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5 things to consider before buying house and land

Lifestyle
4 years ago
3 minutes

There are clear benefits to buying a house and land package, especially if you’re a first-time buyer. House and land packages can be more affordable than inner-city houses and when you add incentives like government grants, they give first-time buyers a real opportunity to achieve their homeownership dreams. Before you make the commitment to purchase a land lot, there are a few things to consider first.


Try before you buy

Spend time on your weekends exploring the area. Spend time getting to know the local amenities and public transport. Drive around and time how long it takes you to get to key destination points, like your place of work or the supermarket. If you grow to love the community more and more, then it’s worthwhile to consider renting a house in the area or, in the cases where the community hasn’t been established yet, in an area with a similar vibe.


Research the job market

Buying house and land is a long-term investment — it’s likely you will be living in your home for years to come, so it’s a good idea to look at the kind of lifestyle you want to experience. If you spend too much time at work or travelling to work, then check out the job market in the area you will potentially be buying in. Many of the burgeoning house and land neighbourhoods are located in areas undergoing regeneration — and there are huge job growth and opportunities. Do your research and find out what kind of infrastructure is being built and which jobs will be created as a result.


Education

If you have children or are planning to start a family, suss out the local primary schools and secondary schools to see if there is one which suits your needs. And remember, house and land developments sometimes include proposals for new schools to be built within the neighbourhood — meaning you can send your kids to school just a couple of blocks away. Talk to local parents about the quality of schools available. Go on tours. Read reviews.

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Image: Mambourin in Wyndham Vale


Domestic personality

Avid gardener? Entertainer or domestic chef? The great thing about house and land packages is that you can choose a home to suit your lifestyle. Many developments partner up with a range of builders who often offer a number of different home configurations, so you can choose from a floorplan with a large backyard and less living space, or vice versa. 


Community life

Make sure the neighbourhood you’re thinking of living in has plenty of recreational and community facilities. It can be hard to start fresh and live away from your usual friends and family. But the best house and land developments have been masterplanned to encourage a village lifestyle where you know your neighbours and can throw street parties a la the 90s.

Read more lifestyle articles here.

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Hero image: Macarthur Heights