Have you ever dreamed of owning a big property, where your backyard stretches as far as the horizon? The allure of acreage living, with its open spaces and serene settings, can be irresistible, especially among city life’s constant hustle and bustle. These properties offer a unique lifestyle that’s increasingly attractive to many Australians.

However, like most things, this idyllic scenario comes with its own set of challenges. In this article, we’ll explore the world of acreage properties, examining their advantages and disadvantages to help you make an informed decision.

Let’s start with the acreage definition.

What is an Acreage Property?

What is acreage? Acreage is a large land lot of at least 4,047 square metres, which is approximately 6 to 8 times larger than a typical Australian block of 600-800 metres. They are generally found outside major cities and suburbs due to the large amount of space required. They can range in size up to 20,000 square metres, or two hectares.

Acreages are typically used in agricultural farming but can also make beautiful homesteads for aspiring small farmers. Or, as a second property for city-dwelling, country-loving families who prefer the quiet life as a weekend or summer escape.

As Australia has a large amount of acreage land available in its arable farmlands outside of cities, a house with an acreage might just be in your retirement plans! Read on to learn more about real estate acreage.

Why is a Good Builder Essential for Acreage Home Designs?

When it comes to real estate acreage, a good builder who understands the importance of space. When building a house with an acreage, you won’t be spoiled for space; you’ll be spoiled for choice. Because you have an acreage or acreages, you’ll need to work with an experienced builder who understands how to maximise your indoor and outdoor space to create your dream home in the country.

Things like site access and utility connections will need to be navigated in a different way because you’re out in the country. Similarly, protecting your home against bushfires and high winds will be necessary as your acreage land may contain little to no natural wind or fire break points.

A good builder will understand exactly why you bought land acreage in the country: for peace, quiet and serenity and a deeper connection with nature. Their ideas for your building should reflect this oneness with the land. You don’t want a giant metal box in the middle of gorgeous green fields. A quaint, wood-clad aesthetic is much more in tune with the surroundings.

Ensure you hire a builder with acreage real estate building experience!

Things to Consider When Building on Acreage

Despite the attractiveness of acreage land, you should make a few considerations before spending a small fortune on an existing house with acreage or buying acreage land with the idea of putting a house on it.

Site Access

The first problem you’ll encounter will be site access. While it’s all good to want to begin your build in earnest, you must understand that most acreages do not have paved or dirt track roads. Some could have boggy or marsh-like conditions preventing heavy machinery from accessing the building site. It is your responsibility to ensure that site access is made possible. You may need to install a driveway before any work can begin.

Sewer, Water and Electricity

Sewer, water and electricity will need to be installed on your site, unless your house with acreage comes with it. But if not, don’t expect this installation to be quick. Consider that your boundary setback from the road will be significantly longer than a traditional city, you could be talking dozens or hundreds of feet of setback from the road to the property. This connection length for water, sewage and electricity will significantly increase the overall cost of installing these utilities.

Open Concept Design For Maximum Light

Once you enter your new home, an open-concept design might be your best bet to maximise your ability to observe (and marvel at) your new and beautiful surroundings! An open-concept lower living and kitchen space with large windows to let in all of the light of the day would be optimal.

Renewable Energy Options

Because you’re out in the proverbial boonies, you may need to rely on renewable or alternative energy options for electricity and internet. For example, because your roof is likely to receive maximum allowable daily sunlight, solar power may be your best option for a primary power source. Additionally, a high-wind area may warrant the installation of a wind turbine, or connection to a wind farm, if one is near your acreage land. 

Pros of Buying on Acreage?

There are many pros to buying a gorgeous peace of tranquillity out in the country! Here are a few!

Peace and Quiet

If you’re looking for a place to escape the hordes of people in the inner city for a weekend or a place to take in your retirement with no fuss and few people, then an acreage defines that sense of peace.

Reduced Bills Due to Renewables

Because you can tap into the maximum sunlight hours that Australia receives year-round, depending on where you are in the country, without any obstructions (save for the clouds), you could significantly reduce your electricity bill every year. You could also utilise wind power to further reduce your carbon footprint and outbound annual bills.

Increased Air Quality

Because you’re out of the suburbs or inner-city smog, you’ll see an immediate increase in air quality. Buying acreage real estate could be a fantastic option for anyone suffering from chronic respiratory illnesses.

Decreased Cost of Living

As you’ll be living out in the country, your cost of living will likely decrease overall, despite the sometimes higher price tag you’ll pay up-front, depending on where you buy your house with acreage. The closer your acreage to a major city, the more expensive your upfront price tag will be. However, with the energy savings you could incur, you’ll likely see that money back within a few years. 

Cons of Buying on Acreage?

There are, of course, a few setbacks to living in the bush! Here are a few cons of buying on acreage.

Upfront Cost May Be Higher

Your upfront costs to build a house on acreage land will likely be significantly higher than your traditional inner-city or suburban household. This is due to the increased work required to obtain electricity, internet, sewer and water connections. Whereas these connections are readily available to the suburbanites. Similarly, you may have to pay more (and wait longer) for things like plumbing or electricity, as tradies may be in short supply out in the bush!

Acreages aren’t the cheapest way to build a house in Australia, but they sure are beautiful options for those seeking escape.

Fewer Amenities

There’s no doubt that you’ll have vastly fewer amenities on your acreage land. You’ll have to travel farther for simple things like milk and bread, which you’re used to just being able to nip downtown for, which may require a thirty-minute or more drive. Prepare your finances and vehicles for the extra mileage accordingly. Living in the country means fewer amenities. But embrace it! Learn to bake your bread or buy a cow for milk!

Increased Insurance Costs

In addition to the upfront cost of buying on acreage and then putting a house on it, you may see a huge increase in insurance costs over your traditional suburban home. This is because, typically, insurance on your home and its contents isn’t intended to also cover farm-type installations like gating or extensive amounts of fencing, tractors or a water tank (or tanks), if you’re doing rainwater collection, for example.

Expect your insurance costs to increase when you buy that house on acreage. Prepare your initial buying funds accordingly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Lots of Australians dream of having a house with an acreage. They also have lots of questions about acreages! Below are a few frequently asked questions!

How Big is an Australian Acre?

An Australian acre measures 4,047 square metres.

Is an Acre the Same as a Hectare?

No, one Australian acre is 4,047 square metres, while a hectare measures 10,000 square metres.

How Many Acres Are There in a Hectare in Australia?

There are approximately 2.5 acres in a hectare in Australia.

Final Thoughts

If you’ve been dreaming of retiring to the countryside and are looking at possibly spending your retirement money or severance pay on a plot of acreage land that you’ll then put a house on, reach out to Provincial Homes! We have a range of one and two-storey housing options that could perfectly suit your dream of wide-open spaces and watching the sun rise and fall each day, while the wind whistles calmly across the bush.

It sounds serene, doesn’t it? Let us help you make that your reality. Call today.