Trends New Zealand Volume 34 No 3 | Page 43

And the advantages of Knock Down Rebuild are even more apparent in the light of a recent Land Use Regulation report noting that house values have risen disproportionately to building costs. This means building afresh is potentially more affordable than buying an existing home – especially if your section is in a great location. Subdivide: The newly released Auckland Unitary Plan includes regulations that provide for higher housing density than had previously been possible in many suburbs. This makes many sites now subdividable where they hadn’t been before. And these changes pave the way for Infill Housing. This is the building of further dwellings on an existing site, by sub-dividing the property. Essentially, this means putting a new house, or units, on your section, a move that can be extremely financially rewarding. On a social level, Infill Housing is great for bringing new housing stock into a desirable, established suburb, with good school zones. Plus, the increase in house numbers allows for improved neighbourhood amenities, with more local shops and cafes, better public transport and better roading – benefitting everyone. It can, however, be difficult to know if your Above: Whether it’s spare room at the back or spare room at the front, subdividing your property is a relatively easy way to unlock the value of your greatest asset. You can build a house on the freed-up land and sell it, or even sell both this and your existing home. Teaming up with an experienced home builder such as GJ Gardner can help you with a range of options designed to ensure you get the most out of your land. search | save | share at XXX