New Homes: 6 tips on choosing the right home design for YOU
So you have found the perfect block of land in the ideal location, but now you need your dream new home to match? Tyler, one of our Client Liaison Officers based in the South Coast has shared his tips on finding the right home to suit your unique tastes, lifestyle, family needs and block of land.
“Our customers ask us this question all the time. They have already purchased their block of land and want to make the most of it plus build the new homes that they have always dreamed of living in. These are the six key tips I give to them at the beginning of their new home building journey,” Tyler said.
1. Know the lay of the land.
When it comes to choosing new homes, you want to make sure that it makes the most of your block of land and beautiful location. If the best views of your surrounding vista are from a certain area of your block, think about what space you would like to enjoy those views from; your alfresco, master suite, central living hub or even the bath in your main bathroom.
Understanding your location and the scenery surrounding you will also help you to choose between a single and two storey design. For example, if you live on a wide, unobstructed acreage block there might not be a need to build up to take in the beautiful views.
2. What are your must haves?
Before selecting a home design you should always think about the features in a home that are important to you and your family. Do you need three, four or five bedrooms in your new home? Would you love to have a study to work from and a home theatre to relax in? Do you love the benefits of a butler’s pantry or walk in linen closet? Do you love coming home and relaxing in a deep bath hidden away in your ensuite? Think about the way you love to live (along with anything you might have planned in the future) and the features that help you live that way – these are your must haves.
3. Don’t just fall in love with one. Explore many new homes.
During the research phase of finding the right floor plan you might come across a design that you instantly think is the perfect fit. I suggest that you don’t stop here. At McDonald Jones Homes, we have a broad range of new home floor plans on offer, including options to make adjustments to a standard plan (such as an additional study). If you commit to just one house design and for one reason or another it doesn’t work on your block, have a couple of designs that you also love as backup. Chat to your Building and Design Consultant about your block and the designs you love first so that we can find the best fit for you.
4. How long do you expect to live in your new home?
Many of the families that we build for are creating their forever home. It’s a home they want to bring their kids up in, a home they want to share memories in and grow old in. If you are building your forever home, it’s important to think about your family’s needs both now and in the future. If you are building your first home, a stepping stone to a larger home in the future, then you might be able to live without some of the luxuries.
If the perfect new home for you lies just outside your price range, but will be a worthy long term investment for you, it might be worth saving for that little bit longer to get the home that you will love for years and years to come.
5. Know your requirements.
Between developer guidelines and council requirements, it can be difficult to know every requirement for your house and block of land. Your Building and Design Consultant will be a wealth of knowledge when it comes to understanding the details, like the frontage and setback of your home. They are there to help you choose the new homes that you love within the unique requirements of the developer of the region you choose to build in. Speak to your Consultant before making any decisions around the design and façade of your new home to ensure you aren’t disappointed down the track. You can also do some of your own research around the requirements/guidelines for building in your area to help you gain an understanding of the facades and home designs that you can select from. If you do have a question, your Building and Design Consultant is there to help you.
6. Think about your budget.
Before choosing the design for your new home, you should always know what your maximum budget is to spend on the entire build, including the cost to build the home, the additional features that you would like to add from the MyChoice Design Studio, and any furnishings or décor you wish to purchase for your new home. It is also a good idea to consider if you would like to put an allowance in your budget for unforeseen site conditions encountered during construction.
If you do have any questions about new homes, and exploring the best options for you don’t be afraid to ask. The Building and Design Consultants at any one of our display homes are there to help you enjoy the process of choosing the perfect floor plan and starting the journey to bring your dream home to life.
