New Home Buyers Blog

Older ducts can be a real issue to anyone suffering from allergies and can cause plenty of irritation if not cleaned. There are specialist companies that are available to undertake these works and everyone can enjoy your ducted heating system.
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Financing a knock down rebuild for any lender is potentially a risky endeavour due to the main asset being the existing dwelling needing to be knocked down. There are a limited number of lenders interested in loaning on knock down new builds and it pays you to get experts in the field. Berstan Homes have a group of specialist knock down new build brokers available to make sure every detail is covered for a successful outcome for Berstan Clients.
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Berstan has sold over 40 home and land packages in the Eucalypt Estate and still have strong interest for more. The Eucalypt estate by Stockland is a master planned community with many features other estates in the area are envious of. Berstan have packages starting at $300k up to $600k and a new release is coming soon with varying amount of lot sizes to suit most new home buyers.
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Out and about looking after our projects over the last couple of days and I have been watching a home being constructed next to one of ours in Donvale. What did I find ?  The installers of the weatherboard cladding have failed to install flashings to the penetrations to these works and this is going to lead to plenty of trouble in the future. Owners beware!!!!!!! Builders need to supervise their trades.
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Several clients lately have enquiring about a knock down rebuild for their land and are subdividing their land for a future development. This is a great idea particularly if you have small children looking for a back yard to play in. 
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With a massive increase in SMSF (self-managed superannuation fund) property is turning out to be a more certain investment for many SMSF managers than shares and relying on interest rates for any growth of their funds. Berstan Homes are supplying investment properties, 3 bedroom 2 bathroom homes, 5 minutes drive from public transport in several locations and are selling well. We currently will have a new release available in two weeks time and we don't expect the properties to last
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Many knock down rebuild solutions are double story homes and a great feature depending on design, can be the staircase. Here is a picture of a very attractive staircase design with a strong infusion of wrought iron and strong timber presence.  Many staircases are overlooked and become a grand feature of the home entrance.
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Just recently we have had some interesting valuations from some of our client’s banks. The bank values for two particular properties in the same street where very interesting.   One home of 14s/q and land size of 213m/2 valued at $300k then a few houses down in the same street 16s/q home and on a 238m/2 lot valued at $305k work that out? The valuations took place in the same week and by the same bank!   How could this
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There are many mistakes made by home owners when looking for a knock down rebuild project. One major mistake is, not taking into account your neighbours boundary setback which will impact on your future project. Berstan Homes are experts in the new home building business and a quick call about your knock down new build could save you a considerable amount of money.
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When looking for a suitable retirement living solution care needs to be taken when entering into retirement villages. The contracts are very one sided and you should employ a lawyer to check all documentation. Many retirees are not aware of all the fees incurred when such a contract of sale is entered into.  I have compiled a list of the numerous fees and charges you could expect within your retirement contract: Entrance fees Departure fees Management fees Recurrent fees If
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Berstan are currently offering investor packages in Stockland estates designed for the investor. The packages are being quoted with a rental return of 5% plus capital gain. Stockland estates currently participating are Highlands estate Craigieburn, Mernda Villages Mernda and Eucalypt estate Wollert.  The packages are a full turnkey investor solution and completely rent ready. All packages are located within easy access to schools, shopping centres and public transport. Limited numbers are available with deposits currently being taken through Stockland or
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New building restrictions will shortly be introduced in the Nillumbik Shire and everyone looking to have any multi dwellings built on their land will have a limited time to submit proposals. Numerous Councils have been changing their Building Regulations and most will have significant restrictions on knock down rebuilds.
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I was with some clients last weekend and they were amazed by the waterways and parklands at Eucalypt. It's easy to feel that you are not in a residential estate with the amount of open space that abounds Eucalypt. You have hills at one end of the state and the rest have green fields and parkland everywhere. There are very few estates around where you can get out and kick a ball around or play cricket. 
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Berstan Homes have been experiencing an increase in the number of enquires for knock down rebuilds from all over Melbourne. The inner suburbs of Melbourne are generally where most enquires are coming from.  The popular suburbs are Doncaster, Templestowe, Kew, Balwyn, Ivanhoe, Viewbank and Eltham.
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The parklands at the Eucalypt estate in Wollert have some amazing barbecue areas and they are surrounded by decking. The decked areas around the BBQ zones are not small, they are huge and able to cater for large numbers.  The outlook from the decked zones range from hills to lakes, a great place for the whole family to enjoy the great outdoors. Berstan Homes have limited number of home and land packages within these areas and they are selling fast. 
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The Berstan Homes knock down rebuild project in Porter Street Templestowe has been progressing nicely. The new roof is now completed. Brickworks are nearly finished and first cladding will be starting next week.
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The parks are amazing at the Eucalypt estate, the photo above shows just one of the incredible pieces of equipment available for play. There are also the conventional swings, but that's it the rest of the equipment is state of the art climbing structures and self-propelled seats and much more.  All this surrounded by grass lands and tree, Stockland have done a great job in creating a fun environment. Berstan Homes has a limited number of home and land packages
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Many home buyers overlook sloping sites due to various reasons: Higher Site Costs Harder to find a builder to build on sloping Lots Standard Design will not suit Custom Design required Longer build time Retaining walls
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The Stockland campaign is off and running with strong sales results in all their estates. Since the campaign started, Berstan Homes has experienced an increased interest with their house and land packages throughout the Stockland estates.  With a quality Estate and a quality Berstan Home, its little wonder clients are increasing for both companies.
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Why are we doing so many knock down rebuilds in Melbourne? Because we have complete homes starting at $220K and all the other costs saved that's why. With homes starting at these prices people are seriously considering doing knock down new builds in nearly every established suburb in Melbourne.
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Berstan Homes are experts in knock down rebuilds in Melbourne which is why so many clients are choosing them over the many other builders.  The main reason we believe is the personal approach Berstan Homes can offer by building a limited number of projects in any one year. By limiting our number of knock down new builds we can deliver personal service second to none.
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Beware of the display home styling! Don't get lost in the styling of the display homes, most have hired furniture of the best quality and been styled by interior designers.  The real point to a display home is not the cushions and furniture but the quality of the build. The quality of the build can easily be covered up by the styling and you need to look passed all the removable contents. Once you peel away the contents you can have
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With the cost of a knock down rebuild starting at around the same cost of a new home in a housing estate its little wonder clients of ours are opting to rebuild homes with us.  Macleod is typical of older Melbourne suburbs with plenty of plus features.  Easy access to public transport, schooling and shopping precincts. 
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Beware of the display home hype! With so many display homes around it is very easy to get sucked into the hype associated with them. Most of the major builders don't have any smaller homes on display and are only able to show you through their 30 square singles plus massive double stories.  By having only larger homes for you to view it creates a false sense of what your smaller home is going to turnout like. It's an old sales
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We have been pricing plenty of knock down rebuilds in the Park Orchard area of late. A common design request with these is for the inclusion of a ground floor master bedroom with full ensuite facilities. This type of design is becoming very common with our clients and a real asset to the home design enabling visitors their own space.
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Saving Stamp duty on a knock down rebuild in Preston is easy if you already own the land as you will not be required to pay any stamp duty payments.  Saving stamp duty is only one of many reasons you should consider a knock down rebuild. Contact Berstan Homes today and find out how you can save more.
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With so many new home builders in the market, choosing your builder can be very difficult. The founder of Berstan Homes Stan Bryson built his first home in 1955 so as a company we have seen many changes in the home building industry. Stan has long since retired but still has a very active interest in the company. Brothers Mark and Paul Bryson are now running Berstan Homes and they are involved with every home built so our clients are
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Saving money on a knock down rebuild in Melbourne is easy with Berstan Homes. Berstan Homes have their own in house design team able to design any knock down rebuild from a single home to dual occupancies and unit developments. By having our own design team this saves our clients many thousands of dollars.
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With so many new estates around the outer suburbs there is plenty of competition between the land agents for your custom. This can lead to numerous problems due to many agents being focussed on their bottom line.  For example they may not mention factors like fill and the (fall) slope of the land which can add costs to your building project. When purchasing land I would strongly suggest getting your builder involved before you place any deposits. A builder will
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Are you sick of your little old home? Why not investigate the possibility of a knock down rebuild with Berstan Homes. Just imagine your own custom designed home on your existing land, let Berstan Homes make it a reality. Doing a knock down rebuild is the only true way of having the best of both worlds, same neighbourhood you love being part of with a brand new home to live in.
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