Dream homes are hard to come by, and building one yourself can be easier than finding an established home that will be the perfect fit.
Between weekends spent touring open houses and the difficult prospect of getting outbid at an auction, purchasing an established home can be challenging.
It’s not surprise then that buyers are turning towards building new to find a home that suits them.
Emma and Simon, a couple who built with Metricon – Australia’s leading home builder – were able to escape the pitfalls of the established property market and create a home that worked for their family.
To find their dream Northern Beaches home, Emma and Simon turned to building new with Metricon.
Why building beat buying
Emma and Simon moved to Australia from the UK and settled in Sydney’s Northern Beaches.
While living in Australia was originally planned to be a short-term adventure, their family grew and they realised it was time for them to find a permanent home.
“We looked at established homes for years,” says Emma.
“But in the Sydney market we were constantly being outbid, often on houses that still needed a lot of work. It felt like we were always compromising.”
Frustrated with the auction game and knowing they wanted a home that ticked each and every one of their boxes, the couple decided to build new.
They were able to find a block of land in the coastal suburb of Warriewood and started their search for a builder that would meet their needs.
“When we started looking at builders, Metricon really stood out,” Emma says.
“There were so many floorplans that worked for our block and the way we wanted to live.”
Building a new home meant that Emma and Simon avoided Sydney's competitive established property market.
Tailor-made coastal design
The range of floorplans Emma and Simon could choose from meant they were able to find one that fit their unique block.
“Our block is wide but quite shallow, and the Trentham 30 suited it perfectly,” Emma says.
“Because we’re so close to the beach, we wanted a relaxed coastal feel. We also added a Juliette balcony for a bit of visual interest.”
The design gave their family plenty of space, with the two-storey floorplan offering them two separate living spaces and a study downstairs.
Upstairs, the four generously sized bedrooms and additional living area means they have more than enough room for their family now and for the future.
The Trentham 30 design allowed Emma and Tom to make the most of their unique Northern Beaches block.
While the Trentham 30 already includes plenty of storage, like a walk-in pantry, built-in wardrobes, and a walk-in-wardrobe in the main bedroom, they were able to customise the design and add even more.
“One of the biggest changes was under the stairs,” Emma says.
“We had it converted into a large storage cupboard because with kids, storage is everything.”
The couple teamed up with Metricon’s consultants at their Studio M inspiration and design centre to add even more personal touches and details to their home.
As an interior designer herself, and the co-founder of her own interior design firm Two Stories Interiors, the process of designing her own home was interesting.
She admits that she found handing over some of the creative control “a little tricky at first”.
“But I actually found the Studio M process really good,” she explains.
“While we had to compromise on a few things, like concrete benchtops, working within Metricon’s options and suppliers still gave us plenty of flexibility.”
Metricon's Studio M team helped Emma and Tom find the finishes that suited their style and budget.
A clear and confident buying journey
Working with Metricon’s New Home Advisors and consultants was a key part of what made choosing Metricon the right choice for Emma and Simon.
They appreciated how transparent the team was about the building journey, including their commitment to upfront pricing, something they found appealing compared to other builders they had looked at.
“It gave us real confidence and visibility around the total cost, which made the decision much easier,” Emma says.
Being able to get a clear sense of how much they would need to pay was one of the great benefits of building new over buying established, where they would have to factor in auctions and the bidding process.
For other families looking to start their building journey, Emma says she would recommend Metricon.
“Especially if you’re still working out exactly what you want,” she says.
“The Studio M team are brilliant and the end result really speaks for itself.”
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