NewsGuidesWhat you need to know before buying a block of land

What you need to know before buying a block of land

Buying a block of land...sounds like an easy enough process right? This is probably one of the biggest projects you will undertake and it can be quite daunting if you haven’t been through the process before or researched it thoroughly. There are many factors to consider when you think about buying...
What you need to know before buying a block of land
iBuildNew Editorial TeamApr 15, 20194 min read
Buying a block of land...sounds like an easy enough process right? This is probably one of the biggest projects you will undertake and it can be quite daunting if you haven’t been through the process before or researched it thoroughly. There are many factors to consider when you think about buying a block of land. It’s not all about what it looks like and finding the perfect spot comes with many considerations. To make this process less stressful, we have come up with a guide that you should follow when you’re in the process of buying a block of land!

RESTRICTIONS AND REGULATIONSA key element in this process is to research thoroughly and keep track of everything. The worst thing that could happen is that you discover any nasty or unknown surprises once you start building. It’s nothing but extra stress and extra costs for fixing the problem. If you end up buying a block of land without doing your research, you could go way over your budget. Before you purchase a block of land, make sure to research about the zoning regulations for your property and the ones surrounding it so you are knowledgeable if an issue comes up.Do you know how your property connects to the water source? Ask about when the land will be connected to amenities such as water, gas, electricity, internet and phone. This way you can be ahead and keep a track of these connection costs.YOU’VE HEARD THE CLICHEAsk yourself, is this an area that you and your family will be happy to live in? What are the facilities and amenities nearby? What is the transport like? We have discussed the importance of location in detail through our previous article. Check it out here.

THE SHAPE AND SIZE OF THE BLOCKBlocks come in all different shapes and sizes and the type that you buy will be influenced by the style and dimensions of the house that you are planning to build. It is important to look for something that has good building opportunity. If you consider building on a sloping land, then you will need to factor in additional costs and foundation works into your budget, change your home design to suit a sloping block, change the orientation of the home, and beware of the effects the weather could have on the soil. Ask yourself, is this block going to be big enough for everything that I want to include in my house?ORIENTATIONBecause the sun rises in the east and passes over the north, it is smart to have living areas to the north as it will give your house more natural light throughout the day. Orientation can also help you save plenty on energy bills - giving you the warmth of the sun on a winter’s day. Ask yourself, which compass direction does my block of land face? Do I want more natural light in my house?

Image Credit: HouseBeautiful

KNOW YOUR SOILWhen you’re buying land, it is critical to know what type of soil it has. Soils range in strength, while some are able to hold up a building, some might not even be able to hold a human. The type of soil that will be laid upon can have a huge impact so it does not crack the foundation in the future. Soil’s interaction with water can also cause problems because if it absorbs water and changes shape or be eroded easily, it can easily cause damage to your foundation, or worse, the foundation could completely fall.

HOW IBUILDNEW CAN HELP

On iBuildNew, you can shortlist and compare land estates side by side. You can explore our developer and estates page to find out important information about the developer’s estate, guidelines, masterplans and land lots available.Need help simplifying the land buying process? Our team of friendly experts are here to help! Call us on 1800 184 284
iBuildNew Editorial Team

iBuildNew Editorial Team

As the specialist voice of Australia’s largest new home building resource, the iBuildNew Editorial Team delivers deep-dive coverage into the house and land sector. From analysing new estate launches to highlighting the country’s leading home designs, we track the building journey to provide clarity for every buyer.

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