Browse Forums Building A New House Re: Our Southern Highlands Build 121Oct 04, 2012 8:27 pm Kelbelle, We are officially looking to relocate in March but if something comes pops up then we'll take it now. We go between the idea of buying land and building or finding an old cottage/victorian bungalow and renovating but I think it will be building new. An acre would be ideal but we're not sure how realistic that would be. We are open in terms of which town. Mittagong and the gateway towns are convenient to the Freeway. Bowral/Moss Vale/Mittagong for the train as my fiance will commute at times to Sydney but then I love to garden so would like Robertson. Actually my dream would be Wildes Meadow but don't have the spare million for land Can I ask which part you are in? Completely understand if you'd prefer not to. Do you have any advice or opinions on the different parts? I'm glad new land is constantly being released. We've noticed a price rise and blocks getting smaller but I guess when you start officially looking, it feels like there's nothing quite 'right' out there. I love the Barrington house design you chose. Very 'Southern Highlands' and the floor plan is great. We've been doing the weekend display home visits. Marksman's Cascade that is at Renwick, Mittagong is really nice. I think it's the raked ceiling that caught my eye. Otherwise the Clarendon Greencycle eco home is really impressive and probably closer to the right size for us. Re: Our Southern Highlands Build 122Oct 05, 2012 8:19 am We originally had the idea to buy a fixer-uper also, but when we looked at what we could get for our money, and what we would need/want to do, it ended up being more reasonable for us to build. I still give a sigh when we go past some of the cottages though!
I love the Cascade too! It is definitely the ceilings Re: Our Southern Highlands Build 123Oct 05, 2012 2:11 pm I agree about the renovation option. To buy something with good bones still costs a decent amount, then the cost of renovation, it does seem like a better option to get land and build. My fiance and I aren't really handy around the house either so I'm not sure if renovating suits us. Thanks for letting me know your area. A house actually just went up for sale around you today. Good size land but there appears to be a lot of restrictions on that particular block with drainage easements etc. Sigh, I thought the price was a bit too good to be true for an acre with a brand new house. I agree on Renwick. Looking at the master plan, I'm keen on an East-West block so the length of the land faces north. Pity is, the best blocks with that description are taken by the display homes! Yeah I think Bowral is pretty much built out now. Oh you've seen the Cascade??!! It's way too big for us but that ceiling with all the glass just flooded the home with light. I am a bit light obsessed (would like in a glass house if I could) so that is going into our future house no matter what. Looking forward to seeing how your build progresses! We are going for drive to the Highlands over the weekend, can't wait! Re: Our Southern Highlands Build 124Oct 27, 2012 12:42 pm Still waiting! After we sent our stamped plans to the bank, they got back to us saying that our loan approval had expired two weeks before!!!! Oh the frustration, especially since getting the CDC took three weeks longer than anticipated! So another two weeks of resubmitting documents, signing numerous pages and arranging for deposits to be paid, we have finally been told that our build file is now with the design manager. I am so confused by this, it was explained at contracts that after it passed CDC and we paid the deposit, they had 20 days to start on site, but now it seems the plans have to be checked first - shouldn't this have been done when we signed contracts almost two months ago? I get the feeling that we are being "timetabled" to fit in with other builds going on - I know they are building a display home close by to us which has just had the security fence go up - am I just being paranoid, or does this actually happen? Re: Our Southern Highlands Build 126Nov 05, 2012 7:23 am I am glad I found your thread!!! Quote: I am so confused by this, it was explained at contracts that after it passed CDC and we paid the deposit, they had 20 days to start on site, but now it seems the plans have to be checked first - shouldn't this have been done when we signed contracts almost two months ago? What does your contract say. Ours says that once all permits are received (DA and CC) then contract period starts within 20 days. If they start before that, that is when your contract period starts, if they don't start within 20 days, then your contract period starts. We received DA and CC on 03/10/12 and so our contract period at the latest started last Wednesday 31/10/12. We should have pegout today (fingers crossed) We also had the excuse that ours was delayed as it had gone to estimating and they were waiting for quotes to come back and our quotes were taking a bit longer than usual. Modified Fernside 38 Rawson Homes Blog: http://www.thehousethatmatandjenbuilt.blogspot.com Build Thread: https://forum.homeone.com.au/viewtopic.php?f=31&t=60501 Re: Our Southern Highlands Build 127Nov 05, 2012 5:52 pm I think I became confused because we didn't receive anything official to say "oh, your contract period starts on this date", I was expecting a letter or something (so I could frame and display it - it might help me retain some sanity to know we have officially started!). We went complying development and received our approval on 2/10/12, but we then didn't get to pay our deposit until two weeks later, so I am guessing that is when they 20 working day countdown would have begun! Under that schedule, they have until 15/11/12 to start the contract period - I guess I shouldn't complain too much since I had been promised pegs today (didn't happen though - but there were a few droplets of water this afternoon, so lets try for tomorrow). Re: Our Southern Highlands Build - pegged :) 129Nov 08, 2012 9:58 pm Congrats on your pegs Kelbelle, how exciting! We are looking at the Barrington Namarra. Were Barrington happy to change around the floor plans? I saw you added the WIR and moved the pantry in yours. I really don't like the kitchen in the Namarra as we have the same kitchen layout now and it's not very functional. Re: Our Southern Highlands Build - pegged :) 130Nov 09, 2012 6:52 am Thanks SH!
I love the master bedroom layout on the Namarra, opening onto its own porch. Have you talked to them yet? They actually had a Jamberoo plan already drawn up with the bath removed from the ensuite and the pantry there instead, so we just had to modify the WIRs and bump out the kitchen wall. They were very happy to do this and very supportive of any idea we could throw at them I thought the structural changes were quite cheap too - under $5000 for the changes and the extra cabinets into the kitchen. The downside however was that each time we made a change it took weeks before we got the next draft of plans and then we would find something else that needed changing or we would change something back, taking another 3 weeks+ to rectify - it was a very lengthy process but at least we had time to really consider our choices! What were you thinking you would do with the kitchen? Rotate it 90deg and move it into the dining area? Re: Our Southern Highlands Build - pegged :) 131Nov 09, 2012 7:48 am Thanks for all the info Kelbelle. Great news they accommodate changes. I have a feeling the change/plan process is going to take an age for us. I've drawn what seems like endless plans and still can't find 'the one'. You guessed my thinking exactly regarding the kitchen. I'd really like our kitchen to be an 'L' with a sink on the smaller side of the 'L' with a window. Then a decent length island bench without a sink in it. Quite like the Culburra MKII, the empty island bench was really functional and the layout was great after cooking in it at my parent's all weekend. However, I'd like a WIP with a window in it as well! but that might have to go Haven't spoken to Barrington. I've contacted them a couple of times but no call back. I haven't really pushed either because we don't have land. It feels like all the land sales have dried up in SH now we are looking. Apparently the next release of the size/price range we'd like is Sept/Oct 2013. That feels like an age away! I'll just have to watch all the builds unfold here to keep myself looking forward to it. Re: Our Southern Highlands Build - scraped, now waiting on p 132Nov 18, 2012 3:22 pm Happy to help SH! We went to the display homes at Oran park and Haywards Bay and sat down with the guy there (hmmm, David maybe?) which made the process so much easier. There are still 4 x 1acre blocks left near us which should be taking offers below asking price, as they are kind of oddly shaped and sloped, but other than those, there doesn't seem to be much else around - the bank was saying they have had a HUGE increase in builds this year, land is being snapped up quickly! We have had a very exciting few weeks! First pegs: Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Then a lonely loo: Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ And capped off with a site scrape: Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ All ready to go now for piers and slab formwork! Sorry for the terrible iphone pics, the camera was having a battery tune up Re: Our Southern Highlands Build - scraped, now waiting on p 133Nov 18, 2012 5:12 pm kelbelle, I am so happy to see something finally happening and I am so jealous of that scraped level site, your site costs must be so low. That’s the problem down here, so many hills which means cut, fill and drop edge beams, but at least I have a great view of the escarpment that will never be built out. S-H, we also visited the Bayview display home at Haywards Bay and included in the pamphlet we took home was an alternate plan we liked parts of so we ended up with a home with bits of each. I sent David an email with over 20 changes and the draft plan came pretty much spot on how we envisioned it with only minor tweaks required. My advice would be to sort out any changes before you sit down with the salesman as every change to your plans can add weeks. I am not a fan of the Namarra plan but have you had a look at the Colorado or Saltwater, they have kitchens like you want? Regards, Grumbles Re: Our Southern Highlands Build - scraped, now waiting on p 134Nov 18, 2012 5:49 pm Kelbelle, so exciting for your pegs and site!! Look how level your land is, you must be so happy. Keep the pics coming Thank you for your help. I did get in touch with David and he was very helpful and sent through what I requested. We almost talked ourselves into buying one of those 4 blocks but they just aren't what we want. The next release I mentioned earlier is all the land along the top of the hill, so we'll wait for that. We drove past on Thursday and I like the right hand side of the t-intersection at the top of the road. That means we'll be neighbours too! I think there is also one at the entrance to the estate which is tempting us... Grumblebum, thank you also for your help, much appreciated. I agree, I'm not sold on the Namarra. There are bits of it that are nice, actually I like the highlander facade as it has the exterior look we are after (cottage/victorian) but I just can't get the floorplan to work. I had a look at the Saltwater and Colorado, I didn't even see the Vibe series before. They certainly do have the kitchen layout I'd like, thank you for pointing them out, I really like the Saltwater in particular. We are eagerly awaiting a reply from the builder that is our first choice. It's a small building company based in Berry that build the most divine country style homes. We are hoping (desperately) that we can build one. With the land prices increasing it's looking bleak Anyway that's the fun of building and home-purchasing! It's certainly difficult for people like me who are super impatient! Re: Our Southern Highlands Build - scraped, now waiting on p 135Nov 20, 2012 4:44 pm Kelbelle, hope there's lots going on at your site this week, looking forward to an update. Realised I seem to be hijacking your thread about my (eventual) build all the time. Sorry about that! I might have to start a thread at some point . Re: Our Southern Highlands Build - scraped, now waiting on p 136Nov 21, 2012 6:23 pm southern-highlander Realised I seem to be hijacking your thread about my (eventual) build all the time. Sorry about that! I might have to start a thread at some point . grumblebum54 kelbelle, I am so happy to see something finally happening and I am so jealous of that scraped level site, your site costs must be so low. Thanks Grumbles! No waiting on fill - we didn't need any fill! southern-highlander The next release I mentioned earlier is all the land along the top of the hill, so we'll wait for that. We drove past on Thursday and I like the right hand side of the t-intersection at the top of the road. I think there is also one at the entrance to the estate which is tempting us... Ooh, were you in the black car?? Hmm, not sure which t-intersection you are referring to, is it the one with the really sloped block on the left and the hill top straight ahead (nothing built there)? There are a few in Moss Vale that were built by the place in Berry, I think, absolutely stunning! We now have piers! And the framework is sitting there all ready to go. I will put some more photos up once we have the slab, hopefully next week now but I suppose it depends on the plumber. Re: Our Southern Highlands Build - scraped, now waiting on p 137Nov 22, 2012 2:20 pm Hi Kelbelle, glad you didn't mind me hijacking your thread. It suddenly dawned on me I might have been committing poor forum etiquette haha. I'm so thankful also for all the Barrington people emerging plus all the information on this forum in general. I've learnt so much. Glad to hear things are moving along on your build. Haha no we weren't the black car, we were in a white sedan. As to the next release, yes I think you are referring to the right place. I don't want to go saying names to keep your privacy but blocks on either side of that intersection are still not purchased and the one on the right has one very large tree on it and is flatter than the left block which is quite sloping. Directly in front is a whole heap of elevated, unoccupied land all the way to a railway line. It's a fairly large parcel. The Berry builder does the most stunning houses. They really suit The Highlands and Berry areas. Still waiting on further information in regards to price. Maybe it's a good thing so I can have a bit more time dreaming We did a drive along Tourist Drive, Berry over the weekend. I'm a bit wildlife mad and was so excited to see echidnas and wombats just wandering all over the place. We happened to stop outside a stunning 20 acre property currently for sale. I was with my folks at the time and after reading the sign, they suddenly announced that they were going to buy that exact property 20 years earlier for $120,000. I almost fell off the mountain. Couldn't imagine buying on the Tourist Drive now, requires an extra '0'! Re: Our Southern Highlands Build - scraped, now waiting on p 138Nov 25, 2012 6:53 pm southern-highlander We did a drive along Tourist Drive, Berry over the weekend. I'm a bit wildlife mad and was so excited to see echidnas and wombats just wandering all over the place. We happened to stop outside a stunning 20 acre property currently for sale. I was with my folks at the time and after reading the sign, they suddenly announced that they were going to buy that exact property 20 years earlier for $120,000. I almost fell off the mountain. Couldn't imagine buying on the Tourist Drive now, requires an extra '0'! Can you believe I have never seen a wombat in the wild? It has become a bit of a family joke, I didn't realise they were so small - I had assumed they would be about 50cm tall from the damage they do! At a wedding on the weekend, I was told that buying coastal land on the South Coast was still cheap - I had to point out that our Southern Highlands land cost more than my western NSW 3 bed, 2 bath house did when I bought it 8 years ago! Re: Our Southern Highlands Build - scraped, now waiting on p 140Nov 25, 2012 10:01 pm Ooh wow it's really coming along now. Very exciting! Weather forecast looks in your favour!! I haven't seen a wombat in the wild either. Apparently there's a camping/picnic ground just to the west of Nowra where they just wander around quite comfortably with the people. Not sure if that really counts as a sighting though because they are practically tame. We actually spoke to your neighbour (the one with tree) back when we looked at one of the remaining lots. They were there mowing their lawn and pruning the big tree. They are such a lovely couple, downsizing (to an acre haha) and building a beechwood from memory. All the best for your slab this week. Hello everyone, I have a question regarding moving a chandelier after it has been mounted. The chandelier in question is quite large, measuring 4 meters… 0 72312 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… 8 17180 of course there are legal avenues. You've already mentioned it. Sue them. I find it odd that lawyers wouldnt be willing to take on the case, given CCT evidence and… 1 23616 |