Buying new build - wasn't told it was show flat

Nath4n

Hello everyone,

I am a FTB close to completing on a new build 1 bedroom flat in London. I have exchanged and expect to complete within the next 3 weeks. The developer held an event last night where I met some of the other prospective buyers within my building which was nice.

I did find out however that they have been using my flat as a show flat for the last couple of months. I imagine there has been a rather large amount of people in and out of it. They also put items around the lounge and bathroom and then took them away at many of the show events.

I don't feel particularly elated about this, and I did mention it to the developer and asked why I wasn't made aware of this and they told me that they didn't think it would matter, and that it will all have been re-checked over and snagged before I move in.

I also have the chance to look the property over before I complete which is good and obviously now I'll give it an extra hard look-over.

I have no prior experience with the buying process and am very new to all this - but is there any aspect of this I should be concerned about or flagging up before I complete? I am paying the exact same price as the majority of the rest of the identical flats in the building which will not have been a show flat. Or am I on the cusp of making a mountain out of a mole-hill?

Honest/Educated opinions hugely appreciated.

Thank you.

marksoton

I'd be pushing the developer hard for some free extras.

Marvel1

marksoton wrote: »

I'd be pushing the developer hard for some free extras.

But they may decline, as they know they have exchanged and cannot back out.

warby68

Not bought brand new for 15y or so but you always used to get a slightly better finish and possibly a few extras in the show home - in fact, they often charged more for the ex-showhome.

They often box in pipes or put a few more tiles in bathrooms, add a mirror or a light or some extra sockets and better paintwork. That kind of thing.

If they've dressed it with anything you like, ask to keep it or do a deal. If they've put flooring down, could be a useful saving.

Have a look round - maybe if the paintwork is not so fresh, ask for an extra coat and just check for snags not really any different than the completely empty ones.

Lorian

Make sure you build a proper snagging list (google for advise on what should be in it) and make sure that is submitted in good time for them to fix things.

sheff6107

It should only make a difference if there has been any damage, in which case you are within your rights to demand it is rectified. You have agreed to pay for a property in first hand condition and have paid a premium for that, so if there are any scuffs on the carpet etc. you'd be within your rights to make a fuss because you are paying for brand new carpets.

AdrianC

Nath4n wrote: »

I am a FTB close to completing on a new build 1 bedroom flat in London. I have exchanged...

I find myself wondering how you didn't know it was the show flat. Have you not visited the site at all since it's been open-doors?

Or am I on the cusp of making a mountain out of a mole-hill?

Yes.

What's the downside of it having been the showflat? A bit of wear on the carpet (which has probably been protected anyway)? Last time I went round new-build flats, they showed us into all of the flats, no matter the state of completion, and no matter whether they were already sold or not.

Hoploz

My mum's new build flat was used as the site office. This meant we knew the plumbing was all ok, no leaks, as it had all been tested out before she moved in

Owain_Moneysaver

Hoploz wrote: »

My mum's new build flat was used as the site office. This meant we knew the plumbing was all ok, no leaks,

but probably lots of dribbles ...

walwyn1978

As already mentioned, the former show home actually probably has more extras in, and/or will have been done with higher quality fixtures (tiling, carpets, etc) as it will have been done up to impress purchasers. My sister in law and husband have just bought the showhome on a development for that reason and compared that with another on the same development - there was a step up in certain things in the show home.

Have a look before you complete (so soon) - submit a snagging list if necessary - and then enjoy your new home!

Nath4n

AdrianC wrote: »

I find myself wondering how you didn't know it was the show flat. Have you not visited the site at all since it's been open-doors?

When I purchased in the first round the development was not ready for an open day so they used an identical site/flat at a separate site for the initial open day.

Thank you for the advice everyone, appreciated. I'll give it a good look over during my pre-completion visit and then enjoy my new place :beer: