Originally Posted by woody1cruiser (Post 4305923)

Sorry to butt in.

We purchased our block cash. We are on a 457 but application for PR being considered as we talk. I know we have to wait for PR before we can claim the first homebuyers grant but do we also have to wait for the house to be completed or can we claim just on the block? I know it has to be within 12 months so that is why I am fretting a bit as 12 months from buying the block would be a bit tight for time but completion of build would be good.

Debs

Originally Posted by biggy (Post 4306120)

i am in Qld we applied for the first home owners grant thro the bank when we got the mortgage and the money was released and sitting in our mortgage account as soon as we took out the first draw

Originally Posted by glittababe (Post 4303938)

Ahhh dear, well after umming and ahhing over what to do house wise, we've decided to take the plunge (and a mortgage) and build. This is all new to us. We haven't got a clue where to start! We've looked at land, looked at some display homes and we've more or less decided on a company. After securing the land, what then happens? The sales rep for Plantation Homes said we have to be realistic and allow at least 12 mths for a build (start to finish inc all the admin, planning etc). She said financially we have to make sure we can afford the build and 12mths rent - its going to be really tough. The alternative is to buy a house a few years old but we just can't get what we want. We are being slightly fussy but then we left a bloody nice house in the UK that we renovated for 10 yrs! We just don't want to compromise and buy something that needs 'doing up' having been there done that. We don't have savings and will need finance for the whole project. Be grateful of an insight into building, the pitfalls, how much extra to allow etc The house build we're looking at is $225,000, land $199,000 gently sloping so will need extra groundworks/reinforcements of up to $30,000 (just a quote tho).

Originally Posted by woody1cruiser (Post 4306669)

I know what you mean on that score. We are also in a brand new rental and a single power sockt in the cinema room is a joke. There is also only one aerial socket in the whole house and one telephone socket. We have extension leads going everywhere. Also, there is no light in the corridor between the living area and the boys bedrooms at the back. Means turning on all the other lights along the way to see where you are going at night (laundry, bathroom, study).

We have definitely learnt from this and made many adjustments on our new build. We were aware of the way the builders 'sting' you for things like that and planned very carefully.

Debs

Originally Posted by cresta57 (Post 4306242)

I think it must depend upon the individual lender/finance company as we were able to claim ours as soon as we'd made the first stage payment. Some friends of ours had to wait for a completion certificate before they could get theirs though.:confused:

Originally Posted by woody1cruiser (Post 4304618)

We were faced with this as well. When we realised you have to pay stamp duty on houses, we decided to go for our own build. We have bought an 1100 ($230k) block and having a 255 sqm house built on it ($202k after prestart).

We know we will be paying rent and mortgage at the same time but decided, at the end, we will have what we want and like you, we couldn't find anything that had large bedrooms for the boys.

Good luck

Debs

Originally Posted by woody1cruiser (Post 4306853)

It will be worth it. Houses in the area that we have looked for on 800 sqm blocks are not we want (priced at over $500k). The build we have picked is a 255 sqm which is a lot larger than ones we have seen and the house is the way we want it. That includes the bedrooms for the boys being 4sqm and a spa bath in the ensuite.

As others have stated before, we are on an interest only mortgage and I was sponsored with my job. Hubby has managed to get a night job so it fits in with the kids and we haven't broken into his wages yet so finances are no worries.

At the end of the day, we have made it out here (which was against what most wanted us to do) so we may as well have the house we want.

Debs

Originally Posted by glittababe (Post 4307006)

You are in the same boat as us!!! Off work this week so will put 100% into finding out where we need to start! Its little things we need to know like who pays and submits the planning application? Do we pay for it or do Plantation Homes? Why is soil testing $1000 and whats with checking the land for mines!

Originally Posted by glittababe (Post 4307006)

You are in the same boat as us!!! Off work this week so will put 100% into finding out where we need to start! Its little things we need to know like who pays and submits the planning application? Do we pay for it or do Plantation Homes? Why is soil testing $1000 and whats with checking the land for mines!

Originally Posted by cresta57 (Post 4307191)

Soil tests should be included in your quote, ours were $600 and done by a guy from down your way.
Mines is just routine here as there was so much gold mining and prospecting between Gympie and Noosa, don't worry about it.
Do a forum search on Plantation Homes!