Building a home is quite possibly the biggest investment you’ll ever make, so planning should inevitably become your best friend. Just like you would test drive a car or try on multiple outfits for a big occasion before the final purchase, visiting a display home is essential before you decide to build. We all know looking at something on paper or via a screen cannot possibly make up for the feeling you get seeing it or trying it out in-person. In the case of display homes, you can see things to size with the human eye and really get a feel of what it’d be like living in the space day-to-day. So, in the spirit of planning, planning, planning, here are 5 essential things to consider before visiting a display home:

1. Know your budget

Be sure to consistently liaise with your bank/lender throughout the buying and building process and only begin your shopping once you know what you can afford. That way, you can be a lot more specific in which display homes to visit and save a lot of time (and money!). 

2. Be clear about what you need in your new home

Make sure to have a list of must-haves with you and know the land size and time frame you’re after. You should also be clear on the style of home you desire – whether that’s a single-story with 3 bedrooms, 1.5 bathrooms and a double-garage, or a multi-level home with 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms and 1 garage for example.

3. Plan a good time to visit

Most people have weekends available to knock out a whole bunch of display home visits but it may not be ideal to

a) rush through due to lack of time and

Designing the perfect kitchen can be a seriously daunting task. We all have an image of what we want the finished product to look and feel like, but most of us are faced with financial constraints or limited space that may govern the final result. Let’s face it, we’d all love to have everything, but at the end of the day, most of us will have to compromise on a few things. That’s where asking yourself a few essential questions will come in handy and ultimately help you to make the right decisions for your perfect home.

Is cooking your thing?

If the answer is ‘yes’, then maybe it’s about organising your space to give you loads of preparation space and ensuring that your appliances are up to the task. Maybe set aside some additional funds to cover some premium appliance upgrades. Ovens especially have different functionalities to suit different cooks so it’s worth doing your homework and getting it right. Is a WOK Burner important? Do you prefer gas or electric appliances? Is there space for 900mm appliances or would you rather have smaller appliances and more bench space? Simple things like ducting your rangehood externally are also little bonuses for a kitchen that will be getting a pretty decent workout!

Have you considered your power points?

These are often the forgotten hero in most kitchens. Consider how many appliances you have and how they’ll be utilized in your kitchen. Power points can now be added to the end panels of kitchen cupboards and you could even consider having a retractable power point that sits under the bench and pops up when needed. Don’t forget USB charger ports as well – remember the kitchen bench is where most of us charge phones and laptops!

Do you want that ‘wow’ factor?

While it makes sense to think ‘function over form’, nobody can dispute the impact that a gorgeous kitchen has on a home! Never underestimate the power of the ‘wow’ factor when people see your kitchen for the first time. Colours and finishes will always be governed by the style of home you’re building, so, searching for images that appeal is a great way to start. If you’re a little budget-conscious, perhaps you’ll prioritise a premium benchtop colour and work the cupboard door colours and materials into something a little more cost-effective? In which case, what colour handles are you thinking? Or maybe you want no handles with a shadowline? Don’t forget, you also need to decide on a splashback finish. Will it be tiles, coloured glass or maybe you’ll consider continuing your benchtop colour up onto your splashback. The options are endless and ultimately will depend on you!

You’ll also be spoilt for choice when it comes to sinks and tapware. Stainless steel is no longer the only option, so working your sink in with your kitchen colour scheme is now easier than ever. Depending on the style of your home, you could even have black, white, gold, copper and even ceramic, with tapware to suit – a beautiful tap can make all the difference!

Lights – bright, moody and/or statement?

Lastly, consider lighting as both decorative and functional. Downlights will make working in the kitchen a breeze. Just be sure to position the downlights so as not to create shadowing where you need light the most. Think also about the impact LED strip lighting may have to the underside of cupboards and even benchtops. And of course, a hot little pendant light could certainly finish off your masterpiece.

Who doesn’t love the look and feel of Autumn? It’s the perfect time to take in nature’s amazing colours and be inspired! Autumn hues are also an amazing antidote to ease us into the long and sometimes gloomy winter days that lie ahead.

To bring autumn colours indoors, try these 7 great decorating tips.

1. Enhance your new home’s neutral tones with pops of colour inspired by nature. Try hues of green and brown and bring them to life with earthy reds and rusts
2. Make it cosy. Update your cushion covers, add fluffy or knitted throws and a floor rug – all in autumn hues – to enhance the feeling of warmth and cosiness in your home.
3. Bring in a little nostalgia by including some ‘granny chic’ or ‘grandmillennial’ touches (where old becomes new). Choose a few vintage pieces, crocheted blankets or florals.
4. Update your artworks. Choose pieces that create the mood you’re going for and reflect your autumn colour palette.
5. Embrace the season of change by bringing the outdoors in. Start by adding a touch of green. If you have deciduous plants in your garden, bring the look inside by adding pieces that complement the red and golden tones of their leaves.
6. Soften your lighting by changing cool white bulbs to warm light and adding candles. This will create a sense of comfort and security that not only matches the coming season but will leave you feeling warm, cosy and safe.
7. To compliment your already inviting colour palette, give your home a dash of ‘wow factor’ by adding copper fittings or accessories such as light fittings, handles, taps and small appliances.

The ZAC Homes difference

Many people dream of building their perfect home. However, before you purchase land, there are some important things to consider. Here are our top 5 tips when buying land for your new home.

1. Location and amenities

Choosing a block of land requires more than just looking within your dream suburb. Remember to assess availability of basic services like water, electricity, gas, sewerage, internet and telephone. Next, look at your short and long-term needs like access to schools, childcare, shops, public transport, medical centres, parks and so on.

2. Established neighbourhood vs new development

Building in established neighbourhoods has advantages but also delivers a few unexpected considerations. For example, sites that have already been built on may be classified as infill sites. Infill sites can have debris which may increase your building costs. Your builder will also need to avoid disturbance to neighbouring properties and may have restricted access. This will make it more complicated to build on the land. In new developments, these matters are already accounted for.

3. Assessing the site

When choosing your land, there are several things you need to assess before you buy. These include:

• The zoning or any development restrictions on the block
• Ease of access during construction as well as your everyday use once you move in
• The shape and slope of the block
• The location of any trees (or garden beds if it’s an infill or knockdown-rebuild block)
• Any easements such as water, sewerage and communication services

4. Build type

What you build could also influence which block of land you choose. Your options include knockdown-rebuild, house and land package, project home or custom-built home (a one-off home designed and built just for you), a kit home or duplex.

5. Look to the future

There may be plans in place to change the look and feel of your preferred street or suburb such as road widening, government infrastructure projects and rezoning applications. These things could significantly impact the future value and enjoyment of your home. The same is true if you purchase land because of the view. You’ll need to investigate the possibility of the view being obscured in the future.