Buy or Build

Deciding to build or buy.
After deciding to move house we began finding there was a difference between what was available in our budget and what we wanted. There was either older houses on large blocks, or new houses on small blocks. After looking at many houses the house and land packages kept appearing, being conveniently advertised amongst established houses. Being cynical, I didn't believe the value in these, and kept on with looking for established houses.
All of a sudden we found a wonderful house, really modern design, facing onto a block, which allowed for the small block to not be a concern. Inspired after speaking to the agent that it may not be that more than we had been planning on spending everything seemed to be coming together. Unfortunately once we looked the interest had the owner knocking back offers for more than we could justify.
Inspiration had struck, and the search for a cottage block facing onto a park began. And quickly it was done, there was nothing else on the market, with no hope of a established house coming up through the major agents. There was however a new estate with a few blocks matching what we wanted. The house and land packages came back to mind, maybe this was viable, buy a block and build a house on it.
A quick visit to the estate and we have the block on hold to speak to builders. Whilst looking at homes some 2 storey homes seem to be a viable price, and this frees up a lot of space on the block. The first house we looked at seemed great, all bedrooms upstairs, living down. Once sitting the house on the block though the reality of how small a 200sqm block is hit, that plans gone. Doing the same with a single storey house revealed how little yard would be left.
Eventually we seem to have come to a compromise, with a two storey house, main bedroom and living  downstairs and remainder on the second level.