Plot ratios are fundamental to all form of town planning. I am aware that Aussies real estate agents tend not to mention this or use this unlike Singaporeans but its a first class indicator what the area is going to look like.
There will be tremendous pressure from developers and long term residents to increase the plot ratios to further sub-divide. Get a plan for your area and you will see an interesting picture of where sub-division takes place. Initially the value will go up and eventually when it becomes crowded, it loses it appeal.
Overcapitalisation is common among ethnic groups, Italians, Greeks, Asians especially with business people with little education. To some extent it the patrichial nature of families with the desire to have everyone including relatives under one roof.
No agent will tell you as it is not politically correct to do so but try and keep to general design and layout of the area. Thats reason why many people tend to buy land where covenants apply so that you don't have a joker that comes out with a purple roof, parks his frito lay delivery truck in his driveway and does odd repairs for all to see. Perth is an excellent example of well planned city. Melbourne and Sydney because of their higher concentration of ethnic groups and lobbying by the respective communities, councils have caved in. In such cities, pick the suburbs carefully.
If you want to build a big house, best to go to a neighbourhood that has them or people are converting to such houses in that suburbs. As long as the land cost is much much higher than construction/replacement costs in a matured suburb you would not have any problems.
However new land developments with convenants are better but typically the construction cost will be higher than land costs but overtime will reverse as it matures.
Unfortunately not familiar when it comes to individual suburbs.
Errr.. Item 9 - is there an allowable plot ratio ?? this is SG terms.. not in OZ.. however, there is "site coverage" are you refering to this ?
Btw your comments are reasonable... I wonder if you ever adhere to the above ? Did you overcapitalise ? i.e. building 2 sty when all your neighbours along the street are single sty dwelling ? Or paying for $400-500k construction cost when the land value is only $100k ?? Pls explain... heehee..
Any advice for a old hse in Surrey Hills VIC avg 700-800m2? I lost in the Auction last week.. hopefully not in the next few weeks..