Finding New Builds and Do It Up Propertys

dalepearson

Hiya all,

I was wondering if you guys know of any good website to find new builds in the local area, along with houses that are cheap as they need work, but are still habitable.

Thanks in advance.

Dale

I am in the Worcestershire area if thats of interest.

Doozergirl

Those are two very different types of property! Do you know what you're looking for? One you're paying apremium for and the other, well, you're not. New build will lack character and need nothing doing, a house needing work will most probably have period features and need a heck of a lot doing!

https://www.smartnewhomes.com is quite comprehensive for new build though registering with them appears to mean being bombarded with useless information (maybe it's just me though!)

Houses that needs work but that are still habitable are rarely advertised as such! It involves a degree of luck really; you'll have to view a lot of property - a good starting point is something that looks like it can be considerably extended. Houses advertised as needing work are hotly contested for in my part of Worcs and they always seem to go for more than they should when the cost of work is considered.

If you're in my bit of the county and you give me an idea of budget, I can keep an eye out for you, as I'm always looking!

Ian_W

Doozergirl wrote: Houses advertised as needing work are hotly contested ...

And we know who one of the main contester is, don't we :hello:

Doozergirl

I keep an interest but I've given up on that sort of house in this area Ian. I'm going undercover

Chris_the_Greek

I think there are so many people chasing "do it up" properties nowadays that the discount over a finished property is not large enough to leave a profit after the works been done. Those succeeding are the people that are builders by trade and just do the work themselves to cut costs massively.

As always lately, the tradesmen always win. :mad:

Doozergirl

Chris_the_Greek wrote:

As always lately, the tradesmen always win :mad:

I've seen too many auctions where the trade stops bidding at one price and then incredibly excited people keep bidding past the break even point and then keep going. It's not tradespeople making them do that. It would probably be prudent not to bid much higher than the last man with paint on his trousers! If you want a house for yourself that needs some work, it's not too hard to outbid the trade for a house which will eventually be exactly the way you want it and perhaps give you a little added value.

I'm not a tradesperson, neither is my husband, technically. Any profit from property comes from MoneySaving in its truest sense; researching, shopping around for the best deals and using recommendations to get quality at the best price.

dalepearson

As stupid as it sounds I am not sure on the budget, I guess for a new build no more that 230k, but I probably have to high expectations, as I want a nice plot, double garage and 4 beds.

For a Do IT Up type I want the same, or at least the ability to do the same in that budget or less. I am not looking to make a fast buck or a nice profit, I am looking for a nice family home, maybe something that would do for life.

PoorDave

Doozergirl wrote:

It would probably be prudent not to bid much higher than the last man with paint on his trousers!

Fantastic line!

Doozergirl

dalepearson wrote:

As stupid as it sounds I am not sure on the budget, I guess for a new build no more that 230k, but I probably have to high expectations, as I want a nice plot, double garage and 4 beds.

For a Do IT Up type I want the same, or at least the ability to do the same in that budget or less. I am not looking to make a fast buck or a nice profit, I am looking for a nice family home, maybe something that would do for life.

Have you looked around much? That budget is quite optimistic!

I'd look for something that can be extended that you can take your time over.

dalepearson

I have had a look, but not seen anything that fits the bill. House costs are madness, almost 1/4 million and it doesnt seem to get you much.

Doozergirl

Think you might need to establish what goes in the want box and what goes in the need box. You might get something decent in Redditch for that; but the house of my dreams, if it's in Redditch, is not the house of my dreams!