Big Garages Among Latest Trends

Parents keen to avoid the driveway carpark when their teens start driving are among those leading the way, says Nik Cvetkoski, Managing Director of building broker Mr. Enthusiast.

“It may seem surprising when average block sizes in Perth have been shrinking and building budgets are tighter, but many of our clients are making a big garage a big priority,” he said.

Mr Cvetkoski has designed several four-garages for families buying land at Kingsford in Bullsbrook where the average block size is a generous 500sqm – more in line with block sizes of nearly 20 years ago.

The average block size in 2004 was reported to be 564sqm. Today, the average size of lots under construction in the Perth metro area and due for release in the coming 12 months is just 346sqm*.

“Bigger blocks naturally give you so many more options,” Mr Cvetkoski said.

“If it’s not a garage for four cars – sometimes even six or eight cars elsewhere in Perth – then clients are using the extra space for a bigger entertaining area, a generous workshop, options for multi-generational living or just a really good backyard.”

Located in the heart of one of Perth’s key growth suburbs, Kingsford is illustrating several design and building trends emerging for the coming year. These include construction methods with the potential for quicker build times, lifestyle blocks, and investment properties with greater potential to ride out the ups and downs of the rental market.

As a building industry professional and seasoned investor Mr Cvetkoski knows just how changeable the rental market can be.

He and his wife and business partner Julia Pertel have chosen Kingsford for their latest investment project, incorporating assisted living features into the design of the four-bedroom home to maximise its rental appeal long-term.

“A lot of our clients have longevity in mind, whether that’s getting cars off the driveway and behind a garage door when the time comes, or making sure they have a point of difference when the rental market changes again,” Mr Cvetkoski said.

When it comes to construction trends in 2024, Mike Mead and his family are among the growing number of homebuyers thinking beyond traditional bricks and mortar.

Mr Mead, wife Jessica and their three children are currently at the design and planning stage for their new steel-framed home on a 1,000sqm lifestyle block at Kingsford.

“The fact that it is steel-framed construction means we could potentially be in by the end of this year,” Mr Mead said.

Mr Mead, Group Sales Manager for builder PIQUE, said the family had spent several years on the lookout for a lifestyle block that would keep them in the Swan Valley area but in an up-and-coming area with new amenities and good transport connections.

Their 1,000sqm at Kingsford gives them all the space they need for a Palm Springs inspired five-bedroom, three-bathroom home with two work-from-home office spaces and room for a large outdoor entertaining area, pool and big backyard for three kids aged eight, four and 18 months, and two dogs.

“Being in the building industry you’re especially aware of wanting to make smart investment decisions and Kingsford fitted all our criteria for what will be our home for the next 30-plus years,” Mr Mead said.

Adam Shephard, Managing Director of Okeland Communities, the developer of Kingsford at Bullsbrook, said Bullsbrook was a prime example of the transformation taking place in Perth’s fast-growing north-east corridor.

“It wasn’t so long ago that Bullsbrook was regarded as a small outpost on the Perth map. Now, with hundreds of new homes, the recent opening of the Stock Road extension and a new Woolworths shopping centre on its way to Kingsford, Bullsbrook is experiencing exceptional growth as an up-and-coming residential area,” he said.

Research released by Real Estate Institute of WA this week reported that Bullsbrook had a price growth of 33.37% in 2023 to reach a median house price of $530,000.

Titled blocks are available at Kingsford and the first lots in Stage 6 of Kingsford have also just been released. They range in size from 400sqm to 576sqm with prices starting at $216,000.

Visit www.kingsford.com.au for more information.

*UDIA WA September 2023 quarter Urban Development Index figures.