Akudos Homes Blog

The FAQs of Building - How much will it cost?

2012-03-13T14:00:00+00:00

Building prices vary. Yes occasionally builders will load up the price or low ball it, just to get the job but most will all come in around the same price. Be careful with both builders that load up or down the prices – clearly they do not have proper estimating software to calculate costs or they haven’t taken the time to properly identify what your build involves.

If you are looking for a guide or point of reference, we have provided one here – but please keep in mind is only approximate and for the purpose of giving you a guide!

A good guide is to use an approximate square meter rate and a standard 4 bedroom home on a level block with standard inclusions could start from $1100 - $1200 per square meter and go from there -depending on what you want included in the contract price.

So assuming a home is 190 square meters, a good starting figure would be approximately from $209,000 onwards for this size home (based on the above square meter rates).

The cost of your new home is based on many factors:

The Size – yes, a larger home costs more money! Even by moving one wall can greatly impact the price as more of everything is needed from a materials perspective, plus any change that has structural impact will most certainly increase the pricing.

The Land – sloping blocks can really impact the price of your home which is why they are cheaper. Don’t be fooled by land developers that only offer a small difference in price between flat and sloping blocks. Before you sign any land contract, speak to a builder about the potential land works and costs associated with building on a sloping block and ensure the builder you select has experience building on sloping sites.

The Inclusions – A common problem for all of us is sticking to a budget! Budget always gets blown in building if you haven’t selected all your items. Clients that know what they want BEFORE the build commences rarely have budget creep. The best way to mitigate against ‘budget creep’ is to spend lots of time identifying as many items as you can and to have these items included in the fixed price contract.

Decision Making - Making decisions throughout the build process is quite possibly the best way to ensure that your build takes longer and costs more! So spend time at the beginning and you will have happy days building your new home. Plus your builder will think you are the best!

Trust – Letting the builder get on with the job is key when building. If you have control issues, building may not be for you!

If you go to the dentist, you don’t tell the dentist how to do his job. The same applies to building. At the end of the day, asking a builder to stray from his usual building process and for instance, asking the builder to use trades that the builder is not familiar with is not always the best idea. Yes the builder will most likely do this for you – but it’s just another unknown entity for the builder to deal with and increases the risk of more challenges on site - builders will always use trades that they have faith in and where the trade has proven quality in their workmanship.

Building is not for everyone. But if you do decide to build, take time to really understand what you are getting into and be realistic about your budget and time frames.

Extension to the $10,000 Building Boost Grant

2012-01-22T14:00:00+00:00

Great news for property investors and home buyers, with the Queensland State Government's extending the $10,000 Building Boost Grant until the end of April.

This one-off grant is available to home buyers purchasing or building a new home worth less than $600,000. For first-home buyers, the grant increases to $17,000 when purchasing or building a new home in Queensland.

Visit the Queensland State Government website for more information or call us today to discuss your building requirements.

Commentary: A good time to invest?

2012-01-20T14:00:00+00:00

Scepticism over the property market has been prevalent in the media since the global financial crisis occurred in 2008. Yet as many opinion makers continue to put a doom and gloom spin on our economy, there is much upside to our current situation.

Within many property markets, the price is now right and the ‘heat’ in property prices that was once making it near impossible for first home buyers and potential investors to buy property, has now been taken out in many property markets - allowing potential investors to take advantage of the opportunities available.

Despite the negative forecast in the short term for many property markets, the longer term forecasted growth looks strong for many cities, and the Gold Coast is one of them.

Whilst this leisure market has taken a hit (like many other east coast cities) from the global crisis, the positives for the Gold Coast property market include the expansion of the Chinese market, high demand for rentals, the Commonwealth Games, increased infrastructure spending from the state government and a weaker Australian dollar - all making it a compelling location to consider purchasing an investment property.

Additionally, many analysts have identified a shortfall in new dwellings in key areas such as the Gold Coast and Brisbane, thus creating new demand for housing in these markets.

Finally with the current strength of the rental market in many cities, the decrease in land prices (in certain areas) and with the government grants currently available create viable reasons to visit your financial advisor and discuss what opportunities are available to you.

Disclaimer: General Advice Warning

The information on this website is general information only and is not intended to be a recommendation. Akudos Homes strongly recommend you seek advice from your financial adviser as to whether this information is appropriate to your needs, financial situation and investment objectives.

Whilst every care has been taken in the preparation of this website, Akudos Property Group Pty Ltd (“Akudos Homes”) its directors, authors, consultants, editors and any persons involved in the construction of this website, expressly disclaim all and any form of liability to any person in respect of this website and any consequences arising from its use by any person in reliance upon the whole or any part of this website.

The Golden Rules to Building A New Home: Part 2 Selecting Your Land

2011-11-22T14:00:00+00:00

As they say in real estate, Location, Location, Location! When trying to maximise your investment in property, land is king. Additionally, being happy with the location of your new home is equally important. And of course, it must fit into your budget!

There is a great variance in land prices depending on where you purchase. By having your land budget identified; this will assist with what options are available to you.

In the instance, where one option is cheaper than another (but both fit into your budget) investigate why this is the case and check for the following:

Local Infrastructure such as schools, shops and transport – are these readily available?
Local Services such as restaurants, dentists, doctor, health centres and play groups for mums
Is the land connected to town water, electricity and also have access to internet services?
Are there footpaths and parks nearby?
Checked with the land developer whether the land has any encumbrances, easements, proposed resumptions, or restrictive covenants? These appear on the certificate of title and are your responsibility to understand these before signing a land contract. It is also your responsibility to show all these restrictions to your builder so he can cost your job appropriately and advise you on the cost impact.
Checked with your local authority regarding any future subdivisions or road changes in the area. Also check to see that there are no special building conditions or covenants that apply to the land you are planning to purchase
What your local rates are
Will the land accommodate the size house you wish to build and consider the

Finally, when selecting land, think about how your home will be positioned on the block in relation to morning and afternoon sun. Read our articles on Passive Design to assist.

Regardless of what type of block, you will be able to select a house design that provides a good fit for the block and a good outcome for you.

The Golden Rules to Building A New Home: Part 1 Budget Allocation

2011-11-21T14:00:00+00:00

It is always an exciting time when building a new home but quite often the experience doesn’t always go as you originally expected. Therefore, it is extremely important for consumers to educate themselves a little on building before signing any contract or documentation.

Firstly, start with a list regarding both your land and house. For example:

Mandatory items such as number of bedrooms, bathrooms, living spaces and garage space
Wish list items such as quality of fittings and fittings, granite or marble benchtops, alfresco areas, rainwater tanks, height of ceilings, etc

Visit display centres, read magazines and get ideas from places such as Reece Plumbing and other home idea centres. The more information you have the better! This is not only helpful for your builder, but will also assist with establishing a realistic budget and prioritising what’s important to you.

Once you have done this, start to think refine your budget further, by:

Working out your total budget including the cost of the land, land valuation, legal fees, rates, site works, building costs, furnishing costs, landscaping and moving expenses.
Checking with your bank or finance company how much you can lend? And consider the best type of loan for you and who may provide that such as a mortgage broker or bank.
Find out about any new home grants or first home owners grant and see if you are eligible for any of them.

Finally, when building a new home, decide which way you plan to purchase your new home. Your options include:

Purchasing your land first and then your home
Selecting a house design and then purchasing your land
Purchasing a house and land package
Or buying an existing home that you plan to knock down or renovate

Generally speaking it is always better to purchase your land first and then purchase or design a new home which will suit. But before you do all of this, do some research on your land prices and get a rough estimate of what a new home will cost with everything included i.e. fencing, landscaping, driveway, etc.

Important note: Before you sign anything, always understand the contract you are signing, and if you do not understand something, ask the builder or an independent person to advise what the details on your contract means.

Stay tuned for Part 2 of The Golden Rules to Building Your New Home

Product Alert - Cavity Stacker Doors

2011-11-08T14:00:00+00:00

Looking for that truly unobstructed view or access to your entertainment area without your stacker doors in the way? Bradnam’s Windows and Doors have recently launched their new range of Cavity Stacker Doors which seamlessly glide out of sight, to ensure your view is completely uninterrupted. This practical solution for your entertainment area, has no fixed or folded panel to impede your flow from indoor to outdoor areas.

Available in a range of colours and specifications, contact Bradnams on 1300 946 369 or visit their website for more information.

Cova Community - New Land Release

2011-11-07T14:00:00+00:00

More news for investors! Are you looking for somewhere to invest? Or perhaps planning to retire and looking for a great waterfront opportunity? Don’t miss your opportunity to be part of the Cova community. Secure one of only twelve land lots in this first release of canal front homesites, featuring:

private pontoon or marina berth
direct access to the broadwater
northern orientated lots
world class facilities at Club Cova recreation centre

At Cova, you are perfectly positioned to discover the delights of the Northern Gold Coast such as:

Just 63km from the Brisbane CBD;
Three championship golf courses and the Hope Island International Tennis Academy nearby;
A short drive to Westfield Helensvale, plus there’s a variety of local shops, dining and entertainment attractions;
Seven schools and two universities; and
An easy powerboat cruise will take you directly to The Broadwater and the idyllic islands and inlets of Moreton Bay’s peaceful southern end.

For more information, contact Australand on 13 38 38 or visit their website.

Product Alert - 3M Solar Control Films

2011-10-13T14:00:00+00:00

3M have recently launched a new product which enables ordinary windows to be converted into solar panels with the simple application of a solar control film.

The product is a see-through film which is arrayed in narrow, translucent green strips with gaps between them which are then glued to windows. The film is made from an organic photovoltaic material which is printed in sheets.

According to 3M, although transparent, the film blocks or absorbs about 80% of visible light and over 90% of infrared light, providing a degree of shade. The film has been designed to stop most of the sun's heat before it enters your home, therefore saving you money on your air conditioning costs.

The great thing about this product is that it will be easier to purchase and install and has no additional storage requirements. Although the film is currently only generating approximately 20% of the electricity that a traditional solar panel does, it will also only cost about half the cost of a real panel. It is expected that as demand increases, the price shall decrease.

For more information, visit the 3M website.

Building Designer versus Architect

2011-10-12T14:00:00+00:00

When building a new home, many home owners may consider using an architect or builder, particularly when it is a custom designed home. Often, your builder will already have a highly skilled draftsman, however when looking for a more complex or unique design, an architect or building designer may be required.

When designing a house, both an architect and a building designer will need to be across appearance, layout, structure, room scale, etc but the real difference is simply the certification or qualification that each profession requires. Generally an architect will be required to register with their state board, whereas there is no such requirement for a building designer.

So does this mean that there is a difference in quality of work? Not necessarily. Like any profession or trade, a qualification never guarantees quality of work and the only way to determine this, is by seeing previous examples of work and testimonies. More importantly, it is being clear about what you expect and the outcomes you require. And as per your relationship with your builder, it is important that the relationship with your building designer or architect has excellent communication and trust.

Some of the benefits of utilising a building designer are that often they have a construction background and therefore can consider the cost implications of their design. Generally speaking as well, they are generally less expensive and will work on a wide range of projects.

Often for something a little bit different or abstract, an architect can really be the best option for this sort of projects where they can take your idea and produce a design that a client would never have been able to conceptualise.

Whatever you decide to do, both building designers and architects will work to your budget and quite often your builder will be able to point you in the direction of a reputable architect or building designer.

Product Alert - Hettich pushes InnoTech drawers further

2011-10-11T14:00:00+00:00

Hettich is one of the world’s largest producers of cabinet hardware and fittings for the residential and commercial markets, with products at the forefront of design, innovation and manufacture worldwide.

As homes become more open plan, designs are incorporating sleek lines and innovative strorage solutions to create statements and differentiate areas.

Hettich’s Innotech drawer systems embrace this trend, offering a wide variety of customisable storage spaces in a range of stylish materials.

Newly launched Innotech Push to Open – and winner of the 2011 designEx New Bathroom Product of the Year – is the latest addition to Hettich’s renowned Innotech range featuring manual push to open technology and eliminating handles, for a sleek minimalist look.

“We make kitchens, bathrooms, bedrooms and living rooms work beautifully by providing all the bits and pieces that help lift the experience in the home to the truly exceptional,” says Dave Angus, Marketing Manager, Hettich Australia/NZ.

“Consumers demand their homes not only function beautifully but also display innovative design, reflecting their individual tastes,” says Angus.

Hettich’s newest Push to Open range is manual, with a compact system that is easily fitted to new or existing cabinetry, ensuring drawers can be opened easily with a light touch regardless of how heavy the contents. This complements the Hettich Easys electronic option that has proved to be very popular in situations where hands are full or dirty.

Innotech Push to Open also features Hettich’s unique high quality Quadro drawer runnner technology, ensuring drawers run smoothly for a lifetime of enjoyment.

Innotech Push to Open drawers come in a variety of widths ranging from 300mm to 800mm and are finished in silver or white. The antistatic surface ensures drawers are easy to clean and integrate stylishly and seamlessly into any design.

To find out more about Hettich call 1800 HETTICH or visit www.hettich.com.au to find a Hettich Endorsed Showroom near you.

Passive Design: Part 2 � Site Orientation for Passive Heating

2011-10-10T14:00:00+00:00

Today, most homeowners are all looking for ways to reduce their electricity bills, as well as have a home that is comfortable to live in. When building your new home, the orientation of your land and home can have a huge impact on the cost of running your home and can potentially reduce the need to rely (as heavily) on auxiliary heating and cooling.

Firstly determine what your passive heating and cooling needs are. You may be in a climate that requires a combination of both passive heating and cooling. If you need assistance with this, compare your winter and summer energy bills or consult an energy consultant. (Refer to our article, Passive Design - Part 1: What is it?).

When implementing passive heating principles, it is all about using the sun as your free source of heating. So how do you achieve using the winter sun for heating and minimising the summer sun to remain cool? Quite simply by installing moveable shade devices to exclude the high angle summer sun and admit low angle winter sun.

Another element to review when purchasing your land is to understand how much ‘solar access’ your land has and in turn your home and living areas will have. The ideal site is one which can accommodate north facing solar access to living and outdoor areas.

Constant solar access is more achievable on a north-south block and these blocks are ideal as they receive great exposure to the northern sun without too much overshadowing from neighbouring houses, with these houses providing protection from low east and west sun during summer.

Additionally these sites also are great for having all living areas and gardens to be at the rear of the house for privacy.

In cases where you are located in higher density areas, less heating from the sun will occur should your land slope south (when facing). When your land has south facing views, its best to minimise the use of glass in these areas to ensure you minimise winter heat loss.

For land which does have limited solar access, it is still possible to achieve an energy efficient home however a larger budget it likely to be needed for items such as double glazed windows and shading systems.

The house

When trying to orientate your home on your land to maximise Passive Heating, it is ideal for your living areas to face true north. By doing so, you are enabling eaves to admit the winter sun onto your home and to exclude the hotter summer sun – with no additional cost.

For all west facing areas, try to minimise glass in this area and utilise shading, as it is the west facing walls that receive the strongest sun at the hottest part of the day. This is a great place to use for clothes drying and any solar panels you may use.

When selecting a project home from a builder, generally speaking, it will not be too difficult for the design you select to be ‘mirrored’ to ensure you maximise all your heating potential.

So when building a new home, selecting land with good orientation for the regional climate conditions is key, if you wish to embrace passive design principles and have the best possible orientation for your living areas.

Getting your property ready to sell

2011-09-19T14:00:00+00:00

One of the golden rules in real estate is ‘sell before you buy’. In a booming economy where anything sells, often this rule is not adhered too. However, given the global economic climate and with Australian banks less inclined to lend - regardless of how great your credit history is - this golden rule is probably a good one to follow.

So when selling your home, what should you do to get your home ready to optimise selling time and price?

Spring clean

There is nothing worse than inspecting a potential new home to find that it is grubby and need of a good clean. It automatically creates a negative feeling towards the property. So make sure you have scrubbed walls, skirting boards, floors, tiles, windows, light switches and fixtures. Ensure there is no dust on top of fans and other dust collecting areas such as in the laundry. Bathrooms should be spotless with mould and soap scum removed and toilets and basins pristine. Additionally, have carpets, lounges and curtains professionally cleaned and ensure your windows and entrance doors are sparkling clean.

Get rid of clutter

Never is there a better time to get rid of those old Christmas decorations, news papers and any other ‘stuff’ that you have accumulated over the years. This includes in the garage, garden sheds and around your property. No one likes to walk around a garden to find old plant pots and broken garden gnomes lying around! By removing clutter, you are showcasing your property in the best possible way by giving the perception of more space.

Handyman time

Never before is there a time to call in the handyman! Ensure that there are no cracked tiles in the bathrooms or kitchen; and repair any leaking taps both inside and out. Check that doors, windows and blinds open and shut properly. Replace or repair any non working appliances that you wish to include in the sale price and give a fresh coat of paint to any rooms or walls that are in need of a freshen up – make sure you choose neutral colours. Garden fences are often forgotten, but make sure yours is repaired where need be.

Spring clean your garden

A new home buyer’s first impression can often be walking through your garden to your front door; so ensure that lawns are mowed, trim back all trees and weed and mulch all garden beds. For any bare patches of grass, reseed these areas and invest in some news plants or colourful pot plants for your garden. Throw away any old garden furniture and clean what you plan to keep. Finally, make sure sweep your driveway and paths on inspection days.

On inspection day

Make sure all your valuables such as jewellery, perfume, electronic equipment and any other important personal items are safely stored. It’s not uncommon for expensive perfume or face cream to find its way into an unknown handbag and never be seen again!
Buy fresh flowers and make sure all dishes and other items are packed away and give the house a once over with the vacuum or cleaning cloth.

There are many other things to consider when selling your home but these basics should help you get you home ready for purchase, so that you can move forward and buy your next dream home.

What a great place to build with Akudos!

2011-09-19T14:00:00+00:00

Great news for investors and new home owners!

One of the newest estates by Stockland is now open for inspection. Vale at Holmview has recently opened and offers a wide range of living options from low maintenance to larger elevated home-sites.

Located midway between Brisbane and the Gold Coast, this intimate residential community is perfectly located for those wanting the best of Brisbane and the Gold Coast. A leafy community where you can walk your children to school, have convenient shopping at your doorstep with the new Holmview Central and have almost 30% of the community dedicated to green open spaces.

Akudos Homes offers many home designs that will suit this tranquil and community orientated environment.

Talk to Akudos Homes today about your new dream home and visit the Vale at Holmview community to find a block that suits you.

Stockland is now taking registrations of interest to this beautiful new community so make sure you get in early.

Phone Akudos Homes: 07 5561 1711 or email: ask@akudos.com.au.

New changes to our website

2011-08-15T14:00:00+00:00

Just 5 months after the launch of our new website, Akudos Homes is pleased to announce that more changes are coming soon.

With an overwhelming response to our new site, we have received much feedback about the positives and negatives elements of our site. As a result of this feedback, we shall be implementing further functionality to help future customers select their dream home. This functionality will enable future clients to select sizes and facades and also provide a price indication based on their preferences.

These changes will assist both the investment and first home owners market, who are often seeking a fixed price or a working to a set budget.

So stayed tuned to www.akudos.com.au or for more information, contact us on 07 5561 1711.

$10,000 Building Boost Grant

2011-07-23T14:00:00+00:00

Great news for Queensland homebuyers!

The Queensland Government have announced that from 01/08/2011 to 31/01/2012, new home owners purchasing a new home in Queensland may be entitled to a $10,000 grant. Never has there been a better time to build! So contact us today, to discuss your dream home and ensure that you meet the 31/01/2012 deadline!

For more information, visit the Queensland Government website, by clicking here.

Or contact Akudos Homes on 07 5561 1711.