For any budding acreage builders out there, any dreamers in the UK – bookmark this thread! Roll up! Roll up! (etc etc).

We have been searching for a property almost since we arrived in Australia, a home for our family for the next 20-30 years. We wanted somewhere to bring up our children that when they had gone to Uni etc, they could still call “home”.

After months of looking round houses and not finding anything that both of us liked enough to buy, we came to the conclusion we would have to build. This wasn’t something we particularly wanted to do, the experiences of other people we know who have built houses have been interesting and challenging, however we’ve now made the decision to do this, so we’ll go at it enthusiastically.

We have purchased a block of land in the South-Eastern suburbs of Melbourne. We wanted a large garden for our family, so we’ve had to buy in a different area than we were originally looking, however we have ended up with, believe it or not, over 1.5 acres!!! The block also has distant views of the CBD, the Dandenong hills and a sliver of the Bay, some of which can be seen in this photo –







The block is divided into three parts, governed by covenants. On the third nearest the road, you can build your house. On the middle third, you can build anything except a house eg shed, pool etc. The rear third must be left as native bush, you can plant there, but it must be native plants, and you can’t clear it. This suits us fine. To the rear of the block is not zoned residential or industrial and is not likely to be in the foreseeable future if the local council’s planning department is to be believed.

Here is the view to the rear (our block finishes at the tree in the centre).







Here’s a picture from near the rear of the block looking back up it, the house to the left is next door and the one in the middle is across the street. The large tree is at the other boundary.







You might notice the main challenge with this block – it has a hill in the middle of the building envelope. This is both a problem and an advantage – a problem in so far as the building costs will increase because of the hill (we had a quote of $50,000 to remove it, which we’re not going to do!), an advantage in that it will lift the house up another 3 metres and capitalize on the views.

We’ve had soil tests done (photo of man doing soil tests below)






and there’s no major issues – now we have to start working on a plan for the house.

We’re aiming to be in for Christmas (2008!)

We’ll keep this thread updated with progress, although I suspect there won’t be too much for several months.

Anyone who has any advice or suggestions – please let us know, and anyone who wishes to benefit from our upcoming experiences, bookmark this thread!

Onwards………this is going to be interesting……….

Buzzy

Good luck with your build. The block looks lovely

Fab block Buzzy. Good luck with the build. Are you going with a build company with ready done plans or finding an Artichoke to doing something just for that block?

All the very best ...great view. It looks even further south than Frankston. It's lovely down that part

It will have to be a bespoke house, exactly how bespoke we are going to spend the next few weeks deciding. Might be an architect, more likely to be an architectural draughtsman/woman.

Buzzy

Which suburb is it S ?

I was thinking Berwick/Beaconsfield way

Rachel

I'll keep the suburb quiet I think if you don't mind, don't want to publish too many specific details in the public eye, however will PM anyone who asks.

Buzzy

Ooh, fab. This is sort of thing we would like to do.

We lived in rural place in the UK and kids loved the space and freedom.

Definatly recommend it for those who have kids.

Is land reasonable in this part of OZ? Not being nosey but we feel we may be overpriced in WA.

Looking forward to your updates.
Are you going for traditional or modern style of property?

GEMS

Good to see what you eventually bought! Good luck and keep us up to date.

Fantastic, cant wait to see more pictures. All the best

You wouldn't see the CBD from there(!) It's a good choice BB.

Apparently the view of the city at night is fantastic - the only time I went up there after dark it was foggy/raining and couldn't see much. We were thinking of going up there New Year's Eve and watching the fireworks!

Buzzy

We might join you and have a little sit-in. Glass of plonk.

I thought you could from the higher parts of Berwick - oh well... You get some great views of the CBD from the hillside houses here - we just look into the bush.