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    <title>The Masterbuilt Blog</title>
    <link>https://mbuilthomes.com.au/blog</link>
    <description>Latest tips &amp; advice to help you with your house building process and beyond.</description>
    <generator>Articulate, blogging built on Umbraco</generator>
    <item>
      <guid isPermaLink="false">6588</guid>
      <link>https://mbuilthomes.com.au/blog/posts/lightbulb-moment</link>
      <category>Building Tips</category>
      <category>House Design Tips</category>
      <title>LIGHTBULB MOMENT!</title>
      <description>&lt;h5&gt;&lt;strong&gt;It is always a bright idea to consider how the temperature of your light bulbs will impact the ambience and style of your home.&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h5&gt;
&lt;h6&gt;Check out this quick guide on how these different shades will influence your homes mood:&lt;/h6&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="text-decoration: underline;"&gt;Warm White (2700K-3000K)&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt; - Creates a cozy, inviting atmosphere&lt;br /&gt; - Ideal for living rooms, bedrooms, and dining areas&lt;br /&gt; - Enhances warm-toned walls (beiges, browns) and wood floors&lt;br /&gt; - Adds a soft, relaxing glow perfect for unwinding&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="text-decoration: underline;"&gt;Daylight (5000K-6500K)&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt; - Provides a bright, energizing light, mimicking natural daylight&lt;br /&gt; - Best for kitchens, bathrooms, and workspaces&lt;br /&gt; - Highlights cool-toned walls (blues, whites) and floors&lt;br /&gt; - Improves focus and task visibility&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;span style="text-decoration: underline;"&gt;Neutral White (3500K-4100K)&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br /&gt; - Balanced light, offering clarity and comfort&lt;br /&gt; - Works well in hallways, offices, and living spaces&lt;br /&gt; - Complements both warm and cool-toned walls and floors&lt;br /&gt; - Great for everyday living with a clean, neutral feel&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Choose wisely to set the right mood for every room!&lt;/p&gt;</description>
      <pubDate>Fri, 15 Aug 2025 12:20:00 +1000</pubDate>
      <a10:updated>2025-08-15T12:20:00+10:00</a10:updated>
    </item>
    <item>
      <guid isPermaLink="false">6374</guid>
      <link>https://mbuilthomes.com.au/blog/posts/costly-mistakes</link>
      <category>Community</category>
      <category>House Design Tips</category>
      <category>Building Tips</category>
      <title>Costly Mistakes</title>
      <description>&lt;p&gt;Often people will sign a preliminary agreement with a builder based on their first discussion, only to find out that the price that was given was a best-case scenario. Only after do you find out your block isn’t a best-case scenario and now you are losing money before you start.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt; &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Builder’s standard inclusions will basically show you the starting point for a builder, so always, look at these before signing anything. Most of the project builders and franchises standard allowance for soil type “S” Class. This is a best-case scenario, and is where most people get caught out. The small print will say subject to soil test and if you did not know about it before this it can cost you a few extra thousand to the build cost.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Another area is your driveway, most will start with a broom finish plain concrete, but nearly all our estates require exposed aggregate driveways, so another extra.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt; &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;There are more but I will leave them for another day, but I will leave you with one more important question ask. “Is my garage door C2 rated?” Given that we live in a Cyclonic Rated Region you would think that this should be the standard, well think again. Standard garages are going in and guess what, they are a lot cheaper than a C1 or C2 rated door, until the wind blows them in.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt; &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;It doesn’t cost you a cent to ask the question, but it can save you a lot of dollars when you know.&lt;/p&gt;</description>
      <pubDate>Fri, 05 May 2023 15:29:06 +1000</pubDate>
      <a10:updated>2023-05-05T15:29:06+10:00</a10:updated>
    </item>
    <item>
      <guid isPermaLink="false">6369</guid>
      <link>https://mbuilthomes.com.au/blog/posts/cyclonic-vs-non-cyclonic</link>
      <category>Building Tips</category>
      <category>House Design Tips</category>
      <title>Cyclonic vs Non-Cyclonic</title>
      <description>&lt;p&gt;With the shift of more people moving into our region from southern parts of Australia and the Strip, we thought it might be an idea to help people understand what is required to do for a home in a Cyclonic region.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt; &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Woodgate is the rough cut off of cyclonic and non-cyclonic region and approx. 50km inland off of the coast is where the line stops. This puts our beautiful region within the Cyclonic area of C1 and greater.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt; &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;So, what are we trying to avoid happening? The wind puts more pressure on the building itself, and the other major item to note, the cyclone lifting your roof off.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt; &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;How do we avoid this? The roof iron is screwed off with a lot more screws. The spaces of the battens that hold the roof to the trusses are increased. From there our trusses are beefed up, frames are also. Added to this is an increase amount of bracing to stop the wall falling over. Which has an increased amount of concrete and steel in the slab. That covers just your uplift, briefly I must add.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt; &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;What about the increases wind pressure on your walls, doors, and windows?&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt; &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;As much as we love to have more glass in our homes to capture views, light or breezes. This needs to be stronger and sometimes sizes, locations and types are affected due to this. You may have noticed there is more aluminum in the windows here.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt; &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Panel lift doors are another item that you will see a major difference between the two different regions. The cyclonic rated doors have a lot more steel, the tracks are a lot larger and fixing these to the walls is increase dramatically. Not a few screws along the tracks, but dozens into a specially designed part of the frame.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt; &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Types of cladding choices are reduced also. These products are generally fine in most cases, but on the coast itself we do need to be mindful. This is most due to the driving rain getting into the joints of the cladding and into your home. No one wants added water within their frames or living spaces.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt; &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;This is just a general items to list, mostly you won’t even see what’s happening between the walls and up in the roof. But you will see a beefed up Panel lift and more alumni in your windows and doors.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt; &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;I hope this gives you a brief overview of the differences between the regions.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt; &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt; &lt;/p&gt;</description>
      <pubDate>Fri, 17 Mar 2023 15:36:18 +1100</pubDate>
      <a10:updated>2023-03-17T15:36:18+11:00</a10:updated>
    </item>
    <item>
      <guid isPermaLink="false">2203</guid>
      <link>https://mbuilthomes.com.au/blog/posts/choosing-flooring-for-your-home</link>
      <category>House Design Tips</category>
      <category>Building Tips</category>
      <title>Choosing flooring for your home</title>
      <description>&lt;p&gt;With so many options on the market in flooring at the moment, it can be hard to choose which material will best suit your new home.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;The best idea is to do your research and visit a professional flooring specialist to seek advice. Speaking to a professional will give you all the information you need to make an informed decision. Every product has its pros and cons, here’s a few to help you move in the right direction when choosing the flooring for your new home.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;u&gt;Tiles&lt;/u&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Pros:&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Durable&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Affordable&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Stylish&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Readily available/wide variety&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Plenty of design options&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Low maintenance&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Stain resistant&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Easily replaced if damaged (make sure you keep a few spares when laying the tiles!)&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p&gt; &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Cons:&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Their hard surface can be destructive, and uncomfortable to stand/sit on for long durations&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Can get cold in winter&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p&gt; &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;u&gt;Vinyl Flooring &lt;/u&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Pros:&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Affordable&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Stylish&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Durable&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Comfortable underfoot&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Easy to install&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Available in a wide variety of colours and styles&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p&gt; &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Cons:&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Can discolour with age&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Difficult to repair&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Preparing sub floor for installation can be difficult&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Difficult to remove once installed&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p&gt; &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;u&gt;Hardwood Flooring&lt;/u&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Pros:&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Adds value to your property&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Easy to clean&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Look beautiful&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Many styles and colouring available&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p&gt; &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Cons:&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Expensive&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Need refinishing occasionally&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Can be noisy to walk on&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Less pet-friendly – animals can scratch the wooden floors, and their paws don’t grip to the surface as well as other flooring materials&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p&gt; &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;When deciding the most suitable flooring option for your new home, it’s best to weigh up your options and decide what will best suit your family’s, and your new home’s needs.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Our Building Consultants can point you in the right direction when building your new home with Kleidon Masterbuilt Homes, making the selection process easier and stress free.&lt;/p&gt;</description>
      <pubDate>Wed, 13 Dec 2017 11:50:48 +1100</pubDate>
      <a10:updated>2017-12-13T11:50:48+11:00</a10:updated>
    </item>
    <item>
      <guid isPermaLink="false">2192</guid>
      <link>https://mbuilthomes.com.au/blog/posts/installing-a-pool</link>
      <category>Building Tips</category>
      <category>House Design Tips</category>
      <title>Installing a pool</title>
      <description>&lt;p&gt;Summer is on its way and many people will be thinking about installing a pool to keep cool and enjoy a relaxing break over the holiday season. Here’s some handy hints to know before having a pool installed.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;u&gt;Land availability&lt;/u&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;The first, and one of the most important aspects of having a pool installed is ensuring that you have the land space to actually fit one. The size and layout of available land will then allow you to decide what size and shape pool you can install.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Even though there may be available land, what’s underneath the surface may still prevent you from digging. It is important to find out if there are pipes or anything underground where you are wanting to install your pool.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt; &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;u&gt;Laws &amp;amp; Regluations&lt;/u&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Another very important aspect of constructing a new pool is seeking local council approval. Engaging a professional pool company is the easiest way to ensure that your pool is completed to legal standards. Do some research in your local area on businesses that offer pool construction services and just like choosing a builder, ensure they are fully licenced to do the work.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;If you are building a new home, you can also engage your builder to include the pool in your building contract, this way, you move in with a beautiful new pool prepared for you!&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;There are also strict fencing laws in place with pools, it is important to be educated and up to date with what is required before installing pool fencing. These laws are put in place to prevent children entering the pool area unattended.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt; &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;u&gt;Important things to ask your pool builder&lt;/u&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Once you’ve chosen your pool builder, there are some important questions you need to ask before signing a contract.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;As mentioned above, thoroughly check your pool builder’s credentials and reputation before engaging a contract with them. It is also important to ensure that you are provided with a detailed quote that you understand in full, so that you know exactly what is included in your price and will not be surprised with any unexpected or hidden costs. Things to look out for include insurance on the work site, and whether landscaping or any extras are included.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Another important piece of information to obtain from your pool builder is the warranties on all components of the pool. It is best to be well aware of the length of the warranties your pool holds, just in case something unexpected happens.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt; &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Having a pool can be a great asset over the summer months, or even most of the year with Queensland’s climate, and can also add value to your property. Always be sure to keep your pool fence and gate secured to ensure the safety of children.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Kleidon Masterbuilt Homes are more than happy to assist you with arranging your new pool.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt; &lt;/p&gt;</description>
      <pubDate>Mon, 20 Nov 2017 15:09:58 +1100</pubDate>
      <a10:updated>2017-11-20T15:09:58+11:00</a10:updated>
    </item>
    <item>
      <guid isPermaLink="false">2190</guid>
      <link>https://mbuilthomes.com.au/blog/posts/vue-190</link>
      <category>Building Tips</category>
      <category>House Design Tips</category>
      <title>Vue 190</title>
      <description>&lt;p&gt;Make the most of a small block with the Vue 190.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;With impressive façade options and a functional floorplan, the Vue 190 is the ultimate modern home.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Remarkable features that are generally only found in larger homes, including four double-sized bedrooms with built-in wardrobes, and the master suite including an Ensuite and spacious walk-in-robe.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;The Vue 190 has room for the whole family, whilst still being space conscious and it suitable for any location.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;The appealing open-plan living/dining/kitchen area allows the home to have a spacious feel. The home chef will be in heaven, with a designer kitchen including an island bench and plenty of workspace.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Ample storage space is set throughout the home, with linen cupboards and wardrobes, as well as a double garage.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Enjoy hosting family and friends on the spacious alfresco area that flows out from the open plan living/dining area, creating a perfect entertainment space.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;An impressive, yet affordable floorplan for everyone from the First Home Owner to the retiree.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;To make the Vue 190 suit your needs, speak to our in-house draftsman to create the home of your dreams.&lt;/p&gt;</description>
      <pubDate>Thu, 09 Nov 2017 16:39:25 +1100</pubDate>
      <a10:updated>2017-11-09T16:39:25+11:00</a10:updated>
    </item>
    <item>
      <guid isPermaLink="false">2184</guid>
      <link>https://mbuilthomes.com.au/blog/posts/building-for-investment</link>
      <category>Building Tips</category>
      <category>Latest News</category>
      <category>House Design Tips</category>
      <title>Building for Investment</title>
      <description>&lt;p&gt;Property investment is a popular way of investing, because it generally gives a great return (from tenants and the taxman), if it’s done right.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;A lot of people shy away from building a brand new home for investment purposes, opting to buy established homes because they think it will be an easier process- which isn’t necessarily true.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt; &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;It doesn’t have to be difficult&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Building a new home for investment purposes doesn’t have to be a difficult or stressful process. Most building companies offer House &amp;amp; Land Packages, which takes away a lot of stress away from you having to make too many decisions. You just need to choose the block of land you would like to build on, and a plan, and if you want to, colours and designs etc, otherwise your builder will generally do the rest.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt; You can arrange for the builder to do a ‘full turn key’ package for you, where the fencing and landscaping is completed in the contract also, leaving no stress for you before your tenants move in.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt; &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Build for the market &amp;amp; attract more desirable tenants &lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Building a brand new home may be a slightly longer process than buying existing, however the aftermath can save you a lot of stress in the long run. Building brand new eliminates a lot of maintenance in the first few years, with products still being under warranty, and no wear-and-tear, making the home more appealing to more desirable tenants- every property investors goal.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Doing your research and finding out what features the demographic in the area you plan to build in is most likely looking for in a rental property will make it easier for you to decide what inclusions you need in an investment home. For example, most modern homes include an ensuite, walk-in-robe, open plan living/dining area and an entertainment area. Researching before you sign a building contract is the most beneficial thing you can do in this process, you don’t want to build a home that doesn’t suit the demographic, therefore making it difficult for you to rent.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt; &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Save on Stamp Duty&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Building a brand new home means you only have to pay stamp duty on the land component of the build, the home itself is stamp duty exempt, another advantage of building over purchasing existing- you will be saving thousands of dollars!&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt; &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Chose the right builder&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;It’s extremely important to choose a builder that is going to stick to your budget when building your investment home. You should carefully read the building specifications and contract before signing anything to ensure that everything you want in the home is included in the price, and not going to be a hidden extra during the build, causing your budget to blow, which can in turn, make your investment not as worthy.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt; &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;If you are thinking of investing in property, speak to our experienced, award-winning Building Consultants who can assist you in every aspect of building your new home.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt; &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt; &lt;/p&gt;</description>
      <pubDate>Thu, 19 Oct 2017 14:38:55 +1100</pubDate>
      <a10:updated>2017-10-19T14:38:55+11:00</a10:updated>
    </item>
    <item>
      <guid isPermaLink="false">2147</guid>
      <link>https://mbuilthomes.com.au/blog/posts/beachside-245</link>
      <category>House Design Tips</category>
      <category>Building Tips</category>
      <title>Beachside 245</title>
      <description>&lt;p style="margin: 0cm 0cm 7.5pt 0cm;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; color: #111111;"&gt;Accommodate the needs of your family with the impressive and affordable Beachside 245.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p style="box-sizing: border-box; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px; margin: 0cm 0cm 7.5pt 0cm;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; color: #111111;"&gt;The intelligent floorplan allows you to come together as a family in the spacious communal areas, or retreat to the double-sized built-in bedrooms for some peace and quiet.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p style="margin: 0cm 0cm 7.5pt 0cm;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; color: #111111;"&gt;The master suite is situated in the rear of the home, for a retreat-style feel. The spacious and modern Ensuite adds comfort to the bedroom, with the walk-in-robe allowing plenty of storage space.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p style="margin: 0cm 0cm 7.5pt 0cm;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; color: #111111;"&gt;The remaining bedrooms, situated at the front of the home, are fitted with built-in wardrobes and carpet, with space to fit a queen bed. The bedrooms are serviced by the main bathroom, which is equipped with a bathtub, shower and separate water closet. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p style="margin: 0cm 0cm 7.5pt 0cm;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; color: #111111;"&gt;Indoor entertainment is paramount in the Beachside 245, with a dedicated media room and study nook situated off the open plan living/dining area.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p style="margin: 0cm 0cm 7.5pt 0cm;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; color: #111111;"&gt;The designer kitchen is a home chef’s dream come true, with a walk-in-pantry, ample bench space and an appliance cupboard, overlooking the indoor and outdoor living areas.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p style="margin: 0cm 0cm 7.5pt 0cm;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; color: #111111;"&gt;Entertain guests on the spacious alfresco area, which flows seamlessly through from the living area. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p style="margin: 0cm 0cm 7.5pt 0cm;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; color: #111111;"&gt;Although named the Beachside 245, this plan is suitable for any location, its practicality and functionality allows it to be the perfectly adaptable family home. It is easily altered to suit your family’s needs, contact us today to turn the Beachside 245 in to your dream home.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p style="margin: 0cm 0cm 7.5pt 0cm;"&gt;&lt;span style="font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif; color: #111111;"&gt;&lt;img style="width: 365px; height: 398px;" src="https://mbuilthomes.com.au/blog/media/14464/beachside-245-stamped.jpg?width=365&amp;amp;height=398" alt="" data-id="2135"&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;</description>
      <pubDate>Thu, 05 Oct 2017 13:51:48 +1100</pubDate>
      <a10:updated>2017-10-05T13:51:48+11:00</a10:updated>
    </item>
    <item>
      <guid isPermaLink="false">2146</guid>
      <link>https://mbuilthomes.com.au/blog/posts/making-an-energy-efficient-home</link>
      <category>Latest News</category>
      <category>Building Tips</category>
      <category>House Design Tips</category>
      <title>Making an Energy Efficient home</title>
      <description>&lt;p&gt;Making your new home energy efficient can save you money and improve its performance. There are numerous ways you can get a 10-star rating for energy efficiency when you build your home, but the trick is knowing exactly what to look for and selections to make to get the highest rating possible. Here’s just a few tips to getting that top energy efficiency rating.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Insulation&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;The best way to keep your home at a comfortable temperature all year round is insulation in the ceiling and walls. This is generally a standard feature in new homes now, and there is an obvious difference in the feel of the home when insulation is missing. Installing insulation will help reduce your power bill as well, because it eliminates the need to use heating and cooling systems at a high rate. Not only does insulation keep your home cooler in summer and warmer in winter, it can also create a sound barrier, making it more comfortable for everyone.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Colours &lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;In the warm Queensland climate, it is better to choose lighter colours for the exterior of your home and roof, as they reflect heat and help to keep your home cooler. Darker colours tend to attract heat, therefore making generally making your home warmer- a benefit if you live in cooler climates. Making decisions such as choosing lighter colours for the exterior of your home all add up to creating a more energy efficient, cost-saving home.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Lights &lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Lights account for around 10-12% of electricity usage in homes. You can reduce the amount of energy you use on lighting by up to 50% just by making smarter choices. When planning your new home, it can be beneficial to try and include as much natural lighting as possible. By increasing natural lighting, you may be able to decrease the number of light fittings in your home, all of which account to your energy efficiency rating. For the lights you do install, LED lights are not only one of the most energy efficient lights you can use in your home, they are also stylish and readily available.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Solar&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Why not put the sun to good use and have it run your electricity? Not only is this energy efficient, it will save you quite an amount of money in the long run if they are installed to suit your households needs. Solar panels are generally low maintenance and will increase the value of your home. Seeking advice from a professional on the best solar power system and layout for your home is the most beneficial option before installation.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt; &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt; Kleidon Masterbuilt Homes can work with you to make your new home as energy efficiency as possible- our current Display Home at 10 She Oak Boulevard, Bargara is a 10-star Energy Efficiency rating! These ideas are just a few of the options you have to making an efficient home- talk to us today about your options.&lt;/p&gt;</description>
      <pubDate>Wed, 27 Sep 2017 09:58:54 +1000</pubDate>
      <a10:updated>2017-09-27T09:58:54+10:00</a10:updated>
    </item>
    <item>
      <guid isPermaLink="false">2145</guid>
      <link>https://mbuilthomes.com.au/blog/posts/buying-or-building-your-first-home</link>
      <category>Building Tips</category>
      <category>House Design Tips</category>
      <category>Latest News</category>
      <title>Buying or Building your First Home</title>
      <description>&lt;p&gt;Buying or building your first home is an exciting time for anybody.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Most people work extremely hard to reach this milestone and it can be beneficial for you in the long run if you have professional advice about what investment is best for you.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Until 30&lt;sup&gt;th&lt;/sup&gt; December 2017, the Queensland Government is granting eligible First Home Buyers $20,000 to support them in to their first new home sooner, or to help build or buy something a little more than expected.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;One fantastic benefit of the QLD First Home Owners' Grant is the support it gives to the building and construction industry. To receive the grant, you must be building a brand new home or buying a new home that has not yet been lived in. This helps create and keep jobs in the construction industry all over Australia.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt; &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;WORK WITH SOMEONE YOU TRUST&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Building your first home can be a daunting experience. With so many choices, it’s important to do your research on building  a new home before you sign any contracts.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Finding a trustworthy builder that you feel comfortable with and confident that they won’t take advantage of the fact you are building your first home, is one of the most important parts of the process. Reading testimonials from previous clients will give you a good idea on the integrity of the company.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Do your own research, the cheapest quote isn’t necessarily the best option, it’s important to look at the quality you’ll receive too.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt; &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;SPEND YOUR MONEY WISELY&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Ensuring you keep to budget can be important when building or buying your first home. Creating a workable and realistic budget is a great (and necessary) starting point. Having a budget will allow you to know where to start looking for your new property.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Making a realistic budget and sticking to it can be advantageous for your financial position in the long run, and also, the bigger your deposit, the better!&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Approaching a mortgage broker can be beneficial when looking for a home loan, especially your first. The right broker can assist you in finding the loan that is right for you, over numerous different financial institutions, even ones you may not have thought of. They can work with you to find a package and interest rate that best suits your situation, taking all of the hard work out of it for you.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt; &lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;TAKE A LOAD OFF&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Although building your first home can sometimes be an intimidating and stressful time, it doesn’t always have to be.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Engaging a builder that can offer house and land packages can be very useful to your process. You can simply choose a package the developer has on offer, make your colour choices and then watch your new home be built, with minimal stress.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;The house and land package process can be valuable to First Home Buyers, especially if they are unsure of exactly what they are looking for in a house plan.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt; &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Whether you plan on your first home being your forever home or a temporary option, it is important to consider every aspect of your decision before jumping in to a commitment.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Check out our wide range of House and Land packages available on our website and contact us today to build your new home.&lt;/p&gt;</description>
      <pubDate>Thu, 21 Sep 2017 09:17:47 +1000</pubDate>
      <a10:updated>2017-09-21T09:17:47+10:00</a10:updated>
    </item>
    <item>
      <guid isPermaLink="false">2144</guid>
      <link>https://mbuilthomes.com.au/blog/posts/aura-270</link>
      <category>Building Tips</category>
      <category>House Design Tips</category>
      <title>Aura 270</title>
      <description>&lt;p&gt;This sophisticated family haven offers immense lifestyle appeal, showcasing the intelligent design that captures the feel of a modern home.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;The perfect home for a beach or bush location, the Aura 270 has everything required for a functional home.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;The internal atrium is cleverly designed to allow an abundance of natural light in to the home and adds a spectacular feature to the main living area.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;The spacious open plan living and dining area flows through to the alfresco area, bringing the outdoors in- making entertaining guests easy and comfortable.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;The home chef will be in paradise in this kitchen, with plenty of bench space provided by the island bench, an appliance cupboard to keep the benches looking neat and tidy, and a spacious walk-in-pantry.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;The retreat-style master suite boasts a uniquely designed, luxurious ensuite with a double vanity, separate toilet and large shower. A linen cupboard has been cleverly added to the corner of the ensuite for extra storage. A spacious walk-in-robe ensures you will never be short of wardrobe space.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;The remaining three queen-sized bedrooms are fitted with built-in wardrobes. With a fully-equipped main bathroom servicing these bedrooms, the whole family will be comfortable in the Aura 270.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Indoor entertainment is covered with a media room and dedicated study or home office.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;A three car garage ensure a plethora of storage, and plenty of off street parking.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;This home has an elegant precedent from the point of entry and will impress you both inside and out, with a number of eye-catching facades available.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Contact us today to find out more information on the Aura 270, or any of our other standard plans.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;img style="width: 409.47630922693264px; height: 500px;" src="https://mbuilthomes.com.au/blog/media/14461/arua-270-marketing-website.jpg?width=409.47630922693264&amp;amp;height=500" alt="" data-id="2132"&gt;&lt;/p&gt;</description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 12 Sep 2017 10:24:30 +1000</pubDate>
      <a10:updated>2017-09-12T10:24:30+10:00</a10:updated>
    </item>
    <item>
      <guid isPermaLink="false">2141</guid>
      <link>https://mbuilthomes.com.au/blog/posts/bargara-display-home-now-open</link>
      <category>Latest News</category>
      <category>House Design Tips</category>
      <category>Building Tips</category>
      <category>Community</category>
      <title>Bargara Display Home Now Open</title>
      <description>&lt;p&gt;Brett and Dianne Kleidon are proud to present their new display home “AURA”, situated at 10 She Oak Boulevard, Bargara Beach Estate.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;The new home Dianne and Brett have designed has an exciting and unique floor plan, featuring a central courtyard, soaring ceilings and attractive flow through design.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Dianne’s interior and exterior expertise shows through again, she has created another stunning home with new and stylish tiled feature walls internal and external.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Exquisite colours and new products have blended together forming the new masterpiece. An eye-catching waterfall ended island kitchen bench with complimentary black sink and taps, will make any cook proud to be in the kitchen.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Our experienced Building Consultants will be at the Display Home to assist you all the way in building or buying your brand new home. We have on display our extensive range of plans, so whether it be your design ideas or ours, our professional Bundaberg teams attention to detail, honesty, integrity and passion for building, is evident with our top quality service from start to finish.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Kleidon Masterbuilt Homes are your local home builder here to help you create any house of any size or design.  From the early stages through to completion and whether you are building your first home, tenth home, unit complex or commercial building.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt; Melissa and Scott can also assist you with all the available blocks of land in the Bundaberg and Bargara areas.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Come along and experience for yourselves, the exciting, innovative, stylish new design and amazing quality, that allows us to be multi-award winning builders in the Bundaberg region for the past 16 years.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;OPEN 7 DAYS&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;10AM-4PM&lt;/p&gt;</description>
      <pubDate>Wed, 06 Sep 2017 12:41:20 +1000</pubDate>
      <a10:updated>2017-09-06T12:41:20+10:00</a10:updated>
    </item>
    <item>
      <guid isPermaLink="false">1978</guid>
      <link>https://mbuilthomes.com.au/blog/posts/handy-hints-to-building-your-first-home</link>
      <category>Building Tips</category>
      <category>House Design Tips</category>
      <title>Handy hints to building your first home</title>
      <description>&lt;p&gt;Buying or building your first home is an exciting time for anybody.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Most people work extremely hard to reach this milestone and it can be beneficial for you in the long run if you have professional advice about what investment is best for you.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Until 30&lt;sup&gt;th&lt;/sup&gt; June 2017, the Queensland Government is granting eligible First Home Buyers $20,000 to support them in to their first new home sooner, or to help build or buy something a little more than expected.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;One fantastic benefit of the QLD First Home Owners’ Grant is the support it gives to the building and construction industry. To receive the grant, you must be building a brand new home or buying a new home that has not yet been lived in. This helps create and keep jobs in the construction industry all over Australia.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt; &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;WORK WITH SOMEONE YOU TRUST&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Building your first home can be a daunting experience. With so many choices, it’s important to do your research on building  a new home before you sign any contracts.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Finding a trustworthy builder that you feel comfortable with and confident that they won’t take advantage of the fact you are building your first home, is one of the most important parts of the process. Reading testimonials from previous clients will give you a good idea on the integrity of the company.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Do your own research, the cheapest quote isn’t necessarily the best option, it’s important to look at the quality you’ll receive too.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt; &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;SPEND YOUR MONEY WISELY&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Ensuring you keep to budget can be important when building or buying your first home. Creating a workable and realistic budget is a great (and necessary) starting point. Having a budget will allow you to know where to start looking for your new property.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Making a realistic budget and sticking to it can be advantageous for your financial position in the long run, and also, the bigger your deposit, the better!&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Approaching a mortgage broker can be beneficial when looking for a home loan, especially your first. The right broker can assist you in finding the loan that is right for you, over numerous different financial institutions, even ones you may not have thought of. They can work with you to find a package and interest rate that best suits your situation, taking all of the hard work out of it for you.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt; &lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;TAKE A LOAD OFF&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Although building your first home can sometimes be an intimidating and stressful time, it doesn’t always have to be.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Engaging a builder that can offer house and land packages can be very useful to your process. You can simply choose a package the developer has on offer, make your colour choices and then watch your new home be built, with minimal stress.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;The house and land package process can be valuable to First Home Buyers, especially if they are unsure of exactly what they are looking for in a house plan.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt; &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Whether you plan on your first home being your forever home or a temporary option, it is important to consider every aspect of your decision before jumping in to a commitment.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Check out our wide range of House and Land packages available on our website and contact us today to build your new home.&lt;/p&gt;</description>
      <pubDate>Fri, 05 May 2017 10:27:13 +1000</pubDate>
      <a10:updated>2017-05-05T10:27:13+10:00</a10:updated>
    </item>
    <item>
      <guid isPermaLink="false">1160</guid>
      <link>https://mbuilthomes.com.au/blog/posts/5-essential-tips-to-choosing-a-quality-builder</link>
      <category>Building Tips</category>
      <category>House Design Tips</category>
      <title>5 essential tips to choosing a quality builder</title>
      <description>&lt;p class="intro"&gt;Choosing a builder to construct your brand new home is a decision that should not be taken lightly.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;You are entrusting someone with your dream (and money), to build you a quality, stable home that will last you well into the future. This is definitely up there with one of the biggest financial decisions you will make and it can be extremely daunting trying to choose a company to build with, especially if the scope of choice is wide. Here are some handy hints to keep in mind when deciding on a builder to engage.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;h4&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;span&gt;Stability&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h4&gt;
&lt;p&gt;One of the most important things to think about and research is the stability of the building company you plan to engage to build your new home. Checking in to the financial stability of the company and their qualifications is important to check before signing a contract to build your new home.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;h4&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;span&gt;Trust&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h4&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;Sometimes building your new home just comes down to who you feel most comfortable with. You need to be able to trust the company building your dream, that they understand your vision and are willing to work with you on constructing your new home.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;h4&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;span&gt;Qualifications&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h4&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;Before even speaking to a builder, it is a great idea to check out the builder’s licencing. You can check Queensland builder’s licences on the QBCC website, just by typing in their name. This will show you if the builder is qualified to build your new home, whether they have any disciplinary action taken against them and the financial records for the company over their lifespan.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;Ensuring your builder is qualified is one of the most important aspects of the decision process, you don’t want to leave it to chance.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;h4&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;span&gt;Quality over Quantity&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h4&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;Of course, the price of your new home is important, but it’s also important to ensure that your investment is going to last. Checking out the quality of work your builder can provide is one of the most important things when building a new home. Start by asking if they have a display home or spec home you can view for comparison.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;If you are speaking with two different builders and one is $5,000 less than the other, but their quality is significantly lesser, that can generally be a good indication that perhaps paying the extra $5,000 may be worth it in the long run, saving you time and money in maintenance down the track.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;h4&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;span&gt;Word of mouth&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h4&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;The best form of advertisement is word of mouth. It doesn’t hurt to ask around your social groups or family to seek opinions on the builder you are thinking of signing with. Internet research can also be handy, check out the company’s website, read their &lt;a data-id="1178" href="/why-us/testimonials" title="Testimonials"&gt;testimonials&lt;/a&gt; from previous clients, Facebook can also be a great tool for looking at recommendations.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;Choosing the right builder to construct your new project is the most important decision in the process, ensure you are making an informed decision before signing on the dotted line. Our door is open, so if you need any help or would like to chat to one of our building consultants call us on 4152 8367 or &lt;a data-id="1710" href="/contact-us" title="Contact Us"&gt;email us&lt;/a&gt; today.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;em&gt;&lt;span&gt;Loved our blog, hated our blog or just had some quick questions, why not drop us a comment below and one of our friendly team will comment below.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/p&gt;</description>
      <pubDate>Wed, 29 Mar 2017 17:12:03 +1100</pubDate>
      <a10:updated>2017-03-29T17:12:03+11:00</a10:updated>
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