Browse Forums Building A New House 1 Oct 29, 2013 3:31 pm Hi All, First time posting up on here but thought I should share my experiences to date. I'll preface this by saying that as a first home buyer, obviously I don't have any experience with dealing with any home builders in the past, and that I have relied a bit on the guidance and advice I've been given from the land sales people, broker and settlement agent - who have all been fantastic help. And there are always two sides to a story and information passed between other parties I don't get to see - so I'm only commenting on my experiences and what I've seen. To start with I did the usual travelling around to land sales offices and display homes around the area which I wanted to build in. Which was all around the Swan Valley (Ellenbrook, Aveley, Whiteman Edge etc). Eventually settled between Aveley and Whiteman Edge, and picked up a block in Aveley (Stockland). Great area and I can't wait to finish the build there. And with some research done online for reputations and past experiences, and coupled with the offer I had from DreamStart - I settled with them as the builder. I'd read some reports of being slow to start, however the finished product seemed to have decent reviews. And the specification and value in the offer is great so I went for it. I have yet to have any dealings with anyone from DS other than the sales rep and a brief conversation with the sales reps boss today. But so far ever since signing and paying the deposit (mid August) it has been nothing but broken promises and misinformation all around. All my issues situate around the preparation of the building contract and working plans and being able to have unconditional finance approval. I require the contract to obtain unconditional approval, and DS are stating they are unable to provide contracts until the land is titled (due any week now), and they have surveyed the block. Which makes sense, I can't argue that. This delay has meant I've applied for (now 2) extensions to the finance approval deadline. However, on several occasions I've been told that this "situation" was resolved between DS management, and Stockland management - and that DS were to start working on these immediately based on the digital survey provided. I was advised confirmation of this verbally from DS, and then when pushed to have confirmation via email this was reneged on and they reverted back to their original stance. Again, this was brought up between DS and SL management and I was informed that it was again to happen based on the digital survey, and the process was to start immediately. With DS stating they had the digital survey. This was all confirmed in writing. Now another week and half has since passed since this was confirmed in writing, and yesterday I felt the need to "double check" given the past dealings. First I was told yes, it was on track to be supplied in the time frame given. Then shortly after (within the hour), I was told that DS did not have the digital survey they said they did, and they were still waiting on this from SL. All of this was received in writing. This frustrates me immensely, as from my perspective, I should have been informed of this a week and a half ago - instead, I was told everything was received and the ball was rolling. And now I've sighted emails between DS and SL today showing that surveys have not yet been provided and should be by the end of this week. So I can't and do not blame DS for this particular issue but it just feels that I'm the guy stuck the middle of everything. All of this frustrates me and puts me under pressure to obtain the unconditional approval by the (now second) revised deadline. Has anyone else been put in a similar position or had similar experiences? Is this all just part and parcel of building a home? Thanks, Tim. Re: DreamStart/Building Contracts 2Oct 29, 2013 3:53 pm One problem you have encountered is that 'helpful' land agents often steer you towards untitled blocks. Once they have your deposit process to issuing titles can be very slow, see http://www.anewhouse.com.au/2012/02/title-delays/ Most, if not all builders will be very reluctant to complete a contract until the land is titled. The Harder You Try - the Luckier You Get ! Web site http://www.anewhouse.com.au Informative, Amusing, and Opinionated Blog - Over 600 posts on all aspects of building a new house. Re: DreamStart/Building Contracts 3Oct 29, 2013 4:15 pm Thanks for that, As far as I was aware with the estates and releases I was looking at, the blocks which were being released were all untitled. Except for any which had fallen through but that wasn't something I was informed of. Unfortunately it's just something I've had to grit and bare with as it's turned out. The block is due to title any moment now thankfully. I suppose my main complaint has been the continual back and forth and never being given a straight answer from either party! Re: DreamStart/Building Contracts 4Oct 29, 2013 7:18 pm Why do you have to have unconditional finance before the land titles? My understanding is that that doesn't normally happen till after the block titles and final contracts are drawn up and signed, after the builder does the site survey. I was also all new to this 12 months ago and we actually bought our block through private sale, did 30 days for settlement then realised that there was no way we would have contracts and settlement in 30 days. At the time we were worried about it as we twice had to get settlement extended. In hindsight what I have realised is its usually in their best interests to extend finance as its less time and they've already committed so much time to selling it to you also if they can see you are making a genuine effort to do what is required. As for the communication issues, its sounds like something a bit dodge is going on! I hope things improve! Re: DreamStart/Building Contracts 5Oct 30, 2013 12:55 pm Not sure - all I've been told is the land developer wants to see finance approval by x date. With settlement 21 days after that. I figured this was normal and it makes sense to me that they aren't wasting time with someone who is struggling to get the finance. Understandable for them and not an issue for me. I was worried about the extensions as well. But like you said they seem happy to keep things going as they are, they know all about the issues surrounding the preparation of the contracts and in fact the land developer is the reason it's being delayed! So pulling the rug out from under me because of that seems highly unlikely! The broker is happy with everything and is saying it's just a formality in getting the contract to finish the finance side of things. Hopefully everything will be sorted in the next couple of weeks. I'm a bit over all this paperwork shuffling and just want to get the actual build started. Then no doubt I can focus on a whole other set of problems! Re: DreamStart/Building Contracts 6Nov 06, 2013 8:04 am Welcome to the site, sorry I can't really add much as our land was already titled when we bought it in Aveley. We have found the lady in the site office at the Vale very helpful and also the finance guy so might be worth popping in on the weekend and clarifying that part of the contract. Even though our land was titled we went over the settlement date just because the bank was so slow, it didn't cause any issues and no one contacted us about it. I think if you can prove you are working on it and things are moving in the right direction you should be fine. I'm surprised that you need unconditional finance though on an untitled block, I know some blocks which are not titled until next year so I would have thought with such a big lead time no banks would give finance on that basis, but I really wouldn't know, just seems odd. Maybe it's because the titles are so close. Part 1 of the frustrations of building Good luck. Building The Vines with Dale Alcock in Aveley Contract signed 15/5 Electrical Prestart 24/5 Prestart 13/6 Earthworks started 06/8 Slab Down 09/8 Re: DreamStart/Building Contracts 7Nov 06, 2013 12:19 pm Thanks Dawny, I've been dealing with the two people you mention, and you're spot on in saying they're helpful. They've been the shining star in the whole process thus far! Thankfully everyone (Stockland, broker, settlement agent, and builder) are all across everything and know where everyone is at and where the hold up is. The frustrations has just been some misinformation and lack of communication. But I don't expect any issues going forward now. But certainly can't wait until all of this is behind us and we can just focus on getting the build done! Not long now I hope! Industry type domestic contracts are prepared by industry bodies for the benefit of the builders. This means that if you are the owner watch out. One of the points is… 0 1999 MBA and HIA both have sub contract agreements, check them out 2 6018 I’m curious about how you went with this. We are planning a KDRB and considering Plantation Homes as a builder. I’m aware that after the demolition another soil test… 1 6323 |