New build - who is very happy with theirs?

Skiddaw1

Our house is a relatively new build (2013) on a small estate (site of a former hotel). We're the second owners. The building company is local (Fred Story) and there are quite a lot of Story Home estates around Cumbria and the Scottish Borders. I never thought I'd fall in love with a modern house (both our previous properties were 'period') but we both love it here. 

I think it really does vary. I suppose, being the second owners, all the snagging issues were already resolved when we moved in (2019) but I know the original owners also loved the house and we have friends in Story houses on other estates who are also extremely happy with the standard of build. I must admit we viewed a few new build houses when we were house hunting that were pretty dire in terms of space, quality, etc. 

ouraggie

I had always lived in old houses, Victorian or Edwardian, and swore i could never ever live in a new-build. Four years ago, i saw one and fell in love with it. I now live in it and it’s lovely. I think I love it because it still has some character, unlike many modern homes. Also, almost every house on this small development is different, but they are all traditional-looking. It was built by Bennett Homes, who i think operate around East Anglia. I am pleased with the quality; i’m semi-detached and can’t hear the neighbours, unlike in my old Victorian terrace. I don’t think i will move from here now. It’s reassuring to know it is very low-maintenance. I’m 62 so I think it will see me out!

I have friends who bought from Persimmon and from Taylor Wimpey. I was quite shocked at the poorer build quality of the Taylor Wimpey. Also, both their houses are on large estates, with many identical houses, and their gardens are overlooked from all sides. One of them had a nice view …..until the next phase of houses went up. Now they have a load of bedroom windows just over their back fence.

I would look very closely at room sizes, garden potential, storage space upstairs and down, how overlooked the garden is, any large empty spaces nearby ( potential future building), parking space on the nearby houses ( or will there be cars all over the place), green space, etc.

Also be aware that new developments usually have some sort of annual management fee for the communal areas, as well as various rules eg i am not allowed to paint my front door a different colour. 

GixerKate

I think it varies from development to development, house to house.  Its like asking who likes living in a 1950s house - you'll get varying responses.

Personally I bought my new build house almost 5 years ago now and am very very happy here.  The house is exactly right for us - built well, plenty of space, decent garden and in a perfect location.  Would I buy another new build?  Absolutely but if I'm honest I can't imagine moving.  Its a small estate with 115 homes and each one is slightly different.