Old property vs. new build

Scotbot

Odd choice to be uncertain about as they are  so different. I am in the never buy a new build camp as they are sterile, command a premium and these days often have charges  associated with them which means they are not true freeholds.
Most people would have a clear preference for one or the other and not viewed both so why did you look at both?

cogrady

GixerKate said:

its a difficult one and you will got a lot of mixed opinions here, a lot of people feel strongly against new builds!

The older house sounds lovely and the outdoor sounds great but is likely to have higher bills, personally I hate being cold so would have to pay quite a lot in heating bills.  Any double-glazing?  That would be a deal breaker for me unless could get something knocked off the price.

The new build sounds practical and would be economic to run, is the playground planned and baked into the documentation for the site?  Likely to actually appear if so.  With the new build there is the 10 year warranty and everything is new so should be less to go wrong and can fix if needed.  The garden is not great though.

Depends on what you want really, if you have lots going on (eg busy jobs, social life, kids on the horizon) then the new build should be less stressful and easier to maintain but at the same time the stone cottage does sound nice.

The house has double-glazing throughout thankfully. Playground at the new build development is noted on the site plan. 
I've been all for the cottage from the get-go. Always preferred character properties over new builds. However, I can totally see the appeal of new builds. Just wanted to get other folks opinions that have experienced either of the two. 

cogrady

Scotbot said:

Odd choice to be uncertain about as they are  so different. I am in the never buy a new build camp as they are sterile, command a premium and these days often have charges  associated with them which means they are not true freeholds.
Most people would have a clear preference for one or the other and not viewed both so why did you look at both?

Haha yes it's an odd choice. To be honest, the new build was something I was never too keen on. I always prefer the character properties. It's exactly things like the factoring costing nearly £500 a year seem ludicrous, I would personally prefer to look after my own hedges/lawn out front, but I know having every house tidy is the appeal. Also, this extra money could go towards the (potential) higher heating costs of an older property. 

numbercruncher8

Not seen the properties, but considering you're wanting a family I think space is a bigger factor, assuming you want to stay long-term.

A friend had a character cottage, 3 bedrooms and two young kids. Traded it in for a generic ex-new build because of space (house was a little smaller, around 1000 sqft total). Wanted extra bedroom for versatility/guests, also a more family friendly garden on a wider plot. The cottage had a garage and an outhouse, but in practice neither got used. The garage was more storage, as you could park out at the front. The outhouse looked good but was impractical, too hot in summer and freezing in winter. So pretty much in the new place they got this extra space and more, but indoors.

The trade-off, like that property is that it becomes out of town rather than in town. But they were more than happy to make that move. Once they had the kids there was very little use of the town itself, and if you drive everywhere it doesn't matter too much.

Also to be considered is stuff like proximity to good schooling. Guessing that most people grew up in substantially smaller houses and did them no harm, but I can understand why they made the move - kids don't tend to appreciate character much.

Unicorn_cottage

Doozergirl said:

Older house. 

Size is perfectly adequate for a family, character wins and it's near town. 

These things promised for new build estates never seem to appear.  On a big estate nearest us, the land ear marked for local shops and a playground sat overgrown for several years and is now, of course, more houses.  There must be well over thousand and everyone has to drive to ANY shop.  

North facing new build size garden would be miserable.  🤐. Cheaply built, overly priced, fights over visitor parking and a car journey anywhere.  Nah.  

Another older or preferably really old house fan here. We currently live in an 1850's cottage.

Firstly can I address the "old houses are cold" myth and consequently the myth that they have higher heating bills. Yes they might be cold if they are in their original state but most are now fitted with double glazing and central heating. So big bills is just a big old fib. In addition I also have a log burner fitted as I can get a plentiful supply of free logs (my partner is a gardener on an estate) which we split ourselves. It does make me laugh when you see a new build fitted with a log burner as as they don't have chimneys as standard they instead have a massive metal flue sticking out the top or side making them look like the local takeaway!

My brother-in-law was forced to move into a new build by his missus and he has astronomical water bills (metered) and additionally has to pay an additional charge for grounds maintenance for the estate. What an absolute gip! They could have bought an older build in the same village (which my brother in law was keen to do) for less money which they could of extended to increase the value of the property. They now want to have at least 2 more children so are now looking to move to get more space.

I have many bug-bears about new build housing but my biggest is the size of the bedrooms. I know this may not be universally true BUT it is certainly the case in most instances. It you buy a new build house you can guarantee that 1 of the bedrooms is not a bedroom and is more likely a cupboard, cot room or a storage area for all the stuff you can't fit in in the other bedrooms. I notice that many bedrooms in new build houses barely have room for a wardrobe, (often in the 2nd bedroom) hence why the 3rd bedroom often becomes a study/office and wardrobe.

I could move onto gardens but will leave it there for now

MovingForwards

Stone cottage all the way.

NinjaTune

Personal preference.  I hate new builds so would go for the stone cottage. 

Having a large, private garden is very important to me and I'd hate being overlooked.  If it's just you and your gf and future planning is for 1 or 2 children then the cottage should be ample for your needs.  Never understood why anyone would want a house with a load of unused/occasionally used bedrooms.  The garden size will be brilliant when your children are older, lots of space to burn off steam and have slides, swings, trampolines, paddling pools etc.  The £500 a year (and rising every year?) on the new build would also put me off to be honest.

A_Lert

It's pretty much size vs location. But that particular new build seems like it might be overkill for you. One couple in a five-bed, I mean if you can afford it, sure. But what about smaller and cheaper properties in the same area, then you either shrink the mortgage or if mortgage-free you invest the extra money.

Personally I'm wary of new builds. Too many horror stories of problems. I'd prefer modern but not brand new. Old enough that all the snags will have been fixed.

AnotherJoe

NinjaTune said:

Personal preference.  I hate new builds so would go for the stone cottage. 

Having a large, private garden is very important to me and I'd hate being overlooked.  If it's just you and your gf and future planning is for 1 or 2 children then the cottage should be ample for your needs.  Never understood why anyone would want a house with a load of unused/occasionally used bedrooms.  The garden size will be brilliant when your children are older, lots of space to burn off steam and have slides, swings, trampolines, paddling pools etc.  The £500 a year (and rising every year?) on the new build would also put me off to be honest.

Exactly what I was thinking, that trumps an artificial playground every day 

ProDave

There is the old saying. Choose the house for the location.  EVERYTHING else you can change, but if the location and outlook is wrong, you are stuck with it.