What Are The Reasons To Buy A New Build Home?
New build vs resale property – which is best for you? If you’re wondering why buy new, we’ve collected some of the main reasons our customers choose new properties over resale ones. Ranging from warranties to the smell of new paint, purchasers say there’s a lot they love about their newly built home.
Here are the top reasons to purchase a new build.
You can move straight in
Provided all the paperwork’s in place, you can move into your new build home as soon as the developer says it’s ready. With no chain, no vendors living in the property and no risk of last-minute derailment through survey surprises, there’s nothing to delay your move.
You won’t have to wait to move in until the bathroom is replaced or new windows installed because everything is brand new and ready to be used. It’s spotlessly clean and still smells of fresh paint.
A blank canvas
You won’t have to spend lots of time, energy and money making the house look good, because it will have that lovely clean, fresh new build finish. The developers will ensure that the property is neutrally decorated to a good standard because you won’t be able to decorate it yourself until the building settles. (All new builds “settle” as they shift their weight downwards, which moves the foundations slightly. Your new home is also drying out because its building materials have been exposed to the elements during construction.)
It generally takes between 9 and 12 months for a new building to be ready to decorate. And when it does, you’ll have a beautiful blank canvas to make your own – you won’t be stripping stubborn old wallpaper or applying coat after coat of emulsion to cover earlier dubious paint choices. No chipping off old tiles or ripping up damp carpets… new build bliss.
No chain
Because you’re buying from the developer rather than a vendor, there’s no onward chain. If you’re a first-time buyer, there won’t even be a chain! This is one of the biggest selling points in the new build vs resale property debate.
If you’re selling your current home before moving into your new build, the developer may be able to assist. For example, at Hopkins Homes, our MoveEasy, Part Exchange and Part Exchange Plus schemes cut down on the stress by helping to sell your old home.
The NHBC warranty
Your new home will come with a 10-year National House Building Council (NHBC) warranty. The NHBC exists to look after homeowners’ rights, and they set and enforce construction standards.
The NHBC warranty and insurance covers structural defects for the building’s first ten years. If you decide to sell your home within this period, the warranty transfers to the new owner. Why buy resale when you can buy new, and have this peace-of-mind for a whole decade?
Here’s more about the NHBC warranty when you buy a new Hopkins Home.
Energy efficient
New build homes use clever green technologies to keep your household bills down, while also taking a more responsible approach to energy use. PV panels, air source heat pumps, thermal insulation, argon-filled double glazing, smart thermostats, waste water recovery systems… these are all fantastic ways to keep your home as energy efficient as possible.
A healthy building
No damp, no mould, no condensation. The latest energy-efficient heating and ventilation systems keep the building at the right temperature, while high standards of construction mean there are no leaks or niggling draughts. Features such as triple glazing and modern insulation keep the cold out and the warmth in (and vice versa in the summer) while smart heating controls quickly learn how you and your family use the house.
A safe space
Fire safety and security are built into new build homes and are covered by building regulations. Fire safety regs mandate features such as detectors and alarms, fire doors, escape windows and fire-resistant building materials. Security features can include secure doors and windows, motion sensors, outdoor lighting, alarms and smart home integrated devices. It’s much easier to move into a house with these features already in place than it is to retrofit them.
Leading to lower insurance…
Thanks to your super-secure doors and windows, outside lighting and possibly a state-of-the-art alarm system, your new build home is difficult to break into. This can lead to lower insurance costs. Your car will also be parked off road or even garaged, so discuss this with your vehicle insurer when you move.
(Insurance costs vary depending on a lot of factors, and we’re not experts! Take a look at a comparison website to find out more about new build home insurance).
Look out for incentives
Developers will often offer incentives to new build buyers. This could be paying the stamp duty or deposit, or maybe a cashback scheme. Maybe there’ll be the offer of extra fixtures and fittings or garden landscaping. This is a definite reason to purchase a new build!
A beautiful, modern home
The last reason, but arguably the most important one, is that you’ll have a beautiful, comfortable and easy place to live. From home offices to EV charging, a new build home is designed for modern life, with everything you and your family need.
Find out more about new build developments from Hopkins Homes
If you’re still wondering why buy a new build, speak to our helpful Hopkins Homes team. We’ll be able to answer all your questions about choosing, buying and moving into a new build house or apartment in one of our beautifully presented developments.