New build house

[Avocadoandlemons]

Am considering one.... is this a mistake?

Higher end one off build, not part of a bigger development. 2 storey house.

10 year guarantee

What do I need to be wary of?

Is it reasonable to consider or avoid at all costs?!

@Avocadoandlemons air source heat pumps are going into pretty much all new builds going forward so don't be put off. just try and find evidence of their previous bills to show its been working as it should. and make sure you get it serviced yearly as you would a boiler.
make sure you know how to use it properly too. you don't turn the heating on and off like a boiler, it runs at low level permenantly a lot of the year.

Did they say who their various contractors are? You could look into the reputation of the builders, electricians etc. If they are those trades they equally will have done things before.

Benefits of new houses generally are they are built with modern day routines in mind and updated building materials/ methods. So you are more likely to have infrastructure in place for 2 cars, internet, insulation etc. Downsides are they are built to make money and so are usually standardised boxes with little room on an estate. In your case since it was build by the people living in it and not necessarily a large developer you may not get all of the advantages or the disadvantages and come across more construction issues and things made to fit rather than designed to but that wouldn’t put me off. If they did it to make a profit that would cause me pause though as it is more likely they cut corners.

@Sittingonabench thanks yes I agree

So hard to know what is true. Obviously estate agent claims they built it for them but if that's the case seems absolutely mad to sell so soon after completion.

EA says they are relocating to be closer to family but again timing seems weird.

Unless they are trying to capitalise on the slightly more rural housing bubble that covid brought before it bursts ...

So hard to know! Wish you could trust estate agents!!!

@Avocadoandlemons Sorry just seen this - it is similar, but has some differences. An example:

forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6075697/labc-warranty-not-accepted-by-lenders

@ToykotoLosAngeles

Thanks . Wow. That is really interesting!!! Definitely need to do more investigations!

LABC warranty is a lower threshold than NHBC, hence why many lenders won’t consider it.

Sorry I’m only just coming back now, didn’t realise you’d replied but when I commented initially about depending on the LA; different local authorities have different thresholds for what meets LABC regulations. Some areas will have higher thresholds than others. In other words; some councils are happy to pass off a very shoddily built home where others wouldn’t.

I don’t think you’re mad to consider this house, but I would certainly do your homework and, if you do proceed, get a full structural survey.

Thank you @RussianSpy101

@Isthisprivate

Did the couple build it to live in? If so, why are they moving out so soon?

If you build a new house and then live in it for a certain period of time before selling, you can avoid paying capital gains tax... Quite a common trick!

It's generally like buying a brand new car. Looks posh, feels new, but sold at an overinflated price, bit characterless and modern (depends what you like) and harder to sell at a profit in the first say 5 years or whatever

I bought one. Never again. I was so excited to move in after visiting the show home. The first year was just constant snagging issues- leaking roof, problems with flooring etc plus at least another 100 items on the list.
They are so desperate to get you in that they give you a shoddy house.
Also there is always parking issues.
It was a beautiful house but gardens are always overlooked as they cram so many in. Lots of gardens are oddly shaped and you have no proper pavement.
Also I found living on a new build you do tend to make lots of friends (everyone is new). However everyone knows your business.
Often New builds are new estates. So you are basically living on a glorified estate and get ASB problems as people are hanging around on the paths.
The main issue is parking though. It's one of the main reasons people fall out with neighbours on new build estates.
I was so glad to leave and be in an older property with a bigger garden etc.

Depends of it has any character. Majority of new builds, mainly estates have zero character and look like the other 500 houses that surround it, and often poorly built.

But if yours is a one off self build, this could be different

@Whammyyammy

Depends of it has any character. Majority of new builds, mainly estates have zero character and look like the other 500 houses that surround it, and often poorly built.

But if yours is a one off self build, this could be different

Yes that was another thing I found. Everything was so the same and had no character.

Yes good thoughts. However it's a one off on its own plot with private drive and parking (gated) so doesn't have those issues thankfully.

Check reviews of the builder. If they are sound, buy it. Older properties seem preferred on here, but not all are magically amazing with zero flaws. Same with new builds, all houses really.

@Avocadoandlemons

Yes good thoughts. However it's a one off on its own plot with private drive and parking (gated) so doesn't have those issues thankfully.

Sounds ideal then, so long as it was built properly and confirmed by a survey... go dog it if you like it

@AllOfUsAreDead

Check reviews of the builder. If they are sound, buy it. Older properties seem preferred on here, but not all are magically amazing with zero flaws. Same with new builds, all houses really.

Totally agree, I'm 1920s, has bags of character, including a cellar. But older houses come with their own set of problems.

@lemongrasstea

It's generally like buying a brand new car. Looks posh, feels new, but sold at an overinflated price, bit characterless and modern (depends what you like) and harder to sell at a profit in the first say 5 years or whatever

There no 'generally' about bespoke self builds. The first one we did sold for a HUGE profit. Designed by an award winning architect, built and fitted out to a high end specification, attention to every little detail from a team of experienced and trusted designers. These type of homes come on the market rarely and are snapped up.

We’ve just moved into one and we love it.

Of course you can ask for energy bills.
I'd also check sound insulation between floors.
Make sure you understand air source heat pumps and the pluses/minuses.

I'm never sure a surveyor is worth it since if you discover a problem they cover themselves in caveats, but definitely see if they can give you a snagging period.

Been in ours nearly a year not much space in bedrooms but that's our only issue really.
Keeps lovely and warm bills are low not many complaints here. Of course not much character but I guess you can put your own stamp on it.