To not understand the appeal of new build homes?

[GreenEyeGopher]

I was looking at the proliferation of new build estates yesterday and wondering who buys homes there.

I don't think I've ever lived in a house that's much less than 100 years old.and would find it hard to imagine living in a new build. Or actually, I could imagine living in a new build home but not on a new estate - somehow they don't feel quite like 'real places' to me, everywhere I've lived has had a long time to get established!

So I'm just curious - if you live in a new build, or would like to - what is the appeal?

SIL has to spend money on house repairs instead of treats and activities for the DC. I live in an ugly 1960s house very solid and no issues really. I wouldn't hesitate to buy a new build an old house no way money pits..

Just because it's not what I'd personally choose doesn't mean it's not what other people would choose - hence the question!

I'm interested in whether people are buying them because they're looking at a new estate and thinking "oooh I'd love to live there!" or its because it's about finance etc (e.g help to buy, shared ownership etc) or some other practical considerations.

Some new builds are very poorly built. Some are not. You definitely want to find a decent builder/ developer. But not all new builds are like that. I would say the range in quality probably goes for most housing.

I also think your post sounds like a stealth brag (and not a very subtle one at that).

I haven't lived in a new build but surely the advantages are obvious:

• Often cheaper
• Sometimes (not always) better built
• Better insulated
• Less uncertainty when you buy in terms of the integrity and soundness of the property and the amount of investment which will have to go into it

I can think of so many positives

If you’re buying at the top of your budget and stretching yourself - as you have to do these days, really - you don’t want to risk maintenance work or big hefty repair bills. The 10yr structural guarantee is so much peace of mind.

I live in a new build. What attracted me primarily was location, attractiveness of development and price. Why a new build is lack of maintenance costs, low energi bills, all features up to date following current standards.

Also our 13 yr old house is in a new build village. The sound of that probably makes you let out a new-build-snobbery shiver. But actually it's been very well done. The oldest parts of the development is about 30 years old and its been expanded over time. The faciliteis are amazing, as is the community that has grown here. A lot of thought and planning was put into the layout and landscaping of the area and as a result we live in a beautiful, charming (albeit not old), safe and friendly village with an amazing sense community. Much much more conveint and more fun than an old school one post office and a pub village. Old isn't always better.

I think the idea that they lack character is a bit silly. Houses built in the last 20 years tend to have been designed to be aesthetically appealing. We used to say mid-century architecture was the ultimate in ugliness, but lots of people love the big windows and light and airy feel. For me, mock-Tudor 30s-50s semis are a nightmare because they signify twee suburban conformity and lack of imagination, but they’re many people’s dream, and I’ve seen them done beautifully. And as PP have said, almost none of us get to pick the prettiest house in the best area- nearly everyone has to compromise on something and make the best of it.

I have bought 3 houses off plan.
Had no issues at all and I would happily do it again

I’m not against buying a new build but it would have to be a Decent one with a large garden and some interesting features so not your average new build.

I’m not sure what the difference is between a new estate and an older one or row upon row of houses on adjacent residential streets. They’re all just collections of homes with people living in them. I’ve lived on all three and there’s been no particular difference to the community.

I’d pick a new build if it had everything I was looking for in terms of location and size. I don’t consider a lot of “period features” particularly desirable tbh. Wonky, creaky floorboards and ancient plumbing don’t really excite me. I don’t live in the nineteenth century and I have clean, efficient central heating. Why on earth would I want a Victorian fireplace in my living room as a constant reminder that keeping warm used to be difficult, dirty and harmful to health?

I was a bit snobby about new builds until my husband died and I was left to deal with a drafty, run down, falling apart 1920s semi with a big unmanageable garden. If I could get one in our area a new build would be perfect for me and DD. Not much character, sure, but also no damp…

We couldn't afford a Victorian or Georgian terrace/semi that had already had the damp taken care of and didn't have the only bathroom as an extension on the back of the kitchen.

They're not the most expensive properties in every town!

They can be a LOT cheaper. Or at least you don't need to buy one then have to replace electrics, bathrooms, get rid of damp. We have an older house and it's constant upkeep, plus repairs etc are expensive because it's all specialist work. Sash window specialists, parquet floor spcialists etc

My house is 100 years old and while it has some issues, it's very sturdy. My friend lives in a new estate, 2 and a half years old and it's shit. Walls like cardboard , she can't put anything on the walls or the plaster gives way and the whole thing falls down. While it looks lovely , if you scratch the surface , it's all very cheaply and badly done.

Because people are trying to equate period properties as class signifiers that's all. Living in an old damp cold falling apart house is fine as it tells everyone else look I'm at least middle class.

My new build flat has big rooms, loads of light & insulation so good that the day time temperature rarely drops below 19, even in winter. Everything was brand new so no need for DIY / buying appliances.

Since I was a first time buyer & the first person to live in it, there was no chain.

The location is perfect, for several reasons - the high street, local supermarket, tube & bus stations are all within 10 mins’ walk but the estate is out of the way enough to be reasonably quiet.

I have just bought an older house and the amount of work and DIY that needs fixing is insane.

I miss my new build. Insulated, well built and easy to maintain....

I have huge regrets.

But YABU to not realise that people have different views and opinions to yourself. And YABU to come across as smug and pretentious. YABU to believe your superior to those who choose different style properties than you.

Imagine living in such a lovely old house but having absolutely zero self awareness!

Our first two houses were new builds.

Advantages for us were :

10 year builder's guarantee against major expense like new roof / subsidence.
Well insulated and easy to heat.
New kitchen/bathroom, we got to pick tiles/counter tops, no expense of replacing.

Super easy when you are a couple working full time, or with young children. No worries about bills for £££ for a new boiler or new roof. It is a very risk-free way of getting onto the property ladder and I find it very easy to understand why people make that choice. My parents live in a 200 year old cottage and it's so cold and so draughty with its solid stone walls, could never live in such an old property.

Oops. YOU'RE*

I’d find it ‘hard to imagine’ spending every weekend doing rock climbing. Or owning five huge dogs. Other people do it. It’s pretty easy for me to understand why - it’s because they like it.

It always amazes me on here how people ‘genuinely can’t imagine’ any person doing or wanting anything that they themselves do not personally want or do. You want to live in an old house, so you do. The people buying new builds are people who want a house that is a new build. Or people who find they are the right price in the right area. Or just people who want that particular house.

I’ll never understand why people look down on folk that buy new builds, they’re great if that’s what suits at the time!

We have bought two new builds previously- hassle free house maintenance. Got brilliant deals on both and really enjoyed our time there.

This time we are in an older style house, but I’d of considered a new build, it was location that trumped it this time.

I think people just love saying how ‘crap’ they are, how ‘small’ and ‘poorly built’ they are and the builders are ‘ripping you off’ Yet they’ve never stepped foot in a show home for 30 years😂

I live in a 200+ year old house needing a lot of maintenance and right now, nothing seems more appealing than a new build with new windows, insulation, non-leaky roof etc etc etc...!

Interesting that so many people are mentioning them being cheaper.

We were looking at new build estates near us when we were considering moving. The rooms were all smaller than our current house and it was marketed 33% more ££ than our house which is recently done up to a very high standard.

We've always given a few new builds a look whenever we've considered moving but they seem to be expensive around here for what you get in terms of space. So we've ended up with two older 1970s properties instead - purely based on the room sizes.

If they ever build any new builds near us with good sized rooms I'd definitely give it a look (if the price was right) - for all of the reasons mentioned above about maintenance, insulation etc.

So true. I always smile to myself at the hypocricy of people in victorian houses looking down on how new builds all look the same.