Browse Forums Building A New House Re: Not happy with house plan? Happy with budget? 41May 30, 2014 9:23 am ..putting the cart before the horse a little Firstly you need to ascertain whether a loan is attainable, you may find that with little savings and on a single income, creditors will put you into a high risk category immediately. Banks are far more cautious of handing over money now, and although there are still methods of circumventing this you really need to ensure that if your income is lost during the build you have something financially secure to fall back on. Unfortunately I've seen this happen within our workplace, not a good situation for anyone to be in. Re: Not happy with house plan? Happy with budget? 42May 30, 2014 2:23 pm Don't let them push you. You don't want to put down a deposit and then later realise they can't give you what you need and have to walk away and leave your deposit there. Blog http://tobuildahomeimprobable.blogspot.com.au/ Settlement Apr Council Jul Contracts Dec Earthworks Dec Frames Jan Trusses Feb Roof Feb Windows Mar Re: Not happy with house plan? Happy with budget? 43May 31, 2014 8:53 am We decided not to give deposit once again as we're still not 100%. Yep It's def a big stretch for us. We have best prepared as much as possible on his lowest income & using as much wisdom as possible (which out of a full year he'd earn his lowest around 5-10% of the time, the rest of the time he makes over - but I know we can't rely on OT) . Now after much prayer, we can only give it a crack! Re: Not happy with house plan? Happy with budget? 44May 31, 2014 10:18 am What is missing from the Burbank house that's stopping you from loving it? [sneakersss] Re: Not happy with house plan? Happy with budget? 45May 31, 2014 11:22 am Sneakersss I am concerned that the family/meals will be a bit too squashy. I would ideally like a space to dine. Also, the second living id make it into the kids retreat, but the position of it is a bit awkz as in you walk into the house and then hello see kids toys and mess haha I'm trying to upload my ideal plan, anyone know how to? Re: Not happy with house plan? Happy with budget? 46May 31, 2014 11:25 am Don't have photobucket so for everyone who wants to know, my ideal plan is: Metricon Lindeman 27 I'm trying to see if Burbank has anything similar or close to that I can modify, but can't really Re: Not happy with house plan? Happy with budget? 47May 31, 2014 12:22 pm Couple more suggestions for you: Porter davis London 24 Metricon Haven. You can ask them for an idea on site costs based on your blocks engineering plan? Just remember that you may not always end up better off with fixed price site costs. My builder explained it to me it's a bit of a gamble, we might come out up or they might. (I think in our case they will) Re: Not happy with house plan? Happy with budget? 48May 31, 2014 1:31 pm EmmaW84 Sneakersss I am concerned that the family/meals will be a bit too squashy. I would ideally like a space to dine. Also, the second living id make it into the kids retreat, but the position of it is a bit awkz as in you walk into the house and then hello see kids toys and mess haha I'm trying to upload my ideal plan, anyone know how to? Ah yes, I get you. I would be concerned about that, too. And I prefer the Lindeman over the Burbank one. Are you leaning towards Burbank for a reason? Further to the previous poster's list, other suggestions are: Porter Davis Randwick 24 Carlisle Homes Deakin 24 Henley Flemming [sneakersss] Re: Not happy with house plan? Happy with budget? 49May 31, 2014 1:54 pm I'm leaning towards Burbank more because of their lowest fixed site costs of $12k whereas Metricon & Porter Davis are $20-25k sucks I have received quotes from Metricon, PD & not Henley as they said they wouldn't fix our site costs and we have 1m fall on our block and also have a bit of fill. Argh! Re: Not happy with house plan? Happy with budget? 51May 31, 2014 3:24 pm EmmaW84 I'm leaning towards Burbank more because of their lowest fixed site costs of $12k whereas Metricon & Porter Davis are $20-25k sucks I have received quotes from Metricon, PD & not Henley as they said they wouldn't fix our site costs and we have 1m fall on our block and also have a bit of fill. Argh! Totally understandable. How about a modified version of the Burbank Yale 2600? http://www.burbank.com.au/victoria/hous ... spx?ID=267 Remove the lounge and move the whole kitchen/family/meals area forward (thereby creating a larger/longer space) and then adding an alfresco at the back. Move the laundry next to the bathroom by reducing the rumpus room a little. Pantry and fridge can go along the back wall of the kitchen. This should then free up the existing laundry/pantry space for a dining table. And then, it will almost be similar to the Lindeman. Hehe I do have to add, though, that my idea above is based just visually looking at the floor plan. I haven't looked into the measurements or anything so don't know if the room sizes etc. would end up being ideal. With all that said, good luck with whatever you decide to go forward with. I know what it's like looking through floorplan after floorplan trying to find the right one. They all start to look the same after awhile! [sneakersss] Re: Not happy with house plan? Happy with budget? 52May 31, 2014 5:36 pm Sneakersss thank you for taking the time to look at that. Yes, I can see how that is a better working option then the Ascent It's exhausting when you have very specific budgets and need of a particular family friendly flow of a house. Lindeman ticks all boxes except for one of the most important, price! It's shocking such a contrast between builders. I re looked, Metricon is actually $27k fixed site costs. Burbank are the cheapest of the lot. 8 homes was $20k. JGK was $17k. Thanks again Re: Not happy with house plan? Happy with budget? 53May 31, 2014 5:45 pm Hi Emma. I actually love this topic because I see people overextended and I think you are right to worry about that. I honestly don't know how people afford the houses they buy and build. When I sold my last house the young couple that bought it had a $500 mortgage and didn't earn between them what your husband does. My husband and I have totally downgraded our mortgage and I have to say it feels awesome. This is a really out there suggestion perhaps but have you considered owner building? You do a course so you know what you're doing and will save about 30 per cent. My Dad just owner built his house and thought it was pretty easy. Not sure if you work but if you don't and are available to head to your block a few days a week to receive materials it is totally doable. There is also an owner builder forum on this site. Just thinking of a way you could save money and get what you want. Re: Not happy with house plan? Happy with budget? 54May 31, 2014 6:12 pm My 2c.. don't overstretch - it's just not worth the stress. Also consider what happens if your husband can't get overtime, or worse case gets laid off. If your already stretched to your limits, you leave no wiggle room for yourself. If your so busy stressing over money because you've pushed the limits, it's hard to relax and enjoy life. Maybe this isn't your forever home. Live in it for 2 - 3 years whilst it gains value, then sell and buy/build again? From a floor plan/house design point of view. Don't recognize the names of any builders mentioned so assume your over east. But in WA we often remove finishings or take a lower quality finishing of something that can be upgraded later. For example the first time i built i put in bottom of the range tapware, removed overhead cupboards etc These are things that can all be upgraded when you have some free cash, or if you don't it's not the end of the world. Re: Not happy with house plan? Happy with budget? 55May 31, 2014 7:37 pm Yes not over stretching and living within our means and striking a good balance between needs and wants. In my ideal situation, I just want a floor plan I like and I am happy to have minimal to no upgrades. Most people can't afford the upgrades, I can't afford the floorplan. Lol. I'm definitely not crying poor because so not the case at all. I know I am blessed. Just want a floorplan that works minus all the bells & whistles. Owner/builder probably not at present, I have 3 small children under 5. Haha. Great idea for the future. I'll def be on site though Re: Not happy with house plan? Happy with budget? 56May 31, 2014 8:04 pm joannek Hi Emma. I actually love this topic because I see people overextended and I think you are right to worry about that. I honestly don't know how people afford the houses they buy and build. When I sold my last house the young couple that bought it had a $500 mortgage and didn't earn between them what your husband does. My husband and I have totally downgraded our mortgage and I have to say it feels awesome. This is a really out there suggestion perhaps but have you considered owner building? You do a course so you know what you're doing and will save about 30 per cent. My Dad just owner built his house and thought it was pretty easy. Not sure if you work but if you don't and are available to head to your block a few days a week to receive materials it is totally doable. There is also an owner builder forum on this site. Just thinking of a way you could save money and get what you want. Agree that owner building is fantastic, but the restrictions with lending criteria from the banks... They won't finance an owner build if the LVR is over 60%. They want mega equity straight up. Most first home buyers (unless they are extremely lucky) aren't financially able to put up a 40% deposit plus fees in order to do it... Re: Not happy with house plan? Happy with budget? 57May 31, 2014 8:11 pm I would also suggest waiting. You don't want to end up like my new neighbours who are struggling with building costs and are freaking out about the unexpected cost of having to retain their block on two sides. I haven't had the heart yet to tell them once our build finishes, they'll also have to pay half for fencing. Save your pennies and build the right house in the future. Scaling down or over committing will lead to disappointment and major stress that's just not worth it, in my opinion. Re: Not happy with house plan? Happy with budget? 58May 31, 2014 8:14 pm Fairhaven homes Riverview 266 is similar to the Lindeman Re: Not happy with house plan? Happy with budget? 59May 31, 2014 8:53 pm Basically, from the cheapest house to the most expensive is $32k. Alder 2400 Total fixed $192k (upgraded facade) Alder 2600 Total fixed $205 (upgraded facade) Ascent 2500 Total fixed $208 (upgraded facade) Lindeman 2700 Total fixed $224 (standard facade) (All - Standard inclusions, estate guidelines, Oh&s, council guidelines) A few people have said to me that $32k over the lifetime of a loan is not a lot. But at the lowest I feel like I'm stretching. Thinking of seeing another financial advisor. Lol Re: Not happy with house plan? Happy with budget? 60May 31, 2014 8:54 pm True deluxes. I didn't know the banks viewed owner builds differently but that makes sense. I would wait and save rather than pour money into something I don't love. Brissyguy I know the feeling. If we wanted to put up a new fence we just know we'd have to pay because every time we talk our neighbor she tells us she has run out of money before landscaping. Pretty stressful for her. Coming back to your old stomping grounds, huh? Renovations on a budget can be quite the journey. It's like giving your house a new lease on life. The twist of not knowing… 1 3484 i thought the flipped plan initially but bec i want narrow pathway from entry to dining (dont like bend), also cannot fit the… 7 17286 5 10494 |