Blog

The Value of Building

With ongoing discussions around the changes to Australia's tax system, Australians are wondering what this means for property ownership.

The Power of Neutrals

Millennial Grey had its moment, but warmer tones are taking over. Here's why the latest trend is something to watch out for.

The Investment Shift

If you've been following the property market lately, you've probably heard plenty of chatter about negative gearing and capital gains tax.

Balancing Your Investment Budget

One of the biggest questions we’re hearing is: “How much should I be spending on the build compared to the land?” Here's the answer!

Building Within Budget

Building a custom home has always been about finding the right balance, and in today’s market, that balance matters more than ever!

Cosy Living Spaces

There’s something special about home in winter. As the temperatures drop and the days become slower and quieter

Paint With Purpose

Choosing colours for your new home is an exciting part of the building journey, but it’s also overwhelming, how many shades of 'white' exist?

What to Know Before You Buy Land

Buying the perfect block of land is an exciting first step toward building your dream home! However, not all blocks are created equal.

Smart Land Buying

When purchasing a block of land for an investment build, it’s easy to focus on location and price, but here is what many buyers overlook

Turn Key Builds

A turnkey build is one of the simplest and most convenient ways to add to your property portfolio, this is what turnkey means to us.

What Does ‘Turn Key’ Mean

When people hear turn key homes, it can mean different things depending on your builder. Here at Activa Homes group it's simple...

Designs Naturally Evolve

For many people building, finding the first floor plan that feels just right is exciting. But here's why it is rarely the home built.

We Don’t Cut Corners

Remember the angled walls of the early 2000s? A bold design choice that made homes feel modern. Not all corners should be cut and here's why.

Where Home Meets Autumn

As the days grow shorter and the air turns crisp, autumn invites us to slow down, get cosy, and reconnect with home.

Pre-Title Planning

Waiting for your land to be titled can feel like you’re stuck in limbo, but this is what you should be doing.

3 Design Features Homeowners Say They’re Glad They Invested In

Some design decisions feel small at the time, but homeowners tell us these are the features they’re glad they invested in.

Is a Custom Build Worth It for First-Time Property Investors?

For many property investors, the temptation to choose the cheapest builder is strong. Here's why you should resist that temptation.

The Custom Home Build Process Explained

Building a custom home is more than a construction project. It’s a carefully guided journey, and here are the steps.

Investing In the New Year

Investing in the New Year brings renewed motivation, and for many investors, the perfect opportunity to...

New Home Resolution

New Home Resolutions. It’s the moment when plans feel clearer, motivation is high, and long-held dreams finally feel ready to move forward

Design Trends 2026

Design Trends for 2026, Australian home design is evolving toward warmth, texture and personalised spaces.

Holiday Home Harmony

What is holiday home harmony to you? Whether your Christmas means a house full of guests or a quiet getaway.

Perfect Fit First

Building your dream home is exciting, but getting the perfect fit first is better. Because your fridge not fitting ruins move in day.

Spec Choices Matter

For property investors, building isn't just about creating a home. It's about creating a high-performing asset. Spec choices matter.

Summer Entertaining Designs

Whether you’re planning weekend barbecues or twilight dinners under the stars, make sure your new home design caters for summer entertaining

Be Prepared

Being prepared ensures your build runs efficiently, your costs stay under control, and your returns stay on track.

Ready, Set, Build!

Get build-ready with titled land and finance pre-approval. Avoid price increases and delays with Activa Custom Homes Perth.

Texture Tells the Story

Let texture tell the story. Discover how layering textures, not colour, creates timeless, stylish interiors for your new home.

Precision = Profit

For investors, precision = profit. Paid builder quotes reduce risks, prevent blowouts & protects returns

Quotes That Build Confidence

Get quotes that build confidence—detailed reviews, site checks & cost-saving ideas for a smoother, smarter build

Patience For Profit

Property investing requires patience for profit. Understand how land, lending and approvals influence timelines and long-term returns.

Worth The Wait

Delays in your new home build can be frustrating. In making sure we deliver you a beautiful new home, we promise it's worth the wait ...

Compromise to Monetise

Building an investment property? Learn how to compromise to monetise by balancing size, spec, speed, and budget for long-term returns.

Build with Balance

To build with balance, you need to be prepared to make smart compromises when it comes to building your new home.

Invest With Intention

If you're considering building an investment property, here's a powerful mindset shift: Invest with Intention!

Cost vs Consequences

While many people begin planning their dream home with a strict budget in mind, it’s important to consider the cost vs consequences of cutting corners.

Winter Wealth Window

Most investors go quiet in in the colder months —but it's the perfect winter wealth window. That’s exactly why it’s the smartest time to act.

Warming Up In Winter

Instead of hibernating, warming up in winter for your new home build puts you ahead of the game come springtime!

Low Maintenance/High Returns

As a property investor, building a low-maintenance/high return investment property is a strategic move.

Maintaining That New Home Feel

Building a new home is a huge milestone, but the journey doesn’t end on move-in day. Here some tips on maintaining that new home feel ...

Universal Accessibility

For property investors, ensuring your new build or renovation aligns with both market demand and NCC 2022 Universal Accessibility Regulations is crucial.

Measure Twice

Ensure your space is functional by accurately measuring for furniture and movement. This means you need to measure twice!

Strong Investment

As a property investor, building for the future is about more than just homes ... it's about building a strong investment.

Building Your Future

When it comes to growing your family, downsizing for simplicity or enhancing your lifestyle, Activa Custom Homes are Building Your Future

The Hare or The Tortoise?

When building your investment property, is the boom suburb or the steady growth suburb best? It's a question of The Hare or The Tortoise!

Boost Your Budget

If you boost your budget in key areas, you can significantly enhance your home's value and livability. Read our blog for more info ...

Are You Ready to Build Your New Home?

Are you ready to build your new home? When embarking on the exciting journey of building your dream home, preparation is key.

Perth Property Market 2025

The Perth property market is shaping up to be an exciting opportunity for investors in 2025 for building investment properties.

Affordable Living Crisis

The affordable living crisis is a pressing issue. Building an investment property in Perth offers a unique opportunity to easing this crisis.

Building Inspectors

As a client, engaging a Building Inspector is one way of finding peace of mind, but make sure that you inspect your building inspectors credentials!

Bang For Your Buck

At Activa Custom Homes, we can help you get the most bang for your buck! It's all about budget, focus & compromise ...

Investor Migration

In the property world, there is a phenomenon known as investor migration; where savvy investors are following the market trends.

Why Activa Homes Group Is the Least Scary Investment Choice

Don’t let the fear of property investment scare you away! We’re committed to making your investment experience as rewarding as possible.

Don’t Be Spooked!

Don’t be spooked and let the fear of building haunt you! At Activa, we’re all about turning your new home dreams into a real treat.

The Next Big Thing

Wouldn't it be great if, as investors, we knew which suburb was going to be 'the next big thing'? If only there were signs ...

Design Guidelines

Design Guidelines derive from the Master Plan for the development and convey how the planners want the community to look, feel and function

Maintaining Your Investment

Maintaining your investment property is going to produce a better return on investment, both on income and capital growth, in the long-term.

Special Occasions

Rather than sit and lament about how fast the year has gone, let’s focus on how we use our homes to celebrate these special occasions!

A Gift That Keeps On Giving

It's the time of year for gift giving but did you ever consider that a property portfolio is the gift that keeps on giving?

What Is The Property Market Cycle?

What is the property market cycle? Based on years of data, it resembles a circle of boom and bust but is it different this time around?

Spring Cleaning

It's spring cleaning time when many of us are preparing our homes to entertain family and friends for the holidays.

Learning About Property Development

When it comes to investing and developing, as entrepreneur and Action Coach CEO Brad Sugars would say, you need to 'learn before you earn'!

Mum & Dad To The Rescue

If we are going to see improvement in the availability of housing and rentals in Perth, It may be Mum & Dad to the rescue once again!

Spring Into Action

Spring has sprung and now is the time to spring into action and start your building journey with Activa Custom Homes.

We Specialise in Building Relationships!

How can we possibly specialise in building single & double storey homes and multi-unit developments? We specialise in building relationships!

Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Act

How does the rollout of the Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Act affect you as a property investor and developer

Partners In Property

Successful property investment can't be done alone. You need partners in property to ensure that your investment works for you.

Flexibility With Your New Custom Home

One of the main reasons people choose a custom home builder is flexibility. However, with flexibility, you also need order. Here’s why …

Winter Warmers

When designing your future home, you are designing your future lifestyle. Here are some winter warmers designed to keep you cosy.

5 Steps to Prepare For Your Pre-Start

Here’s our 5 tips for how to prepare for your pre-start and make it as stress free and efficient as possible!

Rental Reforms

REIWA has just announced it’s support for Rental Reforms. Will they make you more or less likely to become a build-to-rent investor?

Understanding Your Home Building Contract

Understanding your home building contract is essential for ensuring a stress free and rewarding building journey.

Singles Scene

Looking to get into the singles scene? A brand new Activa Design Service single storey home that it is!

Mandatory Building Inspections

Mandatory Building Inspections are in place across most of Australia ... except WA. We take a look at the pros and cons ...

Is Your New Home Design Up To Spec?

Is your new home design up to spec? Do you know exactly what you are getting in your specification or list of inclusions?

How I Became A Property Investor

As Director of Activa Developments, Jason Janssen takes time out to reflect on "how I became a property investor"

What do a small business and a custom builder have in common?

What do a small business and a custom builder have in common? Smaller is often better when it comes to building your new home!

Opportunity to Design

Engaging with a custom builder gives you an opportunity to design a new home or investment property that works for you.

Three Ways That You Can Build

There are only three ways that you can build. You can build fast, you can build cheaply, and you can build with quality.

Specialist vs Generalist

When it comes to building a investment property, this is why it pays to work with a Specialist vs Generalist.

Building To Your Budget

When designing your new home, we are conscious of building to your budget. Here's some things that we need to know ...

How do you know you’ve got the best builder?

How do you know you've got the best builder? It certainly doesn't come down to the cheapest quote. Find out here ...

Interstate Investors

It's easy for interstate investors to build their property portfolio in Perth when they are dealing with Perth's custom building specialists

Stocking Up For Christmas

With continuing low vacancy rates and few rental properties available, the Perth property market really needs to be stocking up for Christmas.

Home For The Holidays

Staying home for the holidays? Here’s a few tips on how you can prepare your home for entertaining over the holiday period.

Win Win

As property buyers, developers and sellers, we’ve always gone into each and every property deal with a win win mindset. Here's how you can too!

How We Can Help

Here's how Activa Custom Homes can help with your new home building journey. Knowing that the excitement you feel at the beginning ...

Colour Trends For Your New Home

Looking for colour trends for your new home? Here’s a few tips to help in choosing both the external and internal colours to get you started.

Blank Space

When you begin designing your custom home, you start with a blank space. Trying to envision what this space can become can sometimes be difficult.

New Home Builder Referrals

The best way to know that you are choosing the right builder is by getting new home builder referrals before you sign your contract.

Investing in Value

When it comes to investing in the property market, you need to be investing in value as this is what is going to generate the best returns.

Mirror Mirror

Mirror, mirror on the wall, who is the fairest of them all? Well … it’s your new home of course. Make your new home even more versatile.

Exit Strategy

Investing in property is a long term prospect. However, as with every investment, there needs to be some kind of exit strategy.

What Makes A House A Home

Having a space where amazing memories are created is what makes a house a home. Read more about how you can make your new house a home.

New Home Renaissance

Building is like having your own personal New Home Renaissance. There are many reasons why people feel it is time for a new home ...

Own Your New Home Style

With a custom single storey or double storey design, rather than being cookie cutter, you too can own your new home style.

What do birds and people have in common?

What do birds and people have in common? Birds migrate in search of better resources. People migrate for much the same reason.

Windows of Opportunity

Take this window of opportunity to talk to us about designing your new home.

Hold Your Horses

Society is screaming for more rental properties to be available but investors are baulking. So, what is there to this “hold your horses” mentality?

Building Your New Home with No Regrets

When you’ve finished your build and have settled into your new home, we want you to look back on your journey and be able to say that you have no regrets.

5 Things Tenants Are Looking For In A Rental

We have a look at the top 5 things that three different types of tenants are looking for in a rental property.

Challenging Times

It’s all over the news … “Challenging Times for The Building Industry”! And they’re not wrong ... So how do we overcome these challenges?

Are Home Theatres Worth The Drama

In the 2000’s, a home theatre was the ‘must have’ in every new home. Fast forward to 2022 … are home theatres still worth the drama?

Interest is Rising

With the opening of the borders, interest is rising in the Perth property market; which is good news for investors.

Timing Is Everything

When it comes time to build your new home … timing is everything!

Mind Your T’s & C’s

When it comes to choosing the best builder for your project, you need to mind your T's & C's ... terms and conditions!

Leverage

The whole idea of investing is to make your money work so that you don’t have to. Leverage is when you use someone else’s money to achieve the same result.

Discussing Your Specification

When planning your new home, it's important to know what happens when you are discussing your specification.

Furnishing Your New Home

As well as your new home being aesthetically beautiful, it also needs to be functional. Including furnishing your new home.

Happy Birthday To Us!

Happy Birthday To Us! It's hard to believe that as Activa Developments, we are celebrating our 10th Birthday this month.

Building Your Future … With Teenagers!

At Activa, we are all about Building Your Future … and that future may include living with TEENAGERS!

How To Actively Participate In Your Building Project

Here's our guide to how to actively participate in your building project. By working together, we can achieve the best outcomes!

New Home Trends

Is it important to follow "New Home Trends" when it comes to designing and building your dream home?

New Year Resolutions

It’s that time of year that, with all of the best intentions, many of us make New Year resolutions to improve our health, wealth & happiness.

Why Take The Risk?

People may ask "Why take the risk?" investing in property. For every investor, the answer will be different.

Building a Home is like Telling a Story

Building a home is like telling a story with the important aspects being the what, when, where, why and how?

5 things to do to start your building journey …

Good things come to those who … get started! So here are 5 things you can do to start your building journey …

2021 A Year In Review

2021 A Year In Review - here's a snapshot of what happened in the Perth property market in 2021 and what's being predicted as we move into 2022 ...

Providing Your Own Materials

We offer our clients a level of flexibility above and beyond your standard builder. Here's what you need to be aware of when providing your own materials.

Houses Have Numbers … Not People

Houses have numbers ... not people. Creating a home design that works for you means getting to know you as a person.

Property Investment & Passive Income

Property investment and passive income means having enough cash at bank to be able to say YES when an opportunity arises!

Staying Positive

Staying positive when it comes to property investment in the current market may seem impossible; but there is always a silver lining.

Heading In The Right Direction

When you have your home custom designed, you can ensure that both you and your home are heading in the right direction.

Build To Your Price … Not Ours

When you choose to build with Activa Custom Homes we build to your price ... not ours. So how does that work?

Bathroom Bliss

Bathroom Bliss! Whether you're getting ready for a new day or winding day from the day that was, your bathroom is your sanctuary.

Finding The Balance

When it comes to property investment, it's about finding the balance between what you see as an investment and what others see as their new home

Choosing Your Builder

When choosing your builder, you want to find the one that offers you the best value ... but what does "best value" really mean?

Home is Where the Heart Is

Home is where the heart is and your kitchen is truly the heart of your home. There's a reason why they have their own awards category.

Material Things – Form and Function

For your house to be the best it can be, you need to find the balance between 'form and function' - or 'how it looks and how it works'.

Should I Sell or Rent?

Should I sell or rent? Let's just put this out there upfront - we are NOT financial advisors. What we can tell you is from our own experience.

What’s The Situation With Storage?

What's the situation with storage where you live? There's no such thing as too much storage but it needs to be accessible and functional.

Are Custom Builds More Expensive?

Are Custom Builds More Expensive? It all depends on what you value. Is it the build quality, time taken, price or overall experience?

Coastal Living

Pristine beaches, perfect weather and late summer sunsets. Coastal living in Perth is where you want to be.

Lighting Design For Your New Home

Creating a lighting design for your brand new home helps in making each space both beautiful and functional

A New Wave Is Coming

A new wave is coming! Once international borders are opened, a new wave of expats & immigrants will be looking to call Perth home.

Building in a Boom

Despite all the doom and gloom at the beginning of 2020, new home building in WA is booming. So what do you need to know about building in a boom?

Indoor/Outdoor Spaces

When considering your new home design, taking into account your indoor/outdoor spaces and how they flow is essential.

Adding Personality To Your New Home

Adding personality to your new home is easy. We look at how you can use both structural and finishing items to reflect your style.

Hamptons Style Homes

Hamptons Style Homes ... What are they and how can you incorporate Hamptons features into your new custom home design

Investing Once The Moratorium Ends

The vaccine is here and there is hope on the horizon. So what does this mean for investing once the moratorium ends?

How Regulations Affect Profit

You build an investment property for a profit.  However, constantly changing regulations can affect the profitability of your next investment.

Planning On Building an Investment Property?

Planning On Building an Investment Property? Director Jason Janssen explains what factors you need to look out for.

Your New Home

When building your new home, your building specification outlines all of the inclusions in your contract from siteworks to tapware etc.

Custom Build To Your Budget

As your builder, we can help you to come up with a design and specification that suits both your brief and your bottom line.

Make Your Money Work Harder Than You Do

2020 has been a remarkable year and we are all experiencing some level of burnout. In 2021, why not make your money work harder than you!

Is It Too Late To Sign Up For the Building Grants?

Is it too late to sign up for the building grants? The HomeBuilder and Building Bonus grants have done exactly what they were intended to do ...

Winner of the MBA National Business Leadership Awards

Perth builder, Activa Homes Group has just been announced the Winner of the MBA National Business Leadership Awards - Small Residential Building Business of the Year

Things You Need To Tell Your Builder

If you want the design to be right and the build to be on budget, there a certain things you need to tell your builder

Why Cash (and Cashflow) Is King!

With the current COVID-19 recession, the government have instructed banks to 'make money flow'.  We look at why cash (and cashflow) is King!

Don’t Panic Perth

Don't Panic Perth! Here's what you need to know about the Building Bonus and HomeBuilder grants on offer for those building a new home.

Directors Cut – A World Turned Upside Down

With the WA housing industry experiencing it's biggest downturn since the end of the mining boom, along came COVID-19 and a world turned upside down.

Local Councils and Your Investment

Local Councils and Your Investment - You need to be aware of anything that may have a negative impact on your investment.

Directors Cut – Seeing Opportunity

Directors Cut - Seeing Opportunity - For those that can see the opportunity, they will be the ones who flourish after this Pandemic has run its course.

Who Are You Building For?

Who Are You Building For? There’s a delicate balance between building the dream home you want now and upholding the resale value.

It’s Business As Usual

It's business as usual for Activa Homes Group. While media and public commentary in relation to Coronavirus (COVID-19) continues to raise concern ...

Scared of Commitment?

Scared of Commitment? Dealing direct with Activa Homes Group mean no pressure from sales reps, plus a design and quote based on the home you want.

What’s the Difference?

What's the Difference? We explain the difference between a sales estimate and a letter of proposal so that you know what to look for.

Is it Fake or Factual?

Is it fake or factual? Ok, so it may not be fake news but it is factually creative.

Building Your Bucket List

Having passive income on top of a normal wage means that there is that bit extra in the bank; so that when an opportunity comes along, you can say YES!

Houses Have Numbers … Not People

Houses Have Numbers ... Not People. Read more about the many benefits of working with a custom builder like Activa Homes Group.

Don’t Forget The Internet

When older residential areas are re-zoned, it generally allows for more homes to be built in the area. The rezoning increases the land value and so owners often take advantage of this...

Why Being an Owner Builder can be False Economy

You may like to tinker with cars, but if you need a full engine rebuild, you’d find a mechanic.  You may have webmd bookmarked on your toolbar, but if you needed surgery,...

The Directors Cut

As you will no doubt be aware, the Real Estate Market and the Building Industry in WA have both been on a downward trend for the past 3.5 years. The good news...

Director Jason Janssen talks about what Activa Developments can offer you

Director Jason Janssen talks about what Activa Developments can offer you