To offer on a new build?

[twominutesmore]

I've never bought a new build property before but, after an old and chilly home for the past decade, the new build estate in the next town is looking appealing.

I went to have a look and liked them. I know you pay a premium for them being brand new, like a new car, but they are still really pricey compared to similar properties in the area.

AIBU to put a lower offer in? Would they consider it or laugh in my face? The sales staff talked at length about how fast they were selling and how they might begrudgingly throw in a free light socket - or something - to secure a sale but no talk of negotiating on price.

Anyone managed to secure a good discount? Would love advice on how to go about this - or AIBU to consider it?

Hi, we bought a new build 18 yrs ago & managed to get £15k off the price.

Get a friend to go in and offer less than you were thinking? Then if you make an offer ( and they aren’t selling as fast as the builder says they are) they may take it, or counter offer.

Definitely bring a friend with you, preferably one who is straight talking, confident, with some idea about houses. You have the best chance of negotiating before you put an offer in, not afterwards. You'll only regret being shy, you won't regret trying to ask for a better price or upgrades!

We bought a new build a couple of years ago - it was coming to the end of that phase of the development and their half-year was coming up, so perhaps they were more amenable to offers, but we got £15k off on a 4-bed detached - we used £5k to reduce the price and £10k on flooring/extras. We also part-exchanged our old house for a price we were happy with, and found out they eventually sold it for £10k less. I also negotiated some last-minute extras with them - things we would have been prepared to pay for at the outset but they dragged their heels, not understanding it was non-negotiable for us. I guess my position was I didn’t mind losing the house (and would have been okay staying in my old house) and they knew that. But having said that, I am very glad now that we moved! There’s no harm in asking - you may find right time/right place like us.