Daniel Pauly

Buying a property is a big financial decision that often affects your quality of life and economic health in the long term.

As a prospective homeowner, it makes perfect sense to want to learn everything you can about the different options available to you.

In the Australian property market, buyers can choose to purchase either house and land packages or buy their own block of land and then build.

The option you choose will depend primarily on your unique situation. However, if you are unsure which is best for you, we have outlined some of the benefits of purchasing a house and land package so you can make a more informed decision.

Saves You Thousands of Dollars

When you purchase both a house and the land together, you only pay stamp duty on the land component of the contract if you have not commenced building yet.

Depending on the location, for a property worth half a million, you would pay a stamp duty ranging between $13,000 to $26,000. You may also need to factor in a builders clean for a new Adelaide property.

However, when purchasing a vacant lot worth $200,000, you only pay anything between $3,500 to $8,500 in stamp duty charges, saving between $10,000 and $17,500.

You may also be eligible for the First Home Owner Grant of up to $10,000 on new homes built in NSW or $20,000 for new homes in Victoria.

In addition, you save on costs of building and other miscellaneous expenses as builders offer better deals to buyers.

More Convenient

There are many moving parts when building a new home. You will need to find and purchase the perfect empty lot for your future home.

Then, there is the gruelling task of interviewing builders and reviewing tens of tenders to hire a contractor.

Let us not mention the bureaucratic bottleneck you may run into while processing all the building permits required by law.

And, then there are the tradespeople to deal with. The bottom line, it is stressful to custom build your home.

On the other hand, with a house and land package, all the processes that go into building a home will be handled for you.

When you purchase a house and land package, you only need to focus on securing the necessary financing without the additional concerns of overseeing the day to day project.

Streamlined Process, Quick Turnaround

The house and land package offers a streamlined process since you will be working with one team from start to finish.

The package often comes with a ready-made house plan that is designed to suit the block, so you can quickly progress to the next phase.

While builders may offer you pre-designed plans such as split level home designs, you can choose a custom design as well as the range of fittings, composite timbers for decking, Newcastle blinds and outdoor areas as well as any other building materials that fit within your building budget.

Also, most builders have their team of designers and architects, which makes coordinating between construction and design seamless.

You Will Know the Total Cost Upfront

You get transparent pricing and an idea of the total cost to build your home. Thich is an added advantage for someone on a tight budget or when you already have pre-approved financing.

However, we recommend that you ask your builder for a detailed breakdown of the inclusions, designs, and features the price covers. 

An Affordable Way to Get on the Property Ladder

It costs 14% less on average to purchase a house and land package than paying for an established property in the same area.

Also, when you factor in the lowered stamp duty, federal and state government incentives for new homeowners, and enticing deals from builders, purchasing a house and land package offers an affordable option for young people to get onto the property ownership ladder.

Offers Significant Tax Benefits to Property Investors

As a property investor, a house and land package offers some incredible value you may not get otherwise.

For example, new houses depreciate fast, which means you can claim full depreciation on your investment.

Also, since the home is new, it will have a warranty should there be any problems.

Finally, new houses are low maintenance and often come fitted with the latest energy compliance features, which will save you huge energy costs in the long term.

This is it; everything is ready: Your new house is fully renovated, with the whole place smelling of fresh paint and just waiting for you to make the space your home.

But before you can relax on the couch and watch TV, you must get all your stuff moved in.

With various keepsakes and valuables packed away and large furniture being moved around in your pristine new sanctuary, it is highly understandable that you get a little bit anxious.

After all, there are a myriad of ways moving can go wrong. From packing up and boxing things away to the transport to and from vehicles and out of into properties, you might find items lost, cracked, or even irreparably damaged.

These all constitute a moving family’s worst nightmare. To prevent this worst-case scenario from coming true, check out these top tips.

Take Stock and Do Inventory

If your moving plan is to pack everything up and move them into your new place, you might want to rethink that strategy.

While we accumulate lots of knick-knacks because they have sentimental value, many of these items do not last long in our hearts and end up as needless clutter.

You know what I mean: Movie ticket stubs, gifts from friends or family that you do not really like, old clothes, childhood toys. Do you want these things in your new place, even if you have space for them?

Go through your house and do a quick declutter and clean-up before deciding on what you want to bring with you when you move.

Only keep the things that you need to live or really want. The rest you can sell, trash, donate, or recycle.

Make sure that all the items you are moving end up on a list. It will help later if this list is categorised meticulously.

You may also find it easier to digitise the list. Doing these things will help you later when you are unloading and unpacking.

When you do your homework beforehand, you are making sure that no item gets (unintentionally) left behind in the move.

Call in the Professionals

If you feel like all this is too much work, well, maybe calling in a professional  furniture removalist Newcastle is your best move.

A good moving company will have the right expertise and all the best tools and equipment to ensure your moving experience goes as smooth as butter.

Make Sure Everything Fits

One of the ideal ways to make sure everything goes smoothly on moving day is by first measuring everything.

This means the height, length, and depth of all your furniture. Remember that list? This is where that comes in handy.

Then, head to your new place and make sure that every piece of furniture can fit through your front door.

Do that also with all the other entryways, all hallways, and stairwells. Make sure that there will also be enough space for you to move around comfortably when the furniture is in place.

And once you are done with that? Do all the measurements one more time to be safe. You do not want to end up stuck outside your new home because your bed frame cannot fit through the door.

Padding Up and Taping Down

It is better to proactively prevent damage to your belongings. To ensure that all your items, whether big or small, are safeguarded during the trip and loading and unloading, make sure that they are adequately padded with the right materials.

This is especially important for fragile items like crockery and glassware. Use corner protectors on mirrors and art or picture frames; crumpled newsprint, packing peanuts, or bubble wrap work great for protecting your valuables.

Make sure that your items do not move about in their boxes by filling up gaps or taping things down.

Even your furniture should be given due consideration as you do not want any tears, scrapes, or stains to materialise because of the move. Plastic wrap or moving blankets are good options for this.

The Right Containers

You might think that having a few big boxes as possible is best. Unfortunately, that is a sure way to make sure something breaks, or someone gets hurt. Make sure your boxes are suitable for the items they carry and never overfill a box.

Choose containers made of sturdy material that will not get crushed or collapse if jostled. That said, cardboard is not always going to cut it.

Getting or renting specialty items for the move, such as plastic moving boxes, might save you some worry and heartache.

Also, make sure to mark everything correctly, with labels or notes such as “Fragile” and “This End Up” being some critical examples.

Disassemble and Store

If something big can be made smaller, that is going to help loads on your move to save space. It also helps to make sure nothing gets broken.

Disassemble your furniture, especially items with parts that stick out, and package them individually.

Try to label each piece if possible, as you are going to have to put everything back together later. Make sure to store all the parts together for convenience.

Keeping Chaos Out

Murphy’s Law states that “everything that can go wrong will go wrong.” Luckily, there are steps to take to avoid that kind of chaos on moving day.

Having floor covers, especially non-slip ones, will make sure that your new home will be clean after your move.

Besides, it also prevents falls when foot traffic through your house will be heavy. Use protective padding on your door frames to ensure that no accident will leave a permanent mark.

Think this is overkill? Well, maybe. But remember that as careful as you are, accidents happen.

 

It’s impossible to deny that homelessness is a problem in America, especially in our larger cities. Whatever the root cause, be it mental health problems, abuse, addiction or others, it is a societal plague and a public health crisis. It’s easy to lose sight of the fact that inside every homeless person, there is a human being, family story, and a chance to turn things around. There are many ways you can help do this, from big to small.

Become a Social Worker

Let’s start with those who have such a passion for helping others that they want to make a career out of it. Social workers can help teach basic life skills training Plumas Lake CA to people who are homeless or in need in many other ways. Social workers are trained, licensed professionals with either BSW, LISW or MSW degrees who can work for private entities or government agencies to make a huge difference.

Volunteer

Taking a step back, you certainly don’t need to pursue a degree or make helping the homeless a full-time occupation. Many people volunteer at homeless shelters, food banks and other nonprofit agencies and can make a big difference by just being present a few hours every week or month. It’s worth checking with your local agency to see what they need. Chances are, they can find a helpful position for someone with your skill set, whatever it may be.

Donate

There are also many well-intentioned people who simply don’t have time to work directly with the homeless on a volunteer or even paid basis. You may have young children, aging parents, or demanding jobs. If you feel strongly about fighting homelessness, you may be surprised at what a difference that even a modest cash donation can make to a local or national agency. It will help fund programs that will get people help, and that is just as needed as putting in the time to work with them directly.

Regardless of the circumstances, homeless people deserve basic human dignity. We can meet their essential needs and help them on the right path with the efforts we’ve outlined here.