The traditional 12 days of Christmas involved partridges, turtle doves and French hens, but if you are looking for a new home at this time of year, your Christmas wish list is going to look a lot different. With home buyers in mind, we’ve put together a 12 days of Christmas countdown with the top things on a home buyer’s wish list.
These are the 12 key features our buyers are continually looking for. May this list inspire your search for the perfect place to call home for next Christmas.
Day 1: Stone benchtops
Stone benchtops are stylish and incredibly durable. Stone is one of the strongest minerals in the world and it is also resistant to stains, making cleaning a breeze. If you cook frequently or entertain, these benchtops can withstand constant use and will always look great after a quick wipe down.
Day 2: NBN connectivity
Access to fast internet is a must, especially if you work from home, stream music or TV, or have kids at school. The National Broadband Network (NBN) is rolling out across Australia and, depending on where you buy, you could be one of the first to have access to this super-fast internet service.
Day 3: Open-plan living
Modern living is all about comfort and convenience. Open-plan design lets more natural light into the home and allows key living spaces and outdoor areas to integrate seamlessly – perfect if you are hosting guests or want a laid-back lifestyle.
Day 4: A neighbourhood park
Being close to green space provides you with a place to exercise, relax or catch up with friends and family. Community parks are essential for our own health and wellbeing, and also for sustaining the environment, which is why we’re opening a community park in 2017.
Day 5: Three spacious bedrooms
Whatever your living situation is, extra space will always come in handy. When you need extra room for guests, a home office or the family you plan to start, a third bedroom gives you the space you need to really enjoy your lifestyle. If you need three bedrooms but don’t want to maintain a freestanding home, consider a townhome instead.
Day 6: Outdoor space
Whether it’s a low-maintenance courtyard or a balcony, outdoor space adds a new living area to your home. Ideal for entertaining, connecting with the outdoors or growing your own plants, these types of outdoor spaces are becoming increasingly important to city buyers.
Day 7: A local cafe
If you like your morning coffee made by a barista or enjoy going out for breakfast on weekends, then a good local cafe will really enhance your lifestyle. To ensure you never need to wander far for coffee or a bite to eat, we’ve established The Corner Cafe in the heart of our neighbourhood.
Day 8: A private ensuite
Do you do your best thinking in the shower? Just imagine the ideas you could come up with in your own private ensuite … With life getting busier, having an ensuite ensures you can go about your daily routine (and steal a few extra minutes in the shower) without having to worry about whether your housemates, partner or kids need the bathroom.
Day 9: Stainless steel appliances
Like stone benchtops, stainless steel appliances look fantastic and they have greater longevity. They won’t become faded, stained or discoloured, and they complement any modern decorating scheme. They also wipe clean easily and will look as-new for many years to come.
Day 10: Access to the First Home Owner’s Grant
When purchasing a home for the first time, the First Home Owner’s Grant is a fantastic offer. In Queensland, this grant has been increased to $20,000 until June 2017 and is only available for newly built homes valued at less than $750,000. Conveniently, properties at Cornerstone Living fit the eligibility criteria (and a $20,000 helping hand to buy your first home is a pretty good Christmas present).
Day 11: Community garden
Many buyers want to be able to grow their own fruit, herbs and veggies, but they don’t want to maintain a large house just to have access to a yard. Community gardens are the perfect solution, as they give you space to grow your own produce and you can share resources with the rest of the community, making your garden more economical.
Day 12: Natural light
Brisbane gets an average of 283 days of sunshine each year, so embrace it by letting the sunlight in. More buyers are looking for homes designed to capture as much natural light as possible. This makes your home feel fresh, bright and more inviting, and also reduces how much money you spend on electricity for lighting.
With Christmas just around the corner, we would like to take this opportunity to wish you and your family a safe and happy Christmas. To see all the images from the countdown, visit our Facebook page.
