New House & Land

Spring

new House&Land September 2012

incorporating Shepparton region’s builders and land developers

BONUS: Adding a Splash of Colour Spring Garden p. 15

Finding the right home p. 13

Tips of the trade INSIDE

INSIDE:

Family Lifestyle Beckons p.7

Consulting services, new home construction and you p.10

The Freedom of Innovation p.8 proudly brought to you by

new House&Land September 2012

The solar energy rush to beat rising electricity prices COST EFFECTIVE SOLAR SOLUTIONS… Live Solar have been providing cost effective solar solutions for families throughout Victoria for the past four years. Photo: Alicia Zeqir.

Page 2 – The Adviser, New House & Land – September 2012

VICTORIANS considering going solar should note there have been instances in the past where solar incentives in Australia have been subject to “sudden death” announcements, providing little or no notice of changes. According to Live Solar Sales Manager, Jonathan Rigg, even when notice is given, many choose to leave acquiring a solar power system until the last minute, causing a rush that results in some missing out as solar providers become overwhelmed with enquiries.

“Victorians have enduring two major electricity price hikes in the past 12 months, making the case for switching to solar grow stronger. By the end of March this year, approximately 128,013 solar panel systems were installed in the state.

“A good quality entry-level 3W solar power system can generate a considerable saving in your electricity bill. For example, in a region like Melbourne, can generate a saving of $1,140 in financial benefits annually and a 5kW system approximately $1,900 in savings a year.”

Live Solar advises that Victorians wanting to secure a system ahead of any possible changes should call the company’s solar hotline on 1800 200 355 for further information.

A guaranteed 6 - 8c credit or payment for surplus solar electricity generated, if part of the final recommendation and implemented, would be far less than what is available to households acquiring a system now (25c per kilowatt hour + up to 8c electricity retailer contribution). However the long term savings and having an alternate solution to combat the continual price hike of power over the next 5 years in Victoria is highly recommended in installing a solar system on your house.

Eligible households signing up the current Transitional Feed-in Tariff (TFiT) program before any changes come into effect will receive the guaranteed rate until the end of 2016.

For more information on how Live Solar can help you, phone 0435 821 258 or visit www.livesolar.com.au

new House&Land September 2012

Making your house a home LOCALLY owned and operated building company, Sessions Builders pride themselves on being a progressive local company backed by more than 56 years combined building experience. The team promise quality workmanship, which they deliver with the help of local trades people, many of whom have been working with Sessions Builders since they commenced in 1985.

In 2000, Sessions Builders began their association with award winning and well respected Australian builders, Glennvill Homes.

Sessions Builders were also named HIA award winners in 2010 and 2011, recently taking out the 2012 HIA North Easter Victoria Regional Housing Awards under the categories of North Eastern Victoria Display Home of the Year for the Vista 363, Display Homes between $305,001 to $500,000 for the Vista 363, North Easter Victoria Town House Villa Development for 32-38 St Georges Road, Shepparton and Custom Built Home between $350,001 to $500,000 category, and runner-up for Custom Built Home up to $350,000.

Together, this association has provided members of the Goulburn Valley a wider range of designs and greater choice in products whilst retaining the local community connection, which Sessions Builders consider so important.

Founders, Tim and David Sessions say, “Supporting the local community is very important to us. We choose to use local suppliers for our homes, which in turn generates money back into the local community and supports the local economy. And this is also of great benefit to us and to our clients because our suppliers are available for prompt after sales service.

“We offer the greatest level of flexibility. Our clients can choose to build to one of our extensive range of designs, which can easily be altered or they can choose us to build their own design, the choice is theirs. We also provide an in house drafting service which enables us to design and create a home exactly to the specific needs of our clients.

“Our homes also come with a fixed price contract with an assured quality finish. Quality, high standard homes completed to the satisfaction of our clients is what we strive for every time and we work with our clients every step of the way to ensure this happens.”

Sessions Builders are your local family builders with a reputation for quality. For more information, contact the team at 228-234 High Street, Shepparton or phone 5831 5226.

Tips of the trade Local builder benefits THERE are many benefits to choosing a local builder for your new home’s construction. Local builders won’t leave town when the work dries up, they are there for the long hall and this is especially represented in reputable local builders.

Local builders know the best local contractors and trades and they deal directly with the client throughout the entire process. By supporting your local builders, you also support your local suppliers, which further stimulates the economy and keeps the community thriving. Local builders live in the towns which they work, we walk around the streets and we shop in the local stores, we take pride in the quality of our work because we are proud to be a part of the local community.

Sessions Builders Sales Manager, Rocco Iaria

The Adviser, New House & Land – September 2012 – Page 3

new House&Land September 2012

Your complete new home package

LOCALLY owned and operated, Monteleone Homes pride themselves in specialising in building quality and affordable homes throughout Shepparton and the surrounding region.

With their quality finishes and above standard inclusions, Monteleone homes have pieced together a number of House and Land packages throughout the area, giving you a fantastic quality and affordable complete product, and making the process of selecting a house and block simpler and better suited for their buyer.

Rob Monteleone said, “We have carefully selected some of the region’s most popular and prominent new estates to feature in our new house and land packages.

“Properties include The Boulevard in Shepparton with House and Land for $359,280, Northlinks Tatura for $239,900 and Lake View Estate Mooroopna for $237,000 to mention a few.

“We’ve also put a lot of time and effort into new home designs and inclusions to suit each individual property and to appeal to the needs of new home buyers.”

Monteleone Homes is also known for their high quality of inclusions, which come with each of their homes as standard.

House and Land package inclusions feature -carpets and tiles throughout - double garage with automatic panel lift door - Blanco cooking appliances - Blanco dishwasher - Blanco sink - heating and cooling - heat lamps to bathroom and ensuite - downlights throughout living areas - television and telephone points - three coat Haymes premium paint finish to internal walls - Gainsborough lever door handles - aluminium windows with keyed locks throughout - insect screens to windows and doors - semi frameless shower screens - toilet roll holders and towel rails – driveway - Colorbond fascia, gutter and downpipes - concrete to alfresco - and much more.

To enquire about House and Land packages or for more information on inclusions, speak to the team at Monteleone Homes, contact Bronwyn Yze at 14 New Dookie Road, Shepparton or phone 5831 5920.

Tips of the trade Smoke and mirrors One of the best ways to establish an idea of what you want in your new home is to visit any of the number of display homes open to the public, this gives you a tangible idea of what your new home could look like, but don’t be fooled by smoke and mirrors.

Display homes are carefully and artistically decorated to romanticise the home’s design, you need to look past this and look at the quality of the finish and what you are actually getting in your fixed price contract, better known as the inclusions.

You need to know what is actually included in your price and what you will have to pay additional money for at the end of your contract. Flyscreens? Roll holders and towel rails? How many coats of paint are included on internal walls? Hot water service? Concrete to Alfresco or Portico areas? Ceiling battens? Brick in-fills? Heating and/or cooling? These may seem like small items, but at the end of the build they can add up to a large extras bill.

Shop around and compare fixed price contracts versus inclusions to ascertain who is offering the best quality and the best price.

Monteleone Homes, Rob Monteleone Page 4 – The Adviser, New House & Land – September 2012

new House&Land September 2012

Brand new stage release

Provides exclusive golf course frontage HIGHLY regarded local lifestyle estate, Northlinks in Tatura is continuing to grow on their well earned reputation of offering choice for all stages of life, after announcing the release of Stage 5 of their masterplan estate during the week.

The 14 lot Stage 5 release offers a variety of residential living options as well as a number of blocks offering exclusive golf course views.

Stage 5 is currently selling off the plan with pre-release pricing discounts of $5,000 still available, prices start from $79,900 with golf course frontage blocks starting

from $114,500.

Project Manager, Paul Ranson says, “The release of Stage 5 is a particularly exciting stage of the development for us because it is the first stage released since our masterplan’s revamp.

“Due to the popularity of Northlinks and in particularly the popularity of its proximity to the Tatura Hilltop Golf Course, we concluded some months ago to undertake a revamp of our original masterplan so as to further integrate the estate into the golf course.

“The fully integrated masterplan has been meticulously re-created and is now available for viewing on our website at www.northlinkstatura.com.au, this is another exciting step forward to realising the full potential of this beautiful and unique lifestyle estate.”

For more information about Northlinks Tatura or to view the newly released Stage 5, visit www. northlinkstatura.com.au or enquire with the appointed agents – Brett Creighton of Rural Co on 5824 2300 or Sharon Mutimer of Chilcott Real Estate on 5824 8200.

The Adviser, New House & Land – September 2012 – Page 5

new House&Land Cabinetry September 2012

Knowing your options LOCALLY owned and operated, GV Cut ‘n Ready provide a complete kitchen and cabinetry service to homes throughout the Goulburn Valley.

Proprietor and qualified Cabinet Maker, Clint Moore has more than 20 years of experience in the industry and together with his long-term team of experienced and knowledgeable staff, provide a one-stop cabinetry service.

GV Cut ‘n Ready specialise in three main areas of cabinetry options designed to cater to the specific needs of their clients: Flat-packs – This ‘do-it-yourself’ options allows for clients who want to have a go at putting the cabinetry together themselves without a installer. Flat-packs come ready to assemble and can be an excellent way for home builders on a budget to save some extra money.

Cut-and-build – Similar to Flat-packs, Cut-and-build systems allow for ‘do-it-yourself’ installation and cost savings. Cut-and-build systems are already built modular cabinets ready to simply pick up and install, with no assembly required.

Build and install – For a complete, no fuss installation, the build and install option provides a complete service from design and consultation through to construction and installation including plumbing and electrical. All of the work is done for you.

GV Cut ‘n Ready specialise in the design and functionality of their kitchens coupled with experienced craftsmanship and quality materials.

The team offer a complete service from design and colour consulting to construction, install and completion including optional appliance packages so you needn’t go anywhere else.

For the kitchen of your dreams, modern, contemporary, classic or custom, contact the friendly and experienced team at GV Cut ‘n Ready, 17c Mitchell Street, Shepparton, phone 5822 4344 or visit www.gvcutnready.com.au

Don’t let building costs break your budget BUILDING your new home is an expensive exercise, there’s no denying it and it’s important that you don’t under-estimate the costs involved.

The main costs and perhaps the most obvious ones are the cost of your land and the cost of your home and its construction. Some of the less obvious costs relate to finishing touches like floor coverings, window coverings, new furniture and electrical appliances, outside features, landscaping, driveway, utility connections, insurances etc.

House and Land packages can often be a helpful solution for families with time or budget restrictions because all of the shopping around is done for you and the costs are included in the price, but you still need to carefully check over your contract to see what additional costs you will need to consider.

Establishing a budget and working within it is key. You don’t want to get to the end of the building process and discover you have a beautiful new home with no money left over for furniture, furnishings, gardens, insurance or telephone connection!

If you are new to the game then shop around, speak to the building professionals, they do this for a living and are more than happy to help with advice and to answer any questions you may have. Make a list and add items to it as they pop up to ensure you maintain a thorough idea of where you are at and where you are heading within your budget.

If your budget is tight, then careful planning and equally careful spending is the answer.

Instead of going overboard on pretty tapware and fancy fittings, reserve your costs for items which offer long term savings like efficient lighting, heating and cooling, solar panels and items which will make your regular household budget manageable.

Building a home is a very special experience for you and your family, with careful planning and budgeting it will be one that you will enjoy and remember for years to come.

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The Adviser, New House & Land – September 2012 – Page 7

new House&Land September 2012

The freedom of innovation MODERN KITCHEN DESIGN… Liberty Kitchens has the latest design features for a space effective, functional and beautiful new kitchen, laundry, office workspace, or any of your household cabinetry requirements. Photo: Alicia Zeqir.

SEAMLESS creativity and innovation are leading the way in modern kitchen design today and here in Shepparton, the team at Liberty Kitchens provide your complete perspective when it comes to design, functionality and space saving inclusions.

Liberty Kitchens Head Sales Person, Dawn Rayner said, “Clean lines and minimalist features including handle-less furniture is becoming more and more popular in modern homes, particularly in the kitchen.

“The creativity and innovation in design elements of the kitchen have been made even more popular by modern day design magazines, with people putting a lot of time and effort in to researching their inclusions.

“Here at Liberty Kitchens, we work with all of the latest design elements available on the market and can help you make sense of the maze of products and space saving solutions versus costs and your budget.”

The team at Liberty Kitchens are currently undergoing a complete makeover of their showroom, which is expected to be completed very soon. The brand new showroom and office space incorporates all of the latest design features for a space effective, functional and beautiful new kitchen, laundry, office workspace, or any of your household cabinetry requirements.

“One of the most popular new design elements which we’ve included in the new showroom is automatic open doors, draws and cupboards, which are not only aesthetically seamless, but silent and effortless to open and close.

“With a simple light touch even the heaviest draw will open by itself and when closing, the system is built with an automatic anti slam runner for smooth operation.”

For more information on any of the innovative inclusions or to speak to the professional team at Liberty Kitchens visit 60 Williams Road, Shepparton or phone 5831 2620.

The future of home design is here

EVOLUTION OF HOME DESIGN… A shift in the way new home owners are visualising their individual home style and layout design is seeing them opt for a simpler and more casual direction. Photo: Supplied

OVER the last five to ten years there has been a shift in the way new home owners are visualising their individual home style and layout designs, opting for a simpler and more casual direction.

The design elements that make up the modern day home are taking on a more informal look and feel, where formal living spaces are being reduced and replaced with a rumpus room and large alfresco area. The location of the master bedroom is also changing with the times, now more commonly being found at the rear of the home rather than at the front as has been seen 10 years ago. Galley kitchens are also a big hit in the modern home including a wide, flat bench top. The size of a child’s bedroom is increasing in size, usually being set at 3.3m x 3.6m and include a walk-in-robe.

Features in the modern day bathroom or ensuite are also simplifying to create a cleaner, crisp look with minimal glass used for the shower.

Building Designer at Bruce Mactier Building Designers, Bruce Mactier said, “There has been a general trend away from the two acre block and another thing that is becoming popular is the property’s energy rating. We are seeing more and more Waffle System concrete floors installed, wall and ceiling insulation and closer management of the amount of glass used throughout the house to reduce heat loss.

“What we are seeing more now is a decorative approach to the outside of the house, where a modern elements of roof design and earthy colours are being used to give a more fashionable finish to the residence.

“When it comes to urban or acreage living, it is all about the individuals lifestyle preference.

There is a trend now more so toward urban design lots as less maintenance is required and it fits in with peoples busier lifestyle,” Mr Mactier said.

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The Adviser, New House & Land – September 2012 – Page 9

new House&Land September 2012

Colour me Spring!

IF you are looking for the latest fresh new colours for your new home then the 2012 interior spring colour palette can provide you with plenty of inspiration. Spring colours for 2012 focus on beautiful, uplifting shades such as bold yellows, jewel tones, inky blues and soft pretty pastels. These colours will invigorate your living spaces, bringing light and warmth to your home.

Brighten your home with bold yellow and jewel tones on walls and in accessories.

These warm colours are inspiring and will add energy to your living spaces.

In keeping with the colours of the season, beautiful soft pastels are making a comeback this spring. Mint green, pale yellows and lavender shades will add pops of pretty colour to a neutral scheme.

Why not make a statement and go dark. Deep denim blues and warm shades of grey based neutrals are re-emerging. Try using a gorgeous deep blue to transform a lifeless space into an elegant feature. Accessorise with crisp white bed linen and natural textures for an easy to live with colour scheme.

Accessories are an inexpensive way to add seasonal trend colours into your colour schemes. Incorporate a textured rug on your floor, a knitted throw on your couch, or a selection of textured cushions in trend colours around the room.

Tips of the trade Painting Made Easy At Paint Place Sometimes a splash of colour is all you need to bring a room to life. Paint Place has created a range of forecast colours, the ‘Fun House’ collection from their New Look range helps to take the guesswork out of colour schemes for your living areas. The range includes the top ten ‘trend’ colours, allowing you to easily create an new look for your home.

As paint specialists, Paint Place can help you with colour matching and colour scheme advice as well as practical advice and tips to guide you through the job. They can also supply you with approved painters to quote and help with ensuring you have the right paint and equipment for the job. Paint Place stock all of the major brands including Dulux, Wattyl, Taubmans, Haymes and Solver and New Look. To find your nearest store call 1800 008 007 or visit paintplace.com.au.

Consulting services, new home construction and you LOCAL consulting professionals, Chris Smith & Associates play a pivotal role in supporting local builders across the Goulburn Valley, with their range of services designed specifically with a customer focus in mind.

The firm’s extensive experience and knowledge of the local area have earned them a reputation as trusted and diligent professionals.

Managing Director, Chris Smith said, “Time is precious, particularly in the building industry and to meet the demands of new home builders in this day and age, builders rely on the efficient and accurate implementation of services and that’s where we come into it. By ensuring fast and accurate service, we are ensuring you, the home owner, enjoy the best possible outcome every time.”

Chris Smith & Associates main areas of support comprise of the following: Planning Permits - A Planning Permit should not be confused with a building permit.

Planning permits relate to the zoning of the land and whether or not the land may be used for residential or commercial development. Even though not all projects require a Planning Permit, in the instances where one is required it must be issued prior to a Building Permit.

Subdivision – Subdividing a property is an intricate process, it can be very involved.

Often it requires a Planning Permit along with the submission and certification of formal plans and if a Planning Permit is required, proposed boundaries, existing buildings, dams, fill areas, site levels, drainage lines and significant vegetation also needs to be mapped and noted.

Drainage Design – Provision of adequate drainage around properties can not only protect property infrastructure, but it can also allow for greater water efficiency for lawn and garden areas whether for individual properties or large scale developments.

Title Re-establishment – The process of re-establishing an original Title involves comparing the original survey with a field survey, taking into account artificial features such as survey pegs and other survey marks, fences and building corners, which may still be in existence or traced through more recent surveys. The process can often be quite difficult, but is important for re-sale or infrastructure values.

Construction Set Out – Construction Set Outs are carried out before any building work or concreting is undertaken at the very beginning of new home construction. This is the most important stage of building your new home because the Set Out determines your Page 10 – The Adviser, New House & Land – September 2012

CONSULTING PROFESSIONALS… From left, Chris Smith & Associates Manager Planning, Gary Steigenberger, Managing Director, Chris Smith, Manager Surveying, Graeme Follett and Manager Engineering, Chris Mepham. Photo: Alicia Zeqir.

home’s positioning and dimensions on the block itself.

So why not have your builder contact the friendly, experienced team at Chris Smith & Associates by phoning 5820 7700 or logon to www.csmith.com.au to see how they can help you.

new House&Land September 2012

HeritageTailored charm to your requirements

OLD WORLD CLASS… From the ‘Victorian Traditional’ series, this style of home is indicative of the classic Victorian and early Federation homes produced by Harkaway Homes. Photo: Supplied

POPULAR new home builders, Harkaway Homes have built a reputation as an industry leader setting the benchmark for Australian reproduction housing since 1986.

The Harkaway Homes difference is their firm belief in the important role the aesthetics of each and every home plays in retaining the beauty and ‘old world’ charm of a bygone era.

The façade of a Harkaway Home is unmistakable, preserving the character of Classic Victorian and Early Federation Homes, with beautiful designs featuring all of the charm of yesteryear.

High ceilings and sweeping verandahs, gabled rooflines, vintage lacework and incorporated heritage features all work together to create an authentic and timeless appeal. All of these trademark features have been carefully planned to create a home which meets the high energy efficiency standards expected on the market today.

Perhaps one of the most appealing aspects of a Harkaway Home is the flexibility of design. Each plan is 100 percent flexible to the needs of the client which comes under their motto of ‘tailored to your requirements’ design.

They offer quality construction packages to the lock-up stage. These packages include many choices of products including types of windows, leadlight etc. And most Harkaway Homes clients choose to build as Project Managers or registered Owner Builders which allows them to have all of the work performed by subcontractors. Harkaway Homes highly recommends this process and heavily supports the construction with overview, advice and subcontractor networks working closely with the client’s own tradesmen.

Harkaway Homes have an excellent reputation both with their clients and within the housing industry. Their success is firmly based on highly trained, dedicated staff offering strong customer service and support. The Harkaway Homes team offer six days a week advice line with complete overview of the entire construction.

The Adviser, New House & Land – September 2012 – Page 11

new House&Land September 2012

Getting the most out of your land SUCCESSFUL DEVELOPMENT BEGINS WITH A LAND SURVEY… Having a consulting surveyor carry out a land survey of your development block will help you achieve the best possible layout of your home and its surrounds, to ensure you get the perfect use out of your slice of paradise. Photo: Alicia Zeqir.

SECURING your own block of land is the beginning of the construction of a new residential property but before jumping into the building process, it is wise to begin with a land survey.

A consulting surveyor will be able to provide you with the relevant details to achieve the best possible layout of your home and its surrounds to ensure you get the perfect use out of your slice of paradise.

Surveyors play an integral role in land development, from planning and design through to the final construction of utilities and landscaping and will be able to provide accurate measurements to map out the surrounding environment. Other important aspects that land surveying can provide include mapping out the best location for trees and gardens as well as other structures and will be able to help determine the height of the land relative to flood levels to ensure the safety of your property during a flooding event.

Sometimes on new projects the title boundaries of the property need to be established.

This is particularly important so that new buildings are set out on site in the correct position and is even more critical when a new wall is being constructed on the common title boundary with a neighbouring property.

By law, only a Licenced Surveyor is authorised to undertake a Title Re-establishment Survey.

Surveying Manager and Licenced Surveyor from Chris Smith & Associates, Graeme Follett said, “The first point of call when you are looking to develop or build on a property should be a consulting surveyor, so that process of development can be planned out correctly.

“It is crucial to get the correct data to begin with or the whole project can run off the rails,” Mr Follett said.

Location, location, location

Location – The suburb, neighbourhood or street are always important and based on you and your family’s immediate and future needs, should always be the first consideration. How far will you have to travel to work, school, sporting commitments, shopping precincts, friends and family? These may all be things you’ll need to consider.

Orientation – The direction the block faces will directly affect your home’s design, the location of living areas to best utilise the sun’s natural light and warmth and how your home will look and feel. Ideally the best orientation for solar passive design, maximum comfort and energy efficiency is to have the northern side on the longest boundary or to the rear of the block. This will allow you to take advantage of the sites natural light and makes for more cost effective ongoing running costs of the home.

Contours – Any falls or rises on the block will impact on the design and overall building costs, sometimes adding considerable dollars and detracting from the useable area of the site. Any slope on the site must be addressed by design and the severity of the slope, either up or down from front to back (or side to side) must be retained in some way to create a level building area for the home and for the remaining outdoor areas. This is not a setback, slopes can add considerable character to the presentation of your home, but it can also add considerable cost too.

Width, depth and size – Smaller blocks mean less garden and low maintenance outdoor areas and can offer a great lifestyle choice for some. Builders and designers can create solutions for most lot types but consideration should be given to the impact on home design for narrow or shallow blocks. This can be overcome with clever design and experienced builders.

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WHEN you make the decision to build a new home, your first requirement, before any others, is location. Choosing a suitable block, a suitable size and in suitable proximity to work, schools and desired precincts for the needs of you and your family.

Here in Greater Shepparton, potential new home builders are fortunate to be afforded a huge range of choice in brand new housing estates across the city.

It’s a big decision! You don’t build a new home everyday and you want to ensure that the location affords you the choice of homes you desire and the choice of lifestyle you envisage.

The fact is, some blocks make for better and easier building than others, potentially saving you thousands of dollars in unforeseen costs and site setups. Whether choosing a block in a new housing estate or looking at a newly created site, here are some simple and easy to follow tips:

Shepparton Display Home Directory Wi nd sor Av en ue

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Or mo nd Str ee t Display Centre: Canterbury Avenue, The Boulevard Estate, Shepparton Open 7 Days a week 12 noon to 5pm Phone: 5831 1372

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Shepparton Display: 44 Canterbury Avenue, The Boulevard Estate, Shepparton Thursday-Monday 12noon-5pm Phone: 5831 2250

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Display Homes: 33 Canterbury Avenue, The Boulevard Estate, Shepparton The Bentley 25A & The Drysdale 25A Phone: 5823 2179

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Office: 374 Wyndham Street, Shepparton Phone: 5823 7100

Display Homes: The Hartley 361, Windsor 281 and Brookdale 271 Canterbury Avenue, The Boulevard Estate, Shepparton Open: 7 days 1pm-5pm Phone: 5823 7180

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Investment and family homes INVESTMENT homes and family homes have a lot in common according to Colin Mintern from Hotondo Homes Shepparton.

“Investor homes and family homes should both have practical and versatile layouts,” said Mr Mintern.

“A versatile home design means that the home can adapt with the changing needs of a growing family, which also means that the rooms suit a larger range of tenants.”

Hotondo Homes Shepparton has a large range of home designs that are practical, versatile and extremely liveable.

“If it is a family home for you, we can go through our designs and modify it so it suits your exact family requirements, or if it is an investment home, one of our designs might be perfect for you,” continued Mr Mintern.

All homes come with a great range of top quality standard inclusions, meaning that the home includes everything you need to be able to move straight into your new home.

The buying power of Hotondo Homes means that savings get passed on to the clients through affordable fixed price contracts.

To view the large range of practical and versatile homes, visit www.hotondo.com.au or visit Colin and his team at the display home located at 44 Canterbury Avenue, The Boulevard Estate, Shepparton.

Finding the right home WORKING TOGETHER… GMCU Branch Managers met recently to discuss service excellence for members. From left, (back) Jenni Cogger (Benalla), Jenni Dunne (Kyabram), Mike Mangiameli (Echuca) and Lisa Edwards (Numurkah). (Front) John Gilbert (Euroa), Dallas Moore (Shepparton) and Dave Drummond (Seymour). Absent: Jess Clarke (Mooroopna), Bronwyn Fyfe (Kilmore). Photo: Alicia Zeqir.

ONCE you have decided on your goals and have an idea of the right kind of property for you, it’s time to start looking.

Many people start their search by looking through the advertisements in the real estate section of their local newspaper.

Another popular method is to search online - there are many reliable real estate websites for you to choose from.

Visiting display homes is a must if you are considering building your new home.

Both newspaper and online advertisements will give you a description of the property, will advise whether it is for sale or auction, will tell you when the property is open for inspection and provide the agent’s and builder’s details. Online advertisements can have added benefits of providing more detailed information plus extra photos.

Once you’ve looked through the advertisements, make a shortlist of properties you would like to inspect based on your ‘must-haves’. Saturday is the most popular day for inspections, but the agent or builder will often arrange for you to view the property at another time if you ask.

René Deen, General Manager at the GMCU says, “A common mistake made by first home buyers is not looking at enough properties. The more properties you look at, which could mean 20 or more, the better you are able to judge the properties on offer in your preferred area and what price they are fetching. This may take you several weeks, if not months, but remember that this up-front research could help you to avoid a costly mistake. Buying property is a big, long term investment and research is the key to being confident that you’ve made the right decision.”

Mr Deen offered some basic house-hunting tips: • As the old saying goes, location is important. A property in a pleasant street in a popular suburb with good access to transport, shops and schools is always likely to be in demand.

• Consider a property’s aspect – if it has a nice outlook, looks good from the street or has lots of natural light, it will probably be easier to sell when the time comes.

• When you’ve found a property you really like, inspect it at different times of the day to get an idea of how different factors, such as morning sun or traffic, affect its appeal.

• If you find that you cannot afford to buy your dream home in your preferred location, keep an open mind to adjacent neighbourhoods, which may just be that little bit more affordable.

The GMCU has branches throughout central Victoria, each with experienced lenders who can help home buyers with their choices, including branches in Shepparton, Mooroopna, Kyabram, Numurkah and Benalla. Or, to get a free booklet full of tips about buying property, visit their website at gmcu.com.au/assistance/education-booklets.

The Adviser, New House & Land – September 2012 – Page 13

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Your interior is your sanctuary

THE design elements of the interior of your home can really make a difference in how comfortable you feel in your personal space.

Cabinetry, colour and the style of finishes are all a part of obtaining a stylish and modern outcome of any space you wish to liven up.

Interior Decorator of Wendy Rossignoli Interiors, Wendy Rossignoli said, “It is important to have a space that feels warm and comfortable.

“Wallpaper is very big at the moment and helps to create texture, life and colour.

“Be selective with the finishes as they can really make a difference to the final look and feel of your space.

“It is important for interior designers to keep up with what is modern so as they can draw on inspiration and experience to provide the best of what is available.

“It is really interesting what design features are coming through at the moment.

“Designers are really deliverers of ideas. Previously, many European products took two or more years to reach our shores. Now they are arriving to coincide with the product launches and as a result, we now have more products, a greater range of materials and excellent access to the latest fittings, fixtures and technology,” Wendy said.

LOVE VALUE

lumeah 33 california facade and floorplan

$ 249,567^ complete price

Price includes California facade shown, but excludes landscaping which is not supplied by Metricon.

^

Complete price includes: • • • • • • • • • • •

love To chaT

Talk to your friendly Metricon consultants Kelly Ferguson Ph: 0417 682 285 Peter Muggleton Ph: 0428 214 615 Allyson Lente Ph: 0438 883 154

Standard Lifestyle specification Site cost allowance* Carpet and tiles throughout° Facade render features 2550mm ceiling height 900mm stainless steel appliances 7 point evaporative cooling Concrete paths & driveway# 20mm stone kitchen bench top Automatic garage door Timber windows to front facade

love where you live

ShepparTon diSplay cenTre

ShepparTon SaleS ofice

echuca SaleS ofice

Open Weekdays 1–5pm Weekends 12–5pm Canterbury Ave, Shepparton

Open Weekdays 8.30–5pm 1/8009 Goulburn Valley Highway, Kialla, Ph: 5820 1222

Open Weekdays 12–5pm 207 Hare St, Echuca Ph: 5480 0544

Photograph shown depict fixtures, finishes or features not supplied by Metricon including landscaping and fencing. Accordingly, any prices in this advertisement do not include the supply of those items. For detailed home pricing please talk to a Sales Consultant. ^Pricing based on Lumeah 33 California facade in Shepparton building region and includes all of the above listed additional inclusions. *Site cost allowance of $12,000 included in the price. Additional site costs may apply if site survey and soil tests indicate the presence of fill or more than 300mm of land fall. °Builders category 1 tiles and carpets #40m2 natural concrete paving. For full details speak to your Metricon New Home Consultant. The Lumeah 33 – Advertised price is not available in conjunction with any other offer and is available only for new deposits from 30/8/2012 till 30/9/2012. R_2627

Page 14 – The Adviser, New House & Land – September 2012

Spring Garden SPRING is arguably the most spectacular season in the gardening calender with the warmer weather encouraging new buds and blooms throughout the garden with the result, a spectacular display of scents and colours.

As this is the time of year which plants grow and burst into life, it is timely to make feeding them a top priority to encourage plant health and prolong blooms. Fertiliser is best served wet, so wait for a drop of rain or finish off with a spray from the hose for best results. Speak to your local garden centre for advice on the best fertiliser for your application and make sure to include potted plants in the process with a slow release fertiliser and remember to re-pot where necessary.

For some instant colour in the garden, there are a number of varieties to choose from which provide a dazzling display.

Alyssum is a charming, easy to grow plant yielding a profusion of fragrant white or mauve flowers. Its hardiness and versatility makes it ideal for rockeries, edging and wall gardens.

Chrysanthemums are known as the traditional Mother’s Day flower. They grow well in a variety of soils and include a wide variety of flower types, forms and colours.

Dianthus are hugely popular as cut flowers and garden plants, there are thousands of varities of flowers which vary greatly in size, color, and pattern and are a showcase in any garden.

Forget me not has long been a favourite among gardeners particularly for borders, edging and rockeries. Traditionally blue and yellow in colour, you can also find pink and white varieties. Best treated as annuals, the forget me not under the right conditions may seed naturally each year.

Gypsolphila is commonly known as ‘Gyp’, Babies’ Breath, or Million Star. Each stem has hundreds of tiny white flowers on wire-thin branches, giving an airy, soft impression.

Beautiful in cut arrangements or among the garden, Gyp is a favourite.

Lobelia offers a stunning display of rich blue/purple flowers excellent for massed colour effects and edging, rockeries or window boxes. Lobelia enjoys a sunny aspect in rich soil.

Marigold is predominantly a summer flowering annual best sown in spring or early

Spectacular

Alyssum

Marigold

summer due to its preference for warmer weather. An extremely showy flower, Marigolds is stunning in any colour variety.

Sweet pea is a tall cut flower annual variety. Varieties need ample sunlight and grow well with the support of a trellis. Beautiful in pots or for general garden display, sweet pea offers the perfect exhibition bloom.

Pansy was originally know as hearts-ease or wild pansy and is closely related to violas and violets. They come in a wide variety of colours and are distinguished by velvety black or dark coloured blotches. They are excellent for carpeted flowerbeds or low borders.

Poppys are among the most popular variety of flowers for late winter spring gardens.

They are magnificent bedding plants and grow well in sunshine, good drainage and fertile soil.

Sweet pea is a tall cut flower annual variety. Varieties need ample sunlight and grow well with the support of a trellis. Beautiful in pots or for general garden display, sweet pea offers the perfect exhibition bloom.

Violas planted closely together will continue to flower for a long period of time, especially if spent blooms are picked regularly. Violas bloom prolifically from early spring to summer and provide a wonderful colour burst in any garden.

Spring workshops for the whole family

SPRING brings new beginnings and regeneration, making September the perfect time for Shepparton residents to learn some handy ‘DIY’ tips and tricks to implement around the home and garden.

Every Saturday and Sunday throughout September, expert team members from Bunnings Warehouse Shepparton will host free DIY Workshops to arm residents with skills they need to complete spring jobs around the home.

The step-by-step workshops will be held at 11am, 12.30pm and 2pm and cover a wide range of spring-time projects, including home organisation, gardening, decking and fencing.

Free Kids ‘DIY’ Workshops will also run each weekend throughout September. Children can get creative with garden craft activities, mosaic making and painting, as well as learning handy ‘DIY’ skills along the way.

On Saturdays and Sundays throughout September adult ‘DIY’ Workshops will be held at 11am, 12.30pm and 2pm and kids ‘DIY’ Workshop times will vary so please contact Bunnings Warehouse Shepparton for times at 225 Benalla Road, phone 5820 2200.

The Adviser, New House & Land – September 2012 – Page 15

new House&Land Guide GO

UL

BU

Mooroopna

RN

North Shepparton

E RIV R

Connolly Park

Parkside Gardens

Dalmahoy

Northern Heights

The Boulevard Archers Field

Parkside Arthur Park

NORTH

RIVE R

South Shepparton

Rosemont Park 3

G

O

RIVE R

U

LB

U

RN

Heathmont

G

O

EN

U

LB

U

OK BR

RN

3

Riverview Park

Windsor Park ER

RN

V RI

U

Finborough Village

G

OK BR

LB

OU

EN

River Rise Kialla Green RIVER

CR EE

KS

Park Lane VE

N

Kialla Lakes

SE

Seven Creeks CR EE

KS

RIVER

SE

VE

N

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11 Edward Street, Shepparton 5820 7700 www.csmith.com.au Page 16 – The Adviser, New House & Land – September 2012