September 2017
NEW COMMUNITIES ESTATE LIVING | FINANCE | DESIGN | DIRECTORY
Southeast Queensland
HOUSES BESPOKE BUILDS JUST FOR YOU
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Artist’s Impression
Prices correct as at the time of publication.
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WELCOME BRISBANE is booming, with new research by leading demographer Bernard Salt for The Courier-Mail revealing that the population of Greater Brisbane will soar by 662,000 people by 2031. An extra 280,000 homes will be required to house those people, many of whom dream of living in a suburban environment and having a backyard for their children to play in. Southeast Queensland’s masterplanned communities will be at the forefront of meeting this demand, with increasing numbers of families, investors and first home buyers choosing to build new homes in estates designed with an eye to convenience and lifestyle. In this edition of New Communities, we explore some of the region’s newest communities, estates and house and land developments, and meet some of the home owners who have chosen to live there. Attracted by the value for money, provision of services and the chance to build a new home tailored to meet their personal requirements, these residents speak with pride and enthusiasm of the communities they have joined. Every year, figures reveal homes in our masterplanned communities are more in demand than anywhere else. North Lakes has topped the list for the past couple of years, with the latest figures revealing 458 house sales in the past 12 months. Caboolture is close behind with 451 houses sold, followed by Morayfield, 438, Forest Lake, 421 and Narangba on 415. What results like this show is that demand is strong for house and land in estates which already have the infrastructure and amenity in place. Gone are the days when developers would just plop down a few houses in a brand new estate and the residents had to wait for the shops, schools and public transport to eventually follow. Master planning of new estates and communities now always include this at the forefront of the project. Michelle Hele Brisbane Real Estate Editor
page 22
CONTENTS page 8
5 Planned for people What’s so great about masterplanned communities? 8 Welcome home Home owners reveal what they love about life on a new estate 10 Crunching the numbers When it comes to property, we do the maths 12 The future is just around the corner What will the masterplanned communities of the future look like? 16 Savvy savings Maximise your budget by seeking out specials 18 Answering an age-old question Why a new build beats a renovation 20 Great estates guide Where to find your new community 22 Spring style Welcome warmer weather with a splash of green Read online at questnews.com.au/ newcommunities
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, Wednesday, September 13, 2017
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Advertising: Dee A’Bear E: newsqldrealestate@news.com.au Published by News Corp Australia Produced by News Corp Studios Queensland newscorpstudiosqld.com.au QSTE01Z01FC - V1
TONYA TURNER
NEW COMMUNITIES
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PLANNED FOR PEOPLE Queenslanders love masterplanned communities. Here’s why
Q
UEENSLAND is a world leader at masterplanned communities, according to REIQ spokesperson Felicity Moore. “From our first foray into this type of development in the 1980s on the Gold Coast, when the Robina Land Corporation was established, we have been world leaders in this type of community planning. The features and designs have become more sophisticated, catering to different segments of the homebuying market and now, as a general rule, masterplanned communities deliver exactly what most people are looking for in their ideal place to live — convenience, security and lifestyle-enhancing benefits,” she said. So, what do Queenslanders love about masterplanned communities, from giant ones such as Greater Springfield and Ecco Ripley to smaller boutique estates?
1 VALUE FOR MONEY Living in a masterplanned community gives many people an opportunity to invest in quality housing in an affordable area without sacrificing on lifestyle. Because masterplanned communities are usually located on the urban fringe, house and land packages cost a fraction of their inner-city equivalents without the problems associated with high-density housing but with access to a multitude of lifestyle offerings. “The typical masterplanned community today features retail and dining precincts, often a retirement village, parks, ample public
green space, schools and in some instances, as with Stockland’s Newport in the Redcliffe Peninsula, a unique 23ha non-tidal lake. Ecco Ripley, by developer Sekisui House, now offers super-fast broadband (100 megabits per second) and free wi-fi throughout its parklands,” Ms Moore said.
2 PROVISION OF SERVICES Masterplanned communities offer a wide range of services to residents. Griffith University’s Dr Tony Matthews, an urban and environmental planner, said the unique aspect of masterplanned communities was that they were carefully designed to provide a range of options for people’s recreational and amenity needs. “Everything is provided and integrated from the outset – housing, shops, community facilities, green space, play areas, walking trails and more. That really helps people day to day, especially if they’re time stressed like so many of us. Having essential services nearby cuts down time in traffic and makes things like getting children to and from school easier,” he said.
3 CUSTOMISED BRAND NEW HOMES Perhaps one of the biggest attractions of buying into a masterplanned community is the opportunity for buyers to customise their new homes, choosing everything from the floorplan and the facade to the floor coverings and all the optional extras. QUT’s Dr Paul Donehue, lecturer in urban and regional planning, said new homes in masterplanned communities were designed for modern families and had great appeal. “One of the biggest drawbacks of buying older homes is the inevitable trade-offs
Capestone Estate, Mango Hill
“Masterplanned communities deliver exactly what most people are looking for in their ideal place to live — convenience, security and lifestyle-enhancing benefits” REIQ spokesperson Felicity Moore
colours and materials. This means that residents can expect consistency and formality in their street. This is criticised as restricting personalisation, but it is also appealing to residents as it delivers certainty in a local neighbourhood,” she said.
5 SENSE OF COMMUNITY
involved in terms of what you need, along with the possibilities of expensive structural defects, or even the presence of materials such as asbestos. Masterplanned communities allow people a range of customisation in terms of design options, and the houses are new, or at the least recently built, which avoids the kinds of potential complications you get from older houses,” he said.
4 CERTAINTY OF STANDARDS Buying a house is one thing; knowing that your neighbour’s house won’t be an eyesore is another. The University of Queensland’s Dr Laurel Johnson, an urban and social planner, said certainty of standards was high on the list for why people bought into masterplanned communities. “The resident in a masterplanned community knows that there are strict covenants that regulate housing development including setbacks from the street, housing designs and fencing and sometimes even the
Masterplanned communities are designed to bring people together in meaningful ways. “They’re designed to allow people to socialise, play, exercise and shop close to home. This brings people into contact with each other, leading to friendships and happier neighbourhoods. People really value that,” Dr Tony Matthews said. Griffith University’s Dr Jason Byrne, an urban geographer, said creating walkable neighbourhoods was a big factor. “To be walkable it will need good quality footpaths, shade trees and access to parks with high quality play equipment for kids, and the ability to walk to a corner store or shop with your dog, meeting people along the way. If a neighbourhood is car-dependent, then it will have a lower level of social interaction. So I think developers are actually learning from older neighbourhoods like Nobby’s Beach or Burleigh on the Gold Coast or inner-city neighbourhoods like West End in Brisbane where there are cafes and bookshops and places for people to hang out and interact. That’s what makes a neighbourhood lively and attractive,” he said.
NEW COMMUNITIES
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AMANDA LUCAS
WELCOME HOME Echoes of simpler, friendlier times resound through Queensland’s new masterplanned communities. KNOWING your neighbours seems to be a rarity these days as fences are built higher, security becomes tighter and life in general feels busier. Yet a number of southeast Queenslanders are bucking this insular trend and learning that living in a masterplanned community offers more than simply a roof over their heads.
THE FAMILY Melanie and Matthew Muller are just two of the more than 120,000 people expected to call Ecco Ripley home over the next 20 years. The couple and their three school-aged
children bought into stage two of the $500 million masterplanned development in 2014. “It was a bit of a coincidence,” Ms Muller said. “We are a big skiing family so we spend time out on Moggerah Dam. We came across Ecco Ripley and it was one of those things which all fell into place.” The family was one of the first to move into the satellite city south east of Ipswich after construction of their four-bedroom, two-
bathroom single-storey Sekisui House home. “We went into the sales office and they just explained where they were at and what was coming,” Ms Muller said. “The park was the only thing there.” Sekisui House is behind both the residential community and the $1.5 billion Ripley Town Centre currently under construction. “It’s very family-oriented and friendly,” Ms Muller said. “There are a lot of families in the area and if people are walking past, they always say hello. “You can have a quick chat to your neighbour and you know they’re looking after your place.”
Ms Muller said living at Ecco Ripley was a throwback to when life was simple and fresh air was favoured over hours on the iPad or PlayStation. “It’s one of those places like we had growing up as children, spending time playing in the street and riding bikes,” she said. “That’s something the girls do now as well. “They enjoy ducking down to the park and you know they’re safe.
“There are so many people in the estate, everyone is watching and you feel safe knowing they know your children.” For the Mullers, living at Ecco Ripley offers a relaxed lifestyle in a supportive environment. “They have exercise classes in the park and there’s a walking group every night around the estate,” Ms Muller said. “There was a big market a couple of months ago, an Easter egg hunt, a mothers group meets as well and there’s an Ecco Ripley residents Facebook page that all the residents are able to join. “At Christmas, all the residents put up lights and some people go all out with really lovely decorations.” Ms Muller said her family had no regrets in relocating to Ecco Ripley, nor did they have any plans to move on in the future.
OUR TOWN'S GROWING FAST, SO GET IN QUICK. • • •
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$172,000* TURN KEY HOMES FROM
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$317,000*
*Prices correct as at September 2017 and subject to availability. Average land price is $190,900. Average home price is $347,312. All purchases are subject to contract terms. Sekisui House Services (QLD) Pty Limited. QBCC 1154622.
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NEW COMMUNITIES
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“Yarrabilba offers a great variety of activities, equipment and social exercise opportunities for me and that is just one of the many reasons I chose to live here” Jenna Tieman, Yarrabilba
out on the street riding bikes. There’s that community spirit. “I’m not able to walk a great deal but there are so many parks and things to do here. “My doctor is here, my dentist is here and when Coles opens, I might not even have to leave the estate.” The Hendersons relocated from Melbourne a couple of years ago but have already established a strong group of friends. “I’ve met some lovely ladies and have got myself a little network now of people,” Ms Henderson said. “I know both the neighbours and if I needed them, I’d just have to knock on the door. “It’s a wonderful community here.”
THE YOUNG COUPLE
Masterplanned community converts Jenna Tierman, above, the Muller family, far left, and Kath Henderson, left.
“It’s been wonderful and the best decision we’ve made,” she said. “It’s very much family-friendly and everyone is there to help.”
THE TREE CHANGERS Kath and Clary Henderson trialled estate living as tenants in a rental property before committing to life at Yarrabilba. Just 20 minutes from Logan Central, the Lendlease masterplanned community is expected to accommodate 45,000 people during the next 30 years. The Hendersons considered moving to an over-50s village but realised everything they needed was within their reach at Yarrabilba.
“We took a little drive and thought, ‘Oh, wow, look at this’,” Ms Henderson said. “We were lucky to come across a situation that suited us and we were here to watch our house being built. We love it.” As much as the pair enjoys the convenience of being surrounded by a long list of amenities, they also appreciate the peaceful surroundings. “You’re a little bit away from the rat race,” Ms Henderson said. “We’re in one of the first few stages and it’s very quiet, mostly owner-occupier here. “You go two minutes out of the estate and you can see horses in paddocks.” Like the Mullers, the Hendersons relish the sociable atmosphere which is prospering with the estate’s growth. “One thing we haven’t seen for years is kids
A short stroll away is a four-bedroom, two-bathroom home belonging to Jenna Tieman and her partner Dylan Walburn. Ms Tieman, 25, is passionate about living a healthy life and loves being in a community which supports her outdoor hobbies. “Yarrabilba offers a great variety of activities, equipment and social exercise opportunities for me and that is just one of the reasons I chose to live here,” Ms Tieman said. Ms Tieman, who started working in a customer service role with Lendlease a year after settling into Yarrabilba, said the
A lakeside community comes to life
community offered a number of attractive attributes. “It’s the feel as you drive into the development – from the beautiful surrounding mountain ranges in the background, to the beautifully designed parks and open spaces,” she said. “The fact we could live in a brand new home which was affordable, modern and would be low maintenance was a massive factor given both myself and my partner work full-time. “While we love the low maintenance living we certainly don’t feel like we have compromised our lifestyle due to the proximity of parks and walkways, the dogs especially loving their daily exercise in the designated dog park. “I love the outdoors so to have all this as well as an outdoor gym in a natural setting makes it a special place to live.” The busy couple started searching for their home in 2014. “We encountered a few of our own setbacks and we were unable to buy straight away which gave us ample time to look around and decide on the perfect location for us,” Ms Tieman said. “After looking at several developments in the Logan corridor, Yarrabilba stood out with 11 schools, a medical centre, the town centre, etc. “It provides employment opportunities for now and the future and most importantly will be the perfect place to start a family of our own.” Ms Tieman said Yarrabilba catered for all ages and there was almost an unwritten agreement that all neighbours look out for each other. “My partner and I feel part of an exclusive new community and all the things we were told to expect has now come to life, perhaps sooner than we even anticipated,” she said. “The residents are proud of their suburb and should one resident have an issue; other residents are quick to jump in to help. “I think that is a truly special community. “I thought, gone are the days of helping another but it does still exist.”
• Land sizes to suit family, mid size and townhomes • Cafe precincts, town centre shops and gymnasium now under construction • Easy access to schools and leisure.
NEW LAND RELEASE NOW SELLING from $230,000* SALES AND INFORMATION CENTRE WALLACE STREET MANGO HILL Open: Mon - Fri 12pm-5pm • Sat - Sun 10am-5pm
capestone.com.au Phone: 1300 769 607
No warranty is given in respect of the accuracy of the information in this advertisement and any intending purchasers should make their own enquiries in relation there to. Illustrations and all other photographic depictions are for presentation purposes only. Lake forecast to commence construction in 2017. *Based on average price of $285,000. Price is correct at time of publication and subject to change without notice.
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NEW COMMUNITIES
STEPHEN NADIN
CRUNCHING THE NUMBERS When it comes to buying and selling, we do the sums
$20,000
SAVE
$56,643
is the amount available to
first home buyers from the Queensland Government until December 31, 2017.
by changing your mortgage repayments from monthly to fortnightly.
Depending on the date of the contract, applicants for the Queensland First Home Owners’ Grant may get
$15,000 or $20,000
towards their new house, unit or townhouse, valued at less than $750,000.
The Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast were the two strongest performing markets in Queensland in the March quarter, according to the REIQ’s latest Queensland Market Monitor.
80%
Buyers borrowing more than 80 per cent of their property’s value will usually be required to buy lender’s mortgage insurance. This protects the lender should the home owner default on their loan and the mortgagee sale fail to raise the outstanding loan amount.
“Say you have a 30-year loan of $500,000 with an interest rate of 4 per cent. Your minimum monthly repayment would be approximately $2387,” said Mortgage Choice CEO John Flavell. “If you pay fortnightly and divide your monthly repayment in half — $1194 per fortnight — you could save $56,643 (in total).”
UNDER
7%
is where the average standard variable home loan rate would sit should official rates get back up to 3.5%. The average currently sits at around 5.3%. “It’s been an extraordinary downhill run for interest rates since late 2011, but things can go up as easily as they can go down,” according to Patrick Nolan, head of home loans at lender ME.
$350,000
is the annual median sale price in Ipswich, making the city the most affordable market in Greater Brisbane.
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Already have land? We have over 50 home designs, starting from $139,000. Browse online at ausbuild.com.au Photographs may depict features not supplied by Ausbuild such as landscaping. Prices do not include these items. Prices based on Standard Inclusions. Speak to a Consultant or visit ausbuild.com.au/terms for more info. QBCC 21710 | 170913
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NEW COMMUNITIES
AMANDA LUCAS
THE FUTURE IS JUST AROUND THE CORNER Competition and innovation is pushing Queensland’s masterplanned communities to world-beating heights
S
OUTHEAST Queensland is at the forefront of innovative masterplanned estate designs as competition among developers drives the growth of cutting-edge future cities. The battle to lure house hunters is setting up the Sunshine State as an international industry leader, according to Australian consultancy group RPS. RPS discipline leader of urban design Peter Egerton said southeast Queensland was fortunate to have a growing number of masterplanned communities which were trying to outdo each other in an effort to attract buyers. “This one-upmanship is fantastic as it’s setting the pace for innovation in masterplanned communities internationally,” Mr Egerton said. “I don’t think anywhere in the United States is growing like southeast Queensland. “We’ve even seen delegations of US local
government officials visit Queensland in recent years because we’re trending ahead of some parts of America.” Babies born in these residential communities today are likely to have children themselves by the time the final stages of their satellite cities are fully developed. This poses a great challenge to urban planners and designers who must have the foresight to predict the needs and wants of communities in the future. “Designing a masterplanned community is all about trying to predict future trends now,” Mr Egerton said. “We’re trying to figure out how people might live in decades to come, what lifestyle trends will be dominant, whether more people will be working from home and how driverless cars might impact on infrastructure.” Peet Limited and MTAA Super are embracing the seemingly difficult obstacle as an exciting opportunity in their creation of the $6.7 billion Flagstone. Positioned halfway between Brisbane and the Gold Coast, Flagstone is one of the biggest greenfield satellite cities being built in Australia. Its CBD will be the main business and shopping centre for a future regional population of 120,000 people — a community similar in size to Toowoomba
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NEW COMMUNITIES
Southaven by DRHomes at Flagstone Estate
“We’ve even seen delegations of US local government officials visit Queensland in recent years because we’re trending ahead of some parts of America” RPS discipline leader of urban design Peter Egerton
An artist’s render of Aura, on the Sunshine Coast (left).
or Cairns. Five key trends shaping the Flagstone masterplan are community design, choice of housing, green spaces, shared areas, and building a sense of belonging through events and activities. Seven stages have been released around the future CBD while nearby is a multimilliondollar regional park to open progressively that includes a man-made water playground for dogs.
Peet Limited chief executive and managing director Brendan Gore said although the delivery would be staged as community needs grew, the overall vision was being established now. The Flagstone masterplan also incorporates a 15ha regional sports facility, three 5ha parks, two 7ha sports fields, and a series of local parks within walking distances of most homes. “At the moment, there is still a lot of acreage in this region so it is hard for people to imagine what Flagstone city will be like in 30 years,” Mr Gore said. “But we only have to look at our coastal strip and capital cities, or densely populated centres around the world, to see that houses are getting smaller and communities are getting bigger with a lot of activity outside the home.” Next month, family-owned building business DRHomes is welcoming Flagstone residents to a pop-up art gallery in support of local talent. “Developers and builders have moved away from building just suburbs, and have moved in the direction of creating communities,” DRHomes director David Reilly said. “To create these communities, we are seeing more and more green space and >>
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NEW COMMUNITIES environmentally protected bushlands within the estate. “Before any homes are even built, the developer has planned parklands, community hubs and strict covenants that even include, in some cases, a minimum green space in the homeowner’s backyard.” Sixty-five per cent of Mirvac’s Gainsborough Greens masterplanned community is dedicated to open space and nature conservation. Diana Sarcasmo, Mirvac general manager design, marketing and sales, said as communities became denser, the quality of shared spaces was improving. “Aligned with this trend is an increasing emphasis upon health and wellbeing,” Ms Sarcasmo said. “A growing awareness that lifestyle is the key to good health means people will seek out environments that encourage active lifestyles.” Ms Sarcasmo said liveable, walkable communities were a worldwide trend. “Placemaking is a current focus for many new and existing communities around the world,” she said. “It’s a concept whose fundamental premise is that people are drawn to places of highquality design which brings people together in lively and engaging surroundings. Community development, events and activation are important parts of the placemaking process.” Residents at Gainsborough Greens can join any number of social clubs, such as the walking, craft or coffee groups, or fitness <<
Providence South Ripley resident Lea Faka’ata performing at last year’s Heart and Soul festival at the community.
CARiNDAlE’S FiNAl lAND RElEASE. Perfectly connected • 12km South-East of Brisbane’s CBD • 1km to Cribb Road East Bus Stop • 20 minutes to Brisbane’s international & domestic airports • 5 minutes to major arterials to both the North & South coasts • 10 minutes to Westfield Carindale • 15 minutes to Griffith University Nathan Campus • 15 minutes to Griffith University Mount Gravatt Campus • 5 minutes to the Pacific Golf Club • Minutes from major hospitals such as Belmont Private Hospital & Princess Alexandra Hospital • Minutes from a range of public & private schools such as Belmont State School, Mansfield State High School & Citipointe Christian College
PreMIUM InclUSIonS • Full ‘turn-key’ / ‘rent ready’ • Modern façades • Exposed aggregate concrete to driveway, porch & paths • Tiles to alfresco • Stone benchtops throughout • Quality stainless steel appliances • Gas cooktop • Soft-close drawers to kitchen • Ceiling height 2550mm throughout (for single storey designs) • Ceiling height 2550mm to lower level & 2400mm to upper level (for two storey designs) • Air-conditioning to main living area & bedroom 1 • Security screens • Window furnishings (blockout roller blinds) • Mirrored sliding doors to bedroom robes • Fully landscaped, including turf, 1.8m high timber fencing, letterbox & clothesline
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NEW COMMUNITIES classes and golf. The $5 billion Oceanside community on the Sunshine Coast is designed to suit the lives of its residents, according to Queensland general manager for residential communities at Stockland Kingsley Andrew. “Those living in the thriving beachside community will be able to go for a surf at Bokarina Beach in the morning or attend a free fitness class, kayak to work on Lake Kawana, go shopping in the future Birtinya Town Centre and enjoy dinner with a friend at a local cafe or catch a concert or an international sporting match,” Mr Andrew said. Technology is also a driving force and Stockland’s new Aura Display Village at nearby Bells Creek is the first in Australia to feature a display home with a Tesla Powerwall 2, which is the next generation solar home battery system. Aura also has an electric car charge station in the display village carpark and smart LED street lighting which uses 50 per cent less energy than standard street lights. There’s a strong indication at Providence South Ripley, that well-designed masterplanned communities can find their own sense of self, when a festival that was initiated by residents returns for a second year. The Heart and Soul Festival will be held on September 24 from 9am-3pm and includes a host of entertainment and workshops. This year it will be headlined by My Kitchen Rules finalists Valerie and Courtney, who will hold cooking demonstrations at 10am and 2pm. The festival will have more than 80
“A growing awareness that lifestyle is the key to good health means people will seek out environments that encourage active lifestyles” Mirvac general manager design, marketing and sales, Diana Sarcasmo
Southaven by DRHomes at Flagstone Estate
stallholders and a diverse range of food trucks as well as supporting the region’s local talent by showcasing live performances from local artists. Created and hosted by residents, the free festival was developed during resident-led committee meetings to “create an event reflecting the values, interests and aspirations of its residents”. Providence project director Michael Khan said the event was an extraordinary example of community collaboration.
An electric car charge station at Aura by Stockland
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NEW COMMUNITIES
HANNAH MACDONALD
SAVVY SAVINGS
“Ask the builder for a full inclusions list so that you know exactly what items are included in the price, and what items are counted as extras” Andrew Rockley, Master Builders display villages manager
Special offers from smart builders can bring the cost of your new home down
M
OST of us have limited budgets and it’s rare that cost is not an issue when looking to build a new home. Savvy buyers keep one eye on costs throughout the process, and there are many deals on the market for those who bother to ask. Some builders offer free solar installation, others offer ‘bundles’ of extra inclusions, or extras such as free security screens or landscape gardening. Master Builders display villages manager Andrew Rockley said the kinds of perks available was often influenced by what was topical at the time – sustainability, for example, is in the news and attracting buyers’ attention. “At the moment, we’re seeing a lot of solar initiatives put in place, but it also depends on the time of year the consumer decides to build,” Mr Rockley said. “At the end of the day building a new home is consumer driven – if there is a focus on lowering energy bills then builders will usually
tend to respond to the needs of the market.” When building a home in a new estate, Mr Rockley encourages people to have an indepth conversation about pricing with their builder. “Ask the builder for a full inclusions list so that you know exactly what items are included in the price, and what items are counted as extras,” he said. A housewarming gift is always welcome, and Invision Homes thanks buyers with a ‘gift’ in the form of a range of extras, currently that’s a free stainless steel dishwasher and airconditioning to the living room. This offer is available on every house and land package the builder has available, and it applies to all new contracts signed before September 30. Specials on offer rotate on a quarterly basis, with previous specials
including security screens, a vertical blind package, solar power, a dishwasher, airconditioning, landscaping and a clothesline and letterbox. Bundled rewards are also popular, and Burbank offers clients a choice between one premium upgrade bundle, or three finishing bundles. There are three premium bundles to choose from. The Master of Appearances bundle includes a letterbox, driveway up to 50sq m, garden upgrade of 15sq m, turf and top soil up to 80sq m and soiling filling; the Duke of Decor bundle includes tiles or laminate flooring up to 100sq m, carpet up to 80sq m, blinds and two feature walls; and the Ice Queen bundle includes ducted airconditioning. And then there are the three finishing bundles. The Culinary King bundle includes a
900mm appliance upgrade, premium stone bench tops, overhead cupboards and a dishwasher; the Knight of Light bundle includes 25 downlights, five fans, three feature pendant lights and a remotecontrolled garage; and the Lady of Luxury bundle includes premium stone benchtops, two tiled niche, two semi-frameless showers, two shower rails and a laundry upgrade option. Other builders shy away from ‘specials’ and instead commit to include as standard many items that might usually be considered as upgrades. DRHomes provides a full turn-key product, with the standard price including all the finishing touches such as floor coverings, window blinds and fly screens. There are more than 80 inclusions along with luxury items including higher ceilings, stone kitchen benchtops, split-system airconditioning and 900mm appliances. For clients on a budget, the company can strip away the items they don’t want in their home, with people often taking out things such as window blinds, or downgrading to smaller appliances, all of which is taken off the total price of the home. There is also the option to upgrade.
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ANSWERING AN AGE-OLD QUESTION Start from scratch or upgrade an existing home? Find out why new builds make financial sense
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O build or renovate? It’s the eternal real estate question and one that’s likely to be influenced by your budget. Brisbane’s inner-city and mid-ring suburbs are populated with older character homes and Queenslanders ripe for renovation, which can be costly, while building a new home comes with its own expenses and for first home buyers, can mean a move to the outer suburbs. But which is the most cost-effective option? Master Builders’ manager of housing services Phil Breeze said building a new home was generally the easier and more cost efficient option as with this process, the customer knows exactly what they are going to get. “The builder is going to give you a price and there’s no guess work — you can see the plans, it’s a blank slate and you can give them a lump sum. If you do a reno — what is the house hiding that you can’t see?” Mr Breeze said. “You can’t see behind the walls, you don’t know if there has been white ants or lead paint
or how much asbestos there is. You can allow for these things but you’ve got that uncertainty.” He said kitchens and bathrooms were the most expensive renovations in older houses. “A basic kitchen upgrade could be between $15,000 and $22,000; a kitchen and bathroom combo — that could be around $50,000, depending on quality,” he said. “Ensuites can cost $12,000, or about $17,000 with higher quality fittings. A bathroom on its own can be $22,000 to $25,000 … it all adds up.” Repairs on older homes add up too; Mr Breeze said older pipes had a habit of rusting from the inside out as opposed to the poly pipes used in new builds. Landscaping and large trees can also wreak havoc. “Depending on where they’re located, trees can do a lot of damage to the footing system of a house, leading to cracked walls and ceilings,” he said. “They can also get into your storm water and sewerage lines …. today’s designers and engineers of new homes are more conscious of the effect of trees around a property, and know that prevention is better than cure.” Energy efficiency also needs to be considered, with many new homes designed with this already in mind.
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“The builder is going to give you a price and there’s no guess work — you can see the plans, it’s a blank slate and you can give them a lump sum” Master Builders’ manager of housing services Phil Breeze
A new build, like this one by Vantage Homes at Carindale Heights, can be tailored to reflect your personal style and taste.
“Insulation in the walls and ceilings, concertina doors that bring the outdoors in — that’s the trend at the moment and even in homes at a lower price range you’re getting that symmetry between the external and internal — it’s a great set up,” he said. Local architect Dion Seminara of Dion Seminara Architecture agrees. “Ceiling insulation is becoming almost standard on new homes now and with good reason — it can save you significant money on your power bills over the long run,” he said. Mr Seminara said a home’s design affected its ability to regulate temperature, and listed open-plan living spaces, shaded decks, verandas or wide eaves and landscaping as ideal subtropical design elements that added value in terms of lifestyle and livability. “Blue skies and a warm subtropical climate make southeast Queensland a desirable place to live, work and raise families,” he said. “All home designs should reflect this and take advantage of our climate.”
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ECCO RIPLEY ESTATE 12 Brooking Rise, via 582 Ripley Rd, Ripley Developer Sekisui House Builders Sekisui House, Integra Homes, Classic Homes
CARINDALE HEIGHTS Hereford Cres, Carindale Developer Asher Capital and TKM Capital Builder Vantage Building Group COOMERA RETREAT Cnr of Days Rd and Old Coach Rd, Upper Coomera
CORNERSTONE LIVING 88 Troughton Rd, Sunnybank Developer Consolidated Properties Builder Hutchinson Builders
ENCLAVE 912 New Cleveland Rd, Gumdale Developer and builder Ausbuild ESPERANCE 305 Cleveland-Redland Bay Rd, Thornlands Developer Ausbuild Builders Perry Homes, Oracle Platinum Homes, Ausbuild, Valeco Homes, Pantha Homes, Bella Qld Properties
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NEW COMMUNITIES Moreton Bay Blvd, Burpengary East Developer Northeast Business Park Pty Ltd Builders Bold Properties, Coral Homes, GJ Gardner Homes, Hallmark Homes, Homes by CMA, Integra Homes, McDonald Jones Homes, McLachlan Homes, Metricon Homes, Pantha Homes, Simonds Homes, Sunvista Homes, Stylemaster Homes, Valeco Homes GAINSBOROUGH GREENS Cnr of Yawalpah Rd and Swan Rd, Pimpama Developer Mirvac Builders Adenbrook Homes, Aston Milan Homes , Aushomes, Bounds Homes, Colossal Homes, Indigo Homes, Metricon Homes, Palladio Homes, Planbuild Homes, Plantation Homes, Stroud Homes, Stylemaster Homes
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NORTH LAKES Cnr Endeavour Blvd and Plantation Rd, North Lakes Developer Stockland Builders Coral Homes, GJ Gardner Homes, Homes by CMA, McDonald Jones Homes, McLachlan Homes, Ownit Homes, Pantha Homes, Plantation Homes, Stroud Homes, Valeco Homes NUDGEE PLACE Weyers Rd, Nudgee Developer Asher Capital and TKM Capital Builder Vantage Building Group PACIFIC COVE Sudbury Dr, off Kerkin Rd, Pimpama Developer QM Properties Builders Aus Homes, Burbank Homes, Coral Homes, Dwyer Quality Homes, GJ Gardner Homes, Hallmark Homes, NuTrend Homes, Oracle Platinum Homes, Stroud Homes, Unique Homes, Visual Diversity Homes PARKLAKES 2 2 Agnes Place, Bli Bli Developer Parklakes 2 Builders Ausmar Homes, Dwyer Quality
Homes, GJ Gardner Homes, Hallmark Homes, Integrale Homes, Look Homes, PA & DS Burns, Stylemaster Homes, Stroud Homes PROMINENCE 40 Ritchie Rd, Pallara Developer and builder Ausbuild PROVIDENCE Harmony Cres, South Ripley Developer AMEX Corporation Builders Metricon Homes, Plantation Homes, Stylemaster, Ausbuild, Bold, Burbank Homes, Simonds, Mish Developments, Plan Build Homes RIVER OAKS 1142 Stockleigh Rd, Logan Village Developer QM Properties Builders DR Homes, Stroud Homes, Metricon Homes ROCHEDALE ESTATES 281 Gardner Rd, Rochedale Developer Aveo Group Builders Aston Milan Homes, Ausbuild, Chelbrooke Homes, Clarendon Homes, Coral Homes, DC Living, GJ Gardner Homes, Heisig Constructions, IDH Custom Builders, Indigo Homes, Kalka, McCarthy Homes, McDonald Jones Homes, Metricon, Nuvo Homes, Ownit Homes, Plantation Homes, Porter Davis Homes, Simonds Homes, Steve Parcell Building Services, Visual Diversity Homes SPRINGFIELD LAKES Sunset Place,
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Springfield Lakes Developer Lendlease Builders Bella Qld Properties, Clarendon Homes, Coral Homes, Fresh Homes, Hallmark Homes, Invision Homes Pty Ltd, McCarthy Homes, Metricon Homes, Nuvo Homes, Oracle Platinum Homes, Ownit Homes, Plantation Homes, Steve Parcell Building Services, Stylemaster Homes, Valeco Homes, Visual Diversity Homes TREE LINE DOOLANDELLA Peacock St, Doolandella Developer and builder Ausbuild WATERLINE Off Cleveland Redlands Bay Rd, Thornlands Developer Villa World Builders Bella Qld Properties, Burbank, Clarendon Homes, DR Homes, GJ Gardner Homes, Metricon Homes, Simonds Homes, Stroud Homes, Valcon Homes YARRABILBA Darrau Ave (off Yarrabilba Dr), Yarrabilba Developer Lendlease Builders Bella Qld Properties, Bold Homes, Burbank Homes, Clarendon Homes, Coral Homes, Dwyer Quality Homes, Genesis Homes, Hallmark, Integra Homes, Invision Homes, McDonald Jones Homes, Metricon Homes, Oracle Platinum Builders, Paradigm Homes, Plantation Homes, Queensland One Homes, Simonds Homes, Valeco Homes
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1 Salt & Pepper Amalie 12-piece dinner set, $159.95, Myer Chermside 2 Amalfi Jungalow Vase, $99.95, amalfihomewares.com.au
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3 Eglo Donmington chrome table lamp, $60, Lighting Illusions 4 Wildflower table, from $79.95, Pillow Talk
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5 Collapsible woven basket in red, $19.95, Oxfam Australia, Brisbane city
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6 Moroccan vintage Berber cushions, from $165 each, barefootgypsy.com.au
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7 Silver Eglo Borgillio adjustable floor lamp, $335, Lighting Illusions
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