You’ve got the land, the finance, the plan and you love your builder! You’re all set and ready to go. Getting your ducks in a row is pretty satisfying, whatever your mission. Particularly so, when you’re planning to build a new home. Lining up your ducks takes a number of logical steps, so let’s focus on what’s often first in the new build journey and that’s to find the right piece of land.
Where do you even start?
No doubt you’ll almost certainly have looked online. You can easily find different online sellers whatever your search engine but Trade Me seems to cast the widest net. Virtually all real estate agents and private sellers list here, so by keeping a close eye on it, you’ll get a decent insight into what’s available at any time.
The people connection
Searching online is one thing but there’s nothing like connecting with an actual person or group of people to move things along. So make the effort and visit your local real estate agents. Sure, they’re in business but a face-to-face conversation may just give you an edge when things are tight. Also, particular agents are allocated sections to sell on behalf of developers, which potentially means you get better access to new subdivisions.
Another way of finding the right piece of land is to get in touch with the local council. They’ll know if there’s land being released to developers, so ask to be notified when this eventually happens.
It doesn’t have to be a subdivision
Finding the right piece of land doesn’t need to mean opting for a new subdivision. If you want to stay in your neighbourhood, then it can be as simple as hopping on your bike and having a scout around. You never know who’s wanting to downsize. Building on a back lawn can be an option, even in our bigger cities. And if you happen to come across a random empty section, you can find out who owns it by ordering a copy of the title from Land Information New Zealand.
What makes you tick?
One thing to consider, when finding the right piece of land, is your lifestyle. Are you a gardener? Do you have small children? Are you wanting flat mates? All things which will impact on your decision. Is a panoramic view a must have or are you happy to be tucked away in the tranquillity of a valley? Unless you’re a fine art collector, always consider how you can make the most of the day and capture north facing sun.
Getting your country boots on
Watching Country Calendar definitely makes the country side feel appealing. If you have your heart set on a piece of rural New Zealand, does it matter if medical help, shops, schools, supermarkets are potentially further away? And of course, there’s the basics like sewerage, water and electricity. Not insurmountable issues but you may have to settle for septic and factor in water storage, things usually provided in town and which will potentially be bigger rural challenges.
Then there’s soil type, zoning and covenants
Getting down to the real detail are things like soil type. This will impact on the sort of foundations you need. Also consider site access. If your land is hanging off the side of a cliff, you’ll have different issues than building on flat land. Certainly, more challenging issues. And finally remember to check zoning and covenants. You possibly hadn’t imagined a shopping centre going up next door or even being told where you must locate your washing line!
You may even be lucky enough to own a plot of land already. Remember the fabulous team at Longview are happy to arrange extra things for you. Things like site clearing, demolishing existing buildings, bulk earthworks, site services and consents.
Now you’ve got your land sorted, it’s time to start dreaming of your castle! Longview Homes can certainly help with that.
Get in touch with our team or call 0800 100 945 to start your exciting new build journey today.
Longview Homes builds both custom and pre-designed homes of exacting quality, built to last. We have locally owned franchises around the country. It would be our pleasure to take on your building project.
