10 things you need to know about building your first home - Hue Homes NSW

Building your first home can be a very exciting experience. It can also be nerve-racking, stressful, confusing and overwhelming. To help prepare you, we’ve listed 10 things you need to know about building your first home.

1. Have a realistic budget

Know what you can afford to spend and stick to it. Speak to your bank or mortgage broker to determine how much you can borrow to spend on your new home. The budget should allow for the cost of the block of land, home build, interior design and furnishings and an extra 15-20% for unexpected costs that can come up during a build.

 

2. Do you qualify for government assistance

First home buyers in NSW may qualify for the First Home Owners grant. This is a rebate payment by the government that you can apply for. Speak to your lender to see if you qualify for this or any other assistance programs.

 

3. Research your area

Spend some time researching the neighbourhood you are looking to move into. Is it a booming residential area? Is the area approved for high rise buildings which could impact your property? Get a police report to see if the area is considered a high crime area. All of these things should factor in your decision of where you want to move to.

 

4. Know the local services

Does your perspective area meet your needs? Are there suitable schools nearby for kids? Is there public transport? Are there options for dining out and entertainment? Have a list of what services are important to you and check these off when researching areas to buy into.

 

5. Consider size

Buy a block of land that will be big enough to suit the size of home you want to build. Some blocks may not be suitable for a 5 bedroom home, especially if you want a garage and garden. You should also check with the local council that you can build a two storey home on your block. Some areas won’t be approved for tall building structures if they impede views of those around you.

 

6. Research your builder

One of the important decisions you can make is picking the right builder to build your first home. Do your research. Look at customer reviews and testimonials. Speak to friends and family on who they used and what they liked about that builder. At Hue Homes we pride ourselves on the quality of our work, our open communication and being able to guide you through every step of the build. That’s why we are a trusted home builder in Wollongong and the South Coast.

 

7. Building off a plan or custom design home

Are you looking to build off a pre-designed plan or are you looking for a custom home build? Factors like budget, property size, time frames and your own “must have” inclusions will impact whether you build off a plan or a custom design for your first home.

 

8. Know what you want

Following on from the above, know what you want in a home. What won’t you compromise on? For some it might be kitchen or bathroom design. Maybe you have your heart set on exposed timber beam ceilings. Know exactly what you want and make sure you communicate this with your builder.

 

9. Be realistic and consider builders advice

Sometimes expectations can be a little too unrealistic. The excitement of building a home can see some get carried away with things that are simply not practical. Listen to the advice your builder gives you and understand that there may be some compromises required. Your builder is the expert and knows what can and cannot be achieved in a home build.

 

10. Only sign off when you are 100% happy

You’ve invested a lot of time and money into your new home. Never accept any handover of a home if there are things you are not entirely happy with. Do a final review of your home before signing off and have any issues fixed up before accepting the keys.

 

Wollongong builders, Hue Homes have 17 years experience in building custom homes and first homes for our clients. The team will guide you through every step of the process ensuring a stress-free and enjoyable experience. Give the team a call today to book in a consultation and let Hue Homes build your first home.