"It's a shame you can't get a new build"

Pfft. Ignore them. Be proud of yourself.

I did similar to you. Worked 2 jobs, saved up a deposit. I was one of the first amongst my friends to buy anywhere. I looked at little terraced houses and ex-council stock. When I'd found a few I asked my Dad what he'd consider "an outhouse" to mean as there were a couple of variations and one particular RightMove ad wasn't clear. His ears pricked right up and he asked why I needed to know. He was absolutely horrified when I said I'd been looking at Ex-council and terraced because I'd end up living near "those kind of people". You know, people who can only afford ex-council or terraced. 🙄 I phoned my Mum upset and she said "Well I agree with him. You'd have to be very careful living near those kind of people". Just snotty, offensive and ignorant. When put in an offer on my very cute whitewashed terraced cottage it reached fever pitch, and they even resorted to offering me a cash bribe to not buy it, because they were so ashamed.

They eventually recovered and 8 years later they admire my money sense and even complimented the work I've had done on my house.

Don't let the option of idiots bring you down. Be proud. It's your house and not theirs.

You'll just get all 100% negative answers on here about new builds, MNers hate them (as you can see by the answers you've had)

I have a new build, the advantage for me is the low energy bills. But it's your money and you who's living there, buy the house you like! Your families opinions are just that, you can ignore them.

I wouldn't live in a new build if you gave it to me. (Sent from the living room of my 125 year old Edwardian terrace).

They can be good financially for first time buyers with offers on deposits and I know people who have used a part exchange scheme which was a good thing for them, but there is nothing for me that says new builds are inherently better either for first time buyers or anyone. My first house was also an early 1900s terrace, it was cheaper than new builds I looked at and for more house.

I have a 100 year old semi detached bungalow. It's rock solid. Made out engineering brick for every wall. Cannot fucking drill holes it in myself I'm not strong enough even with a hammer drill level solid 🤣. It's going nowhere.

I loved my first house. A two bed terrace. It was solid and spacious and cost little to heat. I unfortunately had a spinal injury and it couldn't be adapted to my needs so I had to sell it.

Congrats OP on being in a position to buy a lovely old house :)

I would move into a new build if it was something on a grand design scale. But absolutely not one of many on a new estate.

OP well done on saving enough for a deposit. You are amazing! Definitely go for what you can afford and what you like. Don’t let people rain on your parade. I don’t like new builds but would never comment on somebody else’s choices in real life.

Absolutely this. I've lived in a new build, a house from the 1920s and our current forever home is a very ugly 1980s house. My absolute favourite was our new build but the location didn't work long term for us. All the new builds near me seem absolutely lovely and I know several families in my DCs school who love their new homes on one of the newer estates. OP I wouldn't be letting their comments bother me they mean well.

This, OP, is the general rule in my circle. New. builds are fine and I wouldn’t criticise anyone’s choices, but my British friends and relatives seem to regard them as a bit Hyacinth Bucket.

Your family are being rude, so I think you are well within your rights to hint at this with the famous Mumsnet tinkly laugh. I hope that will shut them up.

They're being ridiculous and can only think they might be a bit 'envious' and it's the only reason they can come up with.

To be mid-20s and single and buying anything is great, buying a freehold house, and not a flat is pretty remarkable in this day and age. In most areas of the UK.

Nobody will surely elect to live in a new build unless they had absolutely no other option. Even then, I think I'd just rent...
Our friends got one of the "starter homes". A soulless box with the front door leading into a tiny open-plan living room/diner and a doll-sized kitchen "for one". Tiny bedrooms. Walls so thin, they could hear the neighbours having sex. Horrid garden with artificial grass.
There are some better quality new builds but they are in gated communities and smack of the Stepford wives.
Flat I could deal with but not the house. But more importantly, it is of no consequence whatsoever what they think unless they want to gift you one.

Yes if me and my DH divorced I could see myself in one. But it would be a consequence of circumstances not a choice.

How odd. I wouldn’t touch most new builds. Bear in mind ‘independent snagging inspector’ is an actual full time job with multiple companies offering their services, you can see the quality you can expect.

Add in poor resale value and tiny rooms and you are much, much better off with an older house.

New builds aren’t for me, I live in a beautiful 1840’s build. Wondering who has lived here before me and finding out nuggets of the houses history adds to the charm.

Nobody I know woodd touch a new build with a bargepole. Everybody likes old houses. How strange that people have such different aspirations!

Jeez, new builds are dire! Last resort for me

They are very strange comments from your family. I would hate a new build. They certainly aren't necessarily better than older houses which usually have much more character.

I've had older homes and one bought off plan. I much prefer the home I have which is 25 years old. It's modern but built before new build quality declined rapidly. The snagging list of the new build was ongoing after 8 years and we had endless plumbing problems. Oh and many, many new builds or almost new builds if they aren't leasehold, have an estate management fee. They are also densely packed and have thin walls. You could hear someone having a wee in the ensuite bathroom from the living room!!

At the end of the day, all houses have risks and quirks and that is why we have surveys and other things to help. Tell your mother to do one, stop asking her opinion and look forward to your lovely home, new or old.

The apex is houses built in the 1960s. Bigger rooms, easy to modernise, no issues with damp and no trouble insulating. Anything built earlier costs a fortune in energy and maintenance. Anything built later is generally poor build. With the 90s being the absolute worst. New builds come at an unwarranted premium, and then immediately lose value for the first year or two in most cases. They are always in poorly connected / poorly served expansion zones. Just my two pennies.

I wouldn't touch a new build with a barge pole. They are thrown up so quickly these days and the snagging list after a year are usually as long as your arm my dh says, as he works in construction. They also mostly depreciate in value.

Jesus, the comments. I live in a new build and I love my home. I have a huge garden and it's certainly not soulless nor made of cardboard. I feel so lucky and grateful to have been able to buy my own home.

I appreciate they're not for everyone but have a bit of respect.

OP, well bloody done for saving what you have. It's not easy so you buy what you want, unless your mum and aunty are willing to top up your funds.

All of them? They’re all full of mould ?!

I just knew this thread would be full of new builds are crap, new builds have no soul, new builds are made of paper shite. How predictable!

OP if you don’t want a new build, just say so. I can’t see why their comments are bothering you.

My house is 250 years old. Everything that needed putting right has been put right in its lifetime - we've had 250 years to sort out snagging. And it's not old enough for everything else to be falling down yet. 250 years is, for me, the sweet spot.

Such a shame you can't afford that new build premium on a house where it is impossible to add any value.

My house is more than 200 years old and I love it - solidly built, spacious rooms, high ceilings, generous windows, beautifully proportioned. I would never exchange it for a new build