Buying vs self build
Apr 21st 2006, 1:19 pm
#1
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Joined: Oct 2005
Location: Near Buckingham UK, but moving to Adelaide in February 2006.
Posts: 26
Buying vs self build
We've been in SA for over 8 weeks now and must have looked at hundreds of properties - can't find exactly what we want - the dream is out there but elusive! 
Still can't make up our minds about which area to settle in. We've been concentrating on the Adelaide Hills area and are looking for:
An area with a strong community and friendly neighbourhoods; Good schooling - junior primary level, state preferably; Good plot size (min 1 acre); within 30 mins drive of a beach and to CBD for work.
We wondered about Coromandel Valley as that looked very nice. Any other suggestions greatly appreciated.
We've also started to look at self build - any hints and tips from anyone? Any good developers/builders to recommend? We've heard of Samalex and Marshall Thompson - any stories on these? Does it work out cheaper here than buying an existing place - is this a worthwhile investment over say 2-3 years? Property is generally a reasonable bet over the longer term but just in case it doesn't work out and we go home, we don't want to be stuck trying to sell or sell at a big loss obviously.
By the way, we're not having a great time at the moment. Please tell us it gets better!!!!
And what's with this weather?! 
Still can't make up our minds about which area to settle in. We've been concentrating on the Adelaide Hills area and are looking for:An area with a strong community and friendly neighbourhoods; Good schooling - junior primary level, state preferably; Good plot size (min 1 acre); within 30 mins drive of a beach and to CBD for work.
We wondered about Coromandel Valley as that looked very nice. Any other suggestions greatly appreciated.
We've also started to look at self build - any hints and tips from anyone? Any good developers/builders to recommend? We've heard of Samalex and Marshall Thompson - any stories on these? Does it work out cheaper here than buying an existing place - is this a worthwhile investment over say 2-3 years? Property is generally a reasonable bet over the longer term but just in case it doesn't work out and we go home, we don't want to be stuck trying to sell or sell at a big loss obviously.
By the way, we're not having a great time at the moment. Please tell us it gets better!!!!
And what's with this weather?!
Apr 21st 2006, 2:58 pm
#2
Forum Regular
Joined: Mar 2006
Location: Rugby UK
Posts: 41
Re: Buying vs self build
Originally Posted by Sian & Paul
We've been in SA for over 8 weeks now and must have looked at hundreds of properties - can't find exactly what we want - the dream is out there but elusive! Still can't make up our minds about which area to settle in. We've been concentrating on the Adelaide Hills area and are looking for:
An area with a strong community and friendly neighbourhoods; Good schooling - junior primary level, state preferably; Good plot size (min 1 acre); within 30 mins drive of a beach and to CBD for work.
We wondered about Coromandel Valley as that looked very nice. Any other suggestions greatly appreciated.
We've also started to look at self build - any hints and tips from anyone? Any good developers/builders to recommend? We've heard of Samalex and Marshall Thompson - any stories on these? Does it work out cheaper here than buying an existing place - is this a worthwhile investment over say 2-3 years? Property is generally a reasonable bet over the longer term but just in case it doesn't work out and we go home, we don't want to be stuck trying to sell or sell at a big loss obviously.
By the way, we're not having a great time at the moment. Please tell us it gets better!!!! And what's with this weather?!
Still can't make up our minds about which area to settle in. We've been concentrating on the Adelaide Hills area and are looking for:An area with a strong community and friendly neighbourhoods; Good schooling - junior primary level, state preferably; Good plot size (min 1 acre); within 30 mins drive of a beach and to CBD for work.
We wondered about Coromandel Valley as that looked very nice. Any other suggestions greatly appreciated.
We've also started to look at self build - any hints and tips from anyone? Any good developers/builders to recommend? We've heard of Samalex and Marshall Thompson - any stories on these? Does it work out cheaper here than buying an existing place - is this a worthwhile investment over say 2-3 years? Property is generally a reasonable bet over the longer term but just in case it doesn't work out and we go home, we don't want to be stuck trying to sell or sell at a big loss obviously.
By the way, we're not having a great time at the moment. Please tell us it gets better!!!!
And what's with this weather?! Hiya have a look at Hickinbotham homes if your wanting to build they have really nice homes. Hopefully we will be back there soon as Im originally from Adelaide we want to be closer to the beach though and we are hoping to build at Seaford as there is a new development there thru Hickinbotham called the coast at Seaford or even Aldinga walking distance to the beach at the development called The Sundays or something like that
Apr 21st 2006, 4:41 pm
#3
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Joined: Dec 2003
Location: Adelaide - South Australia
Posts: 1,820
Re: Buying vs self build
Try asking here. Possibly more likely to get more relevant replies.
http://s2.invisionfree.com/Adelaidebrits/
http://s2.invisionfree.com/Adelaidebrits/
Apr 22nd 2006, 4:06 pm
#4
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Joined: Oct 2005
Location: Near Buckingham UK, but moving to Adelaide in February 2006.
Posts: 26
Re: Buying vs self build
Originally Posted by Trace&Steve
Hiya have a look at Hickinbotham homes if your wanting to build they have really nice homes. Hopefully we will be back there soon as Im originally from Adelaide we want to be closer to the beach though and we are hoping to build at Seaford as there is a new development there thru Hickinbotham called the coast at Seaford or even Aldinga walking distance to the beach at the development called The Sundays or something like that
Thanks for that - will look into it.
Apr 22nd 2006, 4:07 pm
#5
Just Joined
Thread Starter
Joined: Oct 2005
Location: Near Buckingham UK, but moving to Adelaide in February 2006.
Posts: 26
Re: Buying vs self build
Originally Posted by marco121068
Try asking here. Possibly more likely to get more relevant replies.
http://s2.invisionfree.com/Adelaidebrits/
http://s2.invisionfree.com/Adelaidebrits/
Yep - keep forgetting about that - will do.
Apr 22nd 2006, 6:56 pm
#6
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 8,147
Re: Buying vs self build
search for posts by robert cowan, he's started a thread just about self-builds, also look at Boomie s thread on her house currently being built in thornlands (bris).
so, whats the weather like there??
sue x
so, whats the weather like there??
sue x
