Tips for buying new build?

VultureDodger

Hi all. I'm looking to purchase a new build home early next year (probably from Redrow) and have been on the lookout for tips and information for negotiating a good deal and what to look out for or be aware of. I've found a couple of threads here and there but they tend to be quite old and are based against a backdrop of different financial times where the housing market seemed to be slower. Locally there are quite a few new build sites ongoing at the moment and none of them seem to be advertising any incentives (at least none beyond the government's help to buy schemes). Does anyone here have any tips / information / pearls of wisdom that they'd like to pass on to me, so that I can be fully prepared and get the best possible deal for us?

Many thanks :beer:

2bFrank

With new houses, you can usually get a really good deal if you are prepared to walk away. Price can be a bit hit and miss, as the developers do not want the sold for price to be too low. However extras are a free for all, if your paying full price, then you should not have to pay for anything else (e.g. lawn, appliances, carpets, blinds etc), go nuts and no doubt you will get it.

However if you a trying to buy a house on a popular development, or you are using any of the developer or government initiatives (e.g. part exchange, deposit or fees help) then basically you need lots of guts and negotiating skills to get some extras, and getting money of the price is even more difficult.

VultureDodger

Thank you, 2BFrank. I'm a complete novice at this (can you tell?!) so I really do appreciate your help. We'll be using the 'help to buy' scheme, so will maybe struggle to get money off the price of the house. Can I ask, when do we start negotiations for the extras? Before we say 'yes, we'll have it' or after? What's the best tack? To pit the agent against another home on another site and see what happens? Don't appear to be too keen? Or simply be nice and take one of my famous chocolate cakes along to the meeting?

okborednow

Well in my case we genuinely had 2 developments we really liked and a house on each for identical prices. We liked the Barratts one better (didn't tell them of course!) but spoke to Bellway first to see what they'd give us. We stressed how strongly we were considering Barratts development and negotiated flooring throughout and all appliances. We then headed off to see Barratts and told them if they matched Bellway's offer we'd sign there and then otherwise we'd walk. They agreed immediately I'd do my research and when you find a property you like see if you can find a similar one at a rival development. If you can quote facts and figures from the other place they know you've done your homework and may well walk if they can't give you what you want. Good luck! Oh and definitely negotiations before! Once they've got your name on the dotted line they know you're interested and are less likely to be as generous

VultureDodger

Thank you for this information - You're a superstar! Had you already sold your old home before going in to purchase your new build? We wanted to take advantage of the schemes that most of the builders run where they pay for the estate agent's fees, but wondered if we would be in a stronger position if we'd already sold.

jbainbridge

You'll be in a stronger position if you are sold - they don't really want to help you sell your house.

You say there are lots of developments locally - ideal time to play them off against each other!