How to Choose the Best Section to Suit Your Lifestyle

by Anna Tabak | Nov 19, 2020 | Silverstream News

Lot for sale sign on empty Silverstream lot

Making that decision to build is a big one – but once you have made it, and the wheels are in motion it can be one of the most exciting experiences of your life. Building your own home means choosing to live your way, in your style, with your ideas coming to life. But before you start styling your home, it is important to choose the best section to suit your lifestyle. Here at Silverstream we have come up with a few tips on what to consider first!

Orientation

The orientation and shape of the section can dictate the design of the home you want to build. Before you take into consideration the subdivision and council requirements, you need to consider what is important for you. Think about what you love most – it might be sun-filled rooms, it might be a private garden, it might even be that you love the cold. North-facing sections are always popular for maximising the sun, as are wider sections which allow more flexibility in design. Sites like these are well sought after and often priced at a premium. Having a clear idea of what you love will help you work out the best-oriented and shaped section most suitable for you.

Certificate of title

The land title is a legal document that identifies the legal owners of a property and also identifies the key facts in relation to the property, such as land area, the legal description and any restrictions on the property. Whether you are building on sub-divided land, a subdivision or otherwise, every section will have a title. With many new subdivisions you may have entered into an agreement to purchase your section prior to the title being issued, and in most instances, you will not be able to commence building until this has been done. It is always good to check the title due date, particularly if you are on a tight timeframe for the completion of your build. There can often be unexpected delays in titles being issued, so it is always good to allow more time than anticipated – if this seems too long to wait then maybe that section is not for you. At Silverstream, we always endeavour to have titled sections available to purchase, so you can get underway building as soon as possible!

Covenants, setbacks, zoning and regulations

Most subdivisions have covenants in place for a set period of time. These are generally created to protect the aesthetic look and feel of the development, whilst providing an enjoyable place for residents to live. Covenants vary and may include restrictions that do not suit you, such as no caravans or boats parked in street view, or relocatable houses not being allowed.

At Silverstream, we encourage you to do your own research at any time and have made available on our website, documents that will provide a greater understanding of what is required when building in Silverstream. As well as covenants, at the time of a subdivision consent, zoning rules are set in the Council. These vary between developments but generally include all building and fencing guidelines to follow for your build.

The area

It doesn’t matter if you’re building as an investment, building for your family or building your forever home – the area must work for you. Do you like being in walking distance to parks or shops? Do you need to be as far away from busy roads as possible? Are their schools within walking distance? What about a bus stop? These are all important questions to ask yourself before you pick a new section. Silverstream was designed with community in mind. The retail village right in the heart of the subdivision ensures every home is within walking distance, with the parks and walkways always accessible and easy to walk on.

Geotech report

This is pretty important – what is under that grass can be the difference between getting that walk-in pantry or having to add that money to your foundations. A site-specific Geotech report details the ground information, this allows your builder to price the works and the engineer to design a suitable foundation specific to that site that will meet the council building requirements. At Silverstream, we don’t want any of our purchasers to experience unnecessary surprises, so that is why we provide a FREE site-specific Geotech report with every section we sell.

Get in touch

Sections come in all shapes and sizes and there is a lot to think about, so make sure you have all the knowledge before you decide on the one for you! Feel free to get in contact with us and we’ll be happy to show you around the sections, offer advice and help answer any questions you may have.

Best Hedging Options

Griselinia varieties especially Griselinia Canterbury (extremely hardy, fast-growing, perfect for shelter)
Pittosporum varieties especially Pittosporum ‘Stephens Island’ (attractive, dark green foliage and a reliable hedge option)
Teucrium fruiticans – Silver Germander (excellent for low hedging, providing silvery foliage all year round with pale blue bee-attracting flowers)
Lonicera nitida – Box Honeysuckle (rapid growth rate, makes excellent hedging)
Corokia Geenty’s Green (yellow flowers in Spring followed by red berries in Autumn)

Native Options

Coprosma (many varieties, attracts native birds)
Carex (numerous varieties for all conditions from dry to wetland—excellent for mass planting, bulletproof)
Marble Leaf (good for underplanting)
Poa cita/Silver Tussock (ideal for revegetation)
Manuka (attracts bees)
Kanuka (hardy native option)

Reliable Colour Shrubs

Nandina/Heavenly Bamboo varieties (attractive year-round foliage):
- Gulf Stream
- Lemon Lime
- Firepower
Lavender (attracts bees, thrives in dry conditions)
Camellia (good winter/early spring flowering)
Escallonia (can be grown as either shrub or hedge)
Hebe Wiri Mist (popular, reliable, and low maintenance)
Hebe Red Edge (a robust plant with lilac-coloured flowers which gradually fade to white)

Trees That Work

Paper Bark Maple (hardy variety)
Norway Maple (reliable performer)
Prunus /Flowering Cherries (beautiful seasonal display)
Malus/Ornamental Apple (excellent for gardens)
Weeping Pear (sturdy branches handle local conditions)
Magnolia ‘Little Gem’ (smaller variety, good for gardens)

“Just like when an architect considers which way a property faces when designing a house, Canterbury gardeners need to take the same approach.”

Plan Smart, Plant Smarter

Careful planning is the key, says Paul Saunders, Nursery Manager at Sublime.

“Soil preparation is a foundation that’s particularly important in new developments where topsoil may have been scraped away during construction, leaving less-than-ideal growing conditions behind,” he says.

“Then, rather than rushing to fill every corner with plants, I suggest taking an observational approach.”

There’s often the temptation to rush in and quickly plant everything straight away, says Paul, but the key is to take your time.

“Start with your hedging and shelter first,” he says. “This foundational step will create beneficial microclimates throughout your garden and an initial shelter belt that not only protects against Canterbury’s winds but also helps manage frost patterns across your section”.

Indeed, careful attention to sun exposure and positioning should help you decide which plants should go where.

“Just like when an architect considers which way a property faces when designing a house, Canterbury gardeners need to take the same approach,” says Jo.

“Plants on your north face need to be the ones that don’t mind full-on sun, which can be quite harsh, especially along with those easterly winds. Good fencing can help in that respect.”

“Think of your garden as a blank canvas—just with some unique factors you have to take into account to get the best result.”

Simply put, success comes from working with the unique Canterbury environment rather than against it. By choosing locally adapted plants and taking the time to understand your property’s specific conditions, you can create a garden that not only survives but thrives through our region’s dramatic seasonal changes.