When it comes to real estate, nothing beats location, location, location. And this doesn’t just mean the suburb – it also refers to the specific block of land you choose for your dream home on the Peninsula.
Your land lays the foundation for your future home, significantly impacting its comfort, functionality, and overall appeal (for you, and future buyers).
In this article, we’ll explore key considerations to keep in mind when choosing a block of land to ensure you get the best possible start building your dream home.
Orientation
The orientation of your block of land is crucial because it determines how your future home will be positioned in relation to the sun and surrounding environment. Consider the following benefits of optimal orientation:
Natural Light: A north-facing house allows more sunlight to enter during winter and less during summer, making your home brighter inside. More natural light reduces reliance on artificial lighting and improves the overall feel of your home while reducing energy costs.
Comfort: An optimal orientation helps to keep your home cooler in summer and warmer in winter (without the need for heating and cooling). This gives you a more comfortable home (with stable temperature all year round), and thousands in energy savings.
Slope
The slope of your block of land can significantly impact construction costs and design possibilities. Factors to consider include:
Flat vs. Sloping: Flat blocks are generally easier and less expensive to build on, while sloping blocks may require site excavation and additional groundwork. This can add tens of thousands to your costs, especially if you hit rock. Steep slopes not only add to your costs, but they may also dictate the type of house you build, forcing you into a split-level or elevated design.
Soil Type
The soil composition of your block of land plays a crucial role in building costs and the future stability of your home. Consider the following soil types:
Sand: Soil with a large sand component is ideal for building due to its stability and ease of excavation. This means your footings don’t need to be as deep, saving you significantly in concrete and construction costs.
Reactive Clay: Soil consisting of reactive clay is problematic for construction because it expands and contracts depending on the moisture level, This means you will need deeper footings and specialised engineering solutions to ensure stability.
Regulations
The devil is always in the details. That’s why it’s so important to do thorough due diligence. Especially when it comes to regulatory restrictions or easements that may affect what you do with your block of land. Factors to consider include:
Easements: Just because your dream block of land is 300, 500 or 1,000 square metres, doesn’t mean you are free to build anywhere you like. Be sure to do a council search or have a lawyer check for any easements or encumbrances that may restrict building activities or limit the usable space of your block.
Building Envelopes: Some councils specify building envelopes (the perimeter of the main structure of your home) which may dictate the size, placement, and design of the home you build. Familiarise yourself with these regulations to avoid any surprises (and disappointments) during the planning process.
Covenants: Some blocks may have covenants which can restrict the design look and materials that are able to be used.
While you can always make changes to your home (both during the design stage, and even years into the future), you can’t change your block of land. Be sure to consider orientation, slope, soil type, and regulatory requirements to ensure you get the exact block you want.
And make sure you’re fully informed, before you choose a Peninsula builder. To assist you with this, we invite you to download our practical guide to building your custom dream home in the Mornington Peninsula.
And when you’re ready, get in touch with Buena Vista Homes – we’d be glad to inspect your block and give you a second opinion before you commit.
