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?

In cities people love a new build ! And they are so clean ! Clean and clean !

I think people think of little bland estates and get all snobby

We live in a new build, in all fairness we were looking at older houses and this one popped up while we were searching. We're the second family to live here so problems have been ironed out. Two double bedrooms and a boxroom that was big enough for a toddler. But what sold it to us is its a corner plot and the garden is four times the size of the house with good storage outside. I was a little hesitant about it at first but two years on we're happy and it works for us.

Toddler
I think you'll find in many areas new build homes have upped their game (though I have seen crammed up estates with chronic parking in some places). My DH was dead against new builds until he saw the one we live in now. All houses have double garages and drives, ours has a double garage with additional parking for 4 cars on the drive. Our garden is huge with a real chimney and all wired up for sky etc. Really chuffed - but you do have to shop around as some of the more well known builders will try and cram as many houses in to the smallest space (though that's not much different to 'period' terraced house living or 'period' flats that predated mass car ownership.
I know that heating our bigger new build is so much cheaper than heating our smaller 'period' houses of old.

and not done up with modern shiny kitchens and walls knocked out

Im the opposite..I love a modern shiny kitchen!

I guess all houses were new builds once though weren’t they?

If I was considering an older house I would want it modernised to some extent inside. I suppose that’s sacrilege to those who that like everything original down to the last washboard. But everyone is different and your home should be exactly as you like it which is ok.

I certainly do like new houses too. If the build quality is poor that is down to the builder. Not all modern houses are like that. And older houses can be more expensive to heat and care for.

But who on earth are these rude people who go about making crass comments about new homes, old home or whatever it may be? Homes are very personal and often loved. It’s nasty to make snide comments.

Bit of jealousy talking there more than preference I suspect.

New builds do not make you car dependent. Well, that’s not true, some do, but others definitely don’t. We live in a house which is under ten years old and it’s a 20 minute walk from the main line station with direct links to London and about a 15 minute walk to the town centre. There are two outstanding primary schools (not new ones) fifteen minutes walk in each direction, a good secondary school, a ten minute walk away. And there are only ten houses on our street. So put that in your silly, snobby pipe and smoke it .

This thread is hilarious!

OP - people are being rude about our new build

Posters - ugh, new builds are so bland/shit/no soul, I'd NEVER say it to someone's face though

And actually, even the sprawling estates popping up near me are within walking distance of the town centre and train station. Those which aren’t are on the bus route.

Gimme a modern kitchen any day. Passed up entire houses because the kitchen was just unworkable. I'm not a DIY fan so don't want to buy a place that needs a kitchen replacing.

The people in a home are what give it character!

I really only like older homes that have been fitted with a modern kitchen and bathroom. We have a strong preference for both and we're not DIY people.

I'm not fussed if my neighbours' homes look the same as mine on the outside. I don't sit out front looking at my house or my neighbours. 🤷‍♀️

We are currently building a new home and I’ve gotten a lot of comments r/t it about the price,DH’s salary,etc. I usually inform them we needed a handicapped accessible home as son is in a wheelchair and we aren’t interested in another fixer upper. Yes we did look at existing homes before deciding to build new. Good luck OP!

The problem is the developers - the housing system is so screwed that there's no incentive for them to build decent homes, as they can sell anything they build pretty much.

Where estates are built with greedy principles - squeezing in loads of houses, rubbish materials and insulation etc, I don't think it's any wonder that people aren't keen on them. They're also often built for cars with little thought for cyclists and pedestrians, little access to amenities etc.

I have friends in central Europe where it's the norm to buy a plot of land and build a house to your own specifications. Absolutely no reason why a house like that would be poor quality. But housing estates in the UK built by developers looking for a quick buck - not so much.

Their house would have been a “new build” once......

In the uk yes. Luckily not in Ireland. I want to move to a new house with a BER rating of A. Diss my dreeeeam.

I had no opinion on new builds, until I bought a Taylor Wimpey.
It’s been a complete nightmare. The quality is appalling and when you can eventually persuade them to correct dangerous faults they leave the job 1/2 done and never come back.

It just sound like jealousy to me. As long and yout happy then tell them were to stick their opinions xx

I don’t personally like new build homes, prefer older looking houses, husband on the other hand thinks they look great! i prefer older houses but each to their own.

Every house was a new build once.

Congratulations on being a home owner! Some people are just plain rude and jealous to be honest.

I love both older houses and new builds. If we were able to buy now it would be a new build that we would go for. I find people are very quick to offer opinions, even when they are not asked for! Don’t let them ruin it for you.

Honestly, I was braced for these comments when I bought a 70s boxy house - its the youngest house I have EVER lived in and it initally really bothered me. Boxy, orange brick, you name it. BUT its fantastically insulated and we have huge rooms - all are 5x5 and an 8metre kitchen diner.

I have to say, once I started househunting it was a total eyeopener - you get so much more for your money if you buy a newish one AND they have the benefor of being well insulated as well. I do not miss draughty and ramshackle mo matter how quaint they seem.

Im happy to stand corrected on my own snobbishness but ultimately, you're the one in it! Enjoy!

I lived in old properties until we bought this New Build largely because of the excellent location. It had snags and one major problem but that’s all in the past now and I love it. It's big, practical, well designed and I love the ease of maintenance.

There are pros and cons to new and old and I don’t know which way we will go when buying our next property (which will probably be a down size), but one thing that might possibly sway me towards a newer home would be an en suite bathroom. They are more prevalent in new homes and I never want to share a bathroom again.

I dont think its necessarily snobby. But my home was built in the 60s and although not the prettiest from the outside..it is big, practical, decent sized garden and solid. We cant hear either neighbours unless the windows are open and we can hang anything of these walls and they stay up.
Ive lived in new builds too and unfortunately in my experience they are not usually built very well. Although i wouldnt put anyones home down, it is what you make it, its a home regardless. And if you are happy thats all that matters.

Different people like different things / want different things from a house. One persons ‘full of character’ is another persons dirty, damp, draughty maintenance nightmare. And ‘new build’ just means exactly that, it could be an architect designed Grand Designs job or a house in a new estate. Ridiculous to make generalisations.

I think it’s each to their own.
People can help, but it is not just the people who bring character or soul to a house. Some houses just have it, others don’t.
I personally would never live in a new build because I don’t like them - but I occasionally envy people who do because they generally don’t need to the spend their weekends doing maintenance in the way that we do in our old house!

Lived in both old and new and for me new has been better bith times. I know some builders attract a lot of criticism for the standard but have had no problems. Any snagging has always been dealt with. The old properties 1920s and 30s were a nightmare. Found it difficult to do wirk on them ourselves and cost a lot if getting a tradesman in due to structure. Yes new builds can have smaller rooms but that suits a lot of folk and again not all houses are like that. Those people making the comments should be ignored. Oh and my back garden is 90' x 40'. Not too small or big just enough for me.