The selection process in 10 simple steps
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Island benches are proving to be popular in most modern homes.
One of the best things about an island bench is the additional space and storage it provides.
An island bench also makes for a great central area for family and friends to gather around, as well as make for an informal dining space.
As with any Bendella Group design, we can modify the size of island benches to suit your lifestyle. Only recently we extended a client’s bench to accommodate a larger sink and additional storage. The client also wanted more room for bar stools which we incorporated into the design.
Pendant lights are an easy way to add some affordable on-trend pieces to your home.
A perfect addition to complete an island bench, not only do pendant lights provide a pleasing aesthetic look, they also create a pleasant ambience in the kitchen.
There are countless pendant design options at varying prices making it a great addition to your home without hurting the hip pocket.
We typically recommend a client sources a pendant light from an external party to really add their own individual flair to the kitchen.
Try Beacon Lighting for inspiration and we can fit the light for you.
The walk-in-pantry is a cooking enthusiasts best friend.
When it comes to storage they're big enough to store ingredients, cookbooks, pots, pans, and some are even big enough to store cooking appliances.
With the addition of extra storage space (who doesn't love extra storage?!) it allows you to be a little more creative with your organisation and quickly hide any mess should guests unexpectedly pop over!
The majority of our larger homes feature walk-in-pantries and with space allowing, we try to incorporate them in many of our more compact designs too.
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Building New Property
Whilst building a new home may seem like a daunting prospect, there are many benefits of building a new property. Here are just a few:
Buying Established
If building doesn’t sound appealing – there are certain benefits associated with purchasing established property. These include:
At Bendella group we have 10 years experience in building and renovating so we can sit down with you and help you make your house a home.
Whatever your decision may be, Bendella Group has a solution for every step of the way - whether you are a first home buyer in the market for a house and land package or looking to purchase established property. We can help you make the best decision based on your financial situation and future plans. We have helped hundreds of families realise their dream of living in a brand new home in their favourite location – we would love to help you too!
It’s also great to know that Bendella Group provide a 25 year structural guarantee to give you peace of mind. Begin your journey now, explore Bendella’s home designs or the many house and land packages we have on offer. We can help you every step of the way!
]]>In order to keep pet-occupied rooms in tip-top condition, you need hard surface flooring.Polished concrete and ceramic tiles are easier to keep clean and stain-free. In a hot climate hard floors also remain cooler, this is an important consideration for pets with long or thick fur!
Your canine or feline friend can snuggle inside a nook in your bedroom, living room or study. Typically these are used for decoration or to showcase a piece of art or furniture, nooks can also provide a cozy spot for your pets to curl up in.
Cabinet doors can be easily opened with the nudge of a nose or paw. Prevent your pet from getting into your stash of cleaning supplies by putting a child-safe latch on your lower cabinet doors.
Dirty paws on clean floors are no fun for anyone so consider a mudroom for your new home. Our Banksia and Reuben designs feature mudrooms where you can clean the mud or dirt off your shoes prior to entering the living area. This same space can be used by your animals too!
You can customise your kitchen to accommodate your pets. Consider including a feeding area for your clawed pal or an integrated drawer with built-in bowls that can ensure easy access to bowls at dinner time. This way you can keep the bowls handy for the pets as well as protect the kitchen floor from tripping hazards.
Check out our Banksia and Reuben designs below for some pet friendly inspiration!
https://buildmenow.com.au/collections/4-bed/products/banksia-4-20m
https://buildmenow.com.au/collections/4-bed/products/reuben-4
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Well, it’s not, seriously! See below for our top 5 saving tips to build a home sooner.
Tip #1: Earn Extra Income on the Side
We all love that little bit extra spending money!
Try to earn extra cash on the side, consider working a side job that that can be done whenever you have time. Check out AIRTASKER/FIVER! Too easy.
You could become an Uber driver / walk someone’s dog/ clean their car anything for $$$.
Tip #2: Have Part of Your Pay Deducted into Your Savings
Lenders often ask for evidence of genuine savings ($20/week is all you need). It’s a great idea to have an auto transfer for portion of your pay going straight to a separate savings account.
It shows you can budget/save regularly and commit to paying off a loan.
Tip #3: Make Sure You Use Your Credit Cards Wisely
A credit card can make or break your home loan application. Minimise your limits. Pay if off every month, it shows that you can deliver on your promise to pay – banks love that!
Tip #4: Find the Right Savings Account For You
So many options available and they are all online! Maximise your interest so you make the most of your diligent savings.
Tip #5: Cut Back/Cancel Subscriptions & Services You Don’t Need
Subscriptions (Netflix, Stan, and/or Spotify) can really add up so temporarily cancelling these can help you to save more.
You might also want to consider ditching/pausing Afterpay, ZipPay, gym memberships, magazine subscriptions, digital subscriptions, apps and more.
This extra borrowing power will be worth the short-term inconvenience.
AIM FOR CLEAN BANK STATEMENTS WITH ROUTINE SAVINGS – and you are getting a HUGE head start.
Now that you're on your way to saving for a home, here's some important things to consider when building!!
https://buildmenow.com.au/blogs/news/important-things-to-consider-when-building
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1. Be honest about your Finances
Seriously! The most common reason that mortgage applications get declined are people not being honest about their financial position. They will find out anyway.
2. Make sure you declare ALL your expenses
Forgetting to mention something like school payments for your kids can derail your credit application. If a lender sees this, it is likely they will decline the loan due to non-disclosure. It's best to be honest up front and get an approval.
3. Inconsistency in Employment
Lenders like borrowers who have a relatively stable recent employment record – at least six to twelve months or more in your job, receiving regular income.
4. Paperwork Delays
The paperwork that lenders require can be significant, so it’s important to send everything that is required in a timely manner.
5. Not shopping around
Consider all your options, don’t just apply for a home loan with your own bank, engage the services of a reputable mortgage broker for the best offer from “ALL” the banks.
To get even more financially savvy, check out this blog post below:
https://buildmenow.com.au/blogs/news/star-building-faster-get-pre-approved
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Now that you have a better understanding of the finance process, make sure you check out our tips on buying land:
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𝘈𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘺 𝘢𝘴𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘪𝘮𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘢𝘯𝘵 𝘲𝘶𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴:
✅What’s important to you? Your lifestyle/kids/work/sports etc.
✅Do they talk about the shade in the afternoons/morning sun and how it will affect your bedrooms and alfresco?
✅Do they discuss the slope of the land/how the block with work with your layout?
✅Do they recommend a layout right for YOU or just one that “sells” well
✅Do they take into account a great foundation for resale when you are ready to move on? (2yrs-50yrs – we all need to sell at some point)
✅Does your builder/real estate agency seem to recommend one estate only (they may be getting a commission!)
✅Do they take the time to explain the benefits of what is available? Eg. proximity of schools, public transport, shops, setbacks, design guidelines etc. to ensure the block suits your lifestyle
These are the questions that will ultimately ensure you get the house and land package that is right for you.
𝗣𝘂𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗯𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘁𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘀𝗲𝗲 𝗵𝗼𝘄 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘆 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗰𝗸 𝘂𝗽!
Now that you've asked the BIG questions, ensure you are getting the best VALUE for your money:
https://buildmenow.com.au/blogs/news/why-high-volume-is-not-good-value-in-the-long-term
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Save $$$$
First things first, a new build is normally cheaper per square metre than renovating an existing house. Plus you’re starting with a clean slate without structural or design restrictions. Working with a customer builder like Bendella Group is more cost-effective than working with an architect and independent builder.
We design in-house to bring your ideas to life, all whilst guiding you through the cost of the design during the concept process.
There's nothing worse than creating the design of your dreams that is $100K over budget!!
We can assist you by customising an existing house design, or creating something from scratch. Either way, we’ll work in with you to make sure your house design meets all your needs.
Live the dream
Designing a custom house is all about living the dream, without the compromises of buying an existing property.
You can plan the design around your family, future family or your way of life (nightshift, kids, entertaining or outdoor living). We can even plan for future extensions, if the budget doesn’t fit right now. We make it easy to get the home you really want.
It’s the freedom to fully express yourself; from layout, to fixtures and fittings, to your dream colour palette.
Build to suit your block
A customised home is designed to suit the location, aspect and surrounding environment of your block, so that form meets function in complete harmony. Especially if you have a sloping or narrow block, customisation can really make a difference in squeezing more space and practicality for your new build.
A custom design can achieve other goals: such as maximising views, protecting your privacy or accommodating multiple generations.
Adding unique features
Here’s the really fun part: adding unique features that you’ve always dreamed of. Just a few ideas to get the creative juices flowing:
Go green
An energy efficient house isn’t hard to achieve, especially with a custom design. Your house can be oriented to take advantage of breezes and sunlight, use smart building materials, and employ energy-efficient appliances and devices.
Building a new home is a major opportunity to improve your lifestyle for many years to come. For such a major investment, it pays to take the extra time upfront to customise you design so that you’re fully satisfied: especially if this is going to be your ‘forever home’.
Speak to one of our team to make your dream home a reality.
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It is important to remember - it takes time to build a new home properly!
The following can impact your timeline:
Some offer 12 weeks, this is only possible for very basic, small homes with no changes or contingency for delays (weather etc).
More importantly, it also does not allow for sufficient drying times for concrete, block work, rendering or painting. Sometimes, rushing a build can create maintenance issues in the long term.
We recommend you allow 20 weeks from your slab. This offers a stress free build for you. You can enjoy the project coming to life. We allow for scheduling contingencies, so you don’t worry when trades aren’t onsite.
Most importantly it allows for important components to dry and strengthen. It also allows the banks to pay for your home so you can actually move in.
We thoroughly recommend not short changing your experience and allow for it to be done properly. Allow nothing less than 20 weeks.
Now that you know how long your home should take to build, make sure your builder offers plenty of flexibility!!
https://buildmenow.com.au/blogs/news/flexibility-where-it-counts
]]>Investing in a home is a big decision, but being different from the crowd will benefit you in the long term.
]]>They work from a variety of standard plans with standard inclusions, limited colours and selections.
So instead of your dream home - you are really getting their interpretation and everyone else’s.
Why is this less than ideal? When you come to the point of selling your home - you will have the same as everyone else. Where’s your point of difference to achieve a premium selling price?
It's a bit like buying a unit; the only difference is that the houses are spread out over the city and surrounding suburbs.
It is common for unit owners to have trouble selling when their unit building has others selling also. It takes longer and negotiation is harder as the layouts and fittings are all the same. There is no point of difference.
So before you think you are getting the best deal - are you really?
We offer complete customization. In fact, in 11 years we have not built two houses exactly the same. Every one of our clients have something truly unique.
We provide a point of difference, and our clients benefit from this in the long term.
Don’t follow the crowd, it will only be reducing the value of your biggest investment.
Now that you're getting closer to choosing your preferred builder, make sure you're aware of these shortcuts some builders take to win your business:
https://buildmenow.com.au/blogs/news/shortcuts-builders-take
]]>Each option has its pros and cons. For instance, building a house from the ground up will give you the floor plan you want, but it will take months to construct. If you buy an existing home, you might have to compromise on the floor plan, but you’ll get to move in right after settlement!
Before you decide on your next home, take time to explore the arguments for and against each choice with the information in this article.
The Case for Building a House
In your average property market, an existing home is typically on the market for 30 days! With homes flying off the market so quickly, competition to find an existing home can be tough. When you build a home, the competition factor decreases.
Customisation is another huge pro. You’ll get to personalise the details of your house when you're building a house from the ground up—from the layout, cabinetry and flooring to the sinks, lighting, colours and door handles!
Obviously, new homes are built to meet current building codes, are often more energy efficient, and can incorporate up-to-date technology. For the first few years, you’re less likely to deal with big-ticket maintenance issues like leaky roofs or ineffective air-conditioning units in a newly built home. Plus, many homebuilders offer warranties or a whole host of products.
Cons of Building
So, why wouldn’t you choose to build a house? For starters, it takes an average of 4-5 months to construct a new build. This means you’ll likely either have a gap in residence between the time you sell your old place and build your new one or you’ll be renting whilst you’re building. You’ll need to be prepared to cover the cost of renting until you can move into your newly built place.
Here’s another disadvantage: Most buyers go into a home purchase expecting to wheel and deal on the price. While that’s certainly common in the resale market, new homes are a little different. Usually there’s not a lot of leeway on purchase price due to the fixed price of materials.
Another con: unexpected out-of-pocket expenses like unforeseen costs or upgrades. They have a funny way of sneaking up on new home buyers. Bendella Group have a very stringent cost management program and fixed priced contract so that’s sure to give you piece of mind. To cover yourself against any unexpected surprises, start by asking your builder these questions:
Knowledge is power. Don’t be afraid to ask the hard-hitting questions; it’s your hard-earned money at risk!
The Case for Buying an Existing Home
Pros: The benefits of buying an existing home are more than financial. Buying a home is often less stressful than building one. When you build a house, you’ll have to purchase land, decide on a home design, pick out flooring, fixtures, cabinetry, countertops, interior colours, exterior colours, and on and on it goes. You’ll have to do all of this and stay under your budget. Managing all the details that go along with building a home takes time and effort. Don’t underestimate the depth of stamina you’ll need to make sure it’s all done the right way.
On the other hand, purchasing an existing home is usually less stressful than building because you have fewer decisions to make about the house itself! It’s already built!
Here are some other pros for buying an existing house:
The Cons of Buying Existing
Clearly, there’s a higher risk you’ll face maintenance issues in an existing home. Whilst a professional home inspection can root out many of those potential problems, it can be expensive to order a host of tests and most people only order a few, for this very reason. You may also need to update some of the outdated features of an older home, bathrooms and kitchens in particular.
Other cons include:
The most important detail about buying an existing home is making sure it suits your needs both now and in the future.
Ready to Decide?
With all that said, every market is different—just like every buyer is different. The best way to choose the option that’s right for you is to take your time and consider all options.
Building a home may be an easy way to get what you want, but there’s more to it than picking a floor plan with all your favourite colours and finishes.
Still not sure? Well it is a BIG decision and the following article might just be what you're looking for:
https://buildmenow.com.au/blogs/news/building-vs-buying-established
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Budget constraints tend to be the main reason for indecisiveness and this can put a real dampener on your building experience as a whole.
At Bendella Group, we have addressed this concern and come up with a solution.
Whilst we offer 3 main levels of inclusions at varying price points, our flexibility extends well beyond this. You can mix and match between any of our ranges to achieve the perfect balance between budget and taste.
Furthermore, design and block of land permitting, you can also opt for our ‘QT’ range which is aimed at stripping back a home to the bare essentials if budget constraints are very tight.
Whatever your budget, whatever your tastes, Bendella Group have the flexibility to achieve just the right outcome for you.
Now it's time to add real value to your home with these tips!
https://buildmenow.com.au/blogs/news/add-value-to-your-home
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When buying a block of land, there are several key areas to focus on, which will ultimately save you a lot of heartache in the long run. Here’s our top tips to maximise your land selection:
Slope
How much slope is on the land? A sloping block can often mean the need for retaining walls, additional fill, or costly design modifications may be necessary to create a strong foundation for your home.
Easements
An easement is a section of land registered on your property that gives a person or entity a legal right to use someone else’s land, in this case your land. Easements are a no-build zone such as a shared driveway, overland flow, storm water or trees.
Flood Zoning
Is your land in a flood zone? It’s important to understand the likelihood of flooding in your local area. If your land is within a flood zone, you may be required to spend additional funds on sufficient drainage and the diversion of excess water from your land.
Covenants
Covenants apply when there is specific neighbourhood planning in an area requiring certain criteria to be met regarding the external design and appearance of the home. If you are building a home in an estate, the developer should provide you with a covenant outlining their design guidelines.
Proximity to Main Roads
Is the land within ear shot of a main road or highway? You might need to carry out an acoustics report which could determine that you need to increase the glazing on windows or thickness of doors and walls.
Identification Pegs
Identification pegs are used to identify property boundaries. Are there identification pegs on the land? If pegs cannot be located, an identification survey may need to be conducted.
Soil test
Has a soil test been carried out? The levels of reactivity of the soil on your block is important as it will determine the level of engineering and reinforcement required to support your home. Soil testing enables you to find the makeup of the soil on your land. Please note: Whilst soil tests are an accurate way of determining the reactivity of your soil, they cannot identify the presence of rock, which can also increase costs.
Traffic Management
Will a traffic management solution be required by council during the build process? If your land is located on a busy road, near a school or through a main thoroughfare, you may require traffic management to direct traffic during various stages of the build.
Encroachments
Are there any encroachments on the property that may affect the construction or your rightful title to the land? For example, the neighbours retaining wall or fence line may fall through your property boundary.
Whilst this may seem like a lot of areas to consider, Bendella Group can provide guidance on these areas and we are more than happy to visit potentially suitable lots with you to help with your decision making process.
Now that you're all across land selection, be wary of shortcuts some builders take!
https://buildmenow.com.au/blogs/news/shortcuts-builders-take
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Building a home is an exciting but sometimes daunting adventure. But what are you actually getting at your handover? Is it what you imagined and knew you would receive or is it missing anything?
When thinking about building a new home, it’s important to understand the level of inclusions so that you can reasonably compare what each builder is offering. Every builder will present their standard inclusions a little differently, which can sometimes be confusing and difficult to interpret.
It all lies in the details, so it’s important to read slowly, carefully and seek clarification on items that appear vague or ambiguous. Building your new home can be a complex undertaking so it’s best to not leave anything to chance. If an item appears to be missing from an estimate and inclusions schedule, then it is likely not included.
We’ve put together some common items to look out for and query on an estimate:
Situated just minutes from the Casuarina shopping precinct, Royal Darwin Hospital, northern beaches, the airport and a golf course, Breezes Muirhead was built to seamlessly integrate with Darwin’s unique tropical climate. The community has been cleverly planned to suit the local climate with strategically aligned street layouts capturing prevailing cross flow breezes and sweeping shaded spaces for natural cooling.
Darwin CBD is only a 10 minute drive away, which is a thriving hub of pubs, restaurants and nightlife. Extensive open green space, parklands and neighbourhood pocket-parks add to the overall feeling of space and sense of community, making Lee Point one of Darwin’s premiere suburbs.
Zuccoli Village
Embraced by native woodland and only 5 minutes from the Palmerston City Centre, Zuccoli Village offers a variety of house and land options catering to all lifestyles and budgets. The Darwin CBD and its restaurants, pubs and clubs are only a 25-minute drive away and the Airport only 18 minutes.
Zuccoli Village offers immediate access to vibrant and exciting playgrounds, bushland walking trails and bike paths. Residents enjoy the convenience of Zuccoli Plaza which includes an IGA Supermarket, café and Cellarbrations bottle shop. Blocks range from 360m² up to 958² and the design guidelines have been developed to create a neighbourhood that is laid back, open and leafy, embracing the Darwin lifestyle.
AMENITIES WITHIN 5 MINUTES
Zuccoli Aspire
Zuccoli Aspire is the most exciting new land development that the Northern Territory has experienced. With development planned over 12 stages, Zuccoli Aspire will offer residents a family-friendly, natural environment complemented by scenic leafy streets, large parks, green open spaces, two schools and child care centres. Zuccoli Aspire has established itself as the number one affordable, and high-quality land subdivision in the Northern Territory and is conveniently located near shops and only a short drive from the Palmerston CBD and boat ramps.
Currently proposed are a shopping precinct and specialty shops, dog park, lakes, sports oval, family friendly licensed bistro and amphitheater. The Gateway Shopping Centre and the Palmerston Regional Hospital are located 5 km away.The bus service to Zuccoli Aspire is active and the routes are constantly expanding.
Mitchell Creek Green
Mitchell Creek Green is located within the fast growing City of Palmerston, approximately 27 km from the Darwin CBD, and only 5 minutes from Palmerston city centre. A range of community facilities are available within easy reach, including waterparks, healthcare, fitness and sports clubs, libraries, schools and much more. The Gateway Shopping Centre, with Woolworths, Big W, Event Cinemas and over 60 specialty stores, is situated less than 5 minutes drive away.
Diverse and affordable, Mitchell Creek Green will provide a range of lot sizes, ranging from 360m² to 600², spread out over a 50 hectare site surrounded by lush bushland. Enjoying the benefits of dramatic sloping natural landscape, Mitchell Creek Green includes a number of elevated home sites that allow capture of landscaped views and cooling breezes.
Carefully thought out simple design guidelines complement the natural surroundings and enhance the quality of the community as a whole. Situated on Zuccoli Parade, the estate is bounded by Lambrick Avenue providing residents easy access onto Stuart Highway and Darwin CBD, Kakadu National Park and Litchfield National Park.
Northcrest
Northcrest is poised to be a modern vibrant Village at the epic of greater Darwin. Located in Berrimah, centrally located between Palmerston, Darwin, and Casuarina, the suburb will include the development of 2000 housing lots and 40 sites for medium density development as well as business, commercial and community activities.
The Darwin CBD is only a 15 minute drive away, offering a vast array of specialty shops and food and entertainment options. Even closer are the Airport and Casuarina Shopping Precinct, a 10 minute drive at most. In addition to this close proximity of several key locations, Northcrest will eventually provide a retail and commercial centre, delivering a range of shopping options to residents of the development, including restaurants, cafés, and specialty stores. There is also space allocated for the construction of a school.
With its wide streets and generous lot sizes, Northcrest is the only new subdivision area that allows the option of front fencing, offering maximum security and the advantage of being able fully utilise every square metre of land.
Jarkira Estate
Jarkira Estate is a welcoming, inclusive community, which supports residents at all stages of life – from first home buyers, to young families, to downsizers. With lot sizes ranging from 450 – 800m² Jarkira Estate offers the opportunity for a range of living options.
The estate is perfectly positioned to ensure connectivity to Palmerston and Darwin CBD, whilst maintaining a life in natural balance. Just 15 minutes from Palmerston City centre, you can enjoy the best of both worlds.
Mirawood
Located in the heart of Berrimah, an ideal location close to quality primary and secondary schools, surrounding parks, recreation, shops, cafes and local transport to cater to your everyday lifestyle.
A uniquely positioned boutique land estate featuring bigger lots, just 12 kms to the CBD. Minutes to schools and every lifestyle convenience, Mirawood offers an exceptional opportunity in a sought after inner Darwin location.
Parkside Berrimah
Parkside Berrimah provides an exclusive quality of life being centrally located to Darwin CBD, Casuarina, Palmerston CBD and the Darwin Airport. Parkside Berrimah is planned and built to respond to the unique tropical climate of the NT. Lots within the estate are innovatively designed with frontages of between 16m and 18m.
]]>When you build, you have the perfect opportunity to allocate money to the areas that really add value to your home. This could drastically increase your home’s resale value, should you eventually decide to sell. With that in mind, here are our top areas to concentrate on to make your home really stand out:
1. Large Windows
One of the absolute best ways to increase the value of your home is by using large windows. Windows are a crucial aspect of both your home’s appearance and function. Large windows will ensure an abundance of natural light and encourage airflow to minimise those pesky power bills.
2. Front Door
Another great way to improve your home’s value is to install a quality front door. Since your front door is the centrepiece to the face of your home, it is critical to your street appeal. Undoubtedly, your front door plays a crucial role in creating visitors’ and buyers’ first reactions to your house. To make the best impression, the style and colour of your door should complement the architectural style and colour scheme of the house. Current trends value clean, simplistic designs over excessively decorative ones.
As an entry point into your home, your front door should also be secure. Some doors can look beautiful but be unsafe. Choose a door that is both attractive and secure. Look for doors with the highest possible residential security rating, equipped with tempered safety glass and security plates. A front door that creates the right first impression and helps keep your home secure is a real asset to any home.
3. Kitchen
It’s often said that the kitchen is the heart of the home, and that is for very good reason. A modern, spacious and functional kitchen sits at the top of many buyers’ wish lists. Use bright and fresh colours for your kitchen cabinets and consider installing soft touch drawers or under-cabinet lighting to improve the ambience.
Choosing stainless steel appliances will instantly modernise your kitchen with minimal effort and the sleek look of stainless steel instantly brings an updated appearance to the room.
You can also make a huge impact in your kitchen by using stone for your bench tops. Stone bench tops come in many styles and colours, so you are sure to find an option that will complement and enhance your kitchen. Most importantly, stone is extremely durable and low-maintenance, so it’s made to last.
4. Bathroom
Many homeowners may not realise just how critical bathrooms are to the value of their homes. One of the most significant changes you can make in a bathroom is by using quality tap ware, sink ware and shower fittings. Try matching these components to towel rails, toilet roll holders and the like.
No matter your bathroom’s size, you want to maximise the space you do have by adding plenty of storage and ensuring you have ample lighting to keep the room feeling bright and airy.
The placement of your bathroom and/or toilet is equally as important. The last thing you want is a toilet backing on to an area with no privacy, such as your dining room or your alfresco area.
5. Create Space
These days especially, home buyers are very interested in houses that feel spacious. This doesn’t necessarily mean they have to be large, but it does mean they should feel open inside rather than closed off by too many walls. Gone are the days of boxy floor plans that separate rooms from one another. Open floor plans can contribute to a brighter interior and enhance the flow inside your home.
At Bendella Group, we have a range of floor plans that are all aimed at maximising living space and creating a seamless blend between the indoors and outdoors. We can also modify our plans to suit but we would always encourage you to keep the overall design as open as possible.
6. Lighting
Don’t underestimate the power of lighting to influence the feel of your home’s interior. Generally speaking, less is not more when it comes to lighting. Small spaces can feel larger with brighter lights. The colour of your light is also something to consider since it can change the mood of a room. Stark, white lighting appears clean while more yellow tones feel warm and possibly cozier. Upgrading to dimmable lights gives you more control over your home’s ambience.
Natural light is especially desirable. As mentioned earlier, this can be achieved with large windows that will let in more light. Another option gaining popularity is to install tubular skylights — also called sun tubes — that funnel natural light from outside through a fixture in your ceiling. With so many lighting options available, our Colour Selections Consultant can guide you through many options to achieve your desired look.
Now you know how to add value to your home, check out how to make your house a home:
https://buildmenow.com.au/blogs/news/how-to-make-your-house-a-home
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While homeowners across Australia have always enjoyed indoor and outdoor entertainment areas, Territorians have a distinct advantage. Beautiful year-round weather means that blending interior and exterior living zones is particularly ideal for the Top End lifestyle. Sure it can get a little humid during the Wet Season but relaxing outside and watching the storms roll in is such a unique experience most Territorians take for granted.
Transitional living spaces are the perfect way for Territorians to get the most out of their outdoor area throughout the whole year, while also extending the reach of their indoor spaces. If you’re unsure how to go about achieving this look and design, we’ve compiled a list of tips on how you can create the indoor-outdoor style in your own home.
Blended Living Spaces
The popularity of open, blended living spaces in Australian homes is due to its ability to introduce light, space and depth into interior rooms. When executed properly with defined zoning, blended living spaces can not only make your home feel bigger, brighter and more inviting, but can also help alfresco areas to act as natural extensions of the indoor space.
These blended spaces perfectly cater to the busy activities of the modern Australian family, allowing people to engage and interact more easily in a communal space while still allocating individual areas for relaxation and concentration.
Bi-Fold Doors
Bi-fold doors are made up of panels that fold up into a stack against one side of the wall when the door is opened. Typically used to offer unimpeded views of the alfresco area, backyards or gardens, bi-fold doors also allow plenty of natural light to filter through into the home, and offer an elegant solution for bridging the gap between the indoors and outdoors.
Stacker Doors
Stacker doors provide more space, better access to the backyard or alfresco and extra light. Much like the benefits of a sliding door where you can really open up a room, stacker doors actually allow you to control the amount of air or space that you desire.
The panels of a stacker door are a lot smaller than say a sliding door. Thus, allowing you to open 1 panel out of the 6 stacker doors, instead of having to open one half of your sliding door.
It’s also easier to leave open when you’re entertaining and require guests entering and exiting the kitchen or alfresco area. It allows more open space for an area that is quite small by creating more room to move. Our Zuccoli Aspire and Northcrest display homes both feature stacker doors so we would encourage you to come and experience their benefits first hand!
Outdoor Dining
Hosting outdoor barbeques and dinner parties are some of the most enjoyable ways to put your alfresco area to better use. Whether your preference is for a casual patio lounge set or more formal dining arrangements, be sure to sure to invest in outdoor furniture pieces that are long lasting, weather resistant, and ideally low maintenance. This will enable you to treat your outdoor area as an additional living space in which to relax, eat meals, and entertain guests.
Décor
Furniture isn’t the only thing that can make your outdoor space feel more comfortable and appealing. Try adding decorative touches such as outdoor cushions or throws, lighting options like fairy lights or lanterns, or feature pieces like an ornamental mirror or vase. Leafy pot plants, large or small, also work wonders for brightening up the outdoors; meanwhile, outdoor rugs add interest and texture to simple spaces. Decorating your alfresco area will help it to feel much more lived in, like an integral aspect of your home.
Water Features
Water features and installations bestow gardens, alfresco areas and backyards with an aura of ambiance and tranquility, heightening the existing beauty of natural elements. Versatile in both design and scale, they can be subtle and unassuming, such as a solitary fountain or bird bath, or striking enough to completely transform a space, such as a koi pond or a water wall. Water features are a fantastic way to enhance the look and feel of your alfresco area, whether you’re after a modern, rustic or classic look.
Indoor Greenery
Having greenery inside the house has many health and lifestyle benefits. Apart from their naturally bright and decorative appearances, household plants help to purify indoor air, liven up dark or drab spaces, and even decrease the stress levels of inhabitants.
There are a variety of popular indoor plants that brighten up communal living spaces and are easy to maintain. Succulents are a low maintenance, super effective way to add a splash of colour and really liven up an area.
We really are lucky up here in the Top End and what better way to take advantage of the beautiful weather than leveraging both the exterior and interior zones of your home. With a little creativity and ingenuity, it’s easy to create living spaces that can be utilised throughout the year, whether they’re indoors or outdoors. It’s the perfect way to enjoy our distinctive lifestyle.
Bendella Group has a range of homes that blend the indoor and outdoor space to create an extremely functional living area year round. Our award winning Beach House design is a perfect example and is our most popular home to date for this reason!
Next stop.. learn how to create the perfect indoor/outdoor space!
https://buildmenow.com.au/blogs/news/creating-the-perfect-indoor-outdoor-living-space
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1. Location
When building a home, not only will you enjoy all that the home has to offer – but you will also be joining a community. The neighbourhood you choose needs to not only fulfill your needs now, but suit your desires in the future. Pay close attention to the proximity of amenities that suit the needs of your family to get a feel of whether the suburb is the right fit for you. To better assist your decision making, refer to our ‘Development Profiles’ blog post to get a quick snapshot of what each estate in Darwin has to offer.
2. Street Appeal
The facade of a home is one of the first things that you notice about a property, so finding a style of home that reflects your personality and style is really important - Bendella Group has many facades to choose from or we can modify an existing façade to your liking. While creating a look to suit your personal style is a key factor, it is also important to check what the façade adheres to the developer’s design guidelines.
3. Functional Floor plan
This is probably the most crucial element of the entire decision making process. While you can easily redecorate to suit your tastes, the layout is something that will be more difficult to change, so you need it to be right first time. Think about how you will live in the space and your lifestyle; those who entertain a lot may opt for more open plan living, while families with young kids might want more closed off areas. Whichever you choose, there are lots of different styles available at Bendella Group to suit all tastes.
4. Large Bedrooms
Your home should ideally have large bedrooms, sizeable enough to accommodate double or queen sized beds in each, plus additional bedroom furniture such as a tallboy, chair and bookshelves. You’ll be surprised at how many builder’s skimp on the size of bedrooms so make sure you double check the size!
5. Luxury Inclusions
Maybe you’ve always wanted a butler’s pantry, or perhaps you just can't do without super stylish commercial quality cooking appliances in your life. It may be loads of extra storage, designer tapware or polished concrete flooring you desire. Whilst it may not be possible to get everything at once, we can advise you on what is best to include now and what you can add later.
6. Outside Areas
Your outside areas need to reflect your lifestyle, in the same way the interior does. Do you love to cook and entertain outside? Perhaps an outdoor kitchen is necessary. Ensure you accommodate and allow plenty of space for pets too.
7. Placement of Bathrooms and Toilets
There are some things that can really detract from the effectiveness of your design and one of those is the placement of bathrooms and toilets! Having a powder room near your living areas, in addition to full bathrooms, is one of the best design decisions you can make. Want to embarrass your guests when you’re entertaining? Position the toilet window right off your alfresco so it’s quite obvious when anyone is using the facilities… yes, this is commonplace in many homes!
8. Interior Home Styling
The interior styling should be reflective of your family’s lifestyle and personalities. Is it cutting edge modern with bold splashes of colour and stainless steel, or is it refined and organic with raw timbers and plenty of white? Our display homes are a great source of interior home styling inspiration and we have a dedicated Selections Consultant who can help you achieve the exact look you're after.
9. Energy Efficiency and Sustainability
With increasing energy costs, and environmental concerns on the rise, this is one area you might want to consider very carefully. Firstly, is the home oriented correctly to make best use of natural light? Is there adequate airflow and cross breezes? What kind of hot water system is in the home? Are the windows large enough to let in sufficient natural light? Homes that leave a lighter ecological footprint are not just cost effective, but also more comfortable to live in.
Use this list of considerations as a starting point to build your ultimate home on budget. It will help you focus on the most important qualities of your home in order for it to be the perfect fit.
Now that you've considered these tips, keep your builder honest by asking these hard hitting questions!
https://buildmenow.com.au/blogs/news/𝗜𝘀-𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿-𝗕𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗲𝗿-𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴-𝗼𝗳-𝘁𝗵𝗲-𝗯𝗶𝗴-𝗽𝗶𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲-𝗼𝗿-𝗷𝘂𝘀𝘁-𝗺𝗮𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴-𝗮-𝘀𝗮𝗹𝗲
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With the federal government’s NBN development currently underway there appears to be more and more confusion around what the NBN actually is and what type of installations will be offered in new estates.
Let us clarify what NBN is and what other fibre connections are out there.
First Off Why has the Government brought out NBN?
NBN’s goal is to provide faster broadband speeds throughout Australia. The Northern Territory has been rather behind in terms of fast internet connection so this will benefit the public and our economy by helping local businesses compete with other businesses around the world.
What is the NBN?
NBN is a wholesaler owned by the government, that doesn’t sell to the public. This is a stark contrast from Australia’s previous internet infrastructure, which was the property of private companies such as Telstra. So, with NBN the Australian government aims to create greater competition between internet retailers such as Telstra & Optus.
How does the NBN Affect My Build?
First of all, Bendella Group will organize a technician to connect the NBN to your home. This is achieved by bringing the fibre optic cable from a location in your street, directly to your premises.
Fibre to the premise (FTTP), is what NBN aims to supply to all households in the future. This gives you fibre optic cabling to your new home, giving you the ability to access the top speeds in the network. Standard Installation would involve a utility box that is set outside the home and a NBN connection box that is set inside. Typically we install this in your garage or for homes with a carport, we would discuss the best point of connection with you.
If NBN has brought optics to the street, the fibre optic cable will be connected to a distribution unit which is usually set underground. Then the traditional Cable internet infrastructure will bring the internet service from the distribution unit to the home. This means that you will only need to have a suitable fibre optic modem and in most cases your internet provider will inform you prior to NBN’s installation.
Currently, Zuccoli, Durack Heights, Muirhead and Northcrest have NBN capabilities but if you’d like to double check availability, speak to your ISP.
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