Archive for April, 2010

Value Only an Architect Can Add

Friday, April 23rd, 2010
Only an architect can unlock your homes true potential.

Only an architect can unlock your homes true potential.

It costs more to work with an architect than it does to work with a drafts person. In fact, it can costs more to work with Dion Seminara Architecture that it would to work with some other architects.

We’re not the cheapest; we prefer to focus on being the best and putting our energies into ensuring that our clients receive the very best product within their budgetary constraints. But for those of you who like to look straight at the bottom line when assessing quotes, are you really comparing apples with apples?
 
Have you factored in the added value of working with Dion Seminara Architecture when comparing quotes?

At Dion Seminara Architecture we add value in many ways. By added value I mean that our quote includes many benefits that other lower quotes don’t and can’t. But don’t just take my word for it; instead let’s have a look at just some of the many ways that we add value to our clients projects. (more…)

Backyard Property Developers Have the Right Idea

Friday, April 23rd, 2010
Building behind your existing home can be very profitable.

Building behind your existing home can be very profitable.

So you want to be a property developer, but don’t know where to start? Well how about in your own backyard?

Most people think that they need to purchase a separate property, or block of land, in order to become a property developer, and yet many people have the opportunity to simply build a separate dwelling on their existing house block.

And it actually makes a lot of sense to do so.

Providing your block of land is large enough, is the right zoning and it’s possible to get the relevant approvals, building something like a townhouse in your backyard can be hugely profitable, with less risk than might otherwise be the case. (more…)

Are You Building Ferraris or Commodores?

Thursday, April 8th, 2010

Sports CarAs I mentioned in an earlier article, there are certain development projects that do not necessarily benefit from architectural design. A ‘fix and flick’ development for example, where the goal is to purchase a property (or properties in the case of units/townhouses), do a quick renovation and then put it back on the market is a good example. It’s not so much the extra expense of having an architect create the design that’s the problem, as much as the extra time that it takes to have a great design created.

But what about those developments where the goal is not to immediately sell, but rather rent the properties out for ongoing income; does great design help or hinder these projects? (more…)

Property Development: Maximising Your Profits

Thursday, April 8th, 2010

Property DevelopmentProperty development and architecture might seem unlikely bedfellows, but there are times and particular investments when the two fit together like a hand in a glove.

To fully understand the benefits of architectural design in property development, we first need to understand that there are varying kinds of property developments.

The hard core property developer looking to make a quick dollar on refurbishing units may not see a need for using an architect to design their plans. Their idea is to keep costs down and turn property over quickly. However even in these situations there are times where high quality designs will actually make them more money by adding further value to the property when it sells. (more…)