Busting Buyer Myths – and Turning Hesitant Browsers into Committed Buyers
At Ballast Point we spend our days on building sites, in council chambers and at kitchen tables translating planning‑speak into plain English. Every Saturday we watch buyers freeze because of four persistent myths. Below you’ll find every point we cover in our face‑to‑face consults—nothing edited out, nothing watered down—plus the exact way our Consultation + Feasibility Report + Sketch Package dissolves the doubt and gets contracts signed.
Myth #1: You Can Figure Out Planning Rules Online
Technically, yes—you can look up planning rules online. But most people get them wrong.
Take floor space ratio, for example. That’s the ratio of the house size to the land size. We find that around 80% of buyers misunderstand how much floor space they’re allowed. Even experienced investors and amateur developers often get it wrong. The other 20% don’t even know where to start—or don’t bother.
Why?
Because the rules are complicated. You might find a map showing the floor space ratio for a site, but you’re supposed to read that alongside other council controls—like lot width, setbacks, or specific overlays that apply to the property.
That’s just the start.
What counts as a garage? Does it get included in your floor space ratio? What about a bathroom or a toilet—how does the Building Code define those for planning purposes?
It depends. And again—it’s complicated.
So, myth #1 is busted: Planning advice is not easy to figure out on your own.
What we do is provide a feasibility report. We research all the planning rules upfront—existing controls, allowable maximums, and untapped potential. It helps buyers see what’s possible. And it helps vendors show the property’s full value.
Myth #2: A Building and Pest Report Tells You Everything You Need to Know
Buyers often rely on a building and pest inspection—sometimes the vendor provides it. But most buyers only have two real questions:
How worried should I be about this problem?
How much will it cost to fix?because
The real issue is uncertainty. It’s not always about how big the problem is—it’s the fear of not knowing.
That’s why a standard report isn’t enough. You need advice from a licensed builder—someone who can say, “Here’s how serious this is,” and “Here’s roughly what it’ll cost to fix.”
So, myth #2 is busted: Buyers don’t just need a report—they need expert insight.
Myth #3: Council Approval is Always Hard and Unpredictable
A lot of buyers think getting council approval is nearly impossible. Again, it’s that fear of the unknown.
But there are many approval pathways. A DA is just one of them. There’s also complying development and exempt development. And not every DA is as hard as people make it out to be.
Honestly, a lot of the issues people face with DAs come down to:
Poor planning
Poor design
Poor documentation
And sometimes, architects submit applications without fully understanding local rules or council expectations. Council ends up getting blamed, but the real issue often starts earlier.
We approach it differently.
In our reports, we provide:
A clear assessment of approval likelihood
A look at where the planning issues are—like overshadowing, heritage, or streetscape
An analysis of value creation and return on investment
For example, if the proposed work is at the back of the property, streetscape impact might be low. But if it causes overshadowing to neighbours, that could be a real issue.
So, myth #3 is busted: Council approval can be predictable, with the right strategy and team.
Our approach is built on planning expertise, high-quality documentation, and positive engagement during the approval process.
Myth #4: If a Property Doesn’t Sell Fast, There Must Be a Problem
We’ve all seen it—a property sits on the market for weeks, and you start to wonder: “What’s wrong with it?”
The truth is, there often isn’t anything wrong.
Our reports give buyers confidence. They help answer:
What’s the property’s real potential?
What can be done with it?
How hard will approval be?
What’s a reasonable budget?
We also include concept sketches showing a couple of design options. If needed, we can produce high-resolution renders for marketing campaigns too.
Wrapping Up
Our services are built to help both buyers and sellers get clarity. You can book everything online. If you’re buying, selling, or developing, don’t rely on guesswork. Get clear advice on what’s possible—and what it’s going to take.
What’s in the Ballast Point Vendor Advantage Package?
60‑minute on‑site consultation with a licensed builder and an architect.
Feasibility Report—planning envelope, ROI analysis, risk profile.
2 sketches—two design options with indicative budgets.
Marketing add‑ons—high‑res renders and walk‑through animations (optional).
Fixed, upfront pricing—book online in minutes. (Heads‑up: our fees rise next month.)
Book your Ballast Point Vendor Advantage Package today!
