We purchased a 585 square metre block in Landsdale WA (Corimbia Estate) last year which is located opposite bushland. We quickly picked our builder and then came the time-consuming process of design, selection, pre-start, etc. Despite having a pretty high pre-approval from the bank, they rejected our loan application due to the house being "inferior". ie: They wouldn't lend us the money as we had opted for a smaller three bedroom home rather than something huge. It was pretty heart-breaking.
So we went back to the drawing board with our builder and adapted one of their designs - the Santa Monica - to suit us (we were pretty fussy clients but they remained lovely and polite throughout.) We both like the end result - the plan is bigger than we'd hoped for and probably not quite as well thought through as our previous design (which couldn't be altered unfortunately), but we like that the master bedroom isn't at the front of the house (as we'll be on a slightly busier road), the office (Bed 4) where I'll spend most of my days working overlooks the bushland across the road and the living, dining, alfresco will face north and get all that lovely winter sunshine!

Even better - this time around the bank APPROVED our loan application!!! So it's now all systems go and I plan on indulging myself and posting here as much as possible! Pics to follow shortly.
TIMELINE:
8th April: Loan approved (FINALLY!)
19th April: Block cleared
22nd April: Pre-lay work done
26th April: SLABBED
22nd June: Brickwork complete
13th July: Colorbond moment (Roof on)
24th August: Lock-up
31st October: Pre-Completion Inspection