Can a new build hater be turned??

Cat695

For those that don't know me on this forum....I'm a certified newbuild hater

As a FTB I've been looking high and low at house's of all kinds...I've been into many a newbuild mostly of friends but recently I've been popping into a new development just to have a nosey (persimmons and bloor homes) i see the usual...overpriced, very poor finish, walls that feel/sound like they are made of cardboard, and something that really annoys me about them, the weird layout of the house....I mean who wants a kitchen in your front room?? do I really need to listen to the washing machine while i'm watching tv?

However today I'm on my way to another EA in a village when I pass a small newbuild development(12 houses)....so stuff it I thought and popped in...I get the usual sales pitch about how good their houses are over the others, and then the nice lady points me in the direction of the showroom.

So i step in and immediately the house feels different, Hold on the hall way is roomy, into the kitchen/diner, jesus I think theres actually room for more than 1 person and the kitchen is beautiful (it comes as part of the deal). I move down the hall (OMG a cupboard that is actually spacious) and into the lovely frontroom that has plenty of room....onto upstairs 3 bedrooms (one a box room) an ensuite that is a good size and fitted cupboards!!! and a lovely main bathroom.

Anyway I come out amazed is this really true...so i go to one of the none showroom houses just to check....yep the same finish onto the other one and still its lovely...there are NO HA plots these are all for private buyers

So can this be true can I be converted could I be turned to the darkside....the developer is Talisman!....your thoughts

feisty1

Cat695 wrote: »

So can this be true can I be converted could I be turned to the darkside....the developer is Talisman!....your thoughts

quote: can I be converted
sounds like u have been already

Cat695

feisty1 wrote: »

quote: can I be converted
sounds like u have been already

I know...I must resist harder:D

Paley71

How do the prices compare?
are the ugly boxes cheaper?

Cat695

Paley71 wrote: »

How do the prices compare?
are the ugly boxes cheaper?

they were overpriced as expected

Up at 198k but after doing a little research I found out the last one sold at 160k a few months back

3 beds in that area use to go for around 180k+ easy (small village location in wiltshire)

within 15mins of chatting she had dropped the price to 175k (and I hadn't even asked for a drop in price yet I think it was because I said I was a FTB and don't really need to buy)

So i reckon it would be pretty easy to get down to 130k-140k (i have around 40 45k deposit at the mo).....and today I found out I can now save about 800 quid a month (previous I have been saving on average 550)

so I reckon if I was ruthless I could get them down more!!

edgex

Are they a smaller, local developer?
Usually you will find that the local developers do a better standard of housing compared to the big nationals.
Also, the local are more likely to be employing their own construction staff.

Cat695

edgex wrote: »

Are they a smaller, local developer?
Usually you will find that the local developers do a better standard of housing compared to the big nationals.
Also, the local are more likely to be employing their own construction staff.

Yes they are a local builder so I was told so I get the feeling you are right and that its a small development so I guess they spend a little more time on the finish. (I mean what else are the builders going to do?)

ruggedtoast

The idea of moving into a brand new home can be quite appealing. However I'd temper that with the knowledge that whatever price you get them down to, much like buying a new car, you're paying a premium for it being new that is lost in resale the moment you unlock the door.

In my own experience regardless of how nice they look all the new builds I have encountered start to fall apart the moment people start living in them. Maybe theyre not all like that, and there is presumably a warranty, but I wouldnt choose one over a house that was built in a time period where the phrase "safe as houses" symbolised longevity, reliability and sturdy construction.

Cat695

ruggedtoast wrote: »

The idea of moving into a brand new home can be quite appealing. However I'd temper that with the knowledge that whatever price you get them down to, much like buying a new car, you're paying a premium for it being new that is lost in resale the moment you unlock the door.

In my own experience regardless of how nice they look all the new builds I have encountered start to fall apart the moment people start living in them. Maybe theyre not all like that, and there is presumably a warranty, but I wouldnt choose one over a house that was built in a time period where the phrase "safe as houses" symbolised longevity, reliability and sturdy construction.

Oh trust me that was never far from my thoughts...even if i did intend on buying one I would knock on doors first and have the cheek to ask what they thought of them......and yes the usual 10 year NHBC warranty but they said they also offer a 2 year "developers" warranty that covers "everything"...mmmmh