Browse Forums General Discussion 1 Dec 19, 2009 11:40 am When we went looking for a piece of land to build on, I was gobsmacked at the prices being asked for some blocks (and the willingness of people to pay the extra). It seems that a block that faces or adjoins parkland is considered more desirable than one that doesn't. For example, we paid $165,500 for our block, which is 567 m2. Blocks in the same street, but around a right-angle corner from us, that are only just over 400 m2, were still selling for $157,000, because they face onto a small creek. A similar-sized small block at the time, not adjacent to parkland, could be picked up for about $142,000. We had specific criteria for the block we wanted. It was not to be on a through road, not to be within 500m of power lines, not to be anywhere near a shop, school or kindergarten, not a corner block and definitely not facing or adjoining parkland. While it's fantastic to live within a short walk of parks and nature reserves, we don't see having a park next door or across the road as added value - instead, it's nuisance value. You get constant pedestrian traffic going past, dogs barking (and irresponsible owners leaving their dog poop on your nature strip ), kids kicking balls into your garden, teenagers hanging out at night and idiots on motor bikes or other motorised toys disturbing your peaceful weekends. I can walk to the creek in less than a minute, a large park in two minutes and the wetlands and state park in five..... there's another wetland area going in a couple of streets behind us, and there'll be paths leading into the state park from there too. The parkland is one of the things I love about our estate, but living right next door to it would give me a headache. So why would you pay extra....? Am I alone in thinking this way? Re: Premium-priced blocks of land 2Dec 19, 2009 12:09 pm Hmmm... kek you raised some interesting points... None of which I considered. The alternative is what I was thinking... ...having a park across the road for the kids to play, visual amenity of not looking into your neighbours front door. a driveway across the road and cars moving at any time. Trees visible from the front room. almost like your living area is larger... But heck I am on 8 acres so it bothers me not. Interesting though thanks for that... Also I have a mate who has a block for sale with a beautiful park across the road. The blocks nearby with no park are smaller( about 500sq mtrs) and selling for 190k and his(750k) for 216k I figure I know which one I'd by if I were going back to suburbia. onc Where you are coming from is where you are going to... Re: Premium-priced blocks of land 3Dec 19, 2009 12:51 pm Kek we chose a block opposite a reserve for a number of reasons. We can see the kids playing from our front doorstep, or from the study window. No front neighbours, so no cars we have to be careful of when pulling out of our driveway. Quieter part of the street too. Less through traffic. With the number of parks, recreation areas, reserves and bushland to the estate we bought there won't be a LOT of noise from the park, or at least no more so than it would be with neighbours with all those noise factors as well. Pedestrians walk everywhere no just where there is a park, wherever there is a footpath, teenagers make noise anywhere too and my kids will be able to do that in the park, our back yard, neighbours yards so a park specifically isn't going to be a deterrant to me buying a "premium" block. Dog poo on the nature strip can be an issue wherever you live. I currently live in a dead end street with no footpaths and I still find my yard is a toilet for the cats and dogs in the neighbourhood. We could have bought a block just around the corner which overlooks bushland, while that is lovely and it's an extra 10K it would also require an additional bushfire upgrade which would be another 10K, so really the block ends up being 20K more. The reserve will however improve the resale value of my property long term. More people want to live near parkland than not. That makes the extra 10K I have spent getting land opposite a reserve worth it for the future too. Re: Premium-priced blocks of land 4Dec 19, 2009 2:12 pm Well, I knew other people must like those blocks, otherwise they wouldn't be more expensive... My kids are older, so the supervision thing isn't an issue (I don't even know where they are half the time ). I'm the one who uses the parkland, so being close is an advantage, but walking around the corner isn't a drama. I have to agree that the views would certainly be nice. I'm happy to be able to hear the frogs from our place, even if I can't see the creek. Re: Premium-priced blocks of land 5Dec 19, 2009 2:22 pm We had the option of getting a lot that backs onto a golf course, but the view didn't relly warrant about an extra $50,000 in my books. We're directly across the road from the golf course joining lots and that suits me fine. We are on one of the main streets in the estate, but that doesn't overly phase me. I work shift work so traffic getting in/out for me isn't really going to be too much of an issue. I'm like kek in that I like to think I'm not lazy enough yet that I can't walk a couple of minutes for a reserve heh Land Deposit - 18/12/2009 Became a land Baron - 21/12/2010 Site Start - 27/1/2011 All moved in!! Re: Premium-priced blocks of land 6Dec 19, 2009 2:29 pm I agree with everything kek says, i always thought people wanted these blocks because: a) not many of them b) no view of another house across the road... open space thing. My DH is the same as kek, and can't understand why people would pay premium prices for view of usually, not much at all... I think if the view was right, then it would be better. But otherwise, wouldn't bother me, probably prefer normal street to noise tho... A thankful person is a happy person. [/color]My hobby design blog: http://aviewondesign.blogspot.com/ Re: Premium-priced blocks of land 7Dec 19, 2009 4:46 pm Annietom I agree with everything kek says, i always thought people wanted these blocks because: a) not many of them b) no view of another house across the road... open space thing. My DH is the same as kek, and can't understand why people would pay premium prices for view of usually, not much at all... I think if the view was right, then it would be better. But otherwise, wouldn't bother me, probably prefer normal street to noise tho... Like a beach or from the top of a mountain Land Deposit - 18/12/2009 Became a land Baron - 21/12/2010 Site Start - 27/1/2011 All moved in!! Re: Premium-priced blocks of land 8Dec 19, 2009 4:49 pm My family home growing up was opposite a big valley/parkland and I've got to say, waking up and going out on th balcony was just ace. Though every summer I was tempted to set traps for the dirt bikers :/ I'd buy again across parkland if I could... but I'd buy a BB gun =D Re: Premium-priced blocks of land 9Dec 19, 2009 10:22 pm I used to live opposite a park in Brisbane. It was wonderful - lovely outlook, very quiet, good for the kids, less neighbours etc. I'd definitely pay extra for that again. Then we moved to a place nearby that was opposite the only block of flats in the street - absolutely awful. Constant coming and going, high turnover, lots of noise, ugly etc. But I don;t think you can say that being opposite a park is generally good or bad. It's like corner blocks - depending on the area and the type of people it can be good or bad. It's local people that are the crucial factor in most of these things, not the structures. Do the hard jobs first. The easy jobs will take care of themselves. - Dale Carnegie Re: Premium-priced blocks of land 10Dec 20, 2009 7:02 am Hi Kek As you know we live on a park and paid the premium for it. What I like about park living is the views, the openess, less neighbours to worry about and the extended backyard for my family. Noise...only ever hear the wildlife, dog poo...only every now and then as most dog owners around the area are responsible. Also, another factor is resale value...people do pay (or at least in my suburb) much more for a house in an unique position so its a big selling point. So it always has suited me as I have always lived on parkland. Mrs B Re: Premium-priced blocks of land 11Dec 20, 2009 11:41 am Sheepdog My family home growing up was opposite a big valley/parkland and I've got to say, waking up and going out on th balcony was just ace. Though every summer I was tempted to set traps for the dirt bikers :/ That's one of my biggest complaints. Idiot parents who buy bikes for their kids but are too lazy to take them to places where they can ride them - so they apparently think it's OK for them to hoon around suburban parks or along walking tracks/bike paths. Mrs B Hi Kek As you know we live on a park and paid the premium for it. What I like about park living is the views, the openess, less neighbours to worry about and the extended backyard for my family. Noise...only ever hear the wildlife, dog poo...only every now and then as most dog owners around the area are responsible. Also, another factor is resale value...people do pay (or at least in my suburb) much more for a house in an unique position so its a big selling point. So it always has suited me as I have always lived on parkland. Mrs B Mrs B, your location is beautiful.... and perhaps the price of your neighbourhood tends to lessen the idiot factor. I love living in the outer suburbs, but it seems the bogan effect gets exponentially greater, the further you get from the CBD. I really would like the views.... Re: Premium-priced blocks of land 12Dec 20, 2009 12:14 pm Kek, it sounds like you have similar wants/needs as those on my shopping list! Recently I've been looking in the town where I currently live and some blocks are super-steep and there is NO way I could walk to check the mailbox, would have to drive down the driveway to check the mail!! ....and a few of those type of blocks are horrendously expensive, imho. Now, for various reasons I've decided to move to another town and have been surprised to find that larger blocks are cheaper and fit my budget much better. At the moment I live across the road from a walkway to school and other walking tracks but this won't be a priority when I go land-shopping in the next few weeks. Good luck in your land search...I won't be far behind you (although in a different area). Bronwyn ...the for sale sign will out up later this afternoon so wish me luck. Yippee!!!! Re: Premium-priced blocks of land 13Dec 20, 2009 12:16 pm Interesting topic, you also need to think about site works and if the block is level, also if it has adjacent retaining walls. All these factors can vary the cost of the block, by thousands. I would rather not live on a busy road, near a freeway, train station, adjacent/opposite to shops, schools, parkland, power lines, petrol station, car wash, or fast food chains. But then other people love those amenities, being so close to the activity and noise that area would create. Re: Premium-priced blocks of land 14Dec 23, 2009 4:39 am perthhomelover Interesting topic, you also need to think about site works and if the block is level, also if it has adjacent retaining walls. All these factors can vary the cost of the block, by thousands. I would rather not live on a busy road, near a freeway, train station, adjacent/opposite to shops, schools, parkland, power lines, petrol station, car wash, or fast food chains. But then other people love those amenities, being so close to the activity and noise that area would create. I actually live right next to a train line that has suburbon, country and freight trains running along it and it's funny how quickly you block out noises like that. I'd seriously say by the end of the first week we didn't hear the electrics anymore and only the odd country/diesel train. Now days I only hear a freight train if I'm awake around 1-4am. As for major/busy roads I agree there. The noise factor isn't really an issue for me having lived on one before, it's just a pain in the arse getting in/out of your house. Not cool if you're running late for work hehe. Our new land is on one of the main roads in the estate but we're still happy enough with it. I work shift work so for the majority of the times I'm getting in/out it's odd hours anyway. We contemplated a block off the main road, but while we were checking it out we noticed there's a house that backs onto it that had a nice big B-Double parked there. The master bedroom of the house we want to build is at the back so our room would of been pretty much right beside his truck...we figured that would be a bit of a pain if we lived there Land Deposit - 18/12/2009 Became a land Baron - 21/12/2010 Site Start - 27/1/2011 All moved in!! Re: Premium-priced blocks of land 15Dec 23, 2009 8:18 am Twiggy We had the option of getting a lot that backs onto a golf course, but the view didn't relly warrant about an extra $50,000 in my books. We're directly across the road from the golf course joining lots and that suits me fine. Are you guys golfers? DH & I are mad for golf (designed room in our garage for the golf cart and equipment storage) - so we're more than happy to pay the $200k premium for a golf frontage estate (yes that's a lot - but it's Sydney prices). If we weren't keen golfers - I'm not sure I'd be able to justify it! But nothing better than getting to the 8th hole - walking over to the esky built into the fence and pulling out a refreshing drink and snack After 4 years - we're in! Re: Premium-priced blocks of land 16Dec 23, 2009 8:55 am stonecutter1309 Twiggy We had the option of getting a lot that backs onto a golf course, but the view didn't relly warrant about an extra $50,000 in my books. We're directly across the road from the golf course joining lots and that suits me fine. Are you guys golfers? DH & I are mad for golf (designed room in our garage for the golf cart and equipment storage) - so we're more than happy to pay the $200k premium for a golf frontage estate (yes that's a lot - but it's Sydney prices). If we weren't keen golfers - I'm not sure I'd be able to justify it! But nothing better than getting to the 8th hole - walking over to the esky built into the fence and pulling out a refreshing drink and snack That's a similar price to what we had on offer. Stage 3 was going around the $190k mark and 4 is just over 200k. Nah we're not golfers...it's actually about the only sport I don't like and I'm a mad sports nut lol. That said if I have a golf course in walking distance (We're over the road from the course fronting houses) I will learn to play it hehe Land Deposit - 18/12/2009 Became a land Baron - 21/12/2010 Site Start - 27/1/2011 All moved in!! Re: Premium-priced blocks of land 17Dec 23, 2009 8:37 pm Twiggy We had the option of getting a lot that backs onto a golf course, but the view didn't relly warrant about an extra $50,000 in my books. We're directly across the road from the golf course joining lots and that suits me fine. We are on one of the main streets in the estate, but that doesn't overly phase me. I work shift work so traffic getting in/out for me isn't really going to be too much of an issue. I'm like kek in that I like to think I'm not lazy enough yet that I can't walk a couple of minutes for a reserve heh We also had the option of the block backing onto the golf course, but the bonus of free golf balls in the back yard, and the running commentary with bonus words could not sway us, also did not want to explain daily to master 5 wht he could not play in the big sandpit over the fence, instead we choose an elevated block where we can enjoy the views of the course from a nice distance which is in a cul de sac with a park which did increase the value of the land, but the feel of the street is worth it. Cheers Lou http://take2-customdesigndownslope.blogspot.com 07-10-09 omg they have cut the block 14-05-10 we finally have the keys Re: Premium-priced blocks of land 18Dec 24, 2009 9:13 am Twiggy Nah we're not golfers...it's actually about the only sport I don't like and I'm a mad sports nut lol. That said if I have a golf course in walking distance (We're over the road from the course fronting houses) I will learn to play it hehe I originally learned to play for corporate events (in the previous profession I was in it seemed everyone played golf, connections made at corporate golf days) and then I became completely addicted! (it's the perfectionist in me) take2 We also had the option of the block backing onto the golf course, but the bonus of free golf balls in the back yard, and the running commentary with bonus words could not sway us, also did not want to explain daily to master 5 wht he could not play in the big sandpit over the fence, Yeah - you have to be careful - block selection is crucial! Luckily our house is behind a tee but I have heard horror stories for houses located 180-300m down the fairway After 4 years - we're in! Re: Premium-priced blocks of land 19Dec 24, 2009 11:04 am stonecutter1309 Yeah - you have to be careful - block selection is crucial! Luckily our house is behind a tee but I have heard horror stories for houses located 180-300m down the fairway Yeah especially if people like me are taking aim I'd be more worried about my dogs being hit than glass to be honest. Would destroy the pug if he was hit by a golf ball at that pace Land Deposit - 18/12/2009 Became a land Baron - 21/12/2010 Site Start - 27/1/2011 All moved in!! 1 2628 Those span tables can be pushed a little for a low deck if you dont mind a little flex. Last deck I did, I pushed it a little and it was still rock solid - no noticeable… 6 13781 Yeah I don't know why I came to a forum. Place is full of wierdos/pedos thought internet may help but I suppose I'll try my luck with someone in person. Cheers. I tried… 0 6448 |