Are New Build Homes Really Worth It?

There’s something so exciting about the idea of owning a house that’s completely untouched. When no one has ever lived in a home before you, the paint is fresh, all of the kitchens, bathrooms, tiling and everything else is clean and perfect. And there’s no dodgy DIY disasters from years of old homeowners hiding behind the walls. Some people find that only old homes have the charm and personality that they want, but others want something brand new, clean and fresh so it all depends on what you’re after. If you fall into the second camp then there are some things to think about before buying a newbuild home.

The Bright Side of Buying Brand New

One of the best things about buying a newbuild home is that you get to have a say in some of the finishes. Things like the paint colour, the kitchen counters, carpets and some of the fixtures are all ‘options’ that you can choose to upgrade as the house is being built. While you’re still limited based on what your developer offers, it can be nice to have a say and when you move in it all looks just as you want it. When you move into a new home on a new street and whole new estate, everything is… new! It’s all fresh and exciting, and you’re more than likely moving in next to other families just like you who you’ll likely have things in common with. Its the beginning of a completely new community rather than moving into a street where everyone is already friendly and you’re literally the new kid on the block.

The Hidden Drawbacks

There are some downsides to buying a newbuild, but how much of a downside they are depend on you and how you see them. The first that probably most people will see is a downside is they tend to cost more. Compared with similar houses that aren’t brand new, you’ll probably pay more overall for the privilege of a shiny new home. On the flip side of this though is that there are often governments schemes and grants for newbuild houses so getting onto the property ladder might be easier with a newbiild. Other downsides can be that depending on the developer you use, you might end up with a house that’s not as good structurally as others that are older. One issue that lots of new homeowners discovered in the past few years are a type of bug called ‘leatherjackets’ in their gardens. They’re especially common in newbuilds because common in new builds because newly laid turf and compact, damp soil create ideal conditions for them to thrive. Make sure you research your developer and browse a range of new build homes before you sign up to buy to avoid any unexpected issues happening to you.

How to Know If a New Build Is Right for You

Choosing a new build comes down to what matters most to you. If you want a low maintenance home that’s ready to move into then it can be a great fit. If you want something specific with a certain time period or features that you can only get with older houses then they probably wont be for you.