Homebuyers' surveys and off-plan properties

Blibble

Hi,

I'm fairly new here, however had a range of lovely people help me with my last query so hoping I'll get some equally good advice on this one!

Myself and my partner are looking at putting down a reservation for a new-build property with Persimmon homes. Persimmon have, to put it mildly, a "patchy" track-record of good-quality builds, however the property would be ideal for us going forward and is in a perfect location for our work.

Because of Persimmon's record, I'm looking at having a full homebuyer's survey done, not least because it's subsidised on our potential mortgage, costing only £150. However, the property would need to be fully built to undertake the survey. Therefore, my question is would we need to wait until the property is fully built, and if so would we not be able to reserve the plot now due to the length of time this would all take? Or would Persimmon be happy to reserve it for that long?

Any help / experience would be welcome .

Cheers.

hazyjo

Bit confused. Will say a few things in the hope it answers your questions.


If you reserve it, it's yours and taken off the market. I wouldn't agree to exchange with an open completion date, but not sure what their requirements are. If it's a year away before it's finished, I'd be wary of local prices dropping. I'm not sure they would accept a 'subject to survey' offer on a new build.


Would be very unusual to do a full structural survey on a new build. More common to do a snagging list. Also, most probs won't present themselves on Day 1 - more likely after several months. There are obviously standards, regs, and requirements for any new build which they have to meet. There will also be a guarantee - could you get someone in once you own it, then get anything sorted after? Persimmon would (probably) legally be obliged to remedy any issues if the fault was with them.


You said the property would need to be fully built to undertake the survey, then ask if the property would need to be fully built. Also don't understand about 'reserve it for that long'. You wouldn't be paying for it until it was built so it would be 'reserved' for as long as it takes to build. What is it that's not clear as I'm a tad confused.


Jx