Selwyn Times: October 31, 2018

17
Looking for a property – what really counts?
You are in the market for a new
property, scrolling the Internet,
examining properties for sale and
zeroing in on those with potential. They
might be in locations that offer cheaper
land, larger houses, or convenience to
work or school.
You may have visited show homes
and open homes becoming confused,
overwhelmed or swept away with
emotional factors like having
everything new, or extra features such
as three car garaging.
To be happy with your choice, list the
features that you need, considering:
• Family space – Is there room for
the children to play indoors and for
television and entertainment units?
Should this be open plan or separated?
• Kitchen – What needs to be in
your kitchen? How serious are you
about a butler’s pantry? Is it a whim
or something that offers a practical
solution to the way you use your
kitchen?
• Bedroom sizes – What are optimum
sizes? Smaller bedrooms may translate
to slightly lower building costs while
extra space can be useful. When
looking at existing homes, consider
whether the size of each bedroom is
sufficient.
• Garaging – A standard double
garage once two cars are parked there
offers little space for the toys. What
toys do you have and could they live
with the lawnmower in a garden shed,
a cheaper option to three car garaging?
If the budget allows and a larger garage
with workshop is important, make it a
selection priority.
• Size of land – Lifestyle properties
offer space for children, pets, hobbies,
jll.co.nz
an expansive garden and perhaps a
home-run business but they require
work so are not for everyone and a
compact section might be more sensible
if a tight budget or busy lifestyle.
• Bathrooms – Second and third
bathrooms are great in homes with
teenagers and a wet shower room is
ideal for young children. A bath might
be fashionable though is often not used
and its absence could mean a more
spacious bathroom.
• Laundry – Would a laundry in the
garage do the job?
• Storage – How much storage do
you need? Weigh up what can truly be
stored in the garage once vehicles are
in, a preference in winter. Garages vary
in size so check the size to ensure your
vehicles will fit. Look also at where
else the house offers storage capacity
such as in hall cupboards, a large hot
water cylinder cupboard, wardrobes
(check their width and depth), walkin
robe, attic storage trusses, as well as
the potential for hooks and shelving
in the garage for bikes, tools, garden
equipment and even kayaks.
• Off-street parking – How many
vehicles can be parked on the driveway?
Will this space be sufficient?
• Garden - Is there sufficient space
for your children to play or for
entertaining?
A checklist will allow you to determine
what will suit your needs, the point of
the exercise, saving you time looking at
properties or potential house designs
while assisting you to decide whether
to buy a new or existing home with
both options having advantages and
disadvantages.
2 St John Street, Southbridge
– ‘As is where is’
– Ex fire station
– Land area 665sqm
– Building size 179sqm plus double garage
– Zoned Living 1
– Originally constructed in 1957
– Invest, develop or occupy
For Sale by Open Tender
Closing 7 Nov 2018 at 4pm
Chris Harding
021 353 813
chris.harding@ap.jll.com
property.jll.nz/9929
Licensed Real Estate Agent (REAA 2008)
Christchurch 03 375 6600