House buying - what to ask?

[normanpricesmother]

Going to view a couple of houses tomorrow. it's a bit spur of the moment really as we haven't even had our own valued and we've only just agreed some work to be done where our damp course has failed slightly.

They are both new builds and ive never bought one before so wondering what kinds of questions I should be asking and things to look out for? So far we want to know the plans for the end of the street it's on, is there planning for further houses. Checking for cupboard space and checking for space for washer etc. What else should we be aware of do you think and which would you prefer, is the extra living space of the four bedroom, worth the additional price?? We are a family of three soon to be four.

4 bedroom Detached House for sale, Cleghorn Lea, Lanark, South Lanarkshire, ML11 | £299,995 (your-move.co.uk))_

5 bedroom Detached House for sale, Cleghorn Lea, Lanark, South Lanarkshire, ML11 | £279,995 (your-move.co.uk))_

They look nice. However, I don’t know if other plots would be different but I don’t like how because the garage is at the end of the garden, it means your rear garden is open. Not good ifyou havea dog or small children to keep in.
Just my thought.

Also, take a tape measure. Show homes have been known to use slightly smaller furniture thereby making the rooms appear spacious.

If you like a plot that has open space behind it, ask if there are plans for that land to be built on.

Ask what’s included. Some developers offer a very basic build and the purchaser has to pay for flooring, door bells, wardrobes etc. It can add thousands to the price. You need to know if what you see in the show house is what’s in the property you’ll buy. Otherwise, you might want upgrades on taps, flooring, oven, carpets, tiling or splash back, kitchen cupboards etc.

Ours had good quality flooring, a good quality kitchen, good lighting, integrated fridge freezer, dishwasher, microwave. We upgraded the worktop to quartz, the oven and hob and had another wardrobe fitted in a spare room. We had to buy a washing machine and tumble dryer too.

You need to know where they're up to in the development, we moved to a new build in winter in a quagmire, mud everywhere for well over a year and a new house being built two doors down when we'd been there for about eighteen months as it was close to the site compound which they then built on. Projected end dates and proposed adoption dates for roads and green spaces. We left 2 years ago after eight years and they've still not adopted due to poor local planning dept and apathy from the developers. Loved the house, just not the development!

Thanks!Sorry don't know how to tag but will try to answer points

They are all similar with the garage at the back of the garden so we'd have to put a gate up across the drive to make it secure. I don't think that would bother me too much as I expect we'd use the garage more for storage anyway and there is still a considerable driveway.

Interesting that you mention what's offered as I, perhaps wrongly, had assumed that it was the show house itself that was for sale as there isn't any indication that they are currently developing and it's listed with an agent rather than the builders? That would change things for me as I wouldn't want to wait for it to be built.

It's on my list of questions though to ask about development as the end of the street is empty land and the development is unfinished based on planning permission that I found. The permission is dated pre COVID though it's hard to tell if it's just stopped due to restrictions.

I'm amazed how cheap those houses are. New houses near me are double the price for about half the size!

@Kpo58 it's one of the reasons we moved out this way, we used to love in the city and you wouldn't get nearly as much for your money

If its new build. Check thats its 100% a freehold and that theres no covenants in place. And that the new build is serviced by the council and not a management company (e.g. bins, lighting, etc).

Personally I bought a new build for my 1st property, wouldnt do it again...too many problems.

Look at the reviews of your house developer...

uk.trustpilot.com/review/www.mulberryhomes.co.uk

Storage space...

Where are you going to put Christmas Decs, suitcases etc. All the stuff that would generally end up in the loft.

What are you going to use the garage for? Car or bikes, lawnmower etc etc.

If you're buying one of the show houses, ask if the carpets will be professionally cleaned, but if you're buying off plan what is included, and make sure they give you the extras brochure. You pay for practically everything.

Also buying off plan, check what stage they are at - sometimes you can't choose your kitchen or bathroom once they are past a certain point.

Also check the orientation of the house, does the garden get sun all day, or partial sun.

Is the road its on adopted? Do you have to buy wheelie bins or are they supplied. Check the parking...is there plenty or will your potential neighbours be parking on pavements/verges?

Definitely check what’s included as standard.

I think they’d have to make your back garden secure so they’ll probably put a fence/gates up.

FWIW I prefer the layout of the 4 bed