A beauty therapist has revealed how she built her first home worth $465,000 at the young age of 19.
Bella Hammond, from Brisbane, Queensland, told FEMAIL she was determined to build her first home rather than buy an existing property.
In order to save for a deposit, the now 20-year-old worked two part-time jobs and had a ‘side hustle’ business making resin cheeseboards.
While the process of finding the perfect block was time consuming, and often frustrating, Bella has no regrets and built her ideal coastal-inspired ‘dream home’ in just over 12 months.
Bella Hammond, from Brisbane, Queensland, (pictured) told FEMAIL she was determined to build her first home rather than buy an existing property
In order to save for a deposit, the now 20-year-old worked two part-time jobs and had a ‘side hustle’ business making resin cheeseboards
While the process of finding the perfect block of land was time consuming, and often frustrating, Bella has no regrets and built her ideal coastal-inspired ‘dream home’ in just over 12 months
The 400sqm block is 50 minutes north of the Brisbane CBD and the home features four bedrooms, two bathrooms, a garage, open-plan living, dining and kitchen as well as a ‘media room’ used for her beauty business.
‘It was such a rewarding experience and I highly recommend it to other young Aussies,’ she said.
During to the Covid-19 pandemic last year, huge first-home builder grants of up to $40,000 were offered to eligible buyers.
Bella saw this as a good opportunity and decided it was the right time for her to build.
‘I took this as motivation and started researching all about investment properties and where to start by listening to hours of podcasts and spent all my spare time looking at display homes and for land,’ she said.
The process began in June 2020 soon after Australia closed the borders for international travel due to the Covid-19 crisis
Documenting the build on her separate Instagram account @bells.build, she hopes her story can act as inspiration for other young Aussie’s wanting to get into the property market
The process began in June 2020 soon after Australia closed the borders for international travel due to the Covid-19 crisis.
Bella said she quickly saved money by budgeting, eating at home rather than going out with friends and focusing on her goal.
‘You really need tunnel vision and it comes down to how badly you want it. But if I can do it, anyone can,’ she said.
Experts typically recommended building a new home over buying an existing property to avoid the possibility of hidden maintenance costs.
But she almost gave up her search after endlessly looking for the ‘perfect’ location and house and floor plan for months, but none were in her price range.
‘It started to be a very emotional journey as everything I wanted, I couldn’t get,’ she said.
Thankfully in a great twist of fate, she found the 400sqm block of land and quickly made an offer that was later accepted.
To assist with the initial cost, her parents supported her with $40,000 (which she has now repaid) to bump up the deposit amount to $70,000
‘Once my floor plan got approved from council they started my build process – from slab to handover date it took about 14 weeks and I was there almost everyday to see the next stages happening,’ she said
The 400sqm block is located 50 minutes north of the Brisbane CBD and the stunning home features four bedrooms, two bathrooms, a garage, spacious open-plan living, dining and kitchen as well as a ‘media room’ used for beauty appointments
‘The handover day was the happiest day of my life. I was so proud that I had accomplished my biggest asset to date,’ Bella said
Despite having $30,000 in savings, her broker said it wouldn’t be enough to be considered by the banks unless her parents became guarantors – an option she didn’t want to consider.
To assist with the initial cost, her parents supported her with $40,000 (which she has now repaid) to bump up the deposit amount to $70,000.
‘My broker then saw my bank statements from June to September and from this could see that I could afford my loan, so took my figures to the bank, and waiting process began,’ she said.
By early September she received the ‘life changing’ call from the broker sharing the exciting news she had been accepted and could go through with the build process.
‘I bawled my eyes out with happy tears, I just couldn’t believe it!’ she said.
The incredible home has off white tiles, wooden features and long kitchen bench top
The modern design features an open-plan living (left) and four bedrooms
Bella also incorporated a ‘media room’ into her design dedicated to her beauty business
From September 2020 the design process began followed by construction through Burns Builders, and Bella also received the $40,000 grant.
‘Once my floor plan got approved from council they started my build process – from slab to handover date it took about 14 weeks and I was there almost everyday to see the next stages happening,’ she said.
‘The handover day was the happiest day of my life. I was so proud that I had accomplished my biggest asset to date.’
Documenting the build on her separate Instagram account @bells.build, she hopes her story can act as inspiration for other young Aussie’s wanting to get into the property market.
Currently there are different first home buyers grants and schemes available in each state and territory in Australia, which can be viewed on the First Home government website.
Different grants and schemes are also available to first home builders.