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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

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

433 replies

itscominghomeee · 04/08/2024 18:18

I am mid-twenties and single. I have worked hard to save up a deposit to buy a house and now have enough of a deposit, and a not-huge-but-reasonable salary in my first managerial post, to make offers on houses. None of my similarly aged friends are at the stage of buying a house yet. I am looking at typical first time buyer houses: terraces or even some semi-detached, but my mum and her sister have commented a couple of times that it's a shame that I can't buy a new build.

I went yesterday to see a house with my mum and the current owner has refurbished downstairs and put a new kitchen in and installed a downstairs toilet within the last two years. Upstairs is in good condition too, but my mum said afterwards, "from downstairs you almost think it's new, but when you go upstairs you remember that it's a very old house".

My mum also told me yesterday that her sister had said to her again recently, "couldn't itscominghomeee get a new build? There are lots of new builds being built in that area".

AIBU to feel upset by these comments? Of course a new build would be lovely, but it's unrealistic for the vast majority of people in my age bracket and stage of career, especially those who are single. The comments feel like they're undermining my hard work saving up and like my mum/aunt are saying that the houses I can afford aren't good enough.

OP posts:
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Welshinlondonmum · 05/08/2024 19:19

A new build is my idea of hell. Paper thin walls. Generic and no character.

BUT whatever you choose it will be your home and your choice so go with what YOU want. If you love a new build and it was in budget - great! But go with your heart and budget and stuff anyone else’s opinion - including mine lol

How boring would life be if everyone liked the same thing!

fetchacloth · 05/08/2024 19:09

My previous house was a new build. Never again...
You're better investing in a house that's established but in reasonable condition for its age.

Leedsfan247 · 05/08/2024 19:05

New builds are thrown together as quickly as possible with min sized rooms and gardens - I wouldn’t touch one

Buffs · 05/08/2024 19:04

New builds can be hugely problematic, I won’t bore you with my nightmare but your mother really has no idea!

Agathamarple · 05/08/2024 19:01

New builds are shit. Smaller rooms, lack of storage and not built as well as old buildings. I say this as someone who grew up in an old Victorian house and now lives in a new build.

BrigadierEtienneGerard · 05/08/2024 18:50

"Never buy a house built after 1945." was what a South London builder told me. He made his living fixing the defects in them.

Newest house I've ever lived in was built in 1933.

So long as the walls and roof are sound who cares when it was built?

Lizzie67384 · 05/08/2024 18:46

New builds often have issues - roads not being adopted, high service charge for maintenance of common areas (roadside verges for example) I would never buy one

Middleagedspreadisreal · 05/08/2024 18:44

Your money, your house. You do you. Congratulations on saving 🍾

FreddieMercurysCat · 05/08/2024 18:39

It’s a nope to a new build from me. I’ve lived in several (renting) - my area is now new build south central - they’re all falling apart because of crap workmanship.

GertrudePerkinsPaperyThing · 05/08/2024 18:35

Why do they want you to get a new build? That’s truly bizarre. Nothing fundamentally wrong with them as such, but “new build” is usually a bye-word for “less good” rather than better.

Flopsy145 · 05/08/2024 18:35

I live in a new build because it was all we could afford with shared ownership, I would much rather have brought an older house. They usually have better "bones," bigger gardens, less neighbours overlooking etc, at least in my area. And you can get a doer upper if you wanted.

TheEnglishIrishman · 05/08/2024 18:33

itscominghomeee · 04/08/2024 18:18

I am mid-twenties and single. I have worked hard to save up a deposit to buy a house and now have enough of a deposit, and a not-huge-but-reasonable salary in my first managerial post, to make offers on houses. None of my similarly aged friends are at the stage of buying a house yet. I am looking at typical first time buyer houses: terraces or even some semi-detached, but my mum and her sister have commented a couple of times that it's a shame that I can't buy a new build.

I went yesterday to see a house with my mum and the current owner has refurbished downstairs and put a new kitchen in and installed a downstairs toilet within the last two years. Upstairs is in good condition too, but my mum said afterwards, "from downstairs you almost think it's new, but when you go upstairs you remember that it's a very old house".

My mum also told me yesterday that her sister had said to her again recently, "couldn't itscominghomeee get a new build? There are lots of new builds being built in that area".

AIBU to feel upset by these comments? Of course a new build would be lovely, but it's unrealistic for the vast majority of people in my age bracket and stage of career, especially those who are single. The comments feel like they're undermining my hard work saving up and like my mum/aunt are saying that the houses I can afford aren't good enough.

I'm in the construction industry. A lot of new builds are thrown up so quick and bodged beyond belief. You're no worse off going old as long as you don't skimp on surveys.
Look up Snag Sure on Instagram or Facebook, the things he pulls up on new builds is quite frankly disgusting.

OhcantthInkofaname · 05/08/2024 18:33

coxesorangepippin · 04/08/2024 18:20

Ask if they have the money to lend you so you can buy a NB?

Not lend - give her.

Pumpkinpie1 · 05/08/2024 18:32

New builds offer poor value for money. I wouldn’t touch one with a barge pole

LiterallyOnFire · 05/08/2024 18:31

It's probably coming from a place of concern about the DIY birders you're taking in single handed. But you know what you're doing and honestly IDK why FTBs want to absorb the depreciation of new builds anyway.

Smile and nod and carry on.

PeachyPeachTrees · 05/08/2024 18:30

I love my 1930s solid house with big garden and walking distance to town and station. My friend's on the new build estate are all shoe horned in together with tiny gardens and need to drive or take a bus into town.
Every time your family say shame about nb comment. Laugh it off and buy what you like, you're the one moving in.

clarepetal · 05/08/2024 18:30

Movinghouseatlast · 04/08/2024 18:21

Christ, I couldn't bear a new build. No character at all.

And they have no storage. Your mum is talking shit

BlackPanther75 · 05/08/2024 18:25

I personally hate new builds so if anything my attitude would be the opposite! It’s a shame if you have to get a new build. My friends are a bit apologetic if they move into a new build. They are a bit shit, like Lego houses, horrible small gardens etc etc. I’d prefer the character and Mix of an older house and area. Each to their own i suppose

chickennoodless · 05/08/2024 18:23

namechanged221 · 05/08/2024 17:49

I would never live in a new build house. How utterly gross.
I hate them and their locations are always dreadful too, silos on the edge of towns where no one has bothered to build houses in the past because it's shite locality

I agree!

chickennoodless · 05/08/2024 18:21

Are they mad?! Everyone knows new builds are terrible quality, paper thin walls, tiny gardens, cramped estates.

also they are no where near amenities like the old houses are!

older houses are much better!

Toptops · 05/08/2024 18:20

Not your mum or sister's business.
Why are you listening to them?
Why get upset by their opinion?

Ilovecleaning · 05/08/2024 18:18

Don’t involve them in your house buying.

RareTulipsDisplay · 05/08/2024 18:13

We bought a new build. Even after negotiating that they would fit carpets and tiles as part of the price, we obviously moved in with no curtain rails or blinds. They were still building on the road so the noise from 8am or earlier, the dust, the huge machines coming past made life very uncomfortable. As others have mentioned the snagging lists can stretch to several pages and you have to be in to check that they complete the jobs (and take their boots off at the door to keep your new carpets in good shape, or use carpet protectors).

My current house is five years old, was fully carpeted and tiled, blinds and curtains fitted and nicely decorated and the garden is beautifully landscaped. I know which I prefer.

Myhusbandismywholepersonality · 05/08/2024 18:06

In contrast to what some people have said here, I’m on my second new build and would be unlikely to move to an older property.
There will always be teething issues, but a 2 year builders guarantee, 10 year structural guarantee and the knowledge no one has done any dodgy DIY in it is worth its weight in gold. Add to that the energy efficiencies with a new build and it’s a sound investment.
New build doesn’t have to mean extortionately priced. My first new build was a ‘starter home’ terraced town house.
Lots of house builders do schemes for first time buyers, and plenty are offering meaningful incentives at the moment due to the state of the property market.
If you haven’t looked, maybe consider one as it could save you money in the long run.

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