Buying a section down under, but which one?
Discussion
This is in New Zealand, and may persuade some of you to emigrate - so feel free to join in.
For somewhat complicated reasons SWMBO and I are thinking of building a new house. Our present house is situated 20 minutes from the centre of Christchurch, which is one of the more pleasant places in the world to live. (pop 350,000, better weather than the south of England, petrol 70p a litre). However this house is somewhat too big, but as it is likely to rise in value considerably over the next ten years (5 bed, 4 bath, 4 living areas, 2 studies, swimming pool, 400 sqm shed, 36 sqm extra cottage, 2000 trees, 10 acres) I would prefer to rent it out rather than sell. Present value is around 450,000 pounds.
As most New Zealand house, even fairly new ones, lack a decent heating system (and yes it does get cold in winter), I would much prefer to build a new one - and incorporate various energy saving features (another thing that many houses lack).
The question is what size section to go for?
There are numerous sections locally just under a quarter of an acre (800 sqm), around 80,000-85,000 pounds. Another ten minutes drive away(35 minutes to central Christchurch) are larger half acre sections - 105,000-110,000 pounds, a 3/4 acre section for 120,000, and finally 4.7 acres for 160,000. This last one is probably not allowed to be chopped up into anything smaller.
The 3/4 acre one looks the most appealing - building costs on any of the sections should be around the 100,000 pound mark.
So, what do you think?
For somewhat complicated reasons SWMBO and I are thinking of building a new house. Our present house is situated 20 minutes from the centre of Christchurch, which is one of the more pleasant places in the world to live. (pop 350,000, better weather than the south of England, petrol 70p a litre). However this house is somewhat too big, but as it is likely to rise in value considerably over the next ten years (5 bed, 4 bath, 4 living areas, 2 studies, swimming pool, 400 sqm shed, 36 sqm extra cottage, 2000 trees, 10 acres) I would prefer to rent it out rather than sell. Present value is around 450,000 pounds.
As most New Zealand house, even fairly new ones, lack a decent heating system (and yes it does get cold in winter), I would much prefer to build a new one - and incorporate various energy saving features (another thing that many houses lack).
The question is what size section to go for?
There are numerous sections locally just under a quarter of an acre (800 sqm), around 80,000-85,000 pounds. Another ten minutes drive away(35 minutes to central Christchurch) are larger half acre sections - 105,000-110,000 pounds, a 3/4 acre section for 120,000, and finally 4.7 acres for 160,000. This last one is probably not allowed to be chopped up into anything smaller.
The 3/4 acre one looks the most appealing - building costs on any of the sections should be around the 100,000 pound mark.
So, what do you think?
You talking Taitap way or what?
The west side of the city is definatly a good 5-7 degrees colder overnight in winter to the stuff on the coast but you wont get either that close to the CBD or that cheap on the coast without looking at NB/Southshore etc.
What do ypou want to build / do with the land. Most people I know with larger sections end up being either buried by it or leasing it out to farmers etc.
My sections 800m or (on clifton hill) so but the house is 2 story so that leaves plenty enough garden but not too much that its a pain.
So what? 200msq house?> 2, 3, 5 garage? pool? tenis court?
The west side of the city is definatly a good 5-7 degrees colder overnight in winter to the stuff on the coast but you wont get either that close to the CBD or that cheap on the coast without looking at NB/Southshore etc.
What do ypou want to build / do with the land. Most people I know with larger sections end up being either buried by it or leasing it out to farmers etc.
My sections 800m or (on clifton hill) so but the house is 2 story so that leaves plenty enough garden but not too much that its a pain.
So what? 200msq house?> 2, 3, 5 garage? pool? tenis court?
Lots of sections in Prebbleton and Lincoln. Aim to build a reasonably conventional 3/4 bedroom house with the intention of selling (and building again) or living in it.
I was trying not to work on cars too much (despite the fact I have a big shed). However the 70 Spitfire required an overdrive conversion, the diesel Discovery decided to blow a head gasket, SWMBO had her Rover 618 written off by an Asian on the Riccarton Rd, and I (must be mad) have just bought a 73 GT6 Mk III, which could also do with an overdrive and a couple of other smallish jobs.
I was trying not to work on cars too much (despite the fact I have a big shed). However the 70 Spitfire required an overdrive conversion, the diesel Discovery decided to blow a head gasket, SWMBO had her Rover 618 written off by an Asian on the Riccarton Rd, and I (must be mad) have just bought a 73 GT6 Mk III, which could also do with an overdrive and a couple of other smallish jobs.
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