It is no good falling in love with the design of your dreams if the home will not fit or suit your block. The land will more or less dictate the type of home you build - consider the soil type, land aspect and slope. Sallyann Ralph of Hickinbotham Group advises on the importance of checking if such services as electricity, gas, water, sewerage and telephone are connected and whether they can be easily accessed. "Don't forget to check the title for covenants, easements and boundaries and also inspect the site for trees and structures like septic tanks, old buildings and foundations as their removal can be costly," she says.

Budget usually dictates the allotment's size and location. The proximity of facilities like schools, public transport and open-space reserves should also be considered. "Views are another aspect. Is it worth paying thousands of dollars extra to catch a glimpse of the ocean if a future two-storey home will obscure it?"

All allotments sold on Land Australia estates include soil tests, so footing costs can be genuinely fixed and there are no nasty surprises. Prime land has also been selected with building in mind which is usually geotechnically stable - a big benefit when constructing a home. Sallyann says that another benefit of buying a block on one of Land Australia's estates is that they are part of a considered overall master-plan encompassing every last detail from positioning of leafy reserves to adequate road widths which are designed to improve safety conditions. "Restrictive covenants are also in place to protect your asset and establish a high quality living environment for residents," says Sallyann. As one of South Australia's largest development groups, Land Australia often can offer purchasers first choice of the best land - an advantage when quality land is in short supply.

For more information on Land Australia estates, phone 8366 0000