Here you go girls (Carmel, Dee et al...), my build thread.

We are looking at building our first home in Wallan, and already discovering what a bloody nightmare building can be!
While 8.5 months pregnant, my DH and I decided to start wandering the display village in Craigieburn - partly out of curiosity and partly to shift the baby (which didn't work). We started getting very intrigued by a few house designs, and walked away a couple of weekends later interested in figuring out how much we could borrow. The catch? Not one cent in savings!!

One of those weekends we happened to spot an advertisement for Eight Homes in the local rag - perfect house design for the perfect price - and it was on display in Craigieburn! So three weeks before I went into labour, we found ourselves meeting with the Eight Homes sales consultant and being convinced to put a holding deposit on the SFive.2 design and start hunting down a block.
Straight forward so far, right?

We picked a very nice block in Wallara Waters, and our broker indicated we were close to obtaining pre-approval on finance. I then went into labour, and things got put on hold for a week or so. (By the way, we had a beautiful baby boy!)
Once out of hospital, we realised that things weren't moving very quickly, and the contracts needed to be signed ASAP to ensure receipt of the First Home Owners Grant. The broker was requesting more and more documentation, which was taking longer and longer to obtain. The hoops you have to jump through when you have no savings....

Later that week I had a post-birth complication, and found myself back in hospital with a very nasty infection. Everything was put on hold again for a few more days while that got sorted out. I got out of hospital on the 5th May. We were going to sign land contracts at 1pm on the 6th May, and got a call from the builder saying we had to meet to sign off on final upgrades and modifications for submission to head office for approval - on the 6th. So we met with the builder before heading out to the Land Sales office in Wallan. Cue the drama....

Our house design doesn't fit on our chosen block.

Thanks to a 5m setback, and 3m easement on the block, once the builder finally drew up the house on the block we realised we have a serious problem, in the region of 300mm of extra house. After contacting the Developer design approvals guru, we were advised that to build our chosen design we'd have to apply for a planning permit and forfeit the FHOG. The other option was sacrifice 300mm from somewhere in the house or choose a different design.

After lengthy discussions, we are now making a trip out to Woodlands Edge tomorrow to potentially put a deposit on an alternate block, and also investigate Springridge (although a little pricier than we'd like).

So that's where we are at the end of my first post - we have our house design, a block of land pending signing of a contract but our house doesn't fit, and some big decisions to make at the 11th hour in order to secure the FHOG (as it's our mortgage deposit source) else we will be priced out of building OR buying for at least the next ten years. Pressure, anyone?


As Dee says: I never do things the easy way.

Ok I guess I'd better sign on for the ride!

You are already signed on - permanently on speed dial to help us deal with the numskulls!
The privilege of being my mother...

Oh the joy..... how's my grandson?

Snuffling and snorting, but still asleep. Doubt it will last much longer! At the rate he's been draining me today, he's about due for the next feed!!

How could there not be dramas when you are related to Dee Good luck with it all BN

Loretta

What I feel like currently -
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Thanks for the support, Loretta!

Ummmm...Rett? Most of the dramas in my life are BECAUSE of her!

That's what she says too..

Hi BN

I know you're busy and all, but we need you to put your house plan up - or a link to the site that has it

Give the little bloke a kiss on the cheek for me. I love baby cheeks.

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Notice that I get first mention

Yeah yeah I know it's alphabetical but still ..

how big block are you looking for

Aaaw and I love the smell of babies. . .the nice smell not the chucky one.

Loretta

Which cheeks?

The Plan - http://www.8homes.com.au/home-designs/s-five-2/
Slight modifications to the above design, majority in the ensuite. Separate toilet, double vanity & larger shower. All which mean a different facade and slightly smaller study. Doors to theatre, door to study & WIL, and modifying the kitchen to include a WIP.

We're looking for a min 14x32m block. The house is at least 24.3m long, so need the maximum building area possible!

Here it is

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Nice house design especially with the modifications you have made. I really like where the rumpus room is located off the bedrooms. It will make a great toy room when your kids are young & then a great room for when they are teenagers & bringing their friends around. . .your forever home alright

Loretta

Hi BN,
What a prediciment they have put you in !!!!!!!!!!!!
Cant be happy about that and its sucha great plan is there anywhere you can lose the 300 mm and still be happy ???
You really dont want to lose the FHOG that would be a step in the wrong direction
Lets hope an amazing piece of dirt pops its head up and grabs you on the weekend.
And some pics of the amazing one please (cant have a baby and not have his pic on here we want to smoosh his cheeks via the interweb LOL)

Cheers Janet

30 cms...is that all? Can't you shorten something like Janet says. Seems a shame over a ruler length.

With regards to shortening the house, it's our last resort. The builder keeps costs low by not allowing mods to plans outside their offerings, and has said they'd look at doing it but wouldn't give us a credit for it. Also leaves us with the standard façade and can't do the mods to the ensuite. A lot of compromising for our Forever Home!

We may end up having to, but will see what the other two estates reveal today first.