Buying a new build home
New build homes are a great option whether you’re a first time buyer, have a growing family or “right sizing” in later years. But there are also common problems many home buyers aren’t aware of. Here are the most common pitfalls – and top tips for side stepping them – when buying your new home…
The Benefits of New Build Homes
New build homes are appealing to home buyers for a number of reasons:
- Many people like the fact that they will be the first to live in the property
- Repairs and redecoration costs should be minimal for the first few years
- Buyers can often select fixtures and fittings to tailor the property interior to their taste
- New properties usually come with guarantees. As well as NHBC’s 10-year warranty, other companies provide warranties and insurance for new homes, such as BLP’s housing warranty insurance
- If the property is built to the correct standard, homeowners can enjoy lower running costs and energy bills
Problems and Pitfalls with New Build Homes
But what about the downsides of buying a new build? Here are some common pitfalls and top tips for side stepping them…
Developers customer service
Whether you’re buying a toaster or a new home the transaction and after sales care can vary. Trouble is, of course, you’d expect a better level of service when you’re spending hundreds of thousands on your home. Sadly, developers don’t compete on quality and after sales service. So it’s down to you to do your research. Here are our top tips:
- Get to know the developers in the area where you want to buy and research them online. Look out for where they are mentioned on forums and see what people are saying. Don’t let it put you off completely but let these forums inform you of the issues you need to be alive to.
- Get talking – If the development has been partially completed ask the neighbours how they found the process of buying. You might pick up some top tips for negotiating and things to watch for in your contract.
- Visit the developer’s other sites: How do they look? Do the new residents speak highly of their homes and the developer?
- Never rely solely on the developer’s promotional material. Get a feel for what you’re buying by visiting the site and the local area. Look at transport links, do your journey to work, walk to local facilities and so on.
