Price Watch

Last year in August, we went to Mernda to have a look at Forsyth and fell in love with it! Given Forsyth 35's low base price at that time ($238,900), we cancelled our booking with Carlisle Homes' single storey, Amberley 27 ($226,900) and decided to build our dream house!

We were so lucky to have signed up then as the the price increases that has happened in the last 12 months is just unbelievable.  Last night I just saw that they increased the price again by $8K to $278,900 after their $17K increase in July (from $253,900 to $270,900) :-(

I don't know how new buyers would be able to build this house knowing the cost of upgrades that it needs to make it look half as pretty as the display homes. Here's the list of what I think you should know about  PD Advantage Range where Forsyth is classified:

• You need to add all the promotion packages (Indoor, Outdoor and Flooring at least) in your budget to make the house look modern and comfortable. 
• Most of the windows in the displays are not included or are not the same size. 
• The stairs, alfresco and extended kitchen are not included in the cost. 
• There's only free facade and the other choices are upgrades. 
• The master ensuite shower is small and the shower bases are not tiled. 
• Additional budget must be allocated for site cost, 6 star energy rating, council and developer requirements, electrical and kitchen/laundry cabinets. 
• Bathroom accessories are not included (toilet roll holder, towel rail, robe hook)
• For the ground floor, you need to add LED lights or request for provisions if you want LED lights for your new home. Provisions for pendant lights and alfresco fan must also be added for ground floor. Wiring for TV wall set-up must also be added if you want wall mounted TV.  
• Other nice to haves are: cooling system, heating and cooling system with zoning, NBN wiring, security systems, boutique sliding doors to alfresco. 

Another unbelievable thing is the price increase of blocks in Woodlea. In the latest release, Stage 32, the price for a block the same size as ours is now $345K, we bought ours for $242K. That's a huge $103K increase since April last year :-)

I guess seeing how Woodlea has been creating a beautiful estate with playgrounds, greenery and open spaces, facilities such as learning and training centres, cafe and childcare facility at the early stages of development, they can afford an they have the right to demand high prices at this this point. 

All I can say is we are so, so happy and so, so lucky to have bought our land in Woodlea and paid our building deposit with PD last year!