To think people can be really snobby/rude about new build houses?

[TheSubtleKnifeAndFork]

Just that really... I know they're not to everyone's taste but since we bought ours we've had some really rude comments about it. One person even asked me outright (with a real sneer) "Why on earth would anyone ever buy a new build?"... We're happy with it, which I know is all that matters, but I'm a bit gobsmacked by some of the outright rudeness about our new home. For example I've never particularly fancied living in a bungalow, but I wouldn't say that to someone who lived in one, or was thinking of buying one!

Don't get me wrong, I love character properties too (our first home was an older house which we renovated) but equally I don't get why buying a new build is so frowned upon? Or is is just my circle of acquaintance where people seem to have an issue with them?

We lived in a (rented) new build flat for a year. I think we were the first people to live in it. It was quite nice, though I don't think the built-in appliances in the kitchen were very good.

Then we bought a house on a new-build estate. It felt very much like a temporary home, with a small overlooked garden next to a railway line. We did some renovations before realising it want worth spending too much money on it because the house would have a ceiling price.

Now we live in a 1930s bungalow. I wouldn't say it has masses of character but it's a good solid house with a big garden. However, opposite us, there was another bungalow that some developers bought, knocked down and built a house in place of. It looks really nice, very tastefully done. It sold for a lot of money too. So I don't think you can generalise, really.

They're just jealous because their own older houses are a pain in the bum.  Mine is almost 100y/o and it's cost me an arm and a leg in repairs. I'd definitely consider a new build if we ever move again! (If...!)

I love our new build!

It's a two bedroom but both the rooms are large. Plenty of storage, not overlooked. We have a big garden, driveway for four cars, etc. Not all new builds are these tiny poor quality houses some people think.

Compared to where we lived before, the bills are really cheap as it's energy efficient.

I prefer new builds, I like having a blank canvas to make my own and everything is new.

If we moved, it would be another new build.

Horses for courses. Always. Like most things and it’s just as well that we don’t all like the same things.

I also think, as with many things, it very much depends on what you choose as a new build. We’ve had three new build houses and there are several national developers that I wouldnt touch with a barge pole and they are the ones that give others a bad name! They’re the shoddily built ones that hit the headlines, but they aren’t all like that. Some of them do use good quality materials and fixtures and fittings and care about the environment in which they’re building. A bit like the difference between Primark and Pret a Porter. You pays your money and you takes your choice.

We had a fifties house once. A total money pit. Of course, it would be lovely if everyone could live in vast houses with huge gardens and masses of parking. Life’s not like that. I’ll be happy with my house and other people will be happy with theirs. I won’t criticise anyone else’s choice though.

I’d love a new build but then I grew up abroad where there were no old houses! I would love an eco friendly low maintenance one in a ‘new town’. It is my dream. DH won’t hve it though.

I live in a new build. Unlike some I looked at, it is top quality. It is toasty warm, efficiency rating A and has solar panels that pay money back to me. When I walk into a room the lights come on

Where I live there is a lot of snobbery WRT living in old houses. Some of my friends houses are from the 17th Century and whilst they look quaint from the outside they are dark, cold and dingy. I had to keep my coat on the whole time.

Some people just like to bring others down. If it's not your house, it would be something else: the car you drive, where you go on holiday, etc.

We are in a sort of new build (it's nine years old) and I was a bit funny about them before we saw this house as I had always believed people when they went on about tiny rooms, cheaply made structures, bad soundproofing, poor quality fittings, etc etc.

But then we went to see our house, with big, BIG rooms, high ceilings, top of the range fixtures and fittings, excellent insulation and energy ratings, lots of outdoor space, and suddenly I didn't care that it was a 'new build'. It fits us perfectly and we love it.

I generally think people who are snooty and vocal about new builds are just the kind of unpleasant people who don't like people having and enjoying nice things or are really insecure about their own choices.

We have a bungalow

Suits us just as you have what suits you, OP. I think the MN mantra 'did you mean to be so rude?' would be a very suitable reply to the gobshitery you're enduring.

I now live in a 1960's house. There is pretty much about 3 house designs on this 'newer' part, there is much more variation on the new estates.

We came from a new build (2yrs old when we moved in) and it was great and met our needs. I never settled there in the 16 years but looking objectively it was a good house.

We looked at new builds when looking for our current house. Round us they are either being built right next to the dual carriageway or shoe horned into a bit of 'wasteland' The houses are smaller as a rule. We looked at a 4 bed that had a smaller footprint than our 3 bed and they were close together. This however reflects current government plans of building as many houses as possible.

A new build wasn't right for us but I am sure many wouldn't want my big fairly high maintenance garden.

every house was once a new build

The main thing that puts me off them is you often pay a 15-30% price premium on what they'd sell for if they weren't new - but like cars. Some new builds have great developers who offer good value - others suffer from cost cutting with cheap materials, pokey dark rooms on plots with the houses squished up too close to each other in order to maximise the developer's profit.
If you've done your research and think you're getting value for money then go for it.

Unfavourable comparisons always seem to be between huge old houses crammed with original features and cramped new builds. That isn’t like for like. Most Victorian and Edwardian houses I see have some combination of features bring removed, poor or no parking, small gardens (quite often yards only) and so on. Not to mention, a far greater proportion than new houses are terraced or semis. I’ve lived in two houses of this age now and both fit the above description. Both have had significantly smaller reception rooms, kitchens and gardens (although bigger bedrooms) than houses belonging to friends and family built in recent decades. I like them, but let’s not pretend they’re something they’re not.

The old houses with the massive rooms and gorgeous stained glass are out there obviously, but new builds the same price are also stunning.

I think a lot of it comes down to your budget and what the new builds in your area are like. I wouldn't rule one out but here, a lot of houses have been, yes, 'thrown up' over the last decade and some of the new developments don't have a good rep in terms of the quality of the houses. There are a couple of developments of more substantial houses that are 15-20 years old but they are quite pricey. We have ended up in an Edwardian house because we got more for our money that way. We looked at loads of new and newish builds and within our budget they all had the same issues - poky rooms, small gardens often paved, gravelled or decked over (DH loves gardening and that's a no-no for him), a tiny third bedroom, very overlooked, etc. To get the space and garden we wanted in a new build we were looking at about 20-40k outside our budget. Yes, our house now costs more to maintain, decorating rooms costs a fortune, but I do prefer what we could get for our money with an old house.

There are a couple of small developments of gorgeous new builds near us, but they are a good 400k out of our budget

...the 17th Century and whilst they look
quaint from the outside they are dark, cold and dingy

They!? Who is generalising now?

Ours was built in the 17th Century; we have the bridal stone of the original owner on the front above one of the doors; it is unique so it is listed and it is fabulous and a privilege to live in.

The interior is light and Scandi in style - not in the least bit “dark, cold and dingy”.

Depends on the area, the initial prices of the new build, and whether there are local amenities. In Leicestershire for example there are a number of luxury Red Row developments that are more spacious and more premium and in better school areas than the older houses nearby.

Let’s face is, new builds are all bland, characterless and uninspiring. And I can say that with confidence.

Insecure about our choice? Nope.
Nice try, though...

Rented a new build for a while. The gardens on the estate were tiny and over looked. Drives were small and the roads clogged with cars. All the rooms were tiny and it lacked character. So no, they aren’t to my taste generally. However, like everything in life, I’m guessing that the more expensive new houses maybe don’t have those issues? Either way who cares what others think. People have got to buy houses and, lets face it, the old character buildings are dwindling. I rent a building that is nearly 100 years old. Hasn’t become a money pit just yet but bloody hell it needed a lot doing! And still isn’t a pretty house! Never will be either...bloody pebble dash...

*bought not rent

Aesthetically, new builds aren’t to my taste either. But the modern house we live in works for us at the moment, on a practical level. I think most people of my generation don’t see their property as anything much to show off / be ashamed about. I think it comes from most of us having lived in shite flat shares in the city, so where we lived really wasn’t too big a deal, as long as it was relatively habitable and in a not-too-scary area! Choosing a property because it’s exactly my taste is a luxury we can’t afford. And it really doesn’t bother me at all 🤷‍♀️. Soulless box? Meh! Don’t care. No character? Nope. Still don’t care.

I care that we live near decent schools, in a safe area and I don’t have huge heating bills.

'Insecure about our choice? Nope.
Nice try, though...'

Anyone who likes to go around criticising other people's choices that they are happy with and making sweeping generalisations to try to justify it has some level of insecurity going on.

I really cannot bear people who have to piss on other people's parades because they're miserable about god knows what in their own lives. There's plenty of stuff in this world I wouldn't choose for myself, but if someone I know has done so and is happy and excited about it then I'm happy for them. It takes a particularly unpleasant kind of individual to try to suck the joy out of the things other people get pleasure from, but it seems to happen quite often in life. I'm not sure if it's down to spitefulness, jealousy, a desire to make oneself seem better by putting other people down or what, but it's a very unattractive facet of humanity.

Ignore them and enjoy all the money you save on heating and energy bills!

I used to work for a new build property company and the company went for the cheapest contractors (not always the best)and even the builders wouldn’t consider buying houses from said company. We were offered a discount.

As long as you are happy then that’s all that matters you live in the house no one else.

As with anything there are some horrible new builds, and some really lovely ones. Some are going up near me and being snapped up. I find it a bit off-putting how close together they're often built nowadays, but I don't know anyone suffering major issues from a new build, they're generally low maintenance.
But going back to the OP, I can't get my head around why anyone would hear about such a huge new purchase, and say something negative. Doesn't matter whether they despise your home and would rather live in a shop doorway, why the need to say so?! It's so rude and unkind.
Just ignore, OP. Some of them won't like your house, some will be ENVIOUS of your house, and some just never have anything nice to say! Your house sounds fab anyway.

DP is a heating engineer so when we bought our new build he was looking at everything from location of the radiator to tank size etc etc & knows the difference in quality between developers because he designs heating systems for most of them! We save so much money on bills because it's so efficient, we have a 10 year warranty and we negotiated free stamp duty, flooring and blinds which would have cost thousands. Corner plot nice walled garden, garage, decent size rooms and I love it. I work a 60hr week so no don't really want to be sanding down skirting boards every evening- doesn't mean I "expect" everything new because I'm young. The house has already gained value and older homes in the area are more expensive!