Those in the market for property face a choice between homes that have been lived in already, and those which are freshly built. There are a number of good reasons to buy a new-build property, and a few reasons to prefer an older one. The right choice for you will depend on your personal preference and circumstances.
You’ll find new build homes in various locations; as such, they’re an option, wherever you intend to move.
What are new builds?
A new build home is one, surprisingly enough, that’s recently been erected. They tend to be constructed all at once, causing new estates to come up all at once. Behind these projects are companies dedicated to building new homes, which earn a profit by buying land and developing it with housing estates.
Benefits
Let’s run through some of the upsides of going down this route.
Energy efficiency
New-build homes are constructed with energy efficiency in mind. They’re obliged by law to meet the most recent and rigorous standards for energy efficiency. You can therefore expect a higher grade on the EPC certificate of a new-build home, compared with an older one.
Buying process
One complication that can arise when you’re buying property is that you’ll become dependent on a chain of transactions. In the case of a new build, this isn’t a problem. Since there’s no-one living in the house you’re about to buy, your sale is not contingent on theirs.
Also, new build properties tend to be protected by a warranty. These typically last for ten years, and will provide you with some peace of mind. However, there are some things which aren’t included in these warranties, and thus it’s worth knowing exactly what you’re getting into before you make the purchase.
Ready to go
Once you finalise your purchase, you should be able to move into the home and get it working fairly quickly. You won’t need to do any work yourself to make the place liveable. On the other hand, if you’re buying off plan, then you will need to wait for the home to actually be built.
Plot choice
When you buy an older house, you’ll be limited in terms of the available plots. If you’re buying a new build, then you’ll tend to have many very similar houses for sale in a given area. This will allow you greater flexibility when it comes to choosing a house that, for example, face the sunlight.
Design choice
If you’re buying a home that’s still being constructed, then you might have a say in the way that it’s furnished and fitted. You won’t be constrained by the tastes and preferences of the previous owner; you can simply give the decorators specific instructions. Some builders might even allow you input on the layout of the property.
