Buying new builds - a discussion

Lotus-eater

glen8 wrote: »

You should never use rawplugs in a new house (ie: plasterboards walls)

You need to use the metal corkscrew style fixing...you can hang ANYTHING off them and they will never come down

Err no you definitely can't! The fixing is only as strong as the wall and thin plasterboard walls are a nightmare. You need to try to locate a wooden batten to use.

Magic_Dragon

Hi

We bought a new build house May 2006. It was on a small development of 8 houses by a local builder, built on a private road.

The size of the house in comparison to Wimpy/Barrat ect is much bigger. The fixtures and fittings are of higher quality (solid oak doors, brass fittings ect) and more expensive appliances (all Neff in kitchen) were included in the price. We also had a good relationship with the builder before, during and after the sale.

We bought when the outside shell was built - no roof. We got to pick all the flooring and tiles. It was completed 4 months overdue, so do take that into consideration

When we bought the new build was actually cheaper than an older property in the area. We didnt initially set out to buy a new house, but are now glad we did. It is our first home and it was really nice knowing nobody else had lived in it previously. We made it our home very quickly

We have had a change in circumstances and its time to move on. We had an offer on our last week which we have accepted. If the sale goes through fine the house will have risen just short of 10%. There are no other new houses within my neighbourhood, so ours is a bit of a unique development, which has helped sell it on I think.

My advice would be to look for a nice small development like ours. I am glad I bought new and we have had a very happy uneventfull 2 years living here. I would cetainly consider buying new or nearly new in the future - but would steer clear of large developments by the big companies

GPF

I must say the new houses have the offers i need as a FTB but the older houses seem to look good too.
The problem I have is the deposit for the older homes, 5% on a 200k house is a lot to save! Where as the new homes have 5% paid as well as some fees. If i could afford the deposit I would buy used.
Decisions decisions.

[Deleted User]

I love our new build town house and we have lived here for 3 years now. It has a 3 year buiders guarantee as NHBC were the inspectors but all snags have been done anyway. It is warm and cosy and one side faces south ie the large kitchen, lounge and main bedroom. It is so nice and warm when th sun shines that we haven`t had to have any heating on all day today, with the outside temperature at 5

The shower is great and so is the efficient combi condensing boiler and we won`t need to paint it for at least another 3 years

The downside was a lack of storage compared to our previous house, a 4 bed detached standing in 1/3 of an acre. This new house is leasehold and just has a patio but shares over 50 acres of country park. Storage was easily remedied: we got a shed on the site, my dh fitted lots of shelving under the stairs, we got a fitted bedroom etc but we also did the feng shui thing and got rid of a LOT of stuff. Storage was the most obvious problem re when we looked at new houses

ps electricity plus gas cost us less than £50 in total per month and water on a meter £24 a month. Running costs are far less than the old house

epz_2

GPF wrote: »

I must say the new houses have the offers i need as a FTB but the older houses seem to look good too.
The problem I have is the deposit for the older homes, 5% on a 200k house is a lot to save! Where as the new homes have 5% paid as well as some fees. If i could afford the deposit I would buy used.
Decisions decisions.

i think the decision has allready been made for you, 5% casback is just a lower price, you will still need a 100% mortgage and lenders are pulling these as fast as they can.

no being funny but is it really that wise to commit to a £1300 a month plus mortgage when you cant really save for a deposit.

Kez100

secondtoughest wrote: »

Although I would never in my life buy a brand new car, there's something in me that would prefer, when it comes down to it to buy a new built house.

I'm a FTB and I can't afford to buy now but when it comes to it, that's what I want. I'm useless at DIY etc and would be willing to pay that bit more for things to already have been 'done'.

I want to hear all the success stories, the do's/don'ts and the horror stories from people who have also bought a new build. Please note I would like either a 2/3 bed house and not a flat.

Don't ever say never. I have always bought used cars (saving the best oart fo 30%) but have just bought my first new car. Some are actually cheaper to buy new than used...yes, it does happen.

I also love older property. Pick wisely and you'll get a home better built with character, proper gardens and parking for more cars than you could afford to buy. However, I would never say never.One day I may meet a quality builder with a decent architect supporting his work.

pinkshoes

I love my newbuild flat! It's on a small development with no other flats nearby, quiet residential street, quirky interior, large rooms, and parking! No social housing either! Some of the other flats we looked at were so boxy, with only 1 parking space and no street parking! This one is big enough for the next 5 to 10 years hopefully!!

Ideally we would have bought a period terrace, but in this area they're £300k+, and have only street parking, so way out our budget!!

affordmylife

sorry we bought new 3 years ago and would never ever do it again.

for a start it took 9 months longer than they said and we ended up in rented accomodation so had to move twice. also the price increased from £185,000 when we looked at the show house to £205,000 by the time ours was ready.

nothing in the house is up to standard - absolutely nothing.

i dont know if i am allowed to say which company this house was built by so i wont but we are now looking to get shot of it and buy a much older style property.

terrierlady

with reguard to new build and incentives please remember that new rules we have to inform valuers and need to provide clear details of the incentives given plus some lenders will only do 5% deposit paid . Be careful to use the F.A. who knows where to place the mortgage.