Whilst some will be stuck on older properties no matter what, there is no getting away from the fact that new build homes offer a range of benefits that the second-hand market simply cannot hope to match. And, in today’s market, these can really make the difference between moving or not.

Wide range of help available

One of the most important benefits in the current economic environment is the number of assistance measures available from builders such as bespoke mortgage solutions, help with deposits, part-exchange, shared equity, redundancy cover etc. All of these are designed to ensure that buyers can achieve their dream of owning a new home.

There’s no point sitting about unduly worrying about what may happen in the future - after all, we all have to get on with our lives. For some, this may mean upgrading with a new family or downsizing after children have grown up and left the nest. Others could be starting out on the housing ladder – unwilling to supplement someone else’s mortgage whilst rents are at their highest levels in year. Whatever the circumstance, the new build market offers the widest possible range of options.

Peace of mind

Peace of mind is also something that the secondhand market cannot offer. New homes come with new fixtures and fittings and carry a ten year guarantee. With an old home, the surveyor will likely only have access to certain areas. The heating system, electrics and plumbing may be outdated and that’s before you’ve even started thinking about the decoration and carpets, windows and doors, gutters and downpipes!

The Consumer Code for Home Builders also gives even greater protection to those buying a new home by ensuring that the builder’s responsibilities are clearly laid out and providing the comfort of a fully understood way of resolving difficulties if they arise.

   

 

 

With two young children, the Northcote family wanted to move closer to family to make daily life a bit easier.

Mum Lynne says:

“The package offered by our builder was a great way to make a move to a new home without all of the normal stress you’d expect. It was truly hassle-free. Our builder took care of everything – all we had to do was let viewers in to see our old property.

“We’ve had a really positive experience and the site team are brilliant. Our sales executive Rona kept us updated throughout every stage of our buying process, and our site manager Stevie is always on-hand if we need any help with small snagging issues - but we’ve hardly had anything to bother him with!”

(courtesy of Taylor Wimpey)

 

 

Satisfaction

Satisfaction levels are at record highs in Scotland where builders are out-performing their counterparts in the rest of the UK with some 90% of customers saying they would recommend their builder to a friend1. No-one bothers to make sure you’re happy following the purchase of a secondhand property! 

 

Energy savings and efficiency

New homes in Scotland are also built to some of the highest technical standards in Europe and already emit 70% less carbon compared to 1990 levels. This means that they are incredibly energy efficient and have been demonstrated to save up to £500 in annual heating bills from similarly sized existing homes – and this was before the last round of hefty gas and electricity price rises!

Design & specification

Master bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms, guest suites, integral garages, utility rooms, built-in wardrobes and cloakrooms are just some of the modern facilities that many older homes cannot incorporate easily without substantial structural works. Furthermore, it has also been estimated to cost £22,000 to bring the standard of an older property up the same specification as a new home where, in comparison, you simply don’t have to worry about the costs of replacing outdated kitchens or bathrooms.

Choice

Buying a new home often means making exciting choices such as flooring, appliances and decoration – perhaps even room configuration - so no need to think about redecoration or renovation.

Less stress

New build homes offer a number of important added reassurances which help avoid any nasty surprises and keep anxiety levels down: the price is fixed, everything is new and guaranteed, running costs are controlled and your builder will take care of you.

Bright and untouched

There’s no need to waste your evenings or weekends on DIY and disruption - simply move in and start enjoying your new home straight away.

Jonathan Fair, Chief Executive of Homes for Scotland, says:

“Whether out of necessity or desire, thousands of Scots are still buying and moving home. Whilst affordability has improved across the board, those who buy newly-built homes are getting the better deal by far.

“Already much cheaper to run in comparison to their older counterparts, continuing low interest rates, record customer satisfaction levels, the peace of mind of a ten year warranty and the protection of the Consumer Code for Home Builders all mean there’s actually never been a better time to buy a new home.”