I applaud your goal of simplicity. I only need a sunny courtyard but the kids and pets feel differently. I would say plot first but have an idea of the plan you like. And be aware that some estates will have restrictions on what you can build eg minimum sizes.

The block first.

Have a look at plans to see what is available and at what cost, but don't decide on one. Definetely the block first with the right orientation and the crossover in the right location. You can't usually swap garage or cross-over locations. The flatter the block the cheaper the site costs. Corner blocks can also work well to maximise solar orientation as you can't be overshadowed by a two-storey neighbour on your street side, but you will have more fencing and street frontage.

Best of luck,

Dr Retro of Dr Retro House Calls and Dr Retro Virtual Visits

Thanks! Is it true corners attract bigger rates? I do know the estate design code includes 'two good sides' adding to the cost.

There was a corner plot, a funny acute angle but with streets to north & east. Being a newbie (& in lockdown) I hesitated & that one has now sold. I imagine a low garden is all you could put in that pointy front yard for traffic visibility.

If you're looking at corner blocks, don't forget to consider the negatives.

Firstly, privacy. Usually you'll have large setbacks near the street, small setbacks in the other boundaries. So usually there will be a lot of front yard, overlooking the street, with no backyard. If the block is big enough you may have a side yard, furthest from the street corner.

Secondly, noise. Cars will usually accelerate out of corners. Making blocks near corners & roundabouts noisier.

Thirdly. Car headlights at night. The car's lights will cast light to the outside of the corner. So this is dependent on where the cars are travelling, & where the home is located in the corner.

Safety. It may be more unsafe for children playing.

These negatives are obviously very dependent on how busy the road is. Some people may not be bothered by these points, others will.

On the plus side, as mentioned by Dr Retro, access to sunlight. But this will only be improved to houses on the southern blocks of the intersection. As they will have no northern neighbour. Those on the north blocks of an intersection will still have northern neighbours, usually built close to this boundary.

As mentioned in my previous post, to achieve great access to northern light, it's best to build a rectangular home, with the long sides facing north & south, the short sides facing east & west.

So for rectangular corner blocks it's best to have a long northern frontage, a shorter eastern or western frontage. This block will give you the best access to northern light.

Conversely, a long eastern or western frontage, with a shorter southern or northern frontage, will result in a home with lots of eastern & western windows. Which will likely create problems with summer heat. It may be possible to plant good sized shading trees on this eastern or western frontage, to mitigate this problem a bit.

East or west street side will be ok for me but plan to avoid living + bedroom windows facing west (like current situation). Will try to add rough sketch.