Buyer-Guide

Our family's expectation regarding dream Home.

Number of Bedrooms.

Other important Features.

Our budget range.

Will we be close to everything we need - shops, schools, parks, public transport, etc?

Will we be able to position a home on our block so it has good access to sun, ideally with the long side or back facing north (or close to north)?

Will any neighboring buildings have an effect on our block's privacy, views or access to winter sun?

Best block for us.

Is it a functional floor plan without wasted space and with plenty of storage?

What would we change about this plan?

Will our preferred home fit well on our block with living areas facing north ? (or close to north)

Do our windows predominantly face north?

Are our north-facing windows shaded by eaves or overhangs?

Are our east and west-facing windows shaded by adjustable shutters?

Do we need to consider double glazing? Where?

Will we use curtains with pelmets to help keep in heat? Where?

Comments, things we'd like to change about our home design

Can our living areas be divided up as needed, for economical heating and cooling?

Will our living areas get plenty of sunlight in winter?

Will our living areas be shaded in summer?

Can windows be opened on more than one side of living areas to let cooling breezes through?

Is our kitchen set out so there is easy reach between different activities?

Do our kitchen cupboards use low emission particle board and finishes?

Comments, things we'd like to change.

Will our bathrooms and laundry have a window for natural ventilation?

Have we chosen fixtures that will save water? For example, do our bathrooms and laundries have 3-star shower heads, 4-star toilets and 3+ star taps?

Comments, things we'd like to change.

Will we use the home office a lot?

Will it be a sunny, pleasant place to work?

Will our bathrooms and laundry have a window for natural ventilation?

Have we chosen fixtures that will save water? For example, do our bathrooms and laundries have 3-star shower heads, 4-star toilets and 3+ star taps?

Comments, things we'd like to change.

Can we swap some rooms around so the bedrooms will be cooler in summer?

Will we use the home office a lot?

Will it be a sunny, pleasant place to work?

Does our home design make good use of natural light?

Our lighting requirements

The costs of running our lighting per year.

How we can save on lighting costs.

The energy star rating of our fridge.

The water star rating of our washing machine.

Our other major energy-using appliances.

The types of flooring in our home.

The timbers used in our home.

The paints and varnishes used in our home.

Examples of colour schemes that we like.

Have we specified materials that are either low emission or natural products?

Will our alfresco areas get sun in winter and be cool and shady in summer?

Will we use local native plants, drought-resistant plants and mulch in our garden, to save water?

Will we grow our own vegetables and herbs?

Comments, things we'd like to change.

How many liters will our rainwater tank hold?

What will our rainwater tank be plumbed in to?

Will we reuse our wastewater? If so, where will we collect it from and where will we use it?