What's The Latest

Anzac Day Closure

Wed, 24 Apr 2013 05:46:00 GMT

Our display homes at Rochedale will be closed on Anzac Day and re opening on Saturday the 28th of April at 10am.

Lest we forget.

Indigo Compacts: The KDR solution

Sun, 10 Jun 2012 14:00:00 GMT

Knockdown rebuilds are a growing trend – and with that is the growing trend in smaller lots and compact living.

Knockdown rebuilds, or KDRs, are all about modernising – but also cashing in. Owners are keen to maximise the cash gain by knocking down one old house and building two or more in its place, a significant contributor to the rise of the small lot.

Indigo’s Compact homes are one of the most popular solutions in Brisbane for compact living. They are designed especially for the increasingly popular smaller suburban lot.

But they pack an impressive amount into their restricted space, not to mention their big bonuses when it comes to sustainability and affordability.

Indigo Compacts: clever spaces

Not all builders have embraced compact living with a range that’s designed to suit everyone, from singles and couples to small and big families. Many will sacrifice the yard and outdoor space for a bigger house that fills the entire plot.

Indigo’s Compacts, however, are not about compromise. Their secret is in maximising indoor living space without sacrificing the outdoor living space.

Designed for the 10m-wide lot, their clever floor plans pack in three or four bedrooms, open plan living, al fresco rooms, double garages and space for a second living area or study in some designs.

Indigo’s most popular Compact homes

The most popular Indigo Compact is the Caribbean 248 – winner of the Small Lot Housing category at the 2010 Master Builders Association’s Brisbane region Housing and Construction Awards. It includes four bedrooms, two bathrooms, a lounge, an al fresco area and a separate family room upstairs.

Indigo’s Laguna 235 is another popular Compact, with its central ‘media room’ upstairs providing a focal point as a relaxation area – and also acting as a privacy divider between the master bedroom and the three other bedrooms.

Visit the Indigo Homes website to view the full range of Compact homes.

More Indigo news

Keep up to date with what’s happening at Indigo Homes, and in the world of new builds, by signing up to the free Indigo Homes monthly newsletter.

Indigo’s new homes: Kitting out the al fresco room

Mon, 04 Jun 2012 03:54:00 GMT

An essential room for Queensland living is the al fresco room. Bringing the outside in, the al fresco room enables you to make the most of your outdoor space – by really living in it.

With that in mind, Indigo’s huge range of brand new homes come with an al fresco room. In fact, the al fresco room is a bit of an Indigo speciality.

So, when you move into your brand new home, where do you start with kitting out your al fresco room?

Al fresco living: the basics

The first thing you’ll need to decide is what you want your al fresco room to be used for. Living? Dining? Entertaining? Games? Cooking? Chilling?

There are lots of options, but the most sensible place to start is: what are you going to sit on?

There are many businesses out there dedicated to offering loads of choice in al fresco furniture, designed to cope in the outdoors. Timber, wicker, aluminium and steel are popular choices for furniture materials.

Southport-based AlfrescO offers a good range, and is a good starting point for inspiration. They’ve got it all covered, from lounge suites to dining tables, shades and hammocks.

Cooking al fresco

Firing up the barbie is the most obvious place to start with your al fresco cooking. But that’s nothing new.

What is new, however, is the outdoor kitchen phenomenon. More and more Aussies are turning their outdoor living spaces into fully kitted out kitchens, complete with an oven approved for al fresco use.

Al fresco entertaining

One of the most popular choices for the al fresco area is to turn it into an entertainment space. What better area to entertain friends and host dinner parties than in the al fresco room?

There are endless options on the market for al fresco dining tables and chairs, offering you a second – and sure to be favourite – option for where to eat at home.

Sign up to stay informed

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Indigo Compacts: A façade for everyone

Thu, 31 May 2012 05:35:00 GMT

Whatever your taste when you’re building a new home, there is sure to be a façade for you.

Indigo’s compact homes are all about clever design for the modern smaller lot – but that design comes down to good looks as well.

Each of Indigo’s 15 compact home designs has a choice of three façades. So, whether it’s ultra-modern, angular, lots of windows or simplicity you’re after, there’s a choice for every single Indigo Compact.

A simple change of façade results in a completely different looking house.

The Caribbean 248: Popular and stylish

Indigo’s most popular compact home is the Caribbean 248 – winner of the Small Lot Housing category at the 2010 Master Builders Association’s Brisbane Region Housing and Construction Awards.

Internally, the Caribbean 248’s cost-efficient design and huge open plan living area is to thank for its popularity. But externally, its choice of three façades means it caters for everyone.

Each façade features the double garage door at the front, with large windows to the family room above. But changes to the windows, the pitch of the roof and the exterior materials make huge differences in the appearance

The Esprit 240: Big-small living

Another popular Indigo Compact is the four-bedroom Esprit 240. Designed for narrow 10m-wide lots, the Esprit 240 packs a lot into a small space.

Simply altering the positioning of the windows, using different external materials and changing the design of the roof gives the Esprit 240 two very different looks.

More Indigo news

Keep up to date with what’s happening at Indigo Homes, and in the world of new builds, by signing up to the free Indigo Homes monthly newsletter.

From the sales floor: What customers want

Thu, 24 May 2012 01:15:00 GMT

Last week we brought you the news that two brand new Indigo display homes have opened their doors in Rochedale, south of Brisbane. The compact Caribbean 281 and Indigo’s flagship home, the Sierra Grande, are open in Francis Avenue.

The homes are proving a hit already – and providing an insight into what today’s customers are looking for when they’re building a new home.

One thing’s for sure – there is no shortage of customers. Michael Filer, sales consultant at Rochedale, said “it’s like Brisbane Railway Station here”, it’s so busy.

Competitive pricing and choice

It goes without saying that every customer is different – and, therefore, every customer has a different budget. But, whatever the budget, all customers have one thing in common: they want the price to be competitive.

“People want competitive pricing – and pricing that can suit all budgets,” said Michael. “They also want total move-in prices.”

Indigo offers two options for this: a ‘move in’ option, where everything is ready to go except the turf and fencing, or a ‘full turn key’ option, which includes some landscaping, turf laying and fencing.

“People want transparency, they want to build with full disclosure and no hidden costs.

A changing market

The home building market is changing. There are fewer big traditional blocks and lots more smaller blocks.

“People are looking for convenience and a block that doesn’t have too much yard with it,” said Michael. “People are more interested in smaller blocks and we’ve got single and double-storey homes to fit these. Our Caribbean 281 display home, for example, is only 6.5m wide, so it can fit on a 10m block quite easily.”

The other home on display at Rochedale is the 300msq Sierra Grande, which is available in five sizes. “If you like the Sierra Grande and have a specific block size, we can still build it,” said Michael. “Not many builders offer that.”

Indigo Homes: award-winning builders

Customers are also looking for reassurance. Reassurance that the builder has a good reputation, and reassurance that their home will be built with no issues along the way.

“The fact that Indigo Homes has been around for a long time reassures people,” explained Michael. “We’ve won 15 awards, and two of them are national awards. Seeing our awards reassures people they are building with a reputable builder.”

More Indigo news

To keep up with Indigo news, as well as news from the world of new home building, sign up to the free Indigo Homes monthly newsletter.

New Indigo display homes open for business

Thu, 17 May 2012 03:27:00 GMT

Two brand new Indigo Homes display homes have just opened up their doors – and business is already booming already.

Whether it’s a big home or a compact home you’re looking for, Indigo’s got all the options covered.

The new Sierra Grande and Caribbean 281 houses have been built in Francis Avenue, Rochedale, Brisbane.

While the Caribbean 281 offers some of the most modern and stylish compact living around, the Sierra Grande is a larger home that’s perfect for an acreage block.

The Indigo Homes Difference

Brisbane-based builders Indigo are introducing the Indigo Homes Difference alongside the launch of these two display homes. The Indigo Homes Difference puts the spotlight on the Indigo inclusions package.

A 5,000-litre rainwater tank, H1 class slab and all al fresco living areas come as standard with Indigo Homes – at no extra cost.

“We have always had these inclusions in our price, but we haven’t shouted about it before,” said Indigo Homes’ Garry Harrison.

“We thought it’s about time we did shout about it, because these things are not generally included in the price by other home builders.”

Two perfect homes

Customers are already flocking to see the new display homes.

“There has been a lot of interest in the Sierra Grande and the Caribbean 281 already,” Harrison said.

“The Sierra Grande has a fantastic layout, ideal for the acreage block, while the Caribbean 281 is great for more compact living, with a huge open plan living area.”

Caribbean 281: the perfect compact home

The Caribbean 281 is the ideal choice for the rise of the small lot: it cleverly maximises living space inside without sacrificing living space outside.

The trick? A design approach that makes internal spaces work hard so there is not a centimetre of wasted space.

At only 6.5m wide, the Caribbean 281 is perfect for narrow blocks.

With a double garage, lounge and open plan kitchen that leads onto an alfresco living area, the ground floor is an ideal layout for the family. Upstairs there are four bedrooms, a main bathroom and a master ensuite, as well as a second living area that opens onto a balcony.

Sierra Grande: great for big living

At the opposite end of the scale is the single-storey Sierra Grande, Indigo Homes’ flagship home.

The display home is the 300msq Sierra Grande. But the home can be built in five different sizes, from 238msq to 431msq.

The home is centred around a large open plan kitchen and family room that opens onto an alfresco area. There are four bedrooms – the master with an ensuite and walk-in wardrobe, as well as a study and a rumpus room.

The No Surprises Building Book

Find out all you need to know about the steps involved in building a new home, who’s responsible for what, and typical timeframes, by downloading our free No Surprises Building Book.

Brisbane suburbs: hotspots for investment

Thu, 10 May 2012 21:55:00 GMT

If you’re thinking of investing in a new home, be it knockdown and rebuild or a full renovation, knowing the hotspots for growth suburbs is the first hurdle.

Brisbane’s suburbs are quickly growing as property hotspots, so investing in one of these areas could be a very smart move.

And the time to do it is now. The Housing Industry of Australia reckons the greater Brisbane area is set to see one of the highest growth rates of the nation, with its population reaching more than three million residents by 2021. If its predictions are correct, Brisbane will push ahead of Melbourne as the country’s second city.

So if you’re about to invest in Brisbane which suburbs are the safest bets?

Best value Brisbane suburbs: CBD and further afield

Latest reports single out neighbourhoods both close to the CBD and further afield as promising locations for investment. So whatever your requirements there should be a location to suit you.

Property consulting firm Urbis has drawn up a shortlist of eight housing hotspots around Brisbane by assessing population, infrastructure and employment opportunities to predict the best long-term property investment opportunities.

Trendy and emerging suburbs: South Brisbane and beyond

South Brisbane came out as the “trendy” hotspot and, across the other side of the CBD, New Farm was picked as an “old favourite” with investors.

Bowen Hills was identified as an “emerging” hotspot, set to grow. Other hotspots were Coorparoo, Dutton Park and Lutwyche.

Malcolm Aikman, Urbis director of property economics, believes 2012 is one of the most opportunistic years of the past decade to invest in Brisbane. With prices rocketing across the board, the city is now one of the most affordable capital cities on the east coast.

“When things are really tough, that’s where the investment opportunities are,” Aikman says.

Hot beach suburb: Logan ripe for investment

If you’re willing to look slightly further away from the CBD, PRDnationwide Research director Aaron Maskrey has tipped Logan as an area ripe for growth.

“We expect Logan to be a hotbed of activity during the next decade as it is primarily positioned close to Brisbane and the Gold Coast, offering the beach lifestyle on weekends,” Maskrey says.

Maskrey also singled out as hotspots Toowong, Indooroopilly and Brisbane’s Middle North Precinct suburbs of Lutwyche, Albion, Gordon Park, Stafford, Wooloowin and Windsor.

Create your dream home in your perfect suburb

Indigo Homes is a specialist at knock down rebuilds and building new homes. Talk to us today if you want more information on the hot areas of Brisbane and the best emerging bargains.

If you’re thinking of investing in a new home and want to speed up the steps you’ll have to take, also take a look at our No Surprises Building Book.

Smart design: Compact living of the future

Thu, 03 May 2012 14:00:00 GMT

There are two major problems facing anyone wanting to build a house today: lot sizes are getting smaller and house prices are getting bigger.

Indigo Homes has created something that will address both of these issues, the Compacts range.

The range features 12 cunning designs that will comfortably fit on lots of 8.5m or 10m widths.

“Remember when the standard was a quarter-acre block?” asks Chris La Franchi, Indigo Homes director.

“Well those days are never going to come again. Increasingly, Queensland developers are developing estates with great public amenities and smaller private spaces.”

Stockland, Australia’s largest property development company, has reported its bestsellers are currently smaller house and land packages, down to 210sqm lots. Five years ago, the average block size was 600sqm – today it’s 450sqm.

To address this increasing trend towards smaller lots, Indigo Homes developed Indigo Compacts.

Clever design turns compact homes into large homes

Coping with smaller lot sizes isn’t simply about slashing a few square metres off the footprint. At least, it’s not at Indigo Homes.

You need to save a bit of space for the yard. You need to maximise the living space inside. And you don’t want to make sacrifices.

Indigo Compacts are all about clever design. The entire approach to the design is different – internal space is made to work hard.

“One of the misconceptions for people to overcome is that a small home is a mean home, or is of lower quality,” Archicentre Queensland manager Ian Agnew recently told The Courier Mail.

“A well-designed small home can maximise the use of space to deliver a pleasant, healthy living environment to suit people’s lifestyles.”

Most popular plans for compact homes

Thanks to its two-storey floor plans that fit so well on a small lot, the Caribbean range is the most popular range at Indigo Homes.

Janey Dopson, Indigo Homes colour consultant, deals with new homeowners every day. “People love the fact they can get four bedrooms and two living areas,” she says. “And the al fresco area downstairs, maximising the use of the outdoor space, is just another plus.”

Our most popular design is the Caribbean 248, thanks to its cost-effective design.
Ideal for narrow inner-city lots, it features a huge open plan living area downstairs plus quieter living areas and four bedrooms upstairs.

Take a look at our full range of Indigo Compacts for more detail on how we’ve created ‘big’ small homes.

The great outdoors: fashions for 2012

Thu, 26 Apr 2012 14:00:00 GMT

Natural fibres, clever colours and even outdoor dishwashers – the outdoor room is the big al fresco trend of 2012.

The notion of transforming Australian balconies, verandas and backyards from functional summer spaces into additional all-year-round rooms is one of the big trends to emerge in early 2012.

Dubbed the ‘outdoor room’, the idea is to merge inside and out, so that outdoor spaces can be used for not just entertaining and relaxing but for cooking, watching TV and even doing your dishes. All year round.

Outdoor living trends 2012

Outdoor living is being embraced throughout Australia, says Olivia Catterall, designer at Brisbane’s Black and Spiro Interior Design.

“More and more products that are suitable for outdoor use are being made available,” she says. “There are so many styles and colours to choose from, but the trend this year is for a more organic feel.”

Curved lines and smooth appearances are in. Traditional straight lines, seen so often in pergolas and verandas, are out.

Popular colours include cream as well as bolder blues and greens; colours inspired by the great outdoors that also make a small space look larger.

Natural and eco-friendly is in

Keeping an outdoor room’s look in tune with its natural environment is a clever way to help ease the indoor-outdoor divide.

Introducing natural fibres, textures and patterns to an outdoor area all help to establish the ‘indoors outdoors’ theme, says Indigo Homes colour consultant, Janey Dopson.

“Wood, wicker, hemp and rattan are all natural materials that work really well in outdoor rooms, making it feel natural and in keeping with the al fresco theme,” she says.

Future thinking on outdoor design

Thanks to advances in technology, it’s possible these days to turn an outdoor room into a fully functioning living room.

Outdoor TVs and stereos are now widely available. And new to the market this year is Australia’s first outdoor dishwasher, built to withstand harsh outdoor conditions with advanced corrosion protection and insect prevention seals.

Make the most of outdoor space

Most of the floor plans by Indigo Homes – such as our award-winning Caribbean design and the homes in our Nevis range – include lots of space for living outdoors.

They are designed to make sure that maximum use is made of the property’s space, with the al fresco areas adding an extra room to any house.

Visit the Design Directory for more details on the homes in the Indigo Homes range.

Renovate or knock down?

Thu, 19 Apr 2012 14:00:00 GMT

If you want to stay where you are but your home needs some TLC, big decisions need to be made. Renovate? Or knock down and rebuild?

If you have an older property, renovating or extending can have huge drawbacks – not least the fundamental issues of old plumbing, ancient wiring and tired design.

When everything is taken into account, it can sometimes be cheaper to knock down and rebuild from scratch than it is to bring a tired home up-to-date.

Beware: the hidden renovation dangers

You only want one extra room, one extra bathroom and one extra living space. Surely the most sensible decision is to renovate?

Not necessarily. For a start, working with an architect and sole builder solution is not an ideal solution for everybody.

Architect plans can be expensive and beyond many families’ budgets, both in terms of architect fees and the kind of house designs produced. Architect-designed homes can also be difficult to pass through council, adding extra time and effort to time schedules, while sole builder timeframes can blow out to anything up to a year on site.

Cost can be the major prohibitive factor. Even so-called small renovations can run into the hundreds of thousands of dollars, leaving smart home-owners wondering whether that money wouldn’t be better spent knocking down and building a dream home from scratch.

The knock down opportunity

The great appeal of a knock down rebuild solution is that a family can stay on their block and in their suburb, close to existing schools, friends and family. They can create their dream home from scratch, ticking every box they’ve always wanted, exactly where they want to be.

Today’s range of knock down rebuild floor-plans and facades are incredibly varied and designed to fit all kinds of families and sites, large or small. They boast high ceilings and designer bathrooms, walk-in wardrobes and world-class appliances and fittings.

Most of all they are designed with today’s families in mind, with open-plan living and dining, clever hideaway and retreat areas and plenty of friendly outdoor space.

When a small home becomes a big home

Indigo Homes are experts at maximising living space – and if a knock down and rebuild is on the cards, maximising space is key.

Indigo Compacts [www.indigohomes.com.au/Indigo_Compacts] are award-winning homes developed in response to the growing trend for smaller lot homes. They are carefully designed to make the most of indoor living space without sacrificing space outside.

For more information about building a new home and all the steps involved, download our No Surprises Building Book.

Interior design: Brisbane trends for 2012

Thu, 12 Apr 2012 14:00:00 GMT

Bold colours, geometric patterns and retro furnishings harking back to yesteryear are what 2012 in Brisbane is all about.

In any kind of interior design creating a contrast is key – and Brisbane is doing its best to keep up with the rest of the world and embrace the latest trends.

Colour schemes are becoming increasingly daring. Predictable is out of fashion. And retro is back with a vengeance.

Colour the hot trend for 2012

Olivia Catterall, interior designer at Black and Spiro in Brisbane, says while the city may historically have been a little behind the times in fashionable interiors, it is catching up quickly.

“Brisbane is working hard to catch up with trends around the world, being a lot braver and embracing bold colours and daring patterns,” Catterall says.

“I expect this to continue throughout 2012.”

The latest interior design fashion in Australian homes is to set bright and bold colours against dull greys, she adds, to make them really stand out and create an impact.

Old is new in a retro comeback

Retro styles from the ‘50s and ‘60s are making a big comeback.

“Chevrons, geometric patterns, textured wallpaper and funky prints that hark back to the 1950s or ’60s are becoming really popular, in both wallpapers and fabrics,” Catterall says.

Younger generations are catching on to this in other ways, scouring garage sales for bargains that can be reconditioned or grabbing grandma’s old table before it’s thrown out.

White paint meets man-made and natural

Externally, the fashions are for bold and simple. White paint coupled with wood is emerging as a favourite for 2012 – and is a style that Catterall hopes catches on.

“Personally, I love all-white painted buildings, with wood and tiling mixed in. I think that can look stunning,” she says.

“You can create a real contrast between the two, mixing natural with manmade, and the effects are really modern and eye-catching.”

Natural colours – blues, greens and neutrals – partnered with wood are also in. But take care to only pick one colour: a multi-coloured exterior is a no-no.

Looking for design ideas?

You can view all the homes in the Indigo Homes range in our design directory. And if you want to read more about how we can take the stress out of building your new home, download our No Surprises Building Book.

Stand out from the crowd: personalising your home

Thu, 05 Apr 2012 14:00:00 GMT

Choosing a theme, picking a focus and displaying old favourites are the key to personalising your home.

After all, your home is a reflection of you – so you don’t want to get it wrong.

Indigo Homes colour consultant Janey Dopson and Black and Spiro designer Olivia Catterall share their advice on how to personalise your home.

Great interior design is about the individual

Building the inside of your home around a few old favourites is a great place to start. Favourite pieces of furniture, or pictures or ornaments that have sentimental value, should form the basis of your personalisation.

“Choose old pieces that you don’t want to get rid of, perhaps items that have been passed down through your family, and build around them,” says Catterall.

“Then think about what you like in every part of your life and represent that in your home. Surround yourself with things that you love; that’s the key.”

So if the beach is your passion, reflect that inside your home with pictures, ornaments and furniture. Similarly, if music is your thing, have that reflected in your pictures and décor.

Outstanding interior design starts with a theme

Having a theme can help. Think about how you want your house to feel – light and airy, traditional and cosy, contemporary and sleek.

“The options for a theme are endless,” says Dopson. “But selecting one that suits you – and suits your home – can make your life a lot easier. It gives you a focus and narrows down your options.”

“If you’re not sure about a theme, you can build it around something you already have,” adds Catterall. “Maybe a fabric or an artwork.”

Wow factor interior design has a single focus

Great rooms and houses tend to have a single focal point. It might be that huge open fire in the living room, perhaps the big dining table where you love to entertain or maybe that old ornament you inherited from Auntie Joan.

It could even be that new artwork you picked up to kick off your theme.

Whatever you choose, it can be used as a central focus to work around.

As Catterall puts it: “Picking a focus can be a great place to start, as it gives you something to work around. The only condition is that it must be something you love, as you’re going to be spending a lot of time looking at it!”

Your interior design can start here

Indigo Homes are a great canvas ready for you to put your mark on and transform into a truly personalised home.

For more information about building a new home and all the steps involved, download our No Surprises Building Book.

Top 5 reasons why it’s smarter to buy a new home

Fri, 23 Mar 2012 01:04:00 GMT

Buying a new home as opposed to one that’s already been built does have its advantages. Here are the top 5 reasons why:

Advantages of buying a brand new home

1. It’s brand new

You won’t have to worry about any wear and tear in or around a brand new home because the house not been previously lived in.
However in an established home, you would have to keep an eye out for any damage caused by previous owners or tenants, including damage from pets or cigarette smoke, which are two of the most commonly missed issues during inspections.

2. Design control

You can customise a brand new home to suit your needs and there are a number of different design and façade options for you to choose from when you build a new home.
If you were to buy an established home you would have no say in the look of the home or the colour of the house and the materials used in it.

3. Less maintenance

Changing the features of an established home to better suit your living needs would require renovations and additional costs after you move in.

Depending on the age of the established home you may also need to repair fixtures, fittings or other materials which have been subjected to wear and tear over the years.
In a brand new home there will be little to no maintenance involved when you move in and it is more likely suit your living needs, simply because it has been designed specifically for you and your family.

4. Adheres to current building code guidelines

All new homes come with a warranty and adhere to the latest building codes and regulations.
This makes new houses safer to live in because they use modern materials that comply with the latest safety and energy efficiency standards.

5. More energy efficient

All new homes are required by law to meet the energy efficiency ratings for their state.
In the long term, these energy efficient building options would allow you to save more on heating and electricity bills, as opposed to buying an already established home which might not comply with the latest building code and energy efficiency standards.

To learn more about how building a new home works, download our No Surprises Building Book to find out all the steps involved in building a new home, including who’s responsible for what and the how long it takes.

From smartphone to smart home

Fri, 16 Mar 2012 04:49:00 GMT

Using your smartphone to control the appliances in your new Indigo home could soon be a reality with Google Android.

New technology is now being developed by Google to allow home appliances and gadgets to communicate across a wireless network.

Through wi-fi enabled connections on the Android@Home framework, homeowners will soon be able to control appliances using Android enabled smartphones, tablets, TVs or laptops.

Plans to roll out Android smart home technology were announced earlier this year by Google's executive chairman, Eric Schmidt, at the world’s largest consumer electronics show, CES 2012.

“What you really want to be able to do is, as you walk into your house with your Android device, all the things that have computers in it sort of adjust as necessary,” Mr. Schmidt said.

“When you go into the family room the television knows it’s you because your device authenticates you as opposed to other family members,” Mr. Schmidt added. “A text message comes to you. It all syncs together.”

“It’s the only offering I know of that fully integrates the television experience and the browsing experience.”

Similar smart home technologies were also showcased during the launch of the Android@Home project at the Google I/O conference in San Francisco last year.

Using an Android smartphone, Google staff demonstrated the ability to switch lights on and off, listen to music and control alarm settings on the Android@Home framework.

Smart home appliances on similar networks have already been rolled out in the United States.

In February last year, Whirlpool teamed up with energy platform company, Tendril, to roll out interactive appliances on the ‘Smart Grid Technology’ which also have the ability to control their own energy consumption.

According to research by the Electric Power Research Institute, using interactive home energy management could reduce electricity use by more than 4% each year by 2030.

If you’d like to learn more about making your home energy efficient, see the science that Indigo Homes uses to assess the energy efficiency of their new homes.

How to apply for the First Home Owners Grant

Wed, 07 Mar 2012 13:00:00 GMT

If you’re looking to buy a house for the first time, you could save on construction costs by applying for the First Home Owners Grant.

1. What is the First Home Owners Grant?

The First Home Owners Grant is a national scheme funded by the Australian government to provide a one off payment to Australians looking to buy their first home.
The grant was set up in July 2000 by the Federal Government to balance out the effect of GST on home ownership.

2. How does it work?

Each state has their own version of the First Home Owners Grant based on the laws for that particular state.
The eligibility criteria and applications for First Home Owners Grants are handled by a Government department in each state or territory and different rules may apply depending on where you live in Australia.

3. How much can I get?

Across all states the First Home Owners Grant payments are currently set to $7000.

You could also be eligible for other grants available in your state that may increase the total amount you receive.

For example, if you live in Queensland and apply for the Building Boost Grant, you could also be eligible for an additional $10,000 if you’re approved for the building boost grant.

If you combine these grants with the Indigo Homes cashback offer you could receive an additional $4000 towards building your first home, which means savings of up to $21,000.

4. How do I get started?

Visit the First Home website at www.firsthome.gov.au and choose the state where you’re planning to build your first house.

Be sure to check out the information provided on the first home owners grant available in your state and try to look for any additional grants, stamp duty concessions or exemptions that are also available.

Remember to read up on the eligibility criteria provided for each of the grants, concessions and exemptions to see if you might be able to qualify for any of the other payments available.

5. How do I apply?

Download the application form for the first home owners grant in your relevant state authority’s website. You can find official links to these sites on the official First Home Owners Scheme website.

Fill out the application form and remember to provide certified copies of any supporting documents as well as a copy of the Contract of Sale to submit with your application.

You can also apply directly to your state’s revenue office but do keep in mind that this can only be done after settlement.

This means that your funds won’t contribute towards your loan or construction costs until after the purchase of your new home has been completely finalised.

It’s much easier to let your financial lender handle this process so that the funds are available to you during settlement.

This way the funds can go towards the mortgage or constructions costs and you won’t have to wait or worry about organising the funds yourself.

6. What happens next?

Your lender will talk to the relevant State or Territory department that you have applied to in order to make sure that the grant funds are available to you during settlement.

Because the funds are already there during the settlement process you could put that money towards the purchase price of the property or even use it to pay the full amount of stamp duty.

If you’d like to find out more about financial terms and the costs involved with building your first home, check out Part 1 and Part 2 of our First home buyers guides for all the latest.

Indigo Homes partners with Lend Lease at Woodlands

Fri, 24 Feb 2012 05:59:00 GMT

A new Indigo Homes partnership with Lend Lease Communities now means better value house and land packages for anyone looking to build a new home in south-east Queensland.

With only nine weeks left until the Queensland Building Boost Grant ends, now is the time to take advantage of our latest offer so you can save even more on the construction of your new home.

Now when you build with Indigo Homes at the Woodlands Living Options Display Village, you’ll pay no deposit on land or make any building repayments until you move in.

This is just a small part of the great new package deals Indigo Homes has on offer at the Woodlands, thanks to our new partnership with Lend Lease Communities.

It’s now even easier to build with Indigo Homes since all of the hard work has already been taken care of, saving you time and money on costs and construction progress payments.

All of our house and land packages on offer at the Woodlands are also at fixed prices with all site costs included. Building deposits have also been reduced to just $4000 to save you even more on the construction of your new home.

In combination with the Indigo Homes Cashback Offer and the building boost grant, this could mean you could save a total of up to $14,000 on the cost of your new home.

To find out more about the Queensland Building Boost Grant, read our ‘Building boost grants still available’ article for all the latest information.

If you’d like to learn more about our new package deals see our latest catalogue on the Woodlands Living Options Display Village that’s just been released in conjunction with Lend Lease.

Live the life you've always imagined

Wed, 22 Feb 2012 01:41:00 GMT

Take the puzzle out of buying a new home with Indigo and Lend Lease Communities.

Click here to find out more.

First home buyer’s guide - Part 2: After settlement costs

Fri, 17 Feb 2012 04:39:00 GMT

After buying your first house there will be some costs to consider before settling in to your new home. Here’s a list of some of the fees you will need to bear in mind before moving in:

1. Home Building Insurance

For peace of mind it’s best to insure your home against any rebuilding costs.

Home building insurance covers your house for any rebuilding or repairs to your home in case your house is damaged in an emergency.

Typically there are two types of home building insurance covers: Replacement and Indemnity insurance.

Replacement insurance basically restores your property to its former condition, while Indemnity cover repairs or restores your property to its current value, with depreciation taken into account.

2. Removalist fees

Depending on where you’re relocating to, removalists’ costs can become an added expense that you may need to consider.

The fee you will be charged by the removalist will depend upon who’s doing the packing, how much furniture you have and the distance they will need to move your things.

3. Council and Water Rates

During the settlement process, your settlement agent will advise your local council of your new house and lot ownership.

Council rates may be shared between you and seller during the settlement process and is worked out before transfer of ownership.

The rates will be calculated on a pro-rata basis and is divided between the amount of time that either party owned the property.

Rates are a form of tax collected by local councils to fund their operations. Their charges usually include fees for garbage collection services, water rates, municipal costs and a general rate that is calculated based on your property’s value.

The water rate bill charged by council is usually dependent on both your property’s value and the amount of water usage for your household.

Each council uses different methods for calculating and charging rates, so some of the rates charges may vary depending on the value of your property and the council area where you live.

4. Utilities and re-connections

It’s usually best to organise your electricity and phone connections before you move in.

Utilities including the phone, electricity, gas and the internet are usually disconnected once the ownership of the property changes hands.

You will be charged connection or re-connection fees to have these utilities in your home so it’s a good idea to have these organised just before moving in.

5. Home decorating, fixtures and renovations

If you’ve bought a new home, chances are you won’t need to do any renovations or add many extras to your property.

Depending on the age and condition of your property, you should keep in mind that at some point you may want to set some money set aside for upgrading your house fixtures, home decorating or installing new gadgets for creature comforts.

If you want to get up to speed on all the steps involved in building a new home, including who’s responsible for what and the typical timeframes, download our No Suprises Building Book for a comprehensive guide to what you can expect as a first home buyer.

Rochedale Display Home

Mon, 13 Feb 2012 13:00:00 GMT

Regrettably our Rochedale Display Homes will be closed on the 25th of April due to Anzac day. The Display Homes will reopen on Saturday 27th April.

We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.

First home buyer’s guide - Part 1: Industry terms demystified

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 13:00:00 GMT

Buying your first home can become a confusing experience if you’re not familiar with the process or the financial and industry jargon. Here’s a list of terms that you’ll need to know as a first home buyer:

1. Home loan applications

There are a number of application related fees to consider after you’ve been approved for a mortgage.

Financial lenders regularly charge a home loan application fee when you apply for a loan and there will inevitably be other costs involved once you progress past the application stage.

You'll also be asked to sign a contract in order to buy your first home, which is all part of preparing and registering a mortgage.

At this stage you will need to pay conveyancing fees in order to prepare and finalise your sales contract, mortgage and other related legal documents.

Valuation fees

During the home loan application process, your lender can charge a valuation fee in order to get a formal estimate of how much your home is worth.

This is usually done by lenders as an insurance formality, in order to check whether the value of your home will cover the overall cost of the loan.

Mortgage Insurance
This is an insurance policy that covers lenders in case there is a default on the home loan. You will most likely be asked to take out mortgage insurance if you are borrowing more from your lender than what your property was valued at.

Survey reports
This is a record of what buildings and other structures are on the land that you are purchasing. The survey diagrams in the report detail the boundaries and outlines of buildings close to your block of land and is usually requested by lenders for their records.

2. Conveyancing fees

These are the legal fees associated with transferring the property from the seller - to you - as the buyer. This can be done through a solicitor or a conveyancer but the cost can vary depending on which firm you decide to go with, so it’s best to get a written estimate before proceeding.

Disbursements

During the conveyancing process your solicitor or conveyancer may also charge for other expenses in order to finalise your contract.

These expenses can include title searches, local council rates, certificates, outstanding notices and applications, water and drainage diagrams, land taxes, electricity or power station costs and more.

3. Transfer / Stamp Duty

Stamp duty in Queensland is now called ‘Transfer Duty’.

Transfer duty is a tax paid to the Government for certain transactions, including mortgages, transfers of property and land acquisitions.

According to the Australian Tax Office, “The rate of stamp duty varies according to the type and value of the transaction involved”.

“Depending on the nature of the transaction, certain concessions and exemptions may be available.”

There are concessions available for first home buyers and first vacant land buyers in Queensland that discount the cost of transfer duty that you will need to pay.

At the moment there is no Transfer Duty to pay for first home buyers in Queensland who are looking to purchase a home under $600,000. The latest details on Transfer Duty for first home buyers can be found on the Queensland Treasury website.

More information on Transfer Duty Concessions is available from the Office of State Revenue website.

4. Inspection fees

Building, pest and strata inspections fees may apply depending on the type of home you are planning to buy.

These inspections must be carried out before the final stage of the mortgage process. This final stage in the home loan process is called settlement.

Building inspections check for structural soundness and any defects in your new home that may need to be repaired, while pest inspections check for any infestations.

A strata inspection is a report compiled for you that holds a record of strata levies, titles, insurances and the history of your building, in addition to the certificate supplied to you by the seller.

5. Saving on contruction costs

The total cost of buying a home is actually cheaper if you apply for the First Home Buyers Grant in addition to the Queensland Building Boost Grant.

By combining both grants you could stand to save up to $17,000 on construction costs.

Indigo Homes also offers its own $4,000 cash back offer in conjunction with the Queensland Building Boost Grant, which means a total of $21,000 in savings on construction costs when you build with us.

To find out more about the Queensland Building Boost Grant and the Indigo Homes cash back offer please subscribe to our newsletter or click on the links above for more information.

If you want to get up to speed on all the steps involved in building a new home, including who’s responsible for what and the typical timeframes, download our No Suprises Building Book for a comprehensive guide to what you can expect as a first home buyer.

Indigo launches new compact home design

Tue, 31 Jan 2012 05:03:00 GMT

Indigo Homes is proud to announce that our latest ‘Coolum 174’ home design will now be joining our Indigo Compacts range.

Designed for modern inner city living, the Coolum 174 is a highly affordable choice for first home-buyers looking to enter the property market.

Indigo Homes spokesman, Garry Harrison, said that the Coolum 174 is also an excellent choice for property investors and people looking to downsize from a larger property.

“This is a compact design that suits a 10 metre frontage allotment and is packed with all the features you could ask for in a home of this size,” Mr. Harrison said.

“It offers amazing value to the home owner and with four generous bedrooms, the Coolum 174 is surprisingly roomy and also features a spacious living area and kitchen,” the Indigo spokesman added.

Indigo Compacts' award winning homes

Our award winning range of compact home designs have been recognised by both the Queensland Master Builders Association and the Brisbane Master Builders Association for innovation towards compact home building.

The Indigo Compacts range were developed in response to the rising trend toward smaller lot homes and are designed to maximise your living space inside, without sacrificing your living space outside.

Two of our award winning compact designs are the Carribean 248, which was recognised as the Brisbane region's Small Lot Housing winner in 2010, and the Sanctuary 247 which was hailed the 'Best Small Lot Home' at the QMBA State Awards.

See the Indigo Homes page on Facebook to watch our latest video on the Indigo Homes Compacts Range.

Display Homes Closed Wednesday 25th January 2012

Wed, 25 Jan 2012 01:13:00 GMT

Unfortunately our North Lakes and Flagstone Display Homes have been closed for today as our sales staff are floodbound and cannot get to the centres.

Sorry for any inconvenience this may cause.

Building boost grants still available

Tue, 17 Jan 2012 05:02:00 GMT

New home builders and property investors can still save up to $10,000 on construction costs thanks to the Queensland Government’s building boost grant.

The State Government has announced that they are extending the deadline for all building boost grant applications to April 30.

Indigo Homes has welcomed the Government’s decision to continue offering the grant to Queensland investors and home builders for an additional three months.

CEO for Indigo Homes, Chris La Franchi, says that the grant extension will be a good thing for the market.

“Market awareness of the building boost didn’t start to pick up until late November,” La Franchi said.

“I think the next 3 months will see a much better response to the building boost due to more increased awareness in the market than pre-Christmas,” the Indigo Homes CEO added.

La Franchi believes that the grants are helping to stimulate a very depressed market and lessen the price gap between established and new homes, due to increased energy efficiency requirements and other government policies that have driven up the cost of new housing.

“The combination of the building boost and potentially further interest rate cuts in February equate to possibly the best time to get into the market for people looking at building in many months,” La Franchi said.

The building boost grant is available to eligible Queenslanders looking to buy a home under $600,000 to live or invest in.

The grant was “designed to re-ignite Queensland’s housing construction sector following a combination of falling property transfers and the economic impact of a summer of natural disasters,” according to the State Government.

Indigo Homes is also extending its own $4000 cashback offer alongside the Government’s building boost grant extension, which means further savings of up to $14,000 for home builders and property investors.

For more details on the Indigo Homes cash back offer, please visit our previous post on the Queensland Building Boost and Indigo Cashback. However, please note that the Indigo Cashback offer will now also be available until April 30.

Energy efficiency - and what to consider when buying your new home

Mon, 19 Dec 2011 22:07:00 GMT

In our last post we discussed the BERS Pro system that Indigo Homes uses to assess the energy efficiency of a house, and this week we’ll talk about two key factors that affect the overall rating.

Building orientation

One of the most important factors contributing the comfortable temperatures in a home is the orientation of the building itself. Correct orientation will help keep the home cool in summer and warm in winter, while also reducing heating and cooling costs, contributing to the overall efficiency of the house.

Building orientation takes into consideration where rooms, windows and shade structures are located within a home in relation to solar north, coinciding with the path of the sun across the sky throughout the year. In Brisbane, solar north is approximately 11 degrees west of magnetic north.

Here’s a simple guideline as to how different living zones should be oriented:.

Living areas to face north in order to catch summer breezes and winter sun.
Sleeping areas to face south to remain cool and comfortable for sleep while catching cool summer breezes.
Bathrooms, laundry rooms and garages to face east and west to block low summer am and pm sun.

Eaves and windows

Installing the correct width eaves on the north side of the house is also a big factor, and helps to limit sun penetration in summer and allow sun penetration in winter through north facing windows.

In the Brisbane area, the width of eave or shade structure should be half the height of the window it’s covering. For example, in a room with a 2440mm high ceiling, 2125mm window head height and a window 1200mm high, the eave width should be approximately 600mm.

Using small, well shaded windows or where possible no windows to the west, helps avoid low summer pm sun. Using well shaded windows to the east takes advantage of summer breezes while protecting against low summer morning sun.

There will be times where other factors will overrule these simple rules, for example when a large window is required to take advantage of valuable views. When large windows and glass doors are installed facing east or west it will be necessary to allow plenty of shade for these openings to prevent morning and afternoon summer sun overheating these areas.

Indigo Homes consider all these aspects as it designs its range of homes. See more of Indigo Home's comfortably designed and award-winning new homes here.

New home design: energy efficiency explained

Wed, 14 Dec 2011 13:00:00 GMT

Star ratings and thermal efficiency – we know it can be confusing. Today we explain the science that Indigo Homes uses to assess the energy efficiency of their new homes.

To assess the energy efficiency of all their new homes – to make sure they comply with Queensland building regulations and that you’re comfortable - , Indigo Homes uses what’s called the BERS Pro system. BERS Pro stands for 'Building Energy Rating Scheme' and is a graphics based computer simulation of the thermal performance of a residential building.

Seeing stars

In mid-January 2010 the Building Minister Forum decided to increase the energy efficiency mandatory star rating in the Building Code of Australia (BCA) from five to six stars. As a result all new homes built in Queensland must have a rating of at least 6 stars.

Builders use thermal simulation software tools to simulate the thermal performance of a building in terms of predicted relative annual energy requirements. To do this, the software assumes that mechanical cooling and heating systems are used to make the inside of the home comfortable, and therefore rates the home on the extent to which it minimises the per square metre energy requirement and equates the energy consumption to a star rating.

BERS Pro is one of the thermal simulation tools available and it assesses and produces a 'star rating' out of 10 stars by calculating the amount of energy or electricity (MJ per square metre per year) it will take to keep the home in a comfortable temperature range for its climate zone. The less MJ per square metre per year the home uses to keep it comfortable, the higher the star rating of the building.

What drives the ratings

Electricity can be used in the form of air conditioning and ceiling fans, and the more factors contributing to reducing the amount of electricity needed, the better. In the Brisbane area, the comfortable temperature range is from 18 to 24 deg. C.

BERS takes into consideration the climate zone (location) the home being assessed will be constructed in, the building materials and insulation used to construct the home, the size of the home, the amount of glass used in external walls, shading around the house, building orientation in relation to the sun and construction methods used to complete the home.

Indigo Homes’ designs aim to maximise comfort while keeping energy consumption to a minimum, and by utilising systems such as BERS Pro, Indigo can ensure their new homes keep occupants comfortable while also saving them on their power bill.

See more of Indigo Home's comfortably designed and award-winning new homes here.

Things to decide when landscaping

Thu, 08 Dec 2011 13:00:00 GMT

In a recent post we spoke of some of the benefits of adding landscaping to your new home, and this week we’ll discuss some of the key issues to keep in mind when planning your landscaped yard.

Level of maintenance

An important aspect to consider when looking into landscaping options is the type of plants you will have, and just how much maintenance they will require. Some gardens are happy with the bare minimum of occasional watering and some pruning every now and then, while others will require regular work.

Will your garden require professional help?

As plants grow and mature, it’s not uncommon to find gardens which have outgrown the homeowners’ ability to keep up with maintenance. Trees may grow larger than anticipated and need professional tree loppers to cut them down to size, while some varieties of flowers etc may need special treatment also.

Will it get out of hand?

While compact and appealing at the start, it’s important to remember some types of plants can easily get out of hand and ultimately have a negative impact on your home. Plants such as bamboo have a tendency to take over whatever space is available to them, and prove almost impossible to remove once established, and some trees can form huge networks of roots which may interfere with your home’s plumbing.

Varieties of plants

Flowers, natives, trees, fruit & veg, or all of the above?
There are so many options when selecting species to plant in your garden that the choices can seem endless. While not a critical issue in terms of landscaping, deciding on the right kind of plants for you is a must for many home owners.
Evergreen or deciduous?
This is another choice home owners will need to make when landscaping, whether to opt for plants that keep their leaves throughout the year, or those which will lose their foliage, and in many cases turn the lovely colours of autumn. If planting trees for summer shade, you may want deciduous species, which will lose their leaves in winter and allow sunlight through. However if you’d prefer a garden with minimum maintenance and don’t want to spend time raking up leaves, then evergreen varieties might be the best option for you to choose.
Is your selection of plants suitable to the local environment?
While personal taste plays a very important role in planning the landscaping of a home, it’s also vital to keep in mind what kind of climate you live in. Planting cacti in a tropical climate for example could prove to be an uphill struggle, as would trying to keep tropical plants alive in dry desert-like conditions. Consulting local nurseries or horticulture experts prior to deciding on what kind of plants your yard will feature is the best way to ensure they are suitable to the area.

Professional landscaping or DIY?

The last thing you’ll need to decide when planning the landscaping of your new home is whether to hire professionals to carry out the work for you, or to simply do it yourself. To landscape your own yard will take lot of hard work, however the rewards will be worth it, not to mention the savings, however many people simply don’t have the time. Indigo homes can include landscaping as part of the package when building your new home, so if this interests you; bring it up with one of our sales reps when discussing options.

How landscaping can influence the value of your home

Thu, 01 Dec 2011 13:00:00 GMT

Landscaping your home is a great way to both add value to your property, as well as making it more enjoyable to live in. Here we look at a few of the great benefits that Landscaping and gardens can bring.

Benefits of landscaping:

Attractive to look at

It’s an obvious one, but a nice, well landscaped yard is much easier on the eyes than a barren lawn with barely a tree or shrub to break it up. By having the right balance of plants and features incorporated into the front or back yard, you’ll not only make it more enjoyable for yourself, but for potential buyers also should you choose to sell.

Privacy

An important aspect of a home for most of us is privacy, and landscaping is the perfect solution to cut off your home from the outside world. Many garden supply centres have varieties of hedges and shrubs especially ideal for blocking out the view from outside.

Shade

Not only will landscaping improve the appearance of your home, but by choosing the right plants and features you can help keep your home cool too. There is an almost endless list of trees you can choose from to plant around your house, and things to keep in mind are factors such as how large the tree will grow, whether it is a species that loses its leaves in winter, and of course what it will look like.

A hobby

At the end of the day, a landscaped garden for many people is a hobby and favourite past time. Some folk like nothing better than spending the weekend in the garden, whether it be tending to the veggie patch, pruning, mowing, or watering. By planning the landscaping of your home carefully, you can achieve a garden with just the right level of maintenance required that you are comfortable with.

Improves with age

A wonderful advantage of a landscaping is that unlike some house features which can deteriorate over time, a garden full of carefully selected plants actually has the ability to improve over time and ultimately continues adding value to your home. Examples can include things like large palm trees or plants that only flower after years of healthy growth; however there are many varieties which will continue getting better and better.

Landscaping your Indigo Home.

As an optional extra, Indigo Homes can arrange landscaping for buyers of our new homes. Alternatively many clients choose to do the landscaping themselves. Whichever option you choose, adding plants and features to your garden will undoubtedly help increase the value of your home, not to mention give you years of enjoyment to come.

Taking indoor activities outside – great ways to enjoy summer weather in your Indigo home

Sun, 27 Nov 2011 13:00:00 GMT

In some of our previous posts we spoke about ways to keep your home cool in summer, and this week we take a different approach to the hot months of the year, with some great ways to enjoy the sunny weather. With alfresco areas an Indigo Homes specialty, what better way to spend free time in your new house than outdoors.

While bbqs aren’t exactly a new invention, there are some great options for outdoor furniture and appliances that aren’t as common. There’s a long list of products and ideas to choose from, and we’ve picked a few of our favourite ideas below.

Outdoor furniture

A weather resistant version of virtually any kind of furniture setting can be found these days, with everything from dining setups to lounges and beds available to consumers. While an outdoor dining table isn’t a new or rare innovation, outdoor lounge settings certainly aren’t as common. With plenty of companies specializing in outdoor furniture, there are options out there for sofas, lounge beds, and modular lounges, as well as furniture to set up your own outdoor bar,

Outdoor TVs and stereos

Advances in technology combined with affordability of items that were once only for the mega rich, have made items such as outdoor TVs and stereos are now within reach of your average family. Picture being able to watch the football or cricket outdoors, and being able to see the game from the bbq . You could perhaps even watch the game poolside for those lucky enough to have a swimming pool. No more waiting for an ad break to rush out and check how the sausages are going, with an outdoor TV or stereo you can enjoy your favourite sport, show or music from the backyard.

Traditional favourites

While there are plenty of modern outdoor furniture styles and types to choose from, traditional options have been popular for generations and are still great additions to a backyard. A bench swing is a great choice for seating, particularly perfect for couples when tucked away in a corner or positioned where there is a nice view, and for those who would prefer their outdoor setting not to take up too much space, there is the humble yet ever popular hammock, which can easily be packed away at the end of the weekend or holidays.

There are virtually endless options available when planning your outdoor setting, and plenty of home designs from Indigo Homes to choose from, that will give you the space you need. With Indigo Homes’ Gift Card Promotion currently running, now is a great time for locking in a design and getting the ball rolling with the building of your new home.

Christmas has come early with our Westfield Gift Card Promotion

Wed, 23 Nov 2011 13:00:00 GMT

If you have been thinking about locking in the home design you have chosen, then there’s no better time than now.

With Christmas and the New Year fast approaching, you can secure Indigo Homes for building your new house, and be rewarded with a Gift Card that will come in very handy for holiday season shopping. Not to mention how great it will feel to be locked in, knowing that 2012 will bring with it a new home.

Simply deposit by the 18th of December, and in return you will receive a free $1000 gift card for Westfield.

Terms and Conditions:

This offer is valid until, and inclusive of, Sunday the 18th December 2011.
The initial deposit of $1000 must be paid in full by C.O.B no later than 5pm on Sunday18th December 2011.
The initial deposit of $1000 is non-refundable.
Only 1 gift card issued per property.
This promotion is only valid to customers who pay their deposit in full after 5pm on Friday18th of November 2011.
The Customer must provide proof of ownership of their land before lodging deposit payment in full.
The Soil test report and the Contour survey remains the property of Indigo Homes Pty Ltd and will not be issued to the customer.
Promotional offers are current at time of going to print. Indigo Homes reserves the right to alter the offer at any time.
Indigo homes Pty Ltd offers no warranties about the accuracy or completeness of information, and reserves the right to alter prices, products, dimensions and/or the terms of all offers without prior notice.
Deletions of this promotion will not be credited.
This offer is not available in conjunction with any other offer, unless agreed and expressly stated in writing by Indigo Homes Pty Ltd.
Gift cards will be issued to the value of $1000 from Indigo Homes Pty Ltd if a single gift card for the promoted amount is not available.

Energy savers: keeping your home cool this summer - Part two: long term solutions

Thu, 10 Nov 2011 03:42:00 GMT

Last week we talked about short-term solutions to keep your home cool in summer, which could be done with minimum fuss and investment, and this week we discuss long term strategies to block out the summer heat. By planning ahead, you can ensure your house stays at a comfortable temperature without increasing your electricity bill.

Shade

Adding shade around your home is one of the best ways to keep it nice and cool. You can set up shade covers, or take the natural approach and plant trees, shrubs and vines, all around the outside of your house. Not only will they provide shade, but will also let through a breeze, a perfect combination.

When planting trees around your house, it’s important to keep in mind how large they’ll eventually grow, as the last thing you want is for tree roots to do damage to your plumbing. Position them wisely, and also keep in mind you may not want to be in shade during winter, so deciduous trees are ideal for blocking the heat in summer while allowing sunlight through during colder times of the year.

If you are building a new home, keep shade in mind when planning the layout. Many of the modern home designs from Indigo Homes incorporate natural ways of reducing the need for heating and cooling, giving you an advantage from the very day you move in.

Indigo Homes also include other features to assist this, with energy saving techniques used wherever possible. Ceiling fans are standard in Indigo homes, and unobstructed cross flow ventilation, tinted glass and added insulation can be looked at as needed.

Insulation

Having a well-insulated home will keep your home both cool in summer as well as help keep it warm in winter. There are various forms of insulation and different parts of the home in which you can use them. As soon as insulation is installed, the difference should be instantly noticeable. Some key places to use insulation are the roof cavity and within external walls. Making sure your windows close tightly and are properly sealed will also help your cause. Indigo Homes uses fibreglass insulation in their home designs, and can advise clients on the various options when they’re ordering a new home.

Roof vents

Allowing the warm air to escape your home is a wonderful and permanent way to keep your house from getting overly hot. Ventilation comes in many shapes and forms, with most being installed in the roof, allowing hot air to rise and escape out of your home. With many different options out there, it’s a good idea to do some research before choosing which kind of ventilation to install.

Layout

One of the most important things to consider when choosing a new home design is the layout of the house, and which design is most suitable to the site on which it will be built. Factors such as the orientation of the house and how much of the house receives direct sunlight also have a big impact, which is why the team from Indigo Homes can advise you about the designs best suited to your site.

Energy savers: keeping your home cool this summer - Part one: short term solutions

Fri, 04 Nov 2011 03:35:00 GMT

With summer fast approaching it’s time to plan ahead for ways you can keep your home cool and comfortable, without resorting to air conditioning. While many methods of reducing heat can be costly and take months to organize and install, we have some great tips for you to help cool your home which you can have ready before the sweltering summer heat really sets in.

Electrical appliances:

Most home appliances produce heat, regardless of their size. Either turning off appliances or moving them to a separate part of your home will help reduce heat generated from within the house. If you have appliances that aren’t in constant use, such as TVs and computers for example, turn these off at the powerpoint. Not only will this help lower heat generated within them home, but also save you money on your electricity bill.

Items like washing machines and dryers produce a huge amount of heat when in use, and ideally these should be located in part of your house that is separate to living areas. However, there’s only one chance to get that right and that’s when you’re building. In the meantime, using door snakes between your laundry and the rest of the house for instance should help block any hot air making its way through.

Lighting

Traditional light bulbs tend to emit a lot of heat and can have a impact on the temperature of the room in which they are found in. While the sale of most incandescent lights in Australia is now regulated and only modern energy efficient lights are allowed to be sold, there are plenty of homes out there that still have traditional lights fitted, which produce a significant amount of heat. A simple way to test if your lights are having an impact on the temperatures inside your house is to simply turn them on for a few minutes and observe how hot they become, a clear indication that they should be replaced with a cooler, energy efficient alternative. For more information, see our previous post on energy efficient lighting.

Blinds and curtains.

Using blinds to reflect the heat of the sun can be a great way to stop your house heating up in summer. Try shutting the blinds and curtains on the sides of your home that receive direct sunlight throughout the day and you should notice an obvious difference.

Cooking

Strange as it may seem, there are ways to cook that will avoid adding extra heat to your home also. If cooking in big pots, cover them with a lid, and where possible, using your microwave instead of conventional oven will also help. If cooking a big meal for family and friends, consider using your barbecue, a perfect way to enjoy the great outdoors while also ensuring you have a nice cool home to return to once you’re done.

Of course Indigo’s homes are perfectly suited to just that, with alfresco dining areas featuring in most of our new home designs, with some great examples being the Kube 313, Endeavour 32, and Carribbean 248.

Environmentally friendly bathroom designs part two: Saving electricity

Wed, 26 Oct 2011 13:00:00 GMT

The design of your bathroom plays a key role in the energy and water consumption of your home, and in the second part of Environmentally friendly bathroom designs we discuss ways in which your bathroom can reduce your electricity use.

As with any part of home design and décor, including bathrooms, energy efficient lighting is essential. When planning your bathroom, there are two key things to consider if you are aiming towards reducing energy consumption.

Bathroom lighting:

The first is the type of appliances and lighting used, and ensuring these are as energy efficient as possible.

Energy efficient lights are a great way to save money throughout your entire home including bathrooms. Although low wattage bulbs are ideal, many people feel that heating lamps as well as very bright lighting are necessities when it comes to a bathroom.

Consider having several different lights installed, giving users the option of choosing energy efficient lights, when a bright one or heated one isn’t needed, and installing a small, very low watt nightlight in your bathroom can reduce the need to flick power hungry switches for a quick late night visit.

A great way to reduce the energy consumption of your bathroom during the daytime is by ensuring the room received plenty of natural light. Adding a window or sunlight will greatly reduce the need to turn lights on during the day, and should have a great impact on your electricity bill.

Bathroom heating and cooling:

Finally, have a think about the heating and cooling of the room itself.
If you bathroom is prone to being a freezing cold room which needs heating in the morning and you have appliances such as heated tiles or a heated towel rack installed, set these on a timer, to run only in the morning or evening when required. And if your home is the opposite, with the bathroom getting too hot in summer, consider adding some ventilation, which will allow hot air to escape the room.

Hot water systems:

As with our previous post on saving water in your bathroom, there is a clear crossover between water and electricity use if your home uses mains power to heat the water. Choosing a showerhead with a low flow rate is essential to this, and when installing a bathtub keep in mind that larger baths need more water which also need more power for heating. Switching to gas can save further electricity, and Indigo Homes come standard with gas powered hot water systems, helping you save on electricity use.

Environmentally friendly bathroom designs part one: Saving water

Wed, 19 Oct 2011 13:00:00 GMT

With the cost of utilities seemingly rising year after year, designing your bathroom to minimize water and electricity use is an absolute must. Here we discuss some simple ways in which you can ensure that the design of your bathroom helps reduce water and power consumption, saving you money and reducing the environmental impact of your household.

Showerhead flow rate:

There are various ways in which water consumption can be minimized, with some great products and systems available. Choosing a shower head with a low flow rate is an absolute must when considering options, and most will list the rate at which water is allowed to flow through. Until recently having a shower with low water consumption had to compromise water pressure, but modern designs have been able to combine the best of both worlds, with low water use as well as plenty of pressure as key features.

The size of your bath:

While having a grand bath to soak in is highly enjoyable, a large bathtub does take quite a lot of water to fill. An average bath can use between 200-300 litres of water to fill, with spa and jacuzzi style baths using anywhere from 500-1000 litres. If regular baths are a must for your family, definitely consider a tub on the smaller end of the scale.

Water tanks:

While reducing water is a must, using a rainwater tank to capture free water is the ultimate way to reduce your water bill. All three levels of inclusions from Indigo Homes feature a rainwater tank as standard, the first step towards improving the water consumption of the home.

Re-using water:

Water that has been used by such things as washing machines, showers, and dishwashers is known as greywater, and in some circumstances can be re-used around the home. Local councils will usually have rules regulating the use of greywater, but there are a few great things this can be used for, such as watering lawns, or for water used in the toilet.

Be sure to check with your local council before re-routing any pipes in your home, as there are rules and procedures that must be followed to ensure safety and hygiene.

New home building: it's a good time to build

Fri, 14 Oct 2011 04:49:00 GMT

Economists are forecasting a strong increase in the median price of Brisbane homes over the next three years, the Courier-Mail reported this week.

The claim is based on a report prepared by industry researchers and forecasters BIS Shrapnel. The report says the underlying strength of the Australian economy, stable interest rates in the short term, high immigration and a dire shortage of houses, will be the main drivers of this growth.

It forecasts the Brisbane median house will lift by 16 per cent to $505,000 over the three years to June 2014. The rise in home prices and shortage of accommodation is also expected to force up rents.

The report also predicts that first home buyers will start to re-enter the market in greater numbers next year as the outlook for the economy improves. This will in turn encourage others to return, especially upgraders, as demand for their properties improves.

Now is a good time

Against this background, now is a good time to buy a new home with Indigo Homes.

Whether it's as an investor or homeowner, you'll not only be set for the market increase, you'll also be able to take advantage of the Indigo Homes' current cashback offer. Now that's gotta be the icing on the cake, surely!

Of course, you want to be sure that you're engaging a new home builder that not only builds the most stunningly designed, value-for-money, quality homes they can. You'll also want to make your building experience as relaxing as possible.

Raving fans

Here's what Tim Piper of North Lakes, Queensland - the proud owner of TWO Indigo Homes, commissioning us to build an investment property after we completed his family home - had to say about building with Indigo.

"Indigo Homes had the perfect design that suited my land and family, the building process ran smoothly and quickly, with my questions and concerns answered promptly.

"The process from buying the land to taking the keys ran so well we are doing it again with an investment property...... Indigo Homes comes highly recommended."

Check out our range of new home designs now.

Qld building boost and Indigo cashback - the icing on the cake

Wed, 05 Oct 2011 13:00:00 GMT

The Queensland Government's Building Boost continues until January 31, 2012 and at the moment Indigo Home's cashback offer is the icing on the cake.

The Building Boost offers:

$10,000 to help you buy or build a new home
$10,000 even if the new home isn’t your first
$10,000 towards all new houses, units or townhouses

As an existing home owner buying or building a new house, townhouse or unit under $600,000, you may be eligible to receive the Queensland Government’s $10,000 Building Boost Grant.

And, if you're a first home buyer:

$17,000 for first home buyers who buy or build a new home
No transfer duty on first homes under $500,000

As a first home buyer purchasing or building a new house, townhouse or unit under $600,000 in value, you may be eligible to receive the Queensland Government’s Building Boost Grant of $10,000. Combined with the First Home Owner Grant, you may be eligible for grant assistance totalling $17,000.

And, if you're a property investor:

$10,000 to help you buy or build a new investment property
$10,000 and you can rent the property out
$10,000 for every new house, unit or townhouse purchased

As an investor buying or building a new house, townhouse or unit under $600,000 in value, you may be eligible to receive the Queensland Government’s $10,000 Building Boost Grant. The boost can be obtained for more than one eligible investment property you purchase.

To all of this Indigo Homes as $4,000 - find out more here in the Icing On the Cake Cashback offer.

New home trends: sloping sites no challenge for this builder

Wed, 28 Sep 2011 14:00:00 GMT

What may be a recent innovation for some builders is just a way of doing things for Indigo Homes.

THE dominance of flat-slab housing development in Queensland may be on the downturn, with the opening of an innovative display home village at Springfield, west of Brisbane, the Courier-Mail reported recently.

“In what is thought to be an Australian first, all nine builders have created housing designs suitable for a sloping block,” the paper said.

Springfield Lakes project manager Ian Murray says building around sloping topography is an art that has almost disappeared in the past 20 years.

Describing a sloping block as a huge positive for housing design, Murray says the concept has virtually been lost within the industry.

"If dealt with properly, a sloping block provides a fantastic end result," he says.

"You only have to look at the older areas like the inner-city suburbs of Brisbane to see that when you build off the topography of the existing land, every house has a view, you don't end up living in a sea of roofs.”

The old way becomes new

Murray says that in generations gone by, building has always been done this way, and it’s something that Indigo Homes director Chris La Franchi knows only too well.

La Franchi says that he’d noticed for a long time that other builders always said that building on a slope expensive was really expensive.

“That’s because lots of builders don’t really want to do it,” he says. “Their whole system is set up for slabs on flat ground. It’s part of what makes project builders so cost-effective.”

La Franchi, with an eye on the future and the fact that a number of Queensland developers have lots of sloping sites in their land banks decided to design a cost-effective way to deal with building on slopes.

Their range of Indigo Hillside homes, available to build in Brisbane and on the north coast to Cooroy and in the western corridor to Hattonvale, are split-level designs that are almost as fast to build as their normal homes, and very close to as cost-effective.

You can check out Indigo’s range of Indigo Aspects here.

New home trends - Small is beautiful

Wed, 21 Sep 2011 14:00:00 GMT

A push for higher-density living and more affordable housing has seen the emergence of smaller, smarter, more well-designed and sustainable homes finding a place in Queensland, says the Courier-Mail

"For the past two decades, the family home has grown in size," Archicentre Queensland manager Ian Agnew says. "But, with an eye on construction and running costs, for many people wanting to enter into the housing market, small has become more beautiful.

"One of the misconceptions for people to overcome is that a small home is a mean home, or is of lower quality.

"A well-designed small home can maximise the use of space to deliver a pleasant, healthy living environment to suit people's lifestyles. Not everyone wants to live in an apartment and the solution is for a smaller, smarter, more sustainable home.

Indigo Compacts solve the problem.

The Indigo Homes Indigo Compacts range was developed to address this increasing trend toward smaller lot homes. Designed so you can maximise your living space inside, without sacrificing the living space outside Indigo Compacts are a perfect answer to this growing trend.

Indigo has already been recognised for its innovation in this area. In 2010, the Master Builders Association recognised its Caribbean 248 as the perfect solution to compact living when it was judged the Small Lot Housing winner in the Brisbane region.

While the Caribbean 248 is an ideal home for a narrow inner-city lot and offers great value for money, Indigo also introduced the Malibu 242 to fit the whole family and really provide the feel of a large, private home.

Introducing the Malibu

At just 8.3m wide, the Malibu 242 has all the features of a larger home, but feels a lot bigger than it actually is, says Indigo Homes’ Garry Harrison.

It features a large master suite and entertaining area upstairs, perfect for when mum and dad have guests or just need a little peace and quiet. And the kids don’t miss out either, with three bedrooms and living area downstairs setting up the perfect kids retreat.

“The Malibu 242 keeps the kids and parents areas separate, which you don’t often find in small lot homes,” says Garry.

Find out more about the Malibu 242 here. And if you’d like to take the stress out of building your new home? Download a copy of our FREE No Surprises Building Book today.

Energy efficient new home - Make the switch to energy efficient lighting.

Wed, 14 Sep 2011 14:00:00 GMT

Why you should make the switch to more efficient types of lighting.

In Australia, light globes – particularly the typical pear-shaped incandescent bulbs found in most homes – account for approximately 12% of carbon emissions from households, and 25% of carbon emissions from businesses. They also contribute about 30% to the average Australian household’s energy bill.

Replace incandescent bulbs

Incandescent globes have been the most common type of lighting in Australian homes for decades. They work by heating an electric element until it becomes white hot and gives off light. Almost all the energy is converted into heat, with only a little being turned into light, making them the least efficient way to light a room.

In 2008, the Australian government announced that incandescent globes would be phased out in Australia over the next decade. A ban on importing them into Australia already exists.

The move to more efficient types of lighting is expected to save around 30 terawatt hours of electricity and 28 million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions between 2008 and 2020, equivalent to decommissioning a small coal-fired power station or taking more than 500,000 cars off the road permanently.

The DCCEE expects that the change to more efficient types of lighting will result in savings of more than $380 million to the Australian economy each year – about $50 in net savings for each household. And the Victorian government estimates that if every household in that state replaced just one conventional incandescent globe with an energy efficient compact fluorescent globe, the savings would count for more than 6 billion balloons of greenhouse gas each year – and that’s just in one state.

So what are these more efficient types of lighting? Generally speaking, there are two types of light bulbs that are considered to be the most energy efficient:

light emitting diodes (LEDs)
compact fluorescent lights (CFLs).

Compact fluorescent lights - CFLs

CFLs contain a gas that produces invisible UV light when excited by electricity. The UV light hits a coating inside the fluorescent bulb, which then gives off visible light.

Unlike an old-style incandescent globe, which produces light by heating an electric element until it becomes white-hot and emits light, CFLs don’t use heat to create light and waste minimal energy input, making them far more energy-efficient than regular bulbs. And while incandescent globes used around the home typically use between 40 and 100 watts of energy, energy efficient CFLs generally use between 9 and 20 watts – a lot less electricity overall.

For you, this means that if you’re using incandescent bulbs to light a large room you could reduce your costs by around 80% by converting to CFLs. If you’re using halogen lights – an energy intensive type of incandescent light – for the same room, you could be paying 4 times as much in lighting costs.

In terms of efficiency, CFLs are four times more efficient and last up to 10 times longer than incandescent lights, using 50 to 80% less energy. While they do release some mercury at the end of their life – a concern for some environmentalists – the production of incandescent lights contributes five times more mercury to the atmosphere from burning coal for electricity.

CFLs can be used in most light fittings, including older style incandescent fittings, and come in a variety of colours, shapes, sizes and functions. They’re generally available where conventional light bulbs are sold, with most hardware stores and supermarkets stocking wide ranges.

Light emitting diodes – LEDs

LED stands for Light Emitting Diode. Unlike older-style incandescent globes, which produce light by heating an electric element until it becomes white-hot, no gas or heated filaments are used to produce light in LEDs.

LED lights last about 10 times longer than regular incandescent lights and are four times more efficient - a 6 watt LED can achieve the same level of brightness as a standard 40 watt incandescent bulb.

While they’re currently more expensive to purchase up front, LEDs only use about a third of the energy that an incandescent globe would use, and so their life cycle is much longer, with some brands of LEDs purported to last for longer than 50,000 hours. To put that figure in perspective, an LED light that was switched on for 10 hours each day could last for longer than 16 years, while an incandescent bulb wouldn’t even last a year.

LEDs are considered to be a better choice for the environment than CFLs for a number of reasons. Not only are LEDs more durable and longer lasting than fluorescent lights – unlike fluorescents, LEDs don’t require starters or ballasts to give off light – they also don’t contain mercury like fluorescents, and while both types of lighting give off some electromagnetic radiation, CFLs give off more, making LEDs the more environmentally sensible choice.

While LEDs are currently quite expensive, their performance and price is improving all the time, and as they’re much longer lasting than any other type of lighting, they’re a better choice in the long run than CFLs (and a far better choice than incandescent lights).

By making the switch to one of these types of lighting, you’ll not only save money, you’ll be saving the environment as well. Make the switch today.

Want to find out more about how we can take the stress out of building your new home? Download our FREE No Surprises Building Book from our website today.

How much will your new home cost?

Wed, 07 Sep 2011 14:00:00 GMT

For most people, a home is much more than a place to live; it's a long term investment, and probably one of the biggest you'll ever make. So before you sign on the dotted line, it makes good sense to get your costs clear first - after all, the decisions you make at this stage will have important consequences for your future.

Invest in the long term

When you start looking at homes, it's easy to focus on the short term - 'what can I afford right now?' But when you think about it, ongoing operating costs are really important too. For example, an energy efficient home means lower energy bills, and a smaller home means less costs and maintenance overall.

You can protect your investment against rising energy, water and petrol costs by making sure your home is energy and water efficient and is close to everything you need, including public transport. Choosing a home made of long-lasting durable materials that don't need a lot of maintenance will also reduce costs in the long-run.

Factor in all the costs

When you visit a display home village, such as our Indigo Homes display villages across Brisbane, the prices displayed are usually base house prices, from which point you can choose additional upgrades and features.

What's often difficult is comparing 'apples with apples' because what's offered as a standard inclusion by one home builder may not be offered by another.

Don't want to get hit with hidden costs? Check with your builder about which of the following items are included in the price you've been quoted:

Council approval fees
Construction insurance premiums
Soil testing by a qualified engineer
Connections to services
Excavation and drainage
Driveways and landscaping
Legally required construction extras, like scaffolding and security fencing
Lighting
Floor finishes
Kitchen cabinets, benchtops, sinks and appliances
Curtains and blinds

You should also make sure that the cost of meeting local council and State government regulations (such as extra insulation, minimum-standard energy ratings and rainwater tanks) have been factored into the quoted price.

To find the perfect home that will meet all of your needs in both the long and short term, take a look at our design directory. Not only do we have homes for all types of lots - villas and premium villas, courtyards and traditionals - we even have special homes to suit special sites.

And if you want to know how we can take the stress out of building your new home, download our FREE No Surprises Building Book today. You can also see more of our wide selection of new home designs - many of them award-winning and industry recognised - on our website. Take a look at our design directory to find your new Indigo Homes home today.

Achieving a 6-star energy rating.

Wed, 31 Aug 2011 14:00:00 GMT

Across Australia, the need to develop more sustainable and energy efficient homes has never been greater. With the Building Code of Australia (BCA) now requiring all new houses and renovations achieve a 6-star energy rating, we thought we’d explain what this means for you.

A 6-star energy rating.

A house’s energy equivalence rating is determined by the design of its ‘shell’ – the roof, walls, windows and floors, and indicates the thermal performance of the property. A high star energy rating means the house should be naturally cooler in summer and warmer in winter, saving electricity costs and lowering a household’s carbon footprint.

The energy rating system was first introduced by the BCA in 2003 when the minimum standard for new homes was a 5-star rating. The BCA has recently moved to a minimum 6-star standard, with all building applications lodged after May 1^st 2010 required to comply with this standard. (Before 2011, the minimum standard was a 5 star energy rating).

Mandatory disclosure compliance will also be introduced this year in all states, requiring that the star rating of residential buildings be disclosed when leasing or selling the property.

Achieving the 6-star rating.

The star energy rating takes into account four key factors:

The layout of the home
The construction of its roof, walls, windows and floor
The orientation of windows and shading to the sun’s path and local breezes.
How well these suit the local climate.

With most of our homes being built in the balmy southern Queensland region, we’ve tailored our home designs to suit the sunny and warm local climate.

Many of our floorplans include a generous outdoor living space, not only providing you with the choice of relaxed indoor and outdoor living spaces, but also achieving a nominal credit of up to 1 star under the Queensland Development Code. Nominal credits under the BCA enable owners of homes with ratings of 4.5 or 5 stars to reach a total 6 star rating by using nominal credits. Installation of a solar PV system of at least 1kw in capacity will also attract a nominal credit of 1 star.

The orientation of living spaces, so that they face towards the north, has also been taken in to consideration with our floor plans and most take advantage of their sites northern aspect. We also include a light coloured façade option for all of our floor plans, minimizing the amount of heat absorbed by roofs and walls.

To find a 6-star home design that suits you, take a look at our design directory. Not only do we have homes for all types of lots – villas and premium villas, courtyards and traditionals – but we even have special homes to suit special sites.

More information about the 6-star energy equivalence rating can be found in this fact sheet by the QLD Department of Infrastructure and Planning.

Create your own vertical garden

Thu, 25 Aug 2011 14:00:00 GMT

How to build your own vertical garden.

With spring around the corner, warmer and longer days on the horizon and flowers in bloom, it’s time to start thinking about your outdoor space again. Why not try something different and make the most out of bare outdoor vertical spaces by following this simple guide to creating your own wall garden.

A vertical garden bed can completely transform an outdoor area by adding colour, flair and texture. Vertical gardens work just as well in courtyards, on balconies or in sprawling backyard spaces, and while you can buy them pre-made, designing and building your own is fun and easy.

How to build your own vertical garden.

Build the structure: To build the frame of your vertical garden, you'll need three things
- Framing - consider using a metal frame for durability, or treated wood if you prefer. The frame acts as the basic support for the structure.
- Backboard - Use PVC sheets or fine, rigid wire mesh. Stainless steel is also great because it reduces the incidence of rust. The backboard is then adhered to the frame.
- Holding sheet - Use a thick sheet of felt or hessian. The holding sheet is stapled on top of the back board. The plants can then be embedded onto the holding sheet, acting as a 'soil' or growing medium for the plants to adhere to.
Choose the plants: The best plants for vertical gardens are dense, compact and low growing. Make sure you choose species that suit the aspect of the wall on which they'll be growing. A wall drenched in sun will need a selection of fairly drought-tolerant plants, while a shady spot will require a selection of shade-loving plants, like ferns. Bear in mind that the bottom of the unit will hold more moisture than the top, so think about this when you're deciding what to plant where.
Plant a mix: Mix up flowers and foilage in rows for a colourful effect.
Grow your own produce: Consider planting your vertical garden with a selection of herbs. By choosing plants with a range of different leaf colours, you can create a garden that's both practical and beautiful to look at. Herbs such as basil, mint, chives and thyme work great in most vertical gardens.
Watering: Just like regular pot plants, your wall garden will need regular watering to keep it flourishing. For the first few weeks you should water it about every second day, and then once a week in summer and once a month in winter, depending on the plant species and the aspect. Apply the water from the top, so it can filter down through the potting mix.

We love the great outdoors

With the rise of small lots and compact living across Australia, especially in inner-city areas, there’s an increasing need to maximise your outdoor and indoor living spaces. While most other builders have floorplans that take up the whole lot with the house, Indigo Homes have embraced small lot living with a product range that’s designed to suit. We understand that outdoor space is just as important as what’s inside, so you won’t find a home in our range that doesn’t allow for great outdoor living.

You can view all the homes in the Indigo Homes range in the Design Directory on our website. And if you want to read more about how we can take the stress out of building your new home, download our FREE No Surprises Building Book today.

Buying your new home

Wed, 17 Aug 2011 14:00:00 GMT

Your home is more than a place to relax, unwind, spend quality time with family and friends and create memories.

It’s probably the biggest investment you’ll ever make. So when you’re looking to buy a home, chances are that you’ll be looking for something that will meet your needs and lifestyle but will also provide the best value for money and won’t break the bank in running costs. That’s why we’ve put together this short guide to take the stress out of choosing a home.

Start with a list

The process of buying a home can seem overwhelming and complicated. There are so many things to consider and sometimes it’s hard to know to start. To help you remember all the details and get the most out of the process, it’s a good idea to start with a list.

Write down your ‘must haves’ so you know what your priorities are. It can be pretty easy to fall in love with a particular house feature or style and forget about what you originally decided you needed to suit your lifestyle and budget. Your ‘must haves’ may include things like the number of bedrooms and bathrooms, good natural light, a separate play area or a big kitchen.

Next, write down your ‘wish list.’ Your ‘wish list’ should include extras that would be of great value or use to you, like shaded al fresco dining with good sunlight in winter, granite benchtops, solar hot water or a rainwater tank.

Location

Location is so important. You have the opportunity to maximise your investment by choosing a block that’s close to everything you need and well connected to public transport. While a better location might mean a smaller block – or even a different style of home – it can be worth it when you think about everyday travel times and costs.

Know the rules

It really helps if you can find out the requirements for homes at your chosen location. You can do this by checking with your builder and with the local council. If you’re buying in to an estate there may be additional requirements made by the developer that you need to follow, like types of building materials, façade style, fences and hot water systems, to name a few.

Choose the floor plan that works for you

Looking at builder’s floor plans is where you can start to compare your ‘must haves’ and ‘wish list’ with what’s on offer. Think about what you really need. It’s tempting to want more area for your money but bigger isn’t always better – you’ll have less garden space and more house to heat, cool, light and clean. Good design that doesn’t waste space feels great to live in and holds its value better – check out our design directory for inspiration.

Find the best fit.

If you’re looking for a stylishly designed quality new home, then you don’t need to look any further. Indigo Homes wide selection of new home designs – many of them award winning and industry recognised – suit all types of lots and sites, from villas and premium villas to courtyards and traditionals. Whether you’re wanting a change, have outgrown your home, or just want a bigger house, you can find a home that will suit you in our design directory.

And if you want to know how we can take the stress out of building your new home, download our FREE No Surprises Building Book today. You can also see more of our wide selection of new home designs – many of them award winning and industry recognised – on our website. Take a look at our design directory to find your new Indigo Homes home today.

Finding the perfect fit - the best floor plan for your site.

Thu, 11 Aug 2011 14:00:00 GMT

Find the floor plan that works for you.

There’s nothing worse than finding your dream block of land only to discover that some builders just won’t build there, whether it’s because of a great slope, not enough width or a lack of access. While we have a wide selection of new home designs that suit all types of lots, and expert people to help choose which ones will suit best, here are our top tips for choosing the floor plan that works for you.

What do you need?

Our first tip? Think carefully about what you really need. It’s tempting to want more area for your money, but bigger isn’t always better – you’ll have less outdoor space and more inside space to heat, cool, light, clean and furnish, adding costs now and in the future. Good design that doesn’t waste space feels great to live in, so choose a livable plan rather than the extra 5 square metres.

How close are you to others?

Make sure the homes you’re considering will fit well on your block. Check the width of the home frontage and any setback requirements and whether the position of your home will maintain privacy for you and your neighbours – keep bedrooms away from noisy areas like driveways or neighbours’ living areas, and also think about where you can put other features, like an outdoor clothesline and rainwater tanks.

Have you got a slope?

If you have a sloping block, think about the kind of home that would fit the best with minimum excavation and drainage costs. Check out the Indigo Aspects range to see our wide array of home designs for sloping sites.

How can you passively use the sun?

Choosing a floor plan that faces the right way on your block should enable your home to make the most out of the natural elements – having the living areas face the north to capture the sun not only keeps your house warmer in winter, it also means you won’t have to spend as much on heating, cooling and lighting.

Of course, those areas need to be well-protected by overhangs and eaves. Unprotected glass is the single greatest source of heat gain in a well-insulated home, which is probably something you don’t want in the middle of summer!

In climates where winter heating is required, shading devices should exclude summer sun but allow full winter sun to penetrate. An easy way to do this is by installing the correct width eaves facing to the north to limit sun penetration in summer and allow sun penetration in winter through north facing windows.

In the Brisbane area, the width of eave or shade structure should be about half the height of the window it’s covering – but talk to your builder about what width will suit your home.

Why is north best for living areas?

North is the best position for the rooms you spend a lot of time in because north-facing rooms get sun for the longest part of the day, and are also the easiest to share from unwanted sun. In summer when the sun is high, the right size eaves will shade north-facing rooms, while in winter when the sun is lower, sunlight will come in under the eaves.

If you want to be able to flip or rotate your living areas for better positioning on site, check out the Kube. Specifically designed with versatility in mind and with plenty of floor plan variations, the Kube suits all aspects and most acreage blocks. Find out more about the Kube 313.

Want to read more about how we can take the stress out of building your new home? Download our free No Surprises Building Book from our website today.

Give your spare room some flair

Wed, 03 Aug 2011 04:05:00 GMT

Turn your spare room in to a retreat with flair by following these simple steps.

When you’ve got a room to spare, chances are it’s not always going to be an immaculately kept guest room just waiting for relatives to exclaim how well kept it is. And even if it is well kept, it may not have personality. Here are our tips for giving your spare room some flair.

Claim your room back

Spare bedrooms are often convenient dumping grounds for items you can’t bear to throw out or don’t know where to put. But they’re also valuable real estate, so reclaim your room by following these simple steps:

Clear out the clutter. Sort it in to piles for keeping and relocating, donating, selling or tossing away. Be ruthless.
Rip up your worn old carpet and replace it with new, or strip and polish the floorboards.
Repaint your ceiling, walls and finally the skirting and architraves. As spare bedrooms are often small, look for ways to make the room feel larger. Whites and paler neutrals on the walls and flooring help push the walls back. Vertical stripes will make the room seem taller, while horizontal stripes will make the room seem wider.

Finishing touches

Finishing touches are the key to turning an ordinary room in to a haven. After decluttering and cleaning out your spare bedroom, it’s a combination of the right paint, personal touches and funky features that can really make a difference.

As for the bed, pile it high with pillows and crisp, plush linen that will be inviting for any guests you have. Flowers can also give life to any room, so include them where you can.

Colour your world.

Introduce flashes of colour to add richness and life to the room. Use cushions to add accents of bright colours, such as peacock blue, fuschia, ruby red or pink. By repeating the shades elsewhere in room, like in lamps and flowers, you give the room a unified character.

Of course, if you’re looking for a stunningly designed, stylish and quality home, then you don’t need to look any further. Indigo Homes’ wide selection of new home designs – many of them award winning and industry recognised – suit all types of lots and sites, from villas and premium villas to courtyards and traditionals. Whether you’re wanting a change, have outgrown your home or just want a bigger house, you can find a home that will suit you in our design directory.

And if you want to know how we can take the stress out of building your new home, download our FREE No Surprises Building Book today. You can also see more of our wide selection of new home designs – many of them award winning and industry recognised – on our website. Take a look at our design directory to find your new Indigo Homes home today.

We're heading to the Sunshine Coast

Thu, 28 Jul 2011 00:36:00 GMT

Introducing… the Esprit 240 at Sunshine Cove.

After years of designing and building stunningly designed homes in Brisbane, we thought we’d build our next display home in a display village called Sunshine Cove at Maroochydore on the Sunshine Coast. We expect it to be open before Christmas.

Indigo Homes Director Chris La Franchi says “we have been designing and building small lot homes in Brisbane for the past five years and [with smaller lots now much more common on the Sunshine Coast] we see this as a great opportunity to showcase the many designs we have developed.”

“Location wise, a development like Sunshine Cove is not going to come along again, so as well as living in the CBD of Maroochydore, you can still have the home you’ve always dreamt of.”

The Sunshine Cove development will host a variety of different living and lifestyle options, including townhouses, waterfront homes, units and traditional family homes. Destined to become one of the largest community developments in Australia, the development is located between Buderim and the Maroochydore CBD on the Sunshine Coast, and is expected to house some 6,000 residents, as well as numerous local and national businesses.

The Esprit 240 is a large 4 bedroom home with living areas both upstairs and downstairs along with a study. Offering beautiful open plan living and a great indoor-outdoor connection, this home is all about light and space.

Personalising your home

Wed, 20 Jul 2011 14:00:00 GMT

Building a new home can be stressful. That’s why so many people decide to make their building experience as relaxing as possible by purchasing a home and land package from a builder like Indigo Homes.

While you’re always guaranteed the most stunningly designed, value-for-money, quality home from us, we understand that you’d want to give your home your own personal touch. That’s why we’ve put together a short list of tricks and tips to help you add a touch of your own personality to your home.

Colour me happy

The most obvious way to give your home your own personalised edge is by painting it in a colour that matches your personality. While all of our homes come with a range of different facades, you might want to add your own personal touch by choosing your favourite colours for window sills and doors.

Gardens

Another thing you could do is to make full use of the garden or lawn in your home. Here you can have a lot of options, depending on the size of the lawn and the area where you’ve chosen to live. You can try small fountains or statues to add a fun twist to the lawn, or plant flowers of your choice all over the garden. This is a great way to decorate your space and make it your own. Alternatively, you could also make a fresh vegetable garden – this way, you’re not just personalising your home, but you’re also saving money on vegetables!

Of course, if you’re looking for a stunningly designed, stylish and quality home, then you don’t need to look any further. Indigo Homes’ wide selection of new home designs – many of them award winning and industry recognised – suit all types of lots and sites, from villas and premium villas to courtyards and traditionals.

And if you want to know how we can take the stress out of building your new home, download our FREE No Surprises Building Book today. You can also see more of our wide selection of new home designs – many of them award winning and industry recognised – on our website. Take a look at our design directory to find your new Indigo Homes home today.

The easiest way to create space

Thu, 14 Jul 2011 14:00:00 GMT

We all want to be able to maximise our indoor living space. Get more room in your home by following these four simple steps to storing your stuff safely.

The easiest way to create space

1. De-clutter - Hire a skip bin and throw out all the things in your home that are damaged or broken or haven't been used for over a year, especially the unloved, unused stuff that follows your from home to home.

2. Decide what items are keepers and which (if any) should go in to storage.

3. Storage - Think about using a storage facility. If you're using a storage facility it's wise to inspect it prior to signing on. Also, read the fine print carefully and make sure it suits your long or short-term requirements. Some facilities require lengthy periods of notice before allowing you to access your goods, and many storage units remain unsupervised when it comes to what's actually being stored and where. Your neighbouring compartment may contain dangerous goods, liquids that may leak or other nasty surprises that can put your items in jeopardy.

4. Take care of all your belongings properly to maximise their lifespan. If you've stored things away, in either your home or a facility, make sure you prepare them so they don't just sit collecting dust in storage. Clothes should be sealed in airtight packages to reduce the risk of deterioration. Carpets and rugs should be cleaned prior to storing. Refrigerators should be cleaned with hot soapy water and a little bleach, then dried before storing.

Smart living

At Indigo Homes, we're all about smart living for all blocks. In fact, while most other builders have failed to embrace small lot living with a product range that's designed to suit, we've designed a whole range of different floor plans perfect for small lot living. While it does take a different kind of design approach to make internal spaces work hard so there’s absolutely no wasted space, we’ve done it with our Indigo Compacts range – in fact, our most popular design Caribbean 248 was recently chosen as the Small lot Housing Winner at the 2010 Master Builders Association Brisbane Region Housing and Construction Awards.

You can view our range of Indigo Compact homes here.

Get more bang for your buck

Wed, 06 Jul 2011 00:54:00 GMT

Indigo Homes have released three brand new inclusions lists, offering even better value and inclusions than before.

“These inclusions levels represent great value for money and we’ve got something for everyone,” says Indigo Homes’ Garry Harrison.

Customers can choose from the ‘Primo,’ the ‘Elegance’ and ‘Indulgence’ inclusion levels.

All three lists include an H1 soil classification study and start from $139, with the Elegance and Indulgence lists including features such as Caesarstone benchtops, designer tapwear and mirrored sliding door wardrobes.

“We’re giving customers more options so they can get the house they want,” says Garry.

We’ll be releasing more information about these three inclusion levels in the coming weeks.

Just in case you didn’t know…

As part of this brand new release, we’re offering a cash back amount of $4,000 to help celebrate.

In conjunction with the $10,000 grant that’s $14,000 of extra cash in your pocket!

Find out more about how you can save $14,000 off your new home. Hurry and take advantage of this great offer!

Would an extra $14,000 get you off the fence?

Wed, 29 Jun 2011 14:00:00 GMT

Been umming and ahhing about buying a new home this year? Would an extra $14,000 in your pocket make the difference?

Well start looking now – the Queensland government has just announced that new home-builders and buyers may be eligible for a $10,000 grant.

And Indigo Homes is putting the icing on the cake.

Not only will you get the most stunningly designed, value-for-money, quality home on the market AND $10,000 off your new home, we’re making the deal even sweeter by offering $4,000 cash back on all new homes bought before September 12, 2011.

In conjunction with the $10,000 grant that’s a whopping $14,000 extra cash in your pocket.

Tell me more

The Queensland Building Boost is a six-month initiative that will give $10,000 to all Queenslanders building or buying a new home. First home-buyers are still able to get the $7,000 first home buyer’s grant – meaning you could potentially save $21,000 on your first home.

The Building Boost Grant aims to aid Queensland’s struggling home construction sector and encourages people to buy or build new houses plans in order to jumpstart the declining property market.

The grant is available to any person or corporation buying or building a new home to live in, or to rent out for investment purposes. The home must be $600,000 or under.

The grant will be available from August 1 2011 to January 31 2012. To find out more about the terms and conditions of the grant, check out the Queensland Government’s State Budget 2011-12 information sheet.

Want that extra $4,000?

At Indigo Homes we have a wide range of stylish new homes to suit almost every site and budget. Find your dream home in our design directory.

Remember this is only available until September 12 2011 so get in quick. The $4,000 cash back is redeemable at handover of home only and will be provided by way of cheque or a discount off settlement amount.

If you want to know how we can take the stress out of building your new home, download our FREE No Surprises Building Book today. You can also see more of our wide selection of new home designs – many of them award winning and industry recognised – on our website. Not only do we have homes for all types of lots – villas and premium villas, courtyards and traditionals – but we even have special homes to suit special sites. Take a look at our design directory to find your new Indigo Homes home today.

Al fresco living - How to bring the indoors outside

Fri, 17 Jun 2011 04:03:00 GMT

Australians love the outdoors. That’s why you’ll find that most of the floor plans by Indigo Homes, like our award-winning Caribbean design and the homes in our Nevis range, include lots of space for outdoor entertaining.

So throw a shrimp on the barbie, watch the kids play in a safe environment and enjoy the Aussie sun in your own backyard with our design tips for creating a relaxing outdoor area that makes the most out of the space you have.

Don’t feel boxed in

New homebuyers, particularly in urban areas, are increasingly being faced with courtyards with limited space and light. But just because you have little space on the ground doesn’t mean you need to feel boxed in outside. With a few clever design tips and ideas, small courtyards and gardens can be transformed into thriving outdoor living spaces perfect for entertaining and accommodating the whole family.

Our top four design tips for outdoor areas

1. Clever design - You need to make the most of the space you have. One of the best ways to do this is by dividing the outdoor space up in to different areas. Try and create a series of sub-spaces which are functional and practical and without clutter.

2. Colour - Using colours and materials that will complement the design and colour scheme of your home will make it seem like you have more space than you really do. Whites, greens, blues and purples are all colours that can make a small space look a lot bigger.

3. Features - Your outdoor space should be your haven. Create an atmosphere of serenity and relaxation by including a small water feature or by brining in some greenery. Grouping plants of different types together can transform a plain courtyard in to a green oasis.

4. Mirrors - You'd be forgiven for never thinking about featuring a mirror in your garden or courtyard. After all, who is vain enough to need a mirror outside? But incorporating a mirror in to your outdoor area design can make a garden or courtyard look twice it's size.

We love the great outdoors

With the rise of the small lot home in Australia, especially in inner-city areas, there’s an increasing need to maximise your outdoor living space. While most other builders have floorplans that take up the whole lot with the house, Indigo Homes have embraced small lot living with a product range that’s designed to suit. We understand that outdoor space is just as important as indoors, so you won’t find a home in our product range that doesn’t allow for great outdoor living.

You can view all the homes in the Indigo Homes product range in the Design Directory on our website. And if you want to read more about how we can take the stress out of building your new home, download our FREE No Surprises Building Book today.

The Icing on the Cake!!

Fri, 17 Jun 2011 03:20:00 GMT

Something for Nothing!!??

Indigo Homes has released three brand new inclusions lists, offering even better value and inclusions than before.

As part of this brand new release, Indigo is offering a cash back amount of $4,000 to help celebrate.

In conjunction with the $10,000 grant that’s $14,000 of extra cash!!

Hurry and take advantage of this great offer!

**Limited Time Only & Conditions Apply**
• offer valid till 12th September 2011
• $4,000 is redeemable at handover of home only and provided by way of cheque or a discount off settlement amount
• $10,000 State Government Grant commences 1st August 2011 to 31st January 2012

The new solution to compact living - Introducing the Malibu 245

Tue, 07 Jun 2011 01:57:00 GMT

When it comes to houses, bigger isn’t always better. As lots of land become smaller and smaller, particularly in the inner-city, builders and home owners alike have had to trade in their dreams of building castle-like homes and instead opt for smaller houses that fit on today’s compact lots.

The rise of the small lot might be good for sustainability and affordability, but not all builders have embraced it with a product range that’s designed to suit. Many other builders have floorplans that are just a little too wide, or worse, take up the whole lot with the house.

But bigger isn’t always better… and just because you’re living on a smaller site doesn’t mean you have to give up on the extras that count.

The Compacts range

The Indigo Homes Indigo Compacts range was developed to address this increasing trend toward smaller lot homes. Indigo Compacts have been designed so you can maximise your living space inside, without sacrificing the living space outside. It’s not as easy as it sounds – it takes a different approach to make internal spaces work hard so there’s absolutely no wasted space – but we’ve done it!

In 2010, the Master Builders Association recognised our Caribbean 248 as the perfect solution to compact living when it was judged the Small Lot Housing winner in the Brisbane region. And with four generously sized bedrooms upstairs and a massive open plan living area downstairs, it’s no wonder why the Caribbean 248 is Indigo Homes’ most popular compact home.

But now that we’re in 2011, we wanted to improve on our award-winning design and give you something that’s just as compact, but even better.

Introducing… the Malibu 245

While the Caribbean 248 is an ideal home for a narrow inner-city lot and offers great value for money, we wanted to design a home that could fit the whole family and really make you feel like you were living in a large, private home.

At just 8.3m wide, the design of the Malibu 245 fits perfectly on the smallest inner-city blocks but it still packs a punch.

“It has all the features of a larger home, and feels a lot bigger than it actually is,” says Indigo Homes’ Garry Harrison.

A lot of people think that with a smaller home the whole family will be on top of each other.

But that’s not the case with the Malibu 245. Designed with the whole family in mind, the Malibu 245 features a large master suite and entertaining area upstairs, perfect for when mum and dad have guests or just need a little peace and quiet. And the kids don’t miss out either, with three bedrooms and living area downstairs setting up the perfect kids retreat.

“The Malibu 245 keeps the kids and parents areas separate, which you don’t often find in small lot homes,” says Garry.

With all the features of a larger home – a master suite with ensuite and walk-in-robe, three large bedrooms, separate living spaces on both floors, dining and al fresco areas for entertaining and a study – the Malibu 245 is sure to be a new compact winner for 2011.

Want to find out more about the Malibu 245? Stay tuned for the plans in our upcoming newsletters.

Want to take the stress out of building your new home? Download a copy of our FREE No Surprises Building Book today.

How to give life to your home

Fri, 03 Jun 2011 05:10:00 GMT

When you’re buying a new home, one of your primary concerns is undoubtedly how it looks, inside and out. You could have the most gorgeously designed home, but who’s going to think it’s stunning if it’s painted in the wrong colour?

Choosing the right colour for your home can be a difficult decision, but it’s just as important as whether you have a kitchen or not. This week, we make the choice a little bit easier, by going through the most popular colour trends for this season.

Soft neutrals

Who loves a warm and creamy cup of coffee in the morning? It seems that a lot of Australian homeowners do – for some time now, the colours of choice in Australian homes have been based on the coffee tones. The use of soft neutral colours like beiges and soft greys signifies a move towards simple and classic modernity, and really let the design of the house do the talking.

Accent colours

When you’re choosing a colour palette for your home, you’re definitely going to need more than one. Accent colours are colours that are used for emphasis in a colour scheme. These colours can be bold or vivid and should be used sparingly throughout the home, to emphasize, contrast or create rhythm. The correct use of accent colours, even if they are bold, can certainly enliven any living space.

What are the top accent colours at the moment? With a move away from bright and bold colours, metallic and pastel tones have been heavily used as accent colours to compliment the more neutral beiges and soft greys that we’ve seen rise in popularity. Think dark metallic blue, soft pastel greens and yellows, even a splash of off white or shiny metallic blacks.

Want to know how we can take the stress out of building your new home? Download our FREE No Surprises Building Book today. You can also see more of our wide selection of new home designs – many of them award winning and industry recognised – on our website. Not only do we have homes for all types of lots – villas and premium villas, courtyards and traditionals – but we even have special homes to suit special sites. Take a look at our design directory to find your new Indigo Homes home today.

Our top three best sellers

Thu, 12 May 2011 14:00:00 GMT

At Indigo Homes, we pride ourselves on building quality homes that you will love, no matter what type of lot or site you’re looking to build on. While all the homes in our wide selection of new home designs are stunningly designed and great value for money, there are a few homes in our range that almost everyone wants to buy. Here are our top three best selling home designs:

The Caribbean

Remember when the standard was a quarter-acre block? These days, they’re few and far between. Increasingly Queensland developers are developing fabulous public amenities and smaller private spaces. Small lot homes are great for their sustainability and affordability, so when we realised that most builders didn’t have a product range to suit, we started designing. The result? The Caribbean range, a range of homes designed to maximise your living space inside without sacrificing the living space outside.

And judging by the awards the Caribbean has won, including the Small Lot Housing Winner at the 2010 Master Builders Association Brisbane Region Housing and Construction Awards, the Caribbean is the perfect solution to small-lot living.

All homes in the Caribbean range are designed with the idea of ‘small lot, big living’ in mind. All of our Caribbean designs feature four generously sized bedrooms, al fresco areas and a double garage, with most also including an extra entertainment area or a private parents retreat.

You can find out more about this extremely popular and compact design by looking at the Indigo Compacts range on our website.

The Nevis

Suiting increasingly common 10 metre wide lots, the Nevis is the perfect alternative to a townhouse. That’s because for a similar amount of money you can have your own block of land with no stairs to climb, as well as three well-proportioned bedrooms, fantastic living and al fresco areas and a study – what more could you want?

Offering amazing value to the first home-owner, investor or downsizer, the Nevis design is an excellent choice for anyone who wants a compact, but stylish home, or for building on a small-lot.

There are four different homes in the Nevis range, which you can see on our website.

The Sierra

One of Indigo Homes’ most popular designs ever, the Sierra won the Queensland Master Builders President’s Award in 2006. This is an award that recognizes outstanding design, value for money and quality, something the Sierra design offers by any measure you choose.

Packed with a long list of features, such as a massive master suite, huge workshop, separate kids activity area, and amazing living and alfresco areas, the Sierra is perfect for acreage living and is a truly grand home for the acreage buyer.

See more of the Sierra Range on the Indigo Homes website.

Want to read more about how we can take the stress out of building your new home? Download our free No Surprises Building Book from our website today.

New home design coming soon - move over Sierra

Sun, 01 May 2011 14:00:00 GMT

Building on acreage isn’t as easy as it seems. When it comes to a floor plan that takes advantage of the views, then you need a home design that’s flexible enough to put the living areas where they should be, no matter what.

Years ago Indigo Homes designed the Sierra. And if the stack of awards it’s won, including the QMBA President’s Award in 2006 say anything about it, it’s that the Sierra is perfectly designed for acreage living. In fact, it’s so tried and tested that while we’re proactive in a lot of areas, frankly, we’ve never seen a good reason to change the Sierra or invent a new acreage design.

Until now.

One of the things we’ve noticed over the years, is the fact that one home isn’t going to suit everyone. Different people want different things. Because of this, we wanted to design a home that had a layout that could work – and maximise the views – no matter what direction the block faced. The views you have from your property aren’t going to be the same as Joe’s down the street, and our new design – The Kube – lets you solve that design puzzle easily.

Specifically designed with versatility in mind, with plenty of floor plan variations to suit all aspects and most acreage blocks, it’s a little like the Rubix Cube of new homes. That’s why we called in the Kube. It really does solve the design puzzle, letting you relax and live the way you want, no matter where the views are.

Here’s how it works:

“The Kube was designed in a series of eight blocks that can be flipped and interchanged to create your dream home,” says Chris La Franchi, Director of Indigo Homes.

“The Kube is perfect for acreage sites because it lets you take advantage of different aspects and allows you freedom of choice in design without making major changes to the shape of the house itself.”

With eight different floor plans and eight different facades, the Kube House is one design that can be modified in many different ways. All of the main living and private areas in The Kube can be flipped and changed to take advantage of views on site, no matter where they are.

“Some people want to take advantage of different views and outlooks on their property, and the Kube finally answers that need.”

Want to find out more about The Kube? Stay tuned...

Sloping Sites

Sun, 17 Apr 2011 14:00:00 GMT

Sloping land site costs giving you a heart attack? Don’t worry. There are design options that work with the slope, not against it.

Sloping sites are often cheaper than flat ones because the theory is that it costs more to build on them. In fact, if you’ve fallen off the chair over your builder’s costs to cut and fill the site to build a normal flat-land home, then don’t worry. There are other options.

The key thing to realise is that usually the most expensive – and environmentally damaging – thing to do is cut away the earth, retain it and just slap a slab of concrete on the ground and start building. This alone can cost anywhere from $20,000 to $50,000 depending on the slope.

Add to this the fact that many builders will also charge even more if the soil you want to build on is unstable. The more unstable the soil is, the deeper the footings required have to be, which can cost you even more.

Indigo Aspects Range

When you work with a builder with expertise in building on slopes they help you select a home design that takes into account the slope of your block. For example, if the site is sloping up from the street, one design may suit better than if the slope is down, away from the street.

Typically a flat-land builder will charge an arm and a leg to build on a sloping block, but at Indigo Homes we embrace the challenge. The world isn’t entirely flat, so we’ve designed a cost-effective way to deal with building on slopes.

Our range of Indigo Hillside homes are split-level designs that are almost as fast to build as our normal homes, and very close to as cost-effective.

The Burnett 32 features a cost-effective and amazingly flexible floor plan perfectly suited to hillside sites with a fall of up to 7 metres. Its clever design works with a slope that angles away from the road and offers a variety of design options. With five and six bedroom versions available, as well as a version with three separate living areas, the Burnett 32 is the perfect family home.

The Endeavour Series is designed to suit blocks that slope across the width. All designs feature upstairs living areas with an adjoining undercover deck to take advantage of views. Spacious and perfect for both entertaining and quiet time.

The Richmond 32 home in the Richmond Series is designed to suit blocks that slope down from the road with up to 7 metres of site fall. The living area and bedroom one are located at the rear to maximize views, with the living area opening onto a deck perfect for entertaining. With the children’s bedrooms and rumpus room located downstairs, the Richmond Series guarantees plenty of privacy and space.

Don’t be put off from building your dream home just because the site has a bit of a slope. You can view more of the Indigo Aspects Range on the Indigo Homes website.

Want to read more about how we can take the stress out of building your new home? Download our free No Surprises Building Book from our website today.

Introducing Indigo's new Acreage Design - The Kube 313

Sun, 10 Apr 2011 14:00:00 GMT

Our new Kube 313 house design is due for release very soon. The new design is in addition to the already very popular Sierra Range and is perfect for acreage living.

The Kube 313 has been specially designed with versatility in mind and with plenty of floor plan variations to suit all aspects and most acreage blocks.

The concept of the Kube 313 design is simple, one design that can be modified in many different ways to suit your living needs, areas can be flipped and swapped over turned and spun around.

At just over 30 meters in length, 17.4 meters wide and with a total area of 313.29m2 this fantastic design consists of 4 bedrooms plus study, huge family and meals areas, lounge area, activity and separate media rooms and a superb kitchen layout with a walk in pantry.

With 8 different floor plans and 8 different facades to choose from the Kube 313 is perfect for the acreage lifestyle.

For further information please visit one of our expert Sales Consultants at your nearest Indigo Homes display home.

Small Lots, Big ideas

Sun, 03 Apr 2011 14:00:00 GMT

When it comes to houses, bigger isn’t always better. As lots of land become smaller and smaller, particularly in the inner-city, builders and home owners alike have had to trade in their dreams of building castle-like homes and instead opt for smaller houses that maximize indoor and outdoor living spaces.

But choosing a smaller home comes with significant benefits, and luckily Indigo Homes have embraced the trend towards small-lot homes with a product range that’s designed to suit.

Why small is the new big

When you live in a smaller house, everything you have to deal with is, well, smaller! Naturally, a small home requires less of an investment to maintain – from paint to heating and cooling, smaller homes naturally cost less in the long run. You’ll also be saving money – a smaller home means lower power bills, lower tax bills, and lower insurance premiums. It’s no wonder why more and more people are choosing to move into smaller lot homes!

Living in a smaller home is also a lot more eco-friendly. It encourages simplified living, meaning less waste, less clutter, less use of power, and less water consumption. As fewer resources are consumed in building and living in a small home, you have far less of an impact on the surrounding landscape – which is environmentally advantageous for everyone.

Want to de-clutter your life? Living in a smaller home means that you’re limited to owning only the things you need (because there’s not enough space for useless junk!) While this may sound daunting, moving into a small lot home gives you the opportunity to spring clean your life and live simply. Think first and buy later – if you plan your living space carefully and keep everything organized, your home will be a lot easier to take care of.

Indigo Compacts

The Indigo Homes Indigo Compacts range was developed to address this increasing trend toward smaller lot homes. The homes in our Compacts range have been designed so you can maximize your living space inside without sacrificing the living space outside. It’s not as easy as it sounds – it takes a different kind of design approach to make internal spaces work hard so there’s absolutely no wasted space – but we have done it!

The Caribbean 248 was recently chosen as the Small Lot Housing Winner at the 2010 Master Builders Association Brisbane Region Housing and Construction Awards. Featuring a massive open plan living area downstairs, a private and quieter living area upstairs, al fresco dining and four bedrooms, it’s no wonder why the Caribbean 248 is Indigo Homes’ most popular compact home.

The Caribbean 208, a more compact version of the Caribbean 248, is an extremely popular and compact design offering excellent value for money. The Caribbean 208 features four generously sized bedrooms upstairs and compact living downstairs with the kitchen area overlooking the meals and al fresco areas. Perfect for entertaining at weekend BBQs, the Caribbean 208 home fits easily into a 10 metre wide lot.

The Noosa 244 is a flexibly designed home featuring a large undercover deck off the master suite, perfect for inner-city homes with great views. The Noosa 244 design features four spacious bedrooms and an upstairs media and activities room, providing the chance for privacy and quiet, while downstairs is ideal for entertaining.

All of the homes in Indigos’ Compacts range are designed to fit to a 10 metre wide lot and have no less than four bedrooms. You can find more houses in the Indigo Compacts range on our website.

Want to read more about how we can take the stress out of building your new home? Download our free No Surprises Building Book from our website today.

Five tax considerations for property investors

Wed, 30 Mar 2011 13:00:00 GMT

After months of careful thought about your new, stunningly designed Indigo home, you’ve finally found the perfect property investment. Now what? As the owner of an investment property, you may not have the time to stay on top of all the tax considerations and deductions you can claim. However, staying in the dark can cost you, whether it’s by paying more tax than you need to, or by trying to illegitimate deductions that could result in a problem.

According to Chartered Accountant and Fletcher Tax Principal Janna Fikh there are five key tax considerations that every investment property owner should know.

1. Differentiate between capital and non-capital repairs

Did you know the difference between capital repairs and improvements and non-capital repairs?

Janna warns that a lot of landlords go in and spend a lot of money on repairs, not realizing it doesn’t equate to a deduction when completing their tax returns.

Definition:
A repair is considered to be a capital repair when it is undertaken to improve or extend the normal economic life of an existing structure. No deductions are available for a capital expense; it will instead be added to the cost of the property.

A landlord, however, can deduct the expense of non-capital repairs when completing their yearly tax return. Knowing the difference between the two can save landlords a lot of money in the long run.

2. Landlord insurance

“Every landlord should take out landlord protection insurance to cover their investment property,” says Janna.

Landlord protection insurance covers some particular risks associated with renting out a property that may not be covered by a typical home and contents insurance policy, such as damage by tenants and non-payment of rent.

According to Janna, landlord insurance is imperative to ensure peace of mind and gives a landlord backing in case anything goes wrong with the property. And the best part? It’s also tax deductible.

3. Survey the property

If a building or house is relatively new, Janna recommends that a quality surveyor should inspect the property. Many landlords probably don’t know how to value a property themselves and could potentially lose out on a whole mountain of deductions they could otherwise legitimately take advantage of.

4. Determine when the property is deemed available for rent

According to Janna, it’s important that a landlord knows when their property is deemed available to rent by the tax office.

“Deductions are only available when the property is available for rent per tax office terms,” says Janna.

Here’s the definition: The tax office deems a property available for rent when there is an agreement set up with an agent, or when a landlord has started advertising the property.

If a landlord starts repairs before the property is deemed available for rent they will not be able to claim deductions for those repairs, which wastes a lot of money.

5. Get a free (or almost free) trip!

Own a gorgeous investment property that you haven’t seen for awhile?

Many landlords don’t know that travelling to inspect their rental property is tax deductible and can claim their trips interstate (and overseas!) While deductions are proportionate to the private part of their trip, a landlord can still claim their airfares, hotel bills, meals and other expenses. Plan your trip carefully and you can mix landlord business with pleasure!

Great Investment Opportunity!

Wed, 23 Mar 2011 13:00:00 GMT

Indigo Homes have 3 Upcoming Display Homes for Sale with 8% lease back for 12 months plus 2 x 6 month options all in magnificant masterplan communities. Hurry they wont last long.

Lot 1318 Wildwood Crescent, Flagstone ~ Monterey 253

$497,000

Lot 33 Gardner Road, Rochedale ~ Caribbean 281

$669,000

Lot 34 Gardner Road, Rochedale ~ Sierra Grande

$797,000

For more information click here to contact the display centre closest to you.

Indigo gives children a chance

Thu, 03 Mar 2011 13:00:00 GMT

Indigo have committed to use their skills on an annual basis to assist third world villages in East Timor.

Our Director, Chris La Franchi was inspired by a friend from the Terrace Timor Network to visit the country in 2009 and helped with the country's rebuilding, needed after its recovery from years of war.

"One reason I wanted to have my own business was to be able to help the wider community. Timor is a perfect example of that" he said.

Recently our purchasing officer and registered builder Clint Joyce spent a week in a remote village in East Timor called Railako Kraik where he oversaw the construction of a building used to expand its school.
During the six days Clint oversaw the construction with the help of two tradesman from the village and 11 Australian volunteers under the guidance of the school's headmaster Brother Dan.

He said before they arrived locals were working on it with few tools, not even a level,
and daily torrential rain threatened to cut them off by flash flooding. "It really was third world," he said.

The roads from (the capital) Dili quickly deteriorated into dirt tracks; you have to cross rivers to get there. I've done a little bit of four-wheel driving, but this was a definite adventure. People were really friendly. The elders would invite us for lunch.

"They have around 80 kids but they struggle to get them to school. They're hoping for better attendance. It was a great experience. I'd go back."

Three questions for your property manager

Mon, 28 Feb 2011 13:00:00 GMT

Here are three things to ask your property manager to make sure owning an investment property doesn't become a nightmare:

1. How do you avoid the tenant from hell?

We’ve all heard stories about the proverbial tenants from hell. Like the Ipswich mother of four who left her rental property with 18 holes in the walls, furniture set on fire, garbage strewn throughout the house and infested with cockroaches. Or two bedroom units housing eight young students. After investing in your property asset, you don’t need the added stress of dealing with an unruly tenant, and you probably don’t want to end up in the Tenancy Tribunal fighting for your rights as a landlord. So how do you get the perfect tenant? A good property manager will treat your property as if it were their own. Make sure that your property management agent is active in the tenant selection process, by personally showing all prospective tenants the property, carefully screening all applications, and drawing up a lease that protects your rights.

Things every good property manager will take into account when choosing your tenant are:

Their details in the National Tenants Database
How long they have been with their employer
How long they’ve been in past rental accommodation
Their capacity to pay

2. How do you look after my money?

One of your foremost concerns as a landlord is receiving your rent on time and without hassle. You don’t need the extra stress of chasing up tenants for overdue rent, particularly if your tenants have agreed to pay rent weekly or fortnightly.

With shared households and multiple tenant households in particular posing a problem for landlords, how can you ensure your rent is paid on time, all the time?

In this situation, you want a pro-active property agent who has an effective system in place that ensures your rent is paid on time. Most good property management agents will make tenants pay their rent by direct debit, and will schedule the payment date for a few days before the due date.

This period will give them an advance warning of dishonours, as well as time to fix them, ensuring that you get your money when you expect it.

3. Will my property still be standing?

After securing a quality tenant for your property, you don’t want to have to spend hours and hours chopping down trees, repairing leaking toilets or painting the walls.

Maintaining your property isn’t just a good way to keep quality, long-term tenants - it’s the law. While most lease agreements will include a clause saying the tenant is responsible for maintaining the property to a reasonable standard of cleanliness, your property manager should have a tried and trusted team of licensed maintenance people to call in if things go wrong, especially if there is an emergency.

A good property manager will also regularly review your property, which will keep major repairs at bay, saving you a lot of money in the long term.

And if you’re looking to sell, most maintenance teams employed by property management agencies will be more than happy to prepare your property for sale with value-adding improvements.

Of course, having bought an Indigo Home you shouldn't need maintenance done on your home for a very long time!

Flood Update

Mon, 17 Jan 2011 13:00:00 GMT

Here's hoping anyone reading this has been spared in the floods and all at Indigo Homes, despite some close calls were lucky.

The floods have severely impacted many of Indigo Homes suppliers and in some instances, whole warehouses of stock have been destroyed.

Consequently some items/materials may be in short supply or unavailable and may cause delays or disruptions to the building process. Indigo Homes will do our best to provide an equivalent product if an item is unavailable for construction of clients homes to ensure as minimal delays as possible occur.

We expect this to only last about 2 months or so as businesses restock/relocate and return to normal operations.

In the meantime we would be grateful for understanding if anyone is affected.

Deliveries have begun to return to normal as roads have re-opened and by this Friday we would expect this to no longer be a concern.

Finally, we would like to say well done to all the volunteers helping out including several of our staff and deepest sympathies to all those affected.

Indigo Upgrades Standard Specification

Tue, 26 Oct 2010 13:00:00 GMT

Indigo Homes are pleased to announce that we are now featuring a quality 3 coat microban paint system as standard.

Also all Compact Homes now feature colorbond roofing as a standard inclusion.

Indigo Homes wins another QMBA State Award

Tue, 05 Oct 2010 23:00:00 GMT

Great news for Indigo Homes we won yet another gong recently when the Queensland Master Builders Association gave the Best Small Lot Home under $400,000 award to Indigo’s popular new home design Sanctuary 247.

Recently revamped and upgraded again to the Caribbean 248, the home is one of Indigo’s best selling designs for narrow lot and inner city living. It is a key part of the Indigo Compacts range.

Indigo Compacts were developed to address the increasing trend towards smaller lots.

“Remember when the standard was a quarter - acre block?” says director Chris La Franchi. “Well those days are never going to come again. Increasingly Queensland developers are developing estates with great public amenities and smaller private spaces.”

The rise of the small lot might be good for sustainability and affordability, but not all builders have embraced it with a product range that’s designed to suit. Most other builders have floorplans that are just a little too wide, or worse, take up the whole lot with the house.

Indigo has spent a lot of time designing new homes that maximise living space inside without sacrificing the living space outside.

This is not easy as it sounds. It takes a different kind of design approach to make internal spaces work hard so there’s absolutely no wasted space.

Indigo Homes colour consultant Janey Dopson deals with new homeowners all day long. She says that the homes in the Indigo Compact Caribbean series are the most popular homes in the Indigo range. She believes that’s because lot sizes are much smaller and people like the fact that they can have a double story that fits so well on a small lot.

“They love the fact that they can get four bedrooms and two living areas,” Dopson says. “So they really like the version with the separate living area upstairs and the living and al fresco area downstairs.”

The range of Indigo Compact homes, especially designed by Indigo Homes and external to suit small lots and the award-winning Caribbean home are available to view online and on display.

Indigo Homes is an award-winning Brisbane-based new home builder with designs for all sites – traditional, sloping, small lot and acreage. However Indigo Homes doesn’t just want to build the most stunningly designed, value-for-money, quality homes it can. The Indigo team also wants to make your building experience as relaxing as possible.

We would like to thank everybody that has been involved with this home from initial concepts to construction and final fit out.

The home now enters the National Awards judging so we are keeping our fingers crossed for a favourable result.

If you would like to see more photos, you can view them on our Facebook Page.

Caribbean Wins Top Award

Sun, 05 Sep 2010 14:00:00 GMT

Small lot design innovator Indigo Homes added another award to the trophy cabinet recently. At the MBA Brisbane Region Housing and Construction Awards held in July 2010 the Caribbean 248 was chosen as the Small Lot Housing Winner (up to 450m2 and $400,000).

While Indigo Homes has a wide selection of new home designs for all types of lots - villas and premium villas, courtyards and traditional - they've also spent the time designing special homes to suit special sites.

And when it comes to small lots, they know that the key is to maximise your living space inside without sacrificing the living space outside. That's not as easy as it sounds either - it takes a different kind of design approach to make internal spaces work hard so there's absolutely no wasted space.

To find out more about this award-winning Caribbean visit your nearest Display Centre.

Indigo Homes has a makeover - but stays true to the founders' vision. When Chris and Mark began Indigo Homes over eight years ago, they were driven by the idea of creating stunning, value-packed homes.

"I used to open up a magazine and see a home and think I'd love to build homes like that one day," Chris says. "Something that I'd be proud to own as my own home. Now I do."

Eight years down the track, and with hundreds of homes and happy clients behind them, Chris and Mark decided that not only did the look of Indigo Homes need a little freshening up, but that there were some extra things they could do for clients.

"We've been building for so long that we've got a pretty good idea just how stressful and confusing building a new home can be - particularly if you're about to do it for the very first time," Mark says.

That's why Indigo Homes decided it doesn't just want to build the most stunningly designed, value-for-money, quality homes they can. They also want to make your building experience as relaxing as possible, and they've created a range of tools to help achieve it.

Check out the new look here, as well as all the ways Indigo Homes can help you relax today - from The No Surprises Building Book to the Crystal Clear Pricing Policy.