There’s no doubt that buying land to build your dream home is exciting, but it can also be fraught with danger. We’ve all heard the nightmare stories of land that has cost the unfortunate buyers thousands in hidden expenses before they could even start building. In some cases, they were unable to build on the land at all! Thankfully, when you know what to look for, you can spot the potential pitfalls and instead find a block that ticks every box. So, if you’re building a new home and are looking for some guidance, read on to learn 10 essential considerations when you purchase a block of land.

As anyone entering the home market knows, it’s not easy. For most first home buyers, finding a home that has the flexibility to suit their changing needs, and fit within their budget, is challenging. Add to that, an uncertainty around the buying and building process and the difficulty in deciding exactly which features are a must-have, and it can fast become overwhelming. But the good news is, that it doesn’t have to be stressful. When you find the right home and partner with the right builder, it can all go quite smoothly! At Smart Footprint Homes, our smart designs, flexibility to adapt and simplified process, are the ideal fit for first home buyers.

These days it’s not just empty nesters and retirees who are choosing to downsize from a large house—there’s a growing trend for small families and couples to opt for small design homes too. The reasons for downsizing vary, but are often associated with wanting a low-maintenance lifestyle in a home that is more affordable to build, run and maintain. Leaving your old home behind can be challenging—not to mention trying to figure out what to do with all your stuff! But when you choose the right design, that ticks all your boxes now, you’ll never look back. So if you are thinking about making the switch to a smaller home, now or in the future, read on to learn 7 key considerations for downsizers.

By far the biggest drawcard of building a brand-new home is creating one that is the perfect fit for your lifestyle and needs. Which is why lots of people opt to build a custom home rather than a standard off the plan design from a volume builder. With a customised design you get to choose the size, configuration, style and more—everything from the façade and cladding through to the smallest details like doorknobs and tapware. You can also design the layout to suit your family, lifestyle and the features of your block. However, while the choice and scope of a custom build is a definite benefit, if you don’t partner with a builder who is flexible, experienced and ‘gets’ your vision, there is a real chance of it all ending badly. So, how do you find the right custom home builder to bring your vision to life? In this article we share 3 non-negotiables to look for.

Property investment can be a great way to set yourself up financially—but much of your success hinges on finding the right property for your needs. Will you buy an existing property that’s ready to rent? Purchase vacant land and build? Or opt for a knockdown rebuild? The best choice will depend on many factors (too many to mention here!) and in the right circumstances, all of the above can be a great choice. As home builders, our expertise lies in building new investment properties—and over the years we have worked with many savvy investors who have found clever ways to increase their investment ROI. If you’re considering building an investment property, educating yourself and doing your research is the first and most critical step in maximising your chances of success. So to help you get started, in this article we’re sharing 3 top tips to increase ROI on your investment property build.

As awareness around sustainability grows, it’s clear that by making smarter choices every day, we can all take steps towards reducing our environmental footprint. From cutting back our waste to turning the lights out, these small actions all add up to make a real and meaningful difference. On top of this, there are certain times when you have a unique opportunity to reduce your footprint in a huge way—and building a new home is a great example of this. There are many wonderful homes where every design feature is focused on sustainability, however, reaching this level is not always achievable for everyone. But the good news is, that many of the essential choices you make throughout the design process can contribute positively to lessening your impact. So if you’re keen to learn some simple ways to reduce your environmental footprint when you build a new home, read on!

The events of the last twelve months have changed our perspectives on many things, including the way we view our homes. It has become clear to all that having a beautiful, comfortable and livable home will enhance our lives in many ways.  So whether the pandemic has caused you to rethink your current living arrangements, or you already had plans in the pipeline, if you’re considering building your dream home in 2021, where do you start?  There are lots of decisions to be made, and without a clear vision of what you’re trying to achieve, it can fast become overwhelming. Visiting display homes and checking out recently completed projects online is a great way to source design ideas and find out what’s popular. But it’s not just the aesthetics of the design you need to look out for. The layout, size, location and practical features are all really important too. So to help you bring together your ideas and get the ball rolling on your new home project, we’ve compiled a handy list of 5 tips for building your dream home in 2021.

These days, building a new home in a large city or sought-after suburb in Australia is unfortunately beyond the reach of many, especially those trying to enter the market. This affordability crisis, along with a shift in perspective around lifestyle, health and wellbeing priorities, has seen a growing trend towards making the move away from the big smoke to settle in regional towns and cities. Not so long ago, the vast majority of people seeking a ‘tree change’ were retirees; but today, rising city property prices and a desire to enjoy a slower pace of life has seen more and more couples and families opting to move to a rural location too. This trend has been slowly on the rise in recent times, however, in the last 12 months there has been a definite spike, due largely to the financial and health impacts of COVID-19. No matter your age or stage of life, leaving the city for greener pastures is a huge decision. So, how do you know if it’s the right move for you? In this article we discuss 3 key indicators that can point you in the right direction.

Bigger isn’t always better. In fact, when it comes to buying a smart, innovative dream house, sometimes it pays to think small. Now thanks to the Federal Government’s HomeBuilder grant you can live your best life for less, thanks to a cash injection of $25,000 on your new build. 

All around Australia people are adopting the small home trend and electing to downsize their homes. With house prices continuing to rise and the average Australian homes achieving above 13% growth rates annually, there is little wonder why the trend for smaller housing is growing. While downsizing has previously been associated with ‘empty nesters’ and those approaching retirement, it has several key benefits and is now being considered a sensible option for a wide range of people. If you like the idea of saving money, energy, resources and time on the up keep of your home, downsizing to a smaller home may be the answer for you. Here are some of the many benefits to downsizing-