Knock-down rebuild, renovate or buy a new Home in St Helena?

Knock-down rebuild, renovate or buy a new home in St Helena?

Frequently described as an exclusive enclave, St Helena is one of Melbourne’s smallest yet tightly held suburbs. Sales data from Realestate.com.au suggest that around 20 properties are sold each year, with the majority of houses dating back to the 80s and 90s.

With a scarcity of ‘new land’ and people not wanting to compromise on location, purchasers committed to St Helena have historically weighed up the option of a knockdown rebuild or significant renovations.

The decision depends on many financial and lifestyle factors. However, both options come with their challenges. Renovation costs can blow out due to unforeseen issues that are difficult to know upfront, and the result may not be ideal in style or layout.

Demolishing an old house and building a new one can be time-consuming and costly, navigating through design, approvals, demolition, architecture fees, building charges and refinancing.

It’s also worth noting that knockdown and rebuild projects require a significant amount of planning and coordination (more than you might realise initially), which can add to the overall stress of the project, especially if you work full-time.

A new era of house and land in St Helena 

The arrival of St Helena Place, a 250 home-masterplanned community spread across 19 hectares, is the first-of-its-kind for the suburb. Not only is the development injecting much-needed housing inventory, but it’s also giving buyers a new, yet stress-free option of entering this tightly held market in St Helena.

What makes St Helena Place special is its unique blend – brand new homes nestled within a pristine natural setting, yet in close proximity to transport, schools, and other amenities. This becomes even more significant considering that St Helena Place is just 35 minutes away from the heart of Melbourne.

And the responses from buyers have been nothing short of amazing. The first 32 homes were sold out in just nine weeks, and 15 homes released in April 2022 were snapped up just as quickly.

Fixed price, turnkey house and land packages

Lauris Jones, Sales Professional for St Helena Place, highlighted the estate’s distinctive purchase procedure. Buyers can secure a house and land package at a fixed price using a turnkey arrangement. With just a 10 per cent deposit, no additional payments are needed until the home’s settlement.

She remarked, “Our customers feel a lot of comfort in having their costs locked in. They’re securing a brand new home two years in advance. It gives peace of mind about when they can move in, which isn’t always possible with a knockdown rebuild, or renovation.

What we’re offering on top of the clear purchase procedure is certainty. We provide our customers full disclosure; we give them contract plans, site plans, surface level works – they have everything they need to make a confident and informed decision up front.

Customers recognise the substantial value they are securing – not only an exceptional home from a reputable national builder but also stamp duty savings. They’re satisfied with the product and delighted with the available options. ”

St Helena Place has a wide variety of two-storey, three-bedroom and four-bedroom houses offering contemporary living spaces and alfresco areas for entertaining. Customers can choose from three interior colour schemes and a range of floor plans and facades to suit every style.

Lauris said, “Once customers are given the base price and fixtures are locked in, they’re often pleasantly surprised by the amount and what that covers. They visibly relax when I tell them that features and extras like fencing, driveways, and heating are included in the base price, which is satisfying to see.”

The upgrade selection process is streamlined, with options available from a comprehensive, pre-approved list with confirmed pricing, ensuring transparency in the total package pricing. This approach was meticulously crafted to alleviate any potential stress for purchasers, and its efficacy has been evident.

Lauris’s advice for those weighing up renovating or a knockdown rebuild is, “Buyers need to consider how valuable their time is. Do they want to be involved in daily decisions, project manage their build, or would they prefer certainty, locking away the costs and timeline?

I’ve been selling off the plan for more than 15 years and I’ve never seen house and land sold this way. Our townhomes are selling in days. It is groundbreaking, and I’m delighted to be part of it.”