Too old for new build?

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NC for privacy.

I would really appreciate your opinions. I am in my late 50s and DH is early 60s, both in good health. We decided to sell our house to move closer to family - not our own children as we have none. We've bid on 4 houses within the last couple of months and been outbid each time.

Following the last disappointment we went to have a look at a show home and really liked it. The development is in very early phase and building will continue for another 5 years. The house isn't exactly our dream home but certainly ticks most of the boxes and the price is good for us. Having said that, I do think it's on the small side and envisioned more space and a decent size garden for a shed and possibly a summer house and for visiting children to have room to run around and play in etc. Plus, we really wanted a garage and there isn't one.

Meanwhile, we've seen an older house with more space and a lovely mature garden with nice size lawn in a nice tucked-way, quiet corner location, with a garage. It is also walking distance from our relatives which is our preferred choice. It is a good price for us and will leave us with money to improve it and have a downstairs toilet installed. Of course, until we see it we don't really know what the condition of it is as photos hide a multitude of sins. Also, we could well be outbid again.

We could be in the new house by July which would be great - we're very conscious of the window of time and the children getting older and older and we don't want to miss any more years. We are due to go soon and pay a holding deposit down.

But I keep wondering if we're just too old for the new build option. The house is just at an angle to be not quite opposite the sale room but it's still close and you could see it if you really looked out of the window. It just puts me off, together with the thought of living on a building site.

We're assuming that when the building moves away from that cluster of houses our immediate outside area will look clean and pleasant and they will create a new point of access further down so we won't have constant building traffic and so on going past our house but will firm up these details before we pay the holding deposit. But I'm sure will be noisy and just have a busy vibe in general.

We currently live in a really quiet cul-de-sac and we both appreciate our privacy and the peace and quiet.

I keep telling myself the newer option is the best overall in terms of house maintenance and energy costs but I just can't quite shake off the feeling that it's a daft thing to do at our stage in life.

What do you think?

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I live in a new build and LOVE it. I do love old houses (and lived in one previously) but the new build we have found just works really well for me. However - you should feel excited about where you live and you really dont sound it. I really believe you should follow your heart wherever possible in situations like this. If you can afford it, you definitely sound like your heart is in the older property.

I don't think it's an age issue. It sounds like you're compromising a bit too much to get the convenience of a new build? They look amazing, lovely show homes etc and the buying process is simpler especially if you can do a part exchange, but generally they're small and can be crammed in and parking for visitors and deliveries is an issue. Many are bought by young families so there's a certain amount of noise as well.

I'd be inclined to carry on looking for an older property with more space. You might need to do some work but in time you'll have to start maintenance on a new build too.

We're assuming that when the building moves away from that cluster of houses our immediate outside area will look clean and pleasant and they will create a new point of access further down so we won't have constant building traffic

I'd check the plans on that. I'd put money on any space getting a couple of semis put on. And the sales room area being turned into a house or three.

You can have whatever age of house you want, at whatever age you are, as long as it ticks most of the boxes you need.

Don't bank on being in your new build by July. Be lucky if you are in by Christmas. Delays delays and problems all the way is what I've heard recently. Wouldn't touch with a bargepole. And watch out for leasehold charges.

The age issue seems a red herring as it sounds the house doesn't actually meet your requirements! not big enough, no garage, too small garden etc. As pp said the show homes end up being sold (the sales office is usually converted into a garage) and you'll likely have traffic rumbling past and roads being blocked etc for ages.

Our new build development is roughly half-filled with people in your age bracket, the other half families and young couples. One lady I spoke to said she loves how warm it is and everything is new.

You don't sound like you actually want to live in a new build so I wouldn't recommend you buy one, especially if you don't like the plot and the house itself doesn't fit your needs.

Go and see the other house you like the look of and go from there - you run the risk of going to convenience rather than what you actually want, which is ok when you're buying a plant or a duvet cover but not a home!

Thank you so much for all your replies. Not far into reading them I realised that, exactly as Mindatwork says, the age thing is a bit of red herring, though I am surprised to hear that about half of the new build development are people around our age.

And yes, I think it's the convenience of it and partly no longer having to keep facing the disappointment of repeated out bidding. I also think the lovely, bright, sparkling show home truly worked its magic on us! All things considered though, I really am ruling it out. Thank you.

Houses are usually a compromise and that's fine, but this sounds like quite a lot of compromises on things that are important to you.

Is it detached? This is an important thing not to compromise on if peace and quiet is a priority. The older house sounds like it appeals much more to you IMO - it reads like your heart lies with that one and you are trying to convince yourself to the new build.

Forgive my ignorance but is there a thing with new builds that you have to repaint within the first few years? If so that would put me right off. If you are having to redecorate anyway you might as well get the older one, enjoy the garden without having to spend ££ and effort to fill it, and not pay the premium.

Nismet I hadn't heard about the repainting in a few years so not sure. I do all of our painting and decorating as DH hates doing it but I do love it and I change my tastes quite drastically and quite often!

The new build is a semi. We did look at at detached but I actually preferred the semi. And yes, I want the garden to be ready for the onslaught of kid's feet from moving in day and not to have to wait for grass seed to grow and for it all to toughen up and mature etc.

...have a look at a show home and really liked it.
It will have been styled to make it look attractive

The development is in very early phase and building will continue for another 5 years.
You don't know what the neighbours will be like.

The house isn't exactly our dream home but certainly ticks most of the boxes and the price is good for us.
It's not your dream home.

... it's on the small side and envisioned more space and a decent size garden for a shed and possibly a summer house
we really wanted a garage and there isn't one.

Having no parking area will be a problem. Even an allocated parking space can can cause problems. Many households have several cars.

The new build garden will have poor soil.

I'd go for the older house. It ticks the boxes.

My parents bought a new build when they were 60/61.

They had not factored into the cost the £ thousands they needed to fork out on top of the price for:
a lawn (rather than random grass seed thrown over uneven builders rubble)
shed
patio
decent driveway
curtain poles - in every single room at the same time
loo roll holders/bathroom cabinets etc.
carpets
light fittings
shelving in the study etc
shrubs/trees/plants
decent fencing (rather than flimsy stuff which blew over in the first winter)

Obviously it can depend on the deal you have, what is included in the purchase price.

My dad is a very good DIYer and had retired. So did have time/capability to do a fair bit himself. But they had not realised quite how empty a shell the new build was. With no fixtures and fittings there, you have to get everything much sooner (no "living with it")

And then, as PP said, a year or so in, snagging sorted, there are settling cracks to sort/paint over.

Sounds like you’re making the right decision op. We are in a Kent village and most of our neighbours have retired from outer London (bexley, sidcup etc) and moved here for countryside views and more space for their money after lockdown - as well as being near grandchildren etc.

I was surprised as I thought it would be mostly families, but most of the 4-bed detached houses are occupied by 60-something couples.

I used to work in property, my partner still does. Although there are some fantastic ones, we both refuse to live in new build flats because of the nightmares we have witnessed.

It doesn't sound like you love it. I think that's the most important thing here.

Agree with PPs, the age thing is irrelevant.

It would very much depend on who the developer of the new build is, some I wouldn’t touch with a barge pole.

The parking situation would also worry me a bit.

If you do go for the new build do not use the solicitor recommended by the developer’s sales people. Get your own independent solicitor and get them to scrutinise the deal in minute detail. You have better consumer rights buying a new washing machine than buying a new build house.

Do not buy leasehold, and check any obligations and service charges you might be liable for in future.