscience Australia, which can help you identify flood-prone areas as well as bush fires. State and local government councils will also have more information. Cross-check over several years to get a better idea of how safe your new home is from extreme natural events.
The incline of Your Block
There are few factors to take into account if your block is situated on a steep slope:
- Additional costs related to the construction of the dwelling
- Effects of weather on the ground
- The flow of water from the road if your block is below
- Your home’s design and orientation
Steeply sloped properties have their advantages, such as a better view from more places in the house, but all these need to be thoroughly considered before finalising your purchase.
If you’re looking for simple engineering solutions and experts to supervise your construction project, simply have mtaCONSULT in your speed dial. They conduct appropriate pre-design investigations to minimise problems on your construction site – guaranteeing a tailor-made result, which you will definitely enjoy for a long time to come.
