Browse Forums Building A New House 1 Apr 16, 2009 1:57 pm BUILT with Homebuyer's Centre - Aussie Alfresco Games viewtopic.php?f=31&t=16668 Moved In - Dec 14th Painting all but done - Jan 11 Front Landscaping - Feb 8 Moved In PICS Page 43 Re: Building with Homebuyers Centre - Perth 2Apr 16, 2009 2:26 pm BUILT with Homebuyer's Centre - Aussie Alfresco Games viewtopic.php?f=31&t=16668 Moved In - Dec 14th Painting all but done - Jan 11 Front Landscaping - Feb 8 Moved In PICS Page 43 Re: Building with Homebuyers Centre - Perth 3Apr 16, 2009 2:28 pm BUILT with Homebuyer's Centre - Aussie Alfresco Games viewtopic.php?f=31&t=16668 Moved In - Dec 14th Painting all but done - Jan 11 Front Landscaping - Feb 8 Moved In PICS Page 43 Re: Building with Homebuyers Centre - Perth 4Apr 16, 2009 2:30 pm BUILT with Homebuyer's Centre - Aussie Alfresco Games viewtopic.php?f=31&t=16668 Moved In - Dec 14th Painting all but done - Jan 11 Front Landscaping - Feb 8 Moved In PICS Page 43 Re: Building with Homebuyers Centre - Perth 5Apr 16, 2009 3:10 pm BUILT with Homebuyer's Centre - Aussie Alfresco Games viewtopic.php?f=31&t=16668 Moved In - Dec 14th Painting all but done - Jan 11 Front Landscaping - Feb 8 Moved In PICS Page 43 Re: Building with Homebuyers Centre - Perth 7Apr 17, 2009 7:32 pm BUILT with Homebuyer's Centre - Aussie Alfresco Games viewtopic.php?f=31&t=16668 Moved In - Dec 14th Painting all but done - Jan 11 Front Landscaping - Feb 8 Moved In PICS Page 43 Re: Building with Homebuyers Centre - Perth 8Apr 17, 2009 7:41 pm Kirsada raked or rolled were the 2 popular choices about 18 years ago.. most people now go for rolled or flush. if they won't let you go raked then pick rolled. At least this means the mortar goes in a little and you do get some "relief" effect. it's just not as deep as with raked. Our brickie said he hadn't done a raked mortar for many years( 7 +) and his apprentice had never done one. Re: Building with Homebuyers Centre - Perth 9Apr 20, 2009 11:32 am Not happy Jan We are still awaiting financial approval and it seems we are stuck in the queue like everybody else.....bring on a second extension for the land Still have NO idea when prestart will be.... We received an email from our sales rep late last week to say that we needed to reduce the size of our "study" a further 120mm. The "study" was previously a home theatre, but due to the fact that our block was only 15metres wide, we had to reduce it (900mm). It seems that it took the builder two attempts to get the measurements right They better have it correct now or I will be very annoyed. Worse still, they credited us $100 for the reduction - unbelievable. Hopefully, this week will be more positive Patience is a virtue I do NOT possess!!!!!!!!! BUILT with Homebuyer's Centre - Aussie Alfresco Games viewtopic.php?f=31&t=16668 Moved In - Dec 14th Painting all but done - Jan 11 Front Landscaping - Feb 8 Moved In PICS Page 43 Re: Building with Homebuyers Centre - Perth 10Apr 20, 2009 1:28 pm I was going with Homebuyers but then a piece of land came up attached to another builder and I'm glad I moved. Not because there was anything wrong with Homebuyers (they were great to me) but because my new builder is fantastic (so far so good!) and very helpful and I LOVE my land. I also love my design. I was going to build an Aussie Alfresco. I'm building something similar but every plan I've seen since from any builder - I prefer mine! I like this "not regretting my choices" thing! I just hope it can continue through prestart! Yes, I'm still waiting for finance approval too. The broker called the bank last Tuesday and I was about 2 days away in the queue (apparently, but let's see how it goes!). Grr! It's very difficult with all these first homebuyers in the market cashing in on the FHOG before June 30 (but hey, I'm one of them!) Will be good to see when we each get approval! My tac-home-ter: Been in 8 months! Re: Building with Homebuyers Centre - Perth 12Apr 20, 2009 1:56 pm [quote="Rex"]I booked my prestart last friday and the soonest they could get us in is 5 weeks away /quote] Oh man...now I know its going to take forever. I am waiting for my plans to be sent to the bank as we have pre approval but they wont lend us the money till they have the plans. I have been waiting probably a month now and the plans still havent been done grrrrrrr. Building with Homebuyers Centre El Questro! My building thread..viewtopic.php?f=31&t=19421 Brickies started 5/10 Re: Building with Homebuyers Centre - Perth 13Apr 20, 2009 6:28 pm Oh the joys of building a new home!!! I have been reading some other people's posts and realised that everybody is struggling with something or someone!!!! annie.s: how funny...our broker called the loan people on last Tuesday too, who told him that our application would be looked at starting from last Friday...lol. I am trying to be positive about everything but I am a little paranoid of being "ripped off" as I too am a FHO and don't really know what is going on!! We haven't had any major problems with HBC, it is just frustrating to wait around!! Where are you building and with who?? rex: 5 weeks to get a prestart interview...OMG. We have had our prestart folder since 22nd March and I was hoping to get it done soon so I don't have to think about colours any more, it is driving me insane The frustrating thing is that I tried to ask our sales rep for a rough idea on timing (weeks, months) and his reply was "Oh, haven't you booked your prestart yet, someone will be in touch with you". lynnebin: I know how you feel...it took us 8 weeks to get the plans to submit for finance (once everyone - us and the builder had signed them), and that was 3 weeks ago. BUILT with Homebuyer's Centre - Aussie Alfresco Games viewtopic.php?f=31&t=16668 Moved In - Dec 14th Painting all but done - Jan 11 Front Landscaping - Feb 8 Moved In PICS Page 43 Re: Building with Homebuyers Centre - Perth 14Apr 20, 2009 6:55 pm kirsada Oh the joys of building a new home!!! I have been reading some other people's posts and realised that everybody is struggling with something or someone!!!! annie.s: how funny...our broker called the loan people on last Tuesday too, who told him that our application would be looked at starting from last Friday...lol. I am trying to be positive about everything but I am a little paranoid of being "ripped off" as I too am a FHO and don't really know what is going on!! We haven't had any major problems with HBC, it is just frustrating to wait around!! Where are you building and with who?? rex: 5 weeks to get a prestart interview...OMG. We have had our prestart folder since 22nd March and I was hoping to get it done soon so I don't have to think about colours any more, it is driving me insane The frustrating thing is that I tried to ask our sales rep for a rough idea on timing (weeks, months) and his reply was "Oh, haven't you booked your prestart yet, someone will be in touch with you". lynnebin: I know how you feel...it took us 8 weeks to get the plans to submit for finance (once everyone - us and the builder had signed them), and that was 3 weeks ago. Kirsada How long did you wait till you heard anything about going in for prestart? It seems to be going so slow and I worry that we will miss out on the 1st homeowners grant. Lucky for us we are pre approved with the bank but HBC asked for the house deposit like straight away which we paid, but hey why is this all taking so long grrrrrrrrr Maybe we should have taken our time giving them the deposit hehe Building with Homebuyers Centre El Questro! My building thread..viewtopic.php?f=31&t=19421 Brickies started 5/10 Re: Building with Homebuyers Centre - Perth 15Apr 20, 2009 7:02 pm lynnebin1968 Kirsada How long did you wait till you heard anything about going in for prestart? It seems to be going so slow and I worry that we will miss out on the 1st homeowners grant. Lucky for us we are pre approved with the bank but HBC asked for the house deposit like straight away which we paid, but hey why is this all taking so long grrrrrrrrr Maybe we should have taken our time giving them the deposit hehe We got pre-approval from Keystart on Jan 30th. We paid $1500 deposit when we signed the preliminary agreement on 30th January. Is that the deposit you mean?? We then signed formal contracts 22nd March then gave back to builder to sign. They then returned them to us on 31st of March. We got our prestart folder on 22nd March and haven't heard when our prestart interview will be. I think as long as you have signed the formal contracts before 30th June you are eligible for the FHOG. BUILT with Homebuyer's Centre - Aussie Alfresco Games viewtopic.php?f=31&t=16668 Moved In - Dec 14th Painting all but done - Jan 11 Front Landscaping - Feb 8 Moved In PICS Page 43 Re: Building with Homebuyers Centre - Perth 16Apr 20, 2009 7:15 pm kirsada lynnebin1968 Kirsada How long did you wait till you heard anything about going in for prestart? It seems to be going so slow and I worry that we will miss out on the 1st homeowners grant. Lucky for us we are pre approved with the bank but HBC asked for the house deposit like straight away which we paid, but hey why is this all taking so long grrrrrrrrr Maybe we should have taken our time giving them the deposit hehe We got pre-approval from Keystart on Jan 30th. We paid $1500 deposit when we signed the preliminary agreement on 30th January. Is that the deposit you mean?? We then signed formal contracts 22nd March then gave back to builder to sign. They then returned them to us on 31st of March. We got our prestart folder on 22nd March and haven't heard when our prestart interview will be. I think as long as you have signed the formal contracts before 30th June you are eligible for the FHOG. Hi Kirsada yes that was the deposit I was talking about. Wow so it really is taking a long time. Did they send you like a folder of colours of the stuff for your kitchen and benches and bricks etc? I guess that would be ok so you wouldn't be so rushed in picking everything we signed preliminary agreement on 7th March so I guess we will be waiting for a while. Building with Homebuyers Centre El Questro! My building thread..viewtopic.php?f=31&t=19421 Brickies started 5/10 Re: Building with Homebuyers Centre - Perth 17Apr 20, 2009 7:33 pm lynnebin1968 Hi Kirsada yes that was the deposit I was talking about. Wow so it really is taking a long time. Did they send you like a folder of colours of the stuff for your kitchen and benches and bricks etc? I guess that would be ok so you wouldn't be so rushed in picking everything we signed preliminary agreement on 7th March so I guess we will be waiting for a while. Yeah, you will be waiting a little bit - sorry When we picked up the contracts we also got the prestart folder. Part of me is happy we haven't had to rush because there are so many things to think about!! I think the best place to start is at the tile shops which are European Ceramics and Crosby Tiles. We liked European Ceramics better. Go and have a look and ask to see the builder's standard range. That will keep you more than busy!!!! You can take samples (some at cost) home to help decide. You can pick your wall, floor and feature tile and also your cupboards (formica) and benchtops (laminex). You need to try and sort out what your colour scheme might be for exterior and interior. This will help narrow down the choices - hopefully!!!! Good luck BUILT with Homebuyer's Centre - Aussie Alfresco Games viewtopic.php?f=31&t=16668 Moved In - Dec 14th Painting all but done - Jan 11 Front Landscaping - Feb 8 Moved In PICS Page 43 Re: Building with Homebuyers Centre - Perth 18Apr 20, 2009 8:05 pm kirsada lynnebin1968 Hi Kirsada yes that was the deposit I was talking about. Wow so it really is taking a long time. Did they send you like a folder of colours of the stuff for your kitchen and benches and bricks etc? I guess that would be ok so you wouldn't be so rushed in picking everything we signed preliminary agreement on 7th March so I guess we will be waiting for a while. Yeah, you will be waiting a little bit - sorry When we picked up the contracts we also got the prestart folder. Part of me is happy we haven't had to rush because there are so many things to think about!! I think the best place to start is at the tile shops which are European Ceramics and Crosby Tiles. We liked European Ceramics better. Go and have a look and ask to see the builder's standard range. That will keep you more than busy!!!! You can take samples (some at cost) home to help decide. You can pick your wall, floor and feature tile and also your cupboards (formica) and benchtops (laminex). You need to try and sort out what your colour scheme might be for exterior and interior. This will help narrow down the choices - hopefully!!!! Good luck Well I really like your choice of colours. We are going charcoal roof for sure with dark benchtops, dunno about the bathrooms though. Carpets is another hard one as I like cream but I know it's not easy to keep clean thanks for the tips though Building with Homebuyers Centre El Questro! My building thread..viewtopic.php?f=31&t=19421 Brickies started 5/10 Re: Building with Homebuyers Centre - Perth 19Apr 20, 2009 8:12 pm I have just picked up my contracts today with the drawings (yay!) but got my prestart file ages ago when I gave them my initial deposit (only $1,000 not $1,500 like at HBC). Today I got good news and bad news. Good news is that I got preapproval (FINALLY) and Keystart interest rates have gone down from 5.24% to 4.99%! Bad news is that I was informed that I couldn't move my house forward by two metres like I was told I could, and this means that my little garden out the back is now even littler! It was just over 5 metres from the back wall to the fenceline and now it's only just over 3 metres I'm so disappointed as this is what really sold it for me. I have two dogs (an big older one and a smaller crazy one) and this is really going to limit their ability to have a good area to play in and not be as tempted to rip up the garden. Now I'm thinking I'll have to fence in the front yard so the little crazy one can run through from the back to the front to expend his energy. I guess I'll have to get used to this disappointment as its only the start and there will probably be more issues and hurdles along the way. Re: colours and prestart, I asked my consultant for the suppliers of everything (some weren't specifically listed in the prestart file) and then went an looked at it all seperately. I'm still going through it all. HomeBase Expo in Subi is awesome, and it has all the samples of Formica / Laminex (etc) there. It's also fantastic for brick selections as they have walls of both Midland and Australs. I've made an appointment with Midland Brick for Wednesday to go in and have someone take me through exterior selections with visualisation software. It's free and it's called Midland Vision. Obviously you have to use their bricks for the visualisation, but they can add tiles, colorbond roofing etc to a plan that is either identical or very similar you yours (apparently they have a lot of the display home designs in their database). When I was perusing the selection room at the builder's office today, I found a file listing every colour and material in each of their display homes. I copied down all the info for the display home I'm building and went to see it this afternoon during opening hours (it was shut though - very annoying!). But I should've just asked for a photocopy. I love my builder, because they just let me roam the selection room for as long as I want and I can take photos, pull everything out of the drawers and whatever else I want. Where are you building Kirsada? I'm SOR down the freeway. My tac-home-ter: Been in 8 months! Re: Building with Homebuyers Centre - Perth 20Apr 20, 2009 8:27 pm Building in Wellard! I love the Aussie Living display homes..been to a few in the last month! I like the colours at the house in Baldivis (Central - i think). My consultant definitely knows who I am, maybe for the wrong reasons, but does seem vague on the particulars of our house. Oh well, never mind! YAY - congrats on the preapproval and OMG I am so glad that Keystart rates have dropped! We are with them too. Too bad about your backyard shrinking Yeah, I liked Homebase expo too The girl at Midland wasn't helpful though...maybe I should have targeted the older one!! The lady at Austral was very helpful so I decided to go with them, for bricks and roof tiles. BUILT with Homebuyer's Centre - Aussie Alfresco Games viewtopic.php?f=31&t=16668 Moved In - Dec 14th Painting all but done - Jan 11 Front Landscaping - Feb 8 Moved In PICS Page 43 Yes well there solution is to blame everyone else while I a 65yr old woman with major medical problems have to just continue to boil water and wash myself in a bucket… 2 16019 If you make sure all taps inside and out are turned off, what does the water meter show if you leave it for a while. 2 20235 13 6632 |