How to decide if you should demolish and rebuild or renovate

So, you’ve been living in the same house for 20 years and you suddenly want a change in scenery. Maybe your kitchen is out of date, or your bathroom is looking a little old and tired? Maybe you’re looking to extend up or out?

Sooner or later the questions start to pile up and you’re thinking, “do I just move and try and find the perfect new home in Perth somewhere? But I love where we live and I don’t want to move the kids from their school.”

It’s tricky but have at least two options if you’re happy where you are…you can either demolish and rebuild on your existing land or you can opt to renovate. Here are some tips and tricks in deciding whether to demolish and rebuild or renovate your existing home.

1. Determine your budget

The first step in making any changes to the home is to figure out your budget. It might sound obvious, but working out what you actually have to work with will help you determine what is doable and what is not. It ‘s important that you factor in important to consider how the costs will play out in the future too. Once this is sorted, then you can begin to make the necessary changes to the home.

2. Find out if demolishing and rebuilding is doable in your current location

If you’re set on rebuilding in your current location, you need to make sure that is doable in the first place. It could be cheaper to build a new home on flatter land, so if your existing block is sloped and difficult to access, you might be better off finding a more suitable block of land in or around Perth. Some local government areas may not even allow you to demolish your home, especially if it is in an area where heritage preservation is important.

3. Is renovating going to get you the outcome you want?

Thinking about renovating the home is easy enough, but putting the plan to action might be a bit more difficult than you initially think. You need to ensure that your home is able to be reworked and that the structure of the home won’t be changed too much or damaged. If the structure of your home needs to be changed significantly to make sure renovations are possible, then it could be quite costly and you are better off looking at a rebuild instead.

4. Check the property market in your area

You need to take into account the property market and the value of not just your existing home, but any value a renovation may add, or the difference between that a a rebuild. You need to make sure that you won’t be overcapitalising and in turn potentially losing money.

The choice to demolish and rebuild or renovating your home can be a difficult decision. But with these tips and tricks in mind, the decision hopefully gets easier and suits whatever you wanted from this process.

Stuck on whether you should demolish and rebuild or renovate your home? If you have any questions or would like some advice get in touch with our new home consultant by phoning 0424 537 437 or hitting the contact us button below.

How to save $25k off your new home

There has never been a better time to build…but the clock is ticking!

$15,000 HOMEBUILDER GRANT

The extension to the HomeBuilder grant provides eligible buyers $15,000 towards a new home, where the contract is signed between 1 January 2021 and 31 March 2021, inclusive.

The Federal Government Grant allows applications to be made up until 14 April 2021 (inclusive). This will apply to all eligible contracts signed on or after 4 June 2020. The Government has also extended the timeframe in which construction is to commence from three months to six months for all HomeBuilder applicants. This will apply to all eligible contracts signed on or after 1 January 2021, but will also be backdated and apply to all contracts entered into on or after 4 June 2020.

To qualify for the HomeBuilder grant, you must meet the following eligibility criteria:

• you are a natural person (not a company or trust);

• you are aged 18 years or older;

• you are an Australian citizen;

• you meet one of the following two income caps:

  • $125,000 per annum for an individual applicant based on your 2018-19 tax return or later; or

  • $200,000 per annum for a couple based on both 2018-19 tax returns or later.

To find out more about HomeBuilder, click here >>

More first home buyer information

Most States have other incentives such as the First Home Buyer Grant and Keystart loans to help would-be homeowners that meet the eligibility criteria for the HomeBuilder grant. WA is no exception and in some cases you may even be able to apply for various grants to boost your opportunity to begin building.

First Home Owner Grant

This is a WA State Government incentive program, offering $10,000 to first home builders and buyers. Applicants may be eligible for both the Federal HomeBuilder Grant and WA’s First Home Owner Grant. Click here to check your eligibility>>

Keystart Home Loan

Keystart loans are low deposit loans awarded to eligible borrowers with an intent to purchase homes under $480,000. Your income, spouse income and other factors play into your eligibility. Click here to check your eligibility >>

Stamp Duty Reductions 

When considered eligible for a first homeowner grant, this incentive of having a reduction in stamp duty or a full exemption can apply to recipients who fit into the following criteria. Click here to see if you are eligible >>

There has never been a better time to build your new home dream!

Outdoor home design hints and tips for 2021

Perth Townies has been designing homes for a fair while now, and not so surprisingly, we’ve learnt a few things along the way. So, if the idea of picking of the plan isn’t for your, and you want to turn your mind to a custom build, there are a few things you need to know.

First of all

First of all…take your time to decide what it is you really need and want out of your home. The more time you spend upfront at the design stage, the fewer changes you’ll want to make during construction, and the more satisfied you’ll be with the outcome.

Living outdoors is a year round thing

1. Outdoor/indoor flow is vital for modern living but be sure your doorways have shelter from rain with eaves, porticos or your alfresco.

2. Outdoor living in Australia is pretty much already, even in winter if you have the right set up. So think about shade and sunlines that will move throughout the day.

3. If you can’t afford to install outdoor heating straight up, make provision for it by running gas pipes or electrical wiring during the build.

4. Look at running your music outdoors with outdoor speakers. Trust us, your neighbours will appreciate the effort!

5. Sightlines for children’s play areas can be incorporated into your design early in the process
   Separate spaces for children (no matter how old) can be a very valuable asset to living.

6. Lighting is vital to enhancing a home’s natural features and ambience and don’t forget to install outdoor lighting, or cable it up even if you can’t afford the lights yet.