What I Look for in a Great Block of Land
What I Look for in a Great Block of Land
Choosing the right block of land sets the foundation for your entire build.
But how do you make smart decisions without industry knowledge — without years of experience?
With 18 years experience, this guide shows you exactly what I look for before I’d ever recommend — or buy — a block myself.
Because building shouldn't feel risky.
“Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.”
Block Size & Shape
In most estates, land is sold on a predictable grid. Frontages of 10m, 12.5m, 14m, and 16m are the most common.
More width is always ideal, but it usually comes down to budget. A regular-shaped block is typically easier to work with.
It gives you clean side setbacks and more design flexibility.
But irregular blocks aren’t always bad.
The key is choosing one with a narrow front and a wider rear.
That’ll give you better backyard space and more usable area behind the house.
A wide front with a shallow depth often leaves you with a small rear yard, even on large blocks.
700m² sounds large, but if all your space is in your front yard, it will feel anything but.
“Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.”
Slope & Site Fall
Most people think checking a block’s slope is just about how much fall it has, but there’s more to it.
A downhill slope from street to rear usually gives you a more connected backyard, better views, and elevated living spaces. But it lowers the front of the home, often resulting in a less impressive streetscape. Drainage at the front also needs careful planning to manage runoff.
An uphill slope lifts the front of the home and often creates a more impressive streetscape. But it can make the backyard feel enclosed. It also complicates garage placement on the boundary, as wall height regulations become a factor. Stormwater can run back toward the house, so drainage needs to be carefully managed.
The building footprint isn’t just under the house. It includes the entire home plus a 1.2 to 1.4m perimeter. That’s the area builders assess for fall, which directly impacts site costs, design limitations, and landscaping requirements.
Slope should always be considered relative to block size. A one-metre fall across 400m² creates a steeper gradient and more design implications than the same fall across 700m². The sharper the gradient, the more impact on construction, landscaping, and cost.
When a block has more than one metre of fall across the building footprint, I usually recommend working with a builder who understands split-level designs. The goal should be to work with the slope, not fight it by cutting the block into a flat platform.
“Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.”
Understanding Easements
Rear easements are common and usually manageable, especially on flat blocks.
The key is understanding where the sewer connection point is. It’s often located outside the actual easement, and placing the home too close can prevent the design from fitting, usually discovered too late in the process.
Pro tip: Plants love easements. The soil tends to hold moisture, which helps vegetation thrive.
Side easements are more restrictive.
They reduce the usable build area, not just across the easement itself, but beyond it too, due to cut-and-fill limitations.
You usually can’t alter ground height in these zones, which many sales teams overlook.
It’s not a deal breaker, but it does call for extra care in planning.
Just remember that when it comes to Easements, you’re paying for land you can’t build on.
Easements are typically only suitable for permeable landscaping — not structures, retaining walls, or even concrete paths.
“Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.”
Orientation & Natural Light
When building a home, nothing matters more to me than natural light.
After all, who doesn’t want a space that feels bright, open, and full of life?
If you're going to read any part of this article, please focus on natural light and the tips I'm about to share with you.
It will transform the feel of your home while increasing its resale value.
South to rear is the best natural light orientation, providing your home with the greatest amount of natural light.
West to the rear provided we utilise the northern side to carry light through to the living areas. The downside here is that, especially in housing estates, the northern sun can easily be shadowed by neighbouring homes, particularly when they build double storeys.
East to the rear will mean we need to focus on ensuring we have ample light to the northern side. To get the best natural light in your home, consider using skylights or voids to prevent shadowing.
South to the rear is the most difficult orientation for natural light. This orientation relies heavily on the western sun to light your home. The western sun is the most intense, but it also brings in the most heat. In this case, I would strongly recommend the use of skylights and voids to ensure great natural light.
Below is a table that will help you understand the hours natural light will work.
| Direction | Sunlight Period | Key Times | Approx. Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| ☀️ East-facing | Morning sun |
Sunrise: ~5:45 AM Sun moves out of east: ~9:30–10:00 AM |
3.5 – 4 hours |
| ☀️ North-facing | Midday / all-day sun (southern hemisphere) | Exposure: ~9:30 AM to ~3:30–4:00 PM | 6 – 6.5 hours |
| ☀️ West-facing | Afternoon & evening sun |
Sun enters west: ~2:30–3:00 PM Sunset: ~8:40 PM |
5.5 – 6 hours |
Incorporating natural light into your home design is one of the most effective ways to enhance its feel and functionality. By carefully considering the orientation of your lot, you can ensure your home is filled with warmth and light, creating a space that is both inviting and energising. Ultimately, the right approach to natural light can not only improve your daily living experience but also add lasting value to your home.
Neighbouring Blocks
When searching for a lot to buy, it's important to review the entire stage plan.
Understanding the size of the surrounding lots is key, as it will influence the quality of homes on your street.
For example, if you're surrounded by blocks of 250 square metres, there's a high likelihood of entry-level single-storey homes being built nearby.
This will affect the streetscape and lower the value of your property.
Many estates also feature townhouses, and if these are on your street, the overall value of your home may decrease.
Additionally, many narrow blocks on your street can lead to more cars being parked on the street, detracting from the overall streetscape and diminishing the appeal of the area.
When looking at the stage plan, you'll also be able to assess the layout of the roads and footpaths. These elements can significantly impact the presentation of the street and its overall appeal.
While being the best house on the street might sound appealing, in reality, it often means you’ve overcapitalised.
Estate Size, Staging & Developer Quality
Smaller estates often mean fewer developer requirements, which can attract cheap builds and create quality unknowns.
Larger estates tend to carry more rules but deliver better streetscapes and value consistency.
I also check how many stages are planned and how much is still to be released.
Early stages typically offer better growth potential as prices rise with demand.
Watch for heavy townhouse inclusion — too many can shift the area from owner-occupied to investor-heavy.
That impacts resale.
Don’t just ask about the land.
Ask about the master plan!
- What’s the future amenity?
- How many sites will be sold?
- What are the demographics of the buyers?
- How many owner-occupiers vs investors?
- What type of homes are being built in the area?
- What is the expected growth rate of the estate?
- What are the plans for surrounding infrastructure (e.g., schools, shopping centres, transport)?
- What is the projected timeline for the estate’s development?
- How will this estate be positioned in the broader market?
- Is the estate part of a larger growth area with long-term plans?
After all, you're buying into something you can't yet touch and feel, so data will help you understand the likeliest outcome — and protect your investment.
“Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.”
Suburb Growth Potential
Growth areas aren't just about land.
They’re about infrastructure.
I look for signs of long-term demand — major roads, train extensions, freeway access, and land scarcity.
Retail giants like Bunnings don’t build in dead zones.
Their presence means future value.
So do hospitals, quality public schools, and town centres.
Beyond that, consider things like:
- Public transport expansion: Look for areas with new or upgraded train lines, tram routes, or bus services. Accessible public transport can significantly boost property values.
- Zoning changes: Pay attention to any zoning changes or re-zoning proposals in the area. If an area is being rezoned for mixed-use or higher-density development, it could indicate potential for future growth.
- Local government investment: Research the local government's plans for the area. Are they investing in parks, green spaces, or community facilities? That’s a good sign for long-term livability and value.
- Employment growth: Areas with growing job markets, new business hubs, or industrial zones are more likely to see sustained demand for housing.
I balance what exists now with what’s planned in the next 5 to 10 years.
That’s how you spot long-term capital growth, not just a short-term marketing push.
“Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.”
Looking at a knockdown-rebuild instead?
This guide covers land in new estates — but if you’re building in an established suburb:
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