why this path?

Why move the house? Why not just 'doze it and build 2 new ones in it's place? Or even sell a vacant block so the new owner can build what they like in a house?? Believe me, we've thought about it - it would be soooo much easier!

Apart from the fact that our existing house (though 6 metres too far forward on the block) is structurally sound, features high ceilings with amazing cornices, uber-wide floor boards, a massive kitchen, is newly painted and carpeted, and contains the original 50's bathroom (including shiny black retro tiling)...it feels like such a waste to knock it down!

Moving it back on the block places the house in the correct position for the existing D.A's building parcel and allows us to sell the house and land (as opposed to just the land), and if our estimates are correct (fingers and toes crossed!), we should make a lot more on the sale than just a blank parcel of land.

Moving the house also means that we don't have to put up with building noise from our new neighbours (even though they'll have to put up with ours - sorry future owners!).
One teeny tiny detail: the D.A doesn't allow us to relocate the house - just demolish it. This is why we're lodging a Section 96 to amend the original D.A.

So why all the rushing around? We needed to activate the D.A enough to stop it from expiring (with only 7 days before it was to run out), without actually demolishing the house we want to move. The end goal is a new house on a smaller (but still a great size in Sydney's standards) block. Our goal is Christmas 2011 - 20 months and counting...

development application secured

Woo hoo! After months of worry, we've finally activated the Development Application on our land (this means that it's not going to run out anytime soon) and we can concentrate on amending the Development Application (DA) with a Section 96 and start on a Construction Certificate(CC). Sound easy enough?

If you've ever thought about moving your house, subdividing your land or building a new house, this blog may help (or help on what not to do!). I don't proclaim to be an expert - far from it, but as I've found it incredibly difficult to find relevant information on the subject, I thought I could at least share what we've learnt...or maybe just keep mum and dad up to date on how we're going.