There are a lot of wonderful homes for sale in New Zealand, but sometimes you just can't find exactly what you're after. Maybe building a brand new home is the right option for you, but first it's important you find the right section.
Obviously you can't build just anywhere. Knowing what land for sale to look out for - and what to avoid - is key to ensuring that your build goes smoothly and your new home will provide you with years of comfort and enjoyment.
Finding a location
Depending on other factors relevant to your lifestyle, getting the right location for your new house might be the most crucial decision you make. While some might be fortunate enough to find vacant land in the inner city, a lot of new house construction in New Zealand happens on the fringes of cities.
New developments are springing up all the time with limited established infrastructure, so it pays to research nearby amenities, whether already in place or in the planning stages. Look into a section's proximity to services like:
- Shops
- Schools
- Hospitals
- Public transport
- Main roads/motorways
Getting the right location for your new house might be the most crucial decision you make.
Exposure to the elements
New Zealand is known for having four seasons in one day - there's even a hit song about it! Because of the frequency of unexpected inclement weather, you'll need to think about a prospective section's exposure to the elements.
If you're looking to build in Wellington, try to visit the section on a windy day (you shouldn't have to wait long). If you're dreaming of a shack by the seaside, educate yourself about tidal variation and corrosion resistant materials. And let's not forget how Mother Nature's power has affected Canterbury - so if you're perusing land for sale in Christchurch, learning how any potential sites were affected by the earthquakes of 2010-11 should be your first step.
What can and can't be done on a section?
Under the Resource Management Act of 1991, every regional, district and city council in New Zealand must produce plans aimed at protecting our natural environment from adverse effects from people. These plans will dictate various regulations regarding structure footprint and height, noise restrictions and what property can be used for.
If you're considering buying a section in an area zoned for residential, usually any regulations will be pretty straightforward. Outside of a designated zone however, or if your plans involve anything that could potentially impact the environment, you may need to apply to the relevant council for resource consent.
It's easy to get excited at the prospect of building your dream home from scratch, so if you're ready to begin looking at land for sale, speak to your trusted real estate agent and find that ideal blank slate.
