The Start of a Big Adventure...hopefully.

We’re starting down an exciting, overwhelming time consuming journey of buying/ building a home!

First stage - talking to the bank or a mortgage broker. Scary stuff and to be honest something that we’ve talked about a few times over the past few years and I’ve put off because I hate dealing with banks and paperwork. It just seems like an overwhelming and anxiety ridden process BUT my hubby really, really wants us to look into this so here we are.

We’ll need to use KiwiSaver and potentially a HomeStart grant? I don’t know argh overwhelm and confusion reigning supreme.

In the meantime I’ve started a notebook of tips and info that I come across and every floor plan I happen upon I examine closely and note about what I like/don’t like. As I’m doing stuff around our current home I think about what works/doesn’t work.

We also drove around subdivisions in Pukekohe and Paerata to get a feel for what land was available, section sizes, the general area and what building companies had signs up.

Aerial view of Pukekohe via Akl Counci website

The closest I’ve come to the whole building process is what I’ve come across while doing colour consultations for my building company clients. There is A LOT I don’t know about…especially when it comes to purchasing and preparing land for a build. This brings us to the consideration of questions and decisions like do we go for a house and land package with a group housing builder and lose the freedom for design considerations but the process is (supposedly) all laid out and streamlined OR do we find the land and then a smaller independant building company and have the option for full (budget friendly) customisation…can we even do that being first home buyers?

So if you’re interested in following me on this journey stay tuned…I’ll be back to report in again soon as soon as I can work my way out from under this pile of paperwork.

Who needs a Colour and Design Consultant?

Let me tell you who and why someone might need a colour consultant... then think of your friends...think of your coworkers...think of your parents.....and refer them to me! Ta muchly xx

• Your Co Worker.....Time poor young professional kick-ass single or couple who appreciate a beautifully decorated space but just don’t have the time to dedicate to planning the new home.

• Your Friend....who has a young family and has been dragging the kids all over town trying to look at products in bathroom showrooms on the weekends after the kids sports. Trying keep the young ones from swinging off the vanities or dealing with the constant requests for snacks or a toilet stop.

• Your Friend, Sister, Brother, Cousin.....Those first home buyers who have moved from a two bedroom rental into their first family home and suddenly have so many extra rooms to paint and furnish and crappy kitchen with random 'design features' ...they don't know where to start! Especially with, most likely, a limited budget that needs to be spent wisely making the biggest impact.

• Or YOU (or your parents, brother, sister, aunty....) might be planning your new home renovation/build with military like precision but you’re second guessing some of the (million and one) decisions you’re trying make for fixtures and finishes and would like a professional to run their eye over your ideas.

It's not a scary process and it's not just for 'rich people with big budgets'. Isn't it better to make a small investment in professional help to avoid making rush purchases and throwing it all together hoping it will work and then finding out it doesn't?

Trust me. Let me help you. You won't regret it.