How a house and land package can avoid compromising on your dream home

Posted on 15 November, 2023

Buying a home is often a series of compromises.

From the suburb to the block, and finally, to the house itself, there are a series of trade-offs which must be carefully weighed before committing to that mortgage.

Do you go further out to get a better house? Do you get a fixer-upper in a central suburb? Do you buy an older home and update? Or do you attempt to increase the footprint of a smaller house by adding new rooms?

What if you didn’t need to make any of these trade-offs and were instead able to create your dream house, exactly to your specification, close to everything you need at a cost which doesn’t completely break the bank?

Classic Constructions will kick off 2024 by creating three new properties on prime blocks in Denman Prospect.

The suburb, in close commuting distance to Woden, Belconnen, Manuka, and Canberra’s CBD, is being developed by the Snow family as a master-planned community. It will offer a high level of brand-new amenities, such as shops and community facilities, as well as environmental requirements which will make it a model development for the rest of the country.

According to Senior Project Manager David Richards, the three house and land packages are rare opportunities for life “without the usual compromises”.

“I think most people dream of creating their perfect home, from scratch, in a brand new suburb with brand new facilities,” says David.

“Denman Prospect has a lot going for it, being on a reserve, centrally located and close to all the shops and lifestyle amenities, and then to be able to create your home there, as you want it, well that’s going to have a lot of appeal.”

An artist’s impression of a Classic Constructions Denman Prospect house and land package.

The three packages include blocks that are set in prime locations. Two with plans designed by Jefferson Godfrey Architects and Neighbourhood Architecture, which should cater to every whim of the modern family. This leaves the third block, which is still open to designing a custom home in consultation with the lucky purchaser.

David stresses that while these plans have been drawn up to suit these blocks ideally, Classic Constructions can change the plans if the buyer wants – from tweaks around the edges to major overhauls.

From home theatres to each bedroom having an ensuite and walk-in robe, to balconies, alfresco dining areas, studies, mudrooms, walk-in pantries and butler’s kitchens, each design is thoughtful and aspirational.

“We work with trusted architects we have good relationships with, to create homes that tick every box,” explains David.

“But the added advantage of a house and land package is that you can customise each design to fit your own lifestyle, so maybe you don’t want the fourth bedroom, or maybe you don’t need four ensuites.”

He notes this ability to have the final say was a huge drawcard to many potential buyers.

“When you are buying an established home, there are always compromises. Always. But with the house and land package, you have the dream of deciding. So, if you want the double deep basins and the white tiles, you get it from the start.”

An artist’s impression of a Classic Constructions Denman Prospect house and land package.

After many years in the construction industry, David also cautions against trying to retrofit an old home with new features.

“I don’t care what anyone says, the issue with building new parts onto an existing home is that while the new rooms look great, they always make the rest of the house look shabby, but not every budget can stretch to knocking down and rebuilding.”

While the prices for the Classic Constructions House and Land Packages are around the $2 million dollar mark, David said this was cheaper than knocking down and rebuilding in an established suburb and the result would be more cohesive than trying to retrofit an extension on an older home.

“This sort of dream is getting harder to reach because of rising building and land costs, and while buyers will need to have a healthy budget, they really will be getting their forever home for considerably less than under other circumstances.”

“When it comes to building a new home, there is a certain element of risk when you don’t know the builders well and the market is uncertain. Our packages take the risk out because we are well-established [over 40 years in operation], very well regarded, and the purchaser gets to decide every last aspect of the build.”

You can now view one of the architecturally designed homes on AllHomes.

Feature image: The Como, Classic Constructions’ award-winning Denman Prospect display home. Click here for more information.