FTB would like some advice on new build

rwcwilson

Hi,

Just wanted an opinion on this house please

right move property-56613349 (sorry can't post the full link)

Looks like a brilliant house in a nice area. It seems to be the nicest plot out of the four houses (the other three have sold without issue), has the largest garden and prefer the front layout. We are looking at viewing it this weekend (if possible, the development was supposed to be finished in May 2017, though google street view from July 2017 shows them still under construction) but would like to ask the right questions to the estate agent as I have a few concerns.

1) Price seems a bit high for the area but there is a huge range of prices within a small area for a semi-detached of similar size. Some significantly more expensive, some significantly less.
2) The price history of the listing makes me wonder about whether the developers haven't managed the development very well, in regards to finances. It was initially listed at £320,000 in October 2016, the price increased to 345,000 in June 2017. It was sold in October 2017 but the sale must have fallen through as it was relisted in November at £355,000. The price was increased today to £370,000. I know that as houses are released on a development the prices tend to increase with each plot but it seems a bit strange that this house has gone up by £50,000.
3) The developer is an unknown developer. I asked when I first looked at the properties a year ago and hadn't heard of them, I did write the name down at the time but have since misplaced that piece of paper. I will ask for their name again tomorrow when I call the agent. Obviously, it would be helpful if we can view the house, any clues to look out for to determine the quality of the build?

Do you think there would be any scope for getting the price back down to close to £320,000? Especially as it has been listed for a while and its the last plot. The other houses sold for between 320,000 and 355,000.

Many thanks for your thoughts.

EDIT: I guess just to add to point 2. The thing I'm finding hard to understand, especially as we are also looking at older houses, is that with non-new builds the general trend is if its struggling to sell/the longer its been on the market then the price will likely be reduced not increased!

Cakeguts

This one? http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-56613349.html

Cakeguts

Is that the plot where the garden backs onto the pub carpark?

franklee

Ghastly bathroom, how do you reach the bath taps :rotfl:

goodwithsaving

It looks nice at the front, but even inside from the floor plan it all looks a bit cramped.
Have you done an area search on the location? Have you been there at differing times of the day?
The only way you can see if there's a reduction to be had, is to put it forward. If something in your gut says no, then go with that gut feeling.

rwcwilson

Cakeguts wrote: »

Is that the plot where the garden backs onto the pub carpark?

No thankfully, its the one on the far left in the picture of the development.
You can see the plot better in this picture
rightmove property-36952881 (this is when they sold the land with planning permission)

franklee wrote: »

Ghastly bathroom, how do you reach the bath taps :rotfl:

Haha didn't notice that, very eagle eyed. Hopefully they haven't actually done that.... Though worst comes to worst I guess you just have to climb into the bath to turn on the taps :'D

goodwithsaving wrote: »

It looks nice at the front, but even inside from the floor plan it all looks a bit cramped.
Have you done an area search on the location? Have you been there at differing times of the day?
The only way you can see if there's a reduction to be had, is to put it forward. If something in your gut says no, then go with that gut feeling.

Yeh I guess that's the downside of many new builds. We'll have a look round and see what its like. If we really like it we'll do a second viewing at a different time of day and day of the week; explore the local area a bit more too. Yes I guess we'll just have to talk to the agent about it, I just can't my head round why they are increasing the price so much, unless they are finishing more of the interior and are going for a higher quality finish to attract buyers??

davidmcn

Their builder's very excited about it!


https://goo.gl/maps/azJHKC6eVYx

rwcwilson

Haha I know I saw that too

bouicca21

It's too cramped for me and I live alone! If you really like it, see if they will put taps and shower at the opposite end of the bath. That mock up would drive me crazy.

rwcwilson

bouicca21 wrote: »

It's too cramped for me and I live alone! If you really like it, see if they will put taps and shower at the opposite end of the bath. That mock up would drive me crazy.

What makes you say its cramped? I suspect there will be some trickery in the floorplan but there seems to be a reasonable amount of space in each room. The master bedroom looks massive. I guess when we view it we'll get a more realistic impression.

nimbo

It’s less about turning the taps on and getting wet feet. If they ever need and tightening how do you access them? We had a bathroom with a similar lay out in a rented house and the wall had to be knocked through. (Internal one) to stop the bloody things leaking.

It’d potentially cost you a bath panel each time....