New build house

wrekin

Dear All,
My ageing parents are downscaling their house and the idea of a new build detached house with a small garden is looking very positive for them.
Does anybody have any tips or thoughts about buying new builds?
Can you make an offer below the cost price?
I'm assuming a snagging survey is essential?
Many thanks for any thoughts you may have.

marlot

Having worked in the industry, not all new builds are equal. There are some builders I'd avoid.

Have a close look. only buy from someone with 5 stars in the nhbc survey.

wrekin

Thanks Marlot,
Dare I say it would you avoid Barrett?
best wishes

ethank

I bought a book for £10 from snagging.org and it was cheaper than a snagging survey. It helped me find 43 items!

Davesnave

New build estates may come with houses that should be free of major structural trouble, but as new communities that are shaking-down, they may be hard to assess in other ways, or come with problems from the social engineering now built-into them.

As an older person, I'd rather move into an established community than one still finding its identity, especially as I'd have less idea of what identity might become.

Problems with bricks & mortar are usually easier to resolve than those of human relationships!

G_M

wrekin wrote: »

Dear All,
My ageing parents are downscaling their house and the idea of a new build detached house with a small garden is looking very positive for them.

How 'aging'? And how far ahead are they thinking?

Having watched my mother age over the last 15 years until her recent death, my advice would be to bear in mind that moving is hard work. Not easy once you reach a certain age, or state of health.

So if this is to be the 'last' move, make sure it is future proof:

* easy maintenance
* easy walk to amenities once driving becomes impossible and/or mobility reduces
* easy to install a stair lift (or buy a bungalow)
* minimal steps (in garden, at front door etc)
* close to friends/family/ GP/hospital

My mother loved her (too) large inconvenient house and stayed too long. By the time she recognised she needed a bungalow, the prospect of moving was a nightmare.

wrekin

Thanks for all your responses, all much appreciated.