Browse Forums Building A New House Re: C0rals Hamilton 252 on the GC - time to go to GYMPIE!! 121Sep 28, 2009 8:39 pm So much has happened so its time for an update! We went for a drive over the weekend & checked out the Gympie Heron display. Were a bit disappointed as the changes we off putting - half walls, kitchen back to front (felt that way anyway) and laundry, bathroom & toilet configuration different. Was good to walk thru but it had a strange feel to it?? So we decided to stop at Daisy Hill again & wander back thru the Heron. We have now firmly decided we will be building the Heron 251. We have made minimal changes & end up with exactly what we were looking for in a home - Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ We joked last night that maybe our house hadn't sold because we hadn't decided which house to build - and what happens - we decide on the Heron and best news of all - after sooking that Renee's house only took a week to sell & ours has been on the market now for 83 days..........we signed a contract tonight!!!!! They have only asked for 7 days for finance, building & pest and conditional on their current house settling as planned on 9 October! Woohoo - what a crazy 24hrs - decide which house to build AND sign a contract on our place!!! Now its quickly off to realestate.com to look for a rental Cheers Kim Re: C0rals Hamilton 252 on the GC - Updated 28/09!! 122Sep 28, 2009 10:00 pm Woohoo Kim That's awesome news about your house selling. I'm really happy for you guys and fingers crossed it all goes well. I was just trawling through realestate.com this arvo Also the Heron looks great and the changes you've made are terrific. Good luck with everything P.S. You'll have to change you're thread title now Re: C0rals Hamilton 252 on the GC - Updated 28/09!! 123Sep 28, 2009 10:35 pm yay kim! finally! everything sounds promising, you better start packing too!! great that you decided on a home, and even better that you have a contract on the house! 2014 - Prepping to build the Soho 4 with Plantation homes, industrial style 2009 - Built the Brampton with Coral Homes viewtopic.php?f=31&t=15399&start=280 Re: C0rals Hamilton 252 gone - now a Heron 251! 124Sep 29, 2009 8:47 am Oh how wonderful that's fantastic news Kim. It's going to get exciting from here on in. Good luck with the house sale and packing. You should be right for rentals in Pacific Pines, there are always lots to choose from Re: C0rals Hamilton 252 gone - now a Heron 251! 125Sep 29, 2009 10:12 am Hi Kim, Congrats on deciding on the Heron - we LOVE ours. We really wanted to build the 251, but it didn't fit on the block. The changes you've made to the kitchen are essential - the standard Heron kitchen is fairly useless. We also put the Bedarra kitchen in and made some changes to that. We have a freestanding oven in the same spot the wall oven is, and have the microwave under the bench that runs along the external wall. As Jess has said, we put a 1.5m long window along that bench, and will eventually get around to putting some overhead cupboards in above that. Coral wanted to charge $1200 for them! I still find that I don't have nearly enough cupboard space in there. Someone else has asked for some more kitchen pics on our blog, so I'll put a few more up shortly if you want to have a look. A couple of suggestions for your plan - if you don't mind me offering - I love that you've made the study bigger. We find it's an ok size for our needs, but that extra space wouldn't go astray. Have you considered putting a wardrobe in there? One of our main complaints with these designs is the lack of storage. In our house the study is a bit of a dumping ground, so the added wardrobe helps hide the clutter. It also officially makes it another bedroom which adds to resale value. Also, maybe it's just my personal preference not to have an open study, but to close it off and just have a normal door. The open ones in the display homes looks swish, but in reality, they don't have computer cords hanging everywhere, bills piled up , and all the other clutter that gets dumped on the desk. When I'm studying, I like to close the door on it all so I don't have to pack it up. In our house with the way we live, it would look shocking if that was the first thing you saw as you walked through the door! If you are planning on having kids in the house, I would SERIOUSLY reconsider opening up the activitiy room. Honestly! It is by far our most favourite room in the house!!! Our kids can pull all their toys out and make as much noise in there as they like, and all I need to do is close the door and ignore it. They're not constantly being nagged at to keep their stuff packed away, or to keep the noise down so we can have a peaceful conversation. We're all happy. If you're thinking of selling before you have kids there, consider who the market for your area is. Is it more likely to be a family, or a couple looking to buy your house? Families will LOVE that extra room, couples like yourself will love the openness. Personally, I would find that space too vast. Horses for courses though, so that's all just my perspective and of course you should do whatever suits your needs. Finally, just something from our experience; have you considered where your watertank will go? We also wanted to put storage in the garage the same way you have, but needed the space for the watertanks. You may have enough room elsewhere, but check it out to make sure it wont be an issue. There isn't a lot of room elsewhere around the house for them. Hope that's some help for you. Congrats on making the decision, I'm sure you'll be very happy with it. Re: C0rals Hamilton 252 gone - now a Heron 251! 126Sep 29, 2009 7:54 pm Hey JL Great hearing from someone actually living in the house! I don't mind questions hints & suggestions as we can be pretty thick sometimes & not see all the possibilities. I'll have another look at your blog & sus out your kitchen & the Bedarra. How are the bay windows? We were thinking of having a wall between them - somewhere to put the tv & somewhere to run a fence off outside - how do you think that would work? Let me see how I go with your pointers; Yep we will be putting a wardrobe in the study - forgot that on my plan - thanks! We also considered doors on the study - still deciding on that one. Our current study is also one of the first things you see & I think I have managed to get it reasonably presentable, most of the time anyway. Re opening the activity - the only kids will be grandkids (apparently they are trying so that could be anytime & they live in Sydney so it will only be for visits unfortunately!). I cant really be old enough to be talking about grankids can I???????????? Anyway enough about my age.......we are planning on a pool table, bar etc going in that space. We do a lot of entertaining & we figured we can put the 2 walls up to recreate bed 4 if we need to for resale?Can put a robe in there on the back wall then too if we need to. As for the water tank....was thinking that would maybe go at the back somewhere - maybe against the robes in the bedrooms down the back? Not sure yet - here is the house very roughly sited so there is a bit of room I think? Ignore the changes in this one - it doesnt show all our changes, just our initial thoughts.. Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Here is the kitchen we have planned so far - very much like the Bedara I think Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Kim Re: C0rals Hamilton 252 gone - now a Heron 251! 127Oct 02, 2009 4:50 pm Yay - our house has had its pest & building inspection & according to the agent there were only a couple of minor things apparently. Havent heard from the buyers what they think so we are assuming it is still full steam ahead. If all goes well we will be unconditional next Friday & have to be out of here just under 3 weeks later! Boy finding a house to rent is going to be an interesting experience. I think I have discovered I am a snob I went to look at a couple of places today & found myself assessing myself against the other people there to look too! I guess this is after hearing people at work talking about how competitive it is to find decent rentals?? Anyway looked at 2 places, 1 is decent enough, the other was too small. Going to look at 2 others tomorrow, 1 is brand new & about 4 blocks along from our block! In one way it would be perfect as we could keep a really close eye on our building but on the other hand, we would have all of the other places around us still being built. That may get a bit noisy as the tradies seem to be around 7 days a week. Dont want to commit to a rental till we know it is unconditional but have to look & apply anyway in case it takes us a few applications to be accepted! October is going to be crazy- we are back at Coral this weekend to make our changes to the Heron & get the tender etc happening, I have to do 2 job applications, 19 performance assessments for my staff, find a rental and pack & move! I think my head is going to cave in!!!!!!!! Re: C0rals Hamilton 252 gone - now a Heron 251! 128Oct 02, 2009 6:45 pm OMG OMG Sounds absolutely crazy! I wouldn't care about the building, i would try and get the rental right near your block - so convenient, and you would be sooooo excited that you wouldn't care about the noise! 2014 - Prepping to build the Soho 4 with Plantation homes, industrial style 2009 - Built the Brampton with Coral Homes viewtopic.php?f=31&t=15399&start=280 Re: C0rals Hamilton 252 gone - now a Heron 251! 129Oct 02, 2009 7:45 pm Yay Kim! Fingers crossed for unconditional! We have to wait another week for our buyers house to go unconditional and then they're doing Pest & Building on our place and then we'll be unconditional and then we'll have until Nov 20th to get out. I know how you feel. The rental market is a crazy place! I've been to rental opens with my mum before and even though I wasn't the one renting you defintitely feel yourself checking out the competition And I agree with Jess, get the rental near your block for sure, so easy to check it out when ever you want. We've been looking at rentals that are a short walk from our block too Good luck Re: C0rals Hamilton 252 gone - now a Heron 251! 130Oct 03, 2009 7:13 am Thanks guys - fingers crossed for you Renee - I hate the waiting bit the most I think! Having to wait until 'open inspections' for rentals is bugging me too. Just like when I buy a house - I want to look now - not next Tuesday in the middle of the day when I have to try & get out of work to go look! Guess I am into instant gratification & must learn patience -one day! I found another rental within walking distance to our block - in the street behind ours - its open today so off I go again! Hopefully one of the 2 near our block will be the right one.. I dont really care what we live in for the next ? months - but my partner does so it may take a few inspections to find a suitable place. Having a dog & 2 cats doesn't help much either apparently but I did have one agent yesterday tell me they prefer animals to kids Oh well back into my garden again today - I have heaps of plants I want to take with us, mainly bromeliads & I cant bare (nor afford) to leave them all behind. I am taking sooooooooooo many plants & cuttings I had to send out a call for plastic pots from friends! I don't think I am going to have to buy many plants at all for the new place - if I can keep them all alive during the build. Re: C0rals Hamilton 252 gone - now a Heron 251! 131Oct 05, 2009 11:19 am Sorry Kim, I missed your reply. I think putting that wall between the bay windows would work nicely We love the open feel that it gives to the lounge, but I doubt you would loose that?? I have seen a house that I would swear is a Heron (from what you can tell from the outside ) and I think they've done exactly what you're talking about. It looks lovely. It's rendered and they've got a verandah that runs around the front and side of the house and a stained wood beam/pergola post (whatever they're called) on the corner I really like it. I don't think I've got any photos of our fence on the blog, but once its finished I'll put some up. Hopefully that will happen this week, we've had some issues with our neighbour, but it seems to be sorted now. Just waiting on the fence company... Grandkids! I didn't get that impression!! You're right - you could easily add the walls back in for the 4th bedroom if there was ever a need. Sounds like you've got it all sorted. It does actually look like you've got a bit more room behind the laundry and bathroom than we have, so you should be able to fit everything you need in there easily enough. Looks like you work in HR? I'm juuuust about finished studying HR/Mgt at uni.. Argh, can't wait for it to be done!! Re: C0rals Hamilton 252 gone - now a Heron 251! 132Oct 05, 2009 7:49 pm JellyLegs Sorry Kim, I missed your reply. I think putting that wall between the bay windows would work nicely We love the open feel that it gives to the lounge, but I doubt you would loose that?? Looks like you work in HR? I'm juuuust about finished studying HR/Mgt at uni.. Argh, can't wait for it to be done!! Hey that's great to hear JL -almost finished hey! I work as a team leader in a gov't department - so not quite hr but have to look after a lot of 'people stuff' in my day to day work. I'll bet you will be pleased to see the end of your study. Its a big job enough without doing it while you are trying to build a house! I am supposed to be starting a management diploma soon but I dont know if I want to take it on while building too! We were wondering how the fence would look but were more concerned with losing a heap of space to the front yard if we didn't put a fence there. Good luck with your fence - I know what it can be like. We are chasing a fencer to replace a fence on a house we own in the Ipswich area - it is sooooo hard to get anyone to quote out there! Hopefully yours comes together soon. Unlike your neighbor ours has been happily involved phew! As for the grandkids - lets just say my son & dil say we are the party parents & hers are the serious parents lol - I can live with that! Re: C0rals Hamilton 252 gone - now a Heron 251! 133Oct 10, 2009 9:54 pm Woohoo - we are officially unconditional now - can you tell we are happy??! Had a scary day when we found out our carport probably isnt council approved (what the?) but fixed it sort of painlessly by cutting $1500 off the purchase price - well worth it in the long run & not worth losing the sale over. Its been a crazy week looking at rentals, putting in applications but not being able to commit until we were unconditional!We put in 3 applications in 2 days & were approved for all 3 so it was nice to have a choice! We chose a house around 750m from our block but in an established street. We can actually see our block from the driveway but wont get the noise & dust from nearby houses going up - its perfect for us! So we have secured a rental place now we need to pack & move by 28/10! Anyone know a removalist on the Gold Coast before we hit the yellow pages? As for the build, we are just waiting on the tender letter for our Heron & we are good to get this next stage started - finally! Re: C0rals Hamilton 252 gone - now a Heron 251! 134Oct 10, 2009 9:59 pm thats very exciting kim! great that everythings fallen into place for you guys and you'll be able to walk to your block everyday if you want! you'll have to start working on your colours, now that the FHOG rush is over you'll probably fly through the admin process and be at colours before you know it! 2014 - Prepping to build the Soho 4 with Plantation homes, industrial style 2009 - Built the Brampton with Coral Homes viewtopic.php?f=31&t=15399&start=280 Re: C0rals Hamilton 252 gone - now a Heron 251! 135Oct 11, 2009 10:06 am Fantastic news. I can only imagine how relieved you are now that your house has gone unconditional. Exciting times ahead. I don't have any recommendations on removalists as we've always hired the Avis trucks and hubby and his mates have done it themselves. Good luck with the move. Re: C0rals Hamilton 252 gone - now a Heron 251! 136Oct 11, 2009 11:01 am Wow! Excellent news, what a relief that must be. Awesome that you'll be so close to your block Good luck with your move Re: C0rals Hamilton 252 gone - now a Heron 251! 137Oct 16, 2009 11:13 pm Ok I took a photo today from the lounge in the new rental - I cant believe how close this looks! Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ We will be able to sit there with the camera & see what is happening! After looking at another thread on here about the internal size of the 90cm cookers, we ended up at Clive Peeters yesterday & walked out owning the same 1 & 1/2 oven we put into our current house 12 mths ago! Ptr is now happy we will still be able to cook roasts for 15+ people quite easily again! Shame we are waiting on Heron tender letter & will now have to have second tender done when we tell them we are providing our own oven! Re: C0rals Hamilton 252 gone - now a Heron 251! 138Oct 17, 2009 1:05 pm how good is that kim! just perfect! 2014 - Prepping to build the Soho 4 with Plantation homes, industrial style 2009 - Built the Brampton with Coral Homes viewtopic.php?f=31&t=15399&start=280 Re: C0rals Hamilton 252 gone - now a Heron 251! 139Oct 27, 2009 1:25 pm What a crazy time it has been - we have moved into the rental & cleaned up our old home. Finally settlement is planned to happen today at 3.15 On the downside, Coral cant/wont some of the changes we wanted - no wall between bay windows, no step in ensuite shower, no bigger window in the kitchen - what is it with us & coral & the bl00dy kitchen window!! The window saga is turning into the biggest pita ever! I think our other changes are ok & we have just got the tender letter & wont have to alter much really. For now we only have internet access at work so I am going to have trouble keeping up with what is happening for all of you too Oh well back to look at Bec & Jess's threads before lunch is over. Cheers Kim Re: C0rals Hamilton 252 gone - now a Heron 251! 140Oct 27, 2009 1:33 pm congrats on the move kim! can't wait to see you start your building journey - the FHOG rish will be over soon and i'm sure coral will get their butts into gear for you 2014 - Prepping to build the Soho 4 with Plantation homes, industrial style 2009 - Built the Brampton with Coral Homes viewtopic.php?f=31&t=15399&start=280 Thank you so much everyone. This all makes a lot of sense. I guess when you talk to a builder who butters up everything to look very polished, you get to start believing… 7 17598 So AFAIk the outcomes of the BAL ratings form part of a clause that allows them to pass these costs on to you. However the more relevant detail is how did it go from 19… 1 9164 My door tends to rub against the frame during winter and I'm looking to fix it so it closes smoothly. Looking online on Youtube I'm seeing methods to fix the alignment and… 0 692 |