To be honest, when we were at the sales centre at Eden Brae, we didn't expect to walk away with a deposit on a house and land package!

We were probably talking for about half an hour, trying to get a grasp on the house and land plans. Half of the phrases I didn't even understand! What happens when you cut and fill land? You have to level what? It was a bit overwhelming!

30 minutes isn't a long time to think about signing your life away but it had to be done.

We quickly called our broker to make sure all was ok, and when it was we went back in and placed a $2k deposit there and then ($1k for the house and $1k for the land). During this time, we were already able to make structural changes and additions to the house. These changes would be made and prepared with actual costings when you arrive for your tender presentation.

This is what we ended up getting:


The package included:

• Land (312.5m2)

• House (Richmond Mk2 27)

• Air conditioning

• Smart living series inclusions

• Kitchen, Bathroom & Ensuite upgrade

• Alfresco

• Roof upgrade (to Monier tiles or Colorbond)

• Fixed price site costs

• $12,000 smart home buyer bonus (which was removed from the total cost price)

• And a lot of other things (which was great!)

The main things that weren't included were:

• Landscaping (including fencing and mailbox)

• Window blinds

• Tiling to alfresco

We were quite happy with the total price. I couldn't believe that it was finally happening!

We already knew how tough the property market was, but we still decided to look into it anyway!

We initially started looking at blocks of land in new estates (mostly in south west Sydney). We knew that it was more inexpensive than the west and north west, and it was a perfect area is it was close to both my parents and in-laws.

I just didn't realise how competitive it was, registering to go into a ballot system, then getting a priority number, etc. It was hard, and we didn't want to stress about trying to get a block of land. This was also our first time to buy and build a house, so I was half clueless about how it all worked!

My husband and I then agreed on looking for house + land packages. So here we went again, going to display villages, asking if there were packages available but being advised that they were all sold out. The amount of times I registered my email address with how many builders, I don't even remember! I'd say we were on email listings for about 4 months.

One day we were out around Oran Park looking at display homes when I received a bunch of house and land packages via email from Eden Brae. At the same time, I was on the phone to Masterton about a house and land package out at Cobbitty, and we were going to go and see the sales officer out in Warwick Farm about it. When I got off the phone, I opened the Eden Brae email and we read a package that we were interested in, so we decided to head up to Willowdale first. A 5 minute drive and a 30 minute conversation later, we ended up putting a holding deposit on one of the packages with Eden Brae!

It all happened so fast, I wanted to go home and think about it but I knew the package wasn't going to last for long. I feel like we didn't think hard enough about it, but I guess that's how the rat race works!

For me, I would personally say that purchasing a house + land package was so much easier. I know you don't get to choose your perfect block of land but with the way property is going at the moment, I think it was the best way for us!

We're happy we've taken the step towards building our first home.

And so it begins....