One of the first steps to building a new home is choosing the right section, but there are lots of things to consider. When you search for a section, we recommend jumping in early, doing your research, and consulting your building team as early as possible to support you through the process – it’s likely to save you time, money and unexpected issues in the long run.
Here’s a helpful three-step guide that will make your journey to choosing and buying a section easier.
1. Know what you’re looking for and what you can afford
Have a clear idea of what you’re looking for before you start hunting for a section. Think about where you want to build and the distance to local amenities, whether sun and views are important, and how much space you need.
Then research the cost of sections in the area you’d like to build by checking online property listings on sites like Trade Me Property and Realestate.co.nz. Think about how long you’ll be holding the property for and whether the location provides good prospects for capital value increase.
If you’re looking to build in a hilly area, bear in mind what it means for building costs and insurance premiums. Houses on hills can be susceptible to high winds which may increase insurance costs. Likewise, if your preferred location is in an earthquake zone, you may need to take safety precautions into account, such as reinforcing your foundations.
At this point, we also recommend talking to a bank or other financial provider about home loan pre-approval, if you need it. Getting pre-approval lets you know exactly what you can spend and saves you time when you’re ready to buy.
2. Inspect the site before making an offer
Before you make an offer on a section, we recommend getting a professional builder or architect to inspect the site, organise a survey of the land, and obtain a geotech report. It’s also important to review the district or unitary plan for your region to check for any planned changes or restrictions to the area. This is for your own peace of mind, but also helps when it comes to securing lending.
Your local EasyBuild team can help. Once you have a site in mind, we’ll conduct a site visit to assess site specific requirements and ensure your preferred EasyBuild modular home design is a good fit. We look at factors such as site aspect, wind zone and proximity to the sea, site access and elevation. At this point, we’ll discuss with you any site-specific requirements and whether any extra costs should be factored in for additional time and materials.
At this point, we also recommend getting in touch with your lawyer so they’re ready to check important documents before you make an offer.
3. Make an offer
Once you’ve done your homework and you’ve got your finance sorted, you’ll be ready to make an offer! Your lawyer will either check the Tile and Land Information Memorandum (LIM) for your site in advance of you making an offer, or will assist you in making a conditional offer subject to checking the Title, LIM and any other conditions you choose.
Building a new home is exciting, but not something most of us do every day. We’re here to guide you through the process and make sure you feel supported every step of the way, from assessing your site through to completing your brand new home.
We’d love to chat with you about your new build plans. We can help align your site options and your preferred EasyBuild modular home design with your budget and timeline. Get in touch today.