"It's a shame you can't get a new build"

[itscominghomeee]

I am mid-twenties and single. I have worked hard to save up a deposit to buy a house and now have enough of a deposit, and a not-huge-but-reasonable salary in my first managerial post, to make offers on houses. None of my similarly aged friends are at the stage of buying a house yet. I am looking at typical first time buyer houses: terraces or even some semi-detached, but my mum and her sister have commented a couple of times that it's a shame that I can't buy a new build.

I went yesterday to see a house with my mum and the current owner has refurbished downstairs and put a new kitchen in and installed a downstairs toilet within the last two years. Upstairs is in good condition too, but my mum said afterwards, "from downstairs you almost think it's new, but when you go upstairs you remember that it's a very old house".

My mum also told me yesterday that her sister had said to her again recently, "couldn't itscominghomeee get a new build? There are lots of new builds being built in that area".

AIBU to feel upset by these comments? Of course a new build would be lovely, but it's unrealistic for the vast majority of people in my age bracket and stage of career, especially those who are single. The comments feel like they're undermining my hard work saving up and like my mum/aunt are saying that the houses I can afford aren't good enough.

Sorry they're being like this. They should be supportive and proud. Out of interest, do they have new builds?

New builds are nice enough but they come with a whole host of problems, some of which are very serious. I'd be interested for the deals they may give but with the premium you pay, I think you'd be much better off in an older property. Probably much more space too.

Don't be daft! Some might be, not all.

New builds are my idea of hell so each to their own!!

Nothing wrong with new builds - I live in one, and the bills are TINY compared to our previous homes. It seems weird that your mum is so fixated on the joy of new builds though. Any idea where that mindset comes from?

New builds are fine if that’s all you can afford. Older houses are much more classy.

New builds are horrible. We're in the process of moving and have avoided all new build properties

I’m in a terraced house that was built in 1896…. Wonderful house

You don't want a new build, they're not made as well as many older houses and are often expensive for the type of house. Much better to get an older one that has been around a while.

My house is more than 200 years old and I love it - solidly built, spacious rooms, high ceilings, generous windows, beautifully proportioned. I would never exchange it for a new build

Such a shame you can't afford that new build premium on a house where it is impossible to add any value.

My house is 250 years old. Everything that needed putting right has been put right in its lifetime - we've had 250 years to sort out snagging. And it's not old enough for everything else to be falling down yet. 250 years is, for me, the sweet spot.

I just knew this thread would be full of new builds are crap, new builds have no soul, new builds are made of paper shite. How predictable!

OP if you don’t want a new build, just say so. I can’t see why their comments are bothering you.

All of them? They’re all full of mould ?!

Jesus, the comments. I live in a new build and I love my home. I have a huge garden and it's certainly not soulless nor made of cardboard. I feel so lucky and grateful to have been able to buy my own home.

I appreciate they're not for everyone but have a bit of respect.

OP, well bloody done for saving what you have. It's not easy so you buy what you want, unless your mum and aunty are willing to top up your funds.

I wouldn't touch a new build with a barge pole. They are thrown up so quickly these days and the snagging list after a year are usually as long as your arm my dh says, as he works in construction. They also mostly depreciate in value.

The apex is houses built in the 1960s. Bigger rooms, easy to modernise, no issues with damp and no trouble insulating. Anything built earlier costs a fortune in energy and maintenance. Anything built later is generally poor build. With the 90s being the absolute worst. New builds come at an unwarranted premium, and then immediately lose value for the first year or two in most cases. They are always in poorly connected / poorly served expansion zones. Just my two pennies.

I've had older homes and one bought off plan. I much prefer the home I have which is 25 years old. It's modern but built before new build quality declined rapidly. The snagging list of the new build was ongoing after 8 years and we had endless plumbing problems. Oh and many, many new builds or almost new builds if they aren't leasehold, have an estate management fee. They are also densely packed and have thin walls. You could hear someone having a wee in the ensuite bathroom from the living room!!

At the end of the day, all houses have risks and quirks and that is why we have surveys and other things to help. Tell your mother to do one, stop asking her opinion and look forward to your lovely home, new or old.

They are very strange comments from your family. I would hate a new build. They certainly aren't necessarily better than older houses which usually have much more character.

Jeez, new builds are dire! Last resort for me

Nobody I know woodd touch a new build with a bargepole. Everybody likes old houses. How strange that people have such different aspirations!

New builds aren’t for me, I live in a beautiful 1840’s build. Wondering who has lived here before me and finding out nuggets of the houses history adds to the charm.

How odd. I wouldn’t touch most new builds. Bear in mind ‘independent snagging inspector’ is an actual full time job with multiple companies offering their services, you can see the quality you can expect.

Add in poor resale value and tiny rooms and you are much, much better off with an older house.

Yes if me and my DH divorced I could see myself in one. But it would be a consequence of circumstances not a choice.

Nobody will surely elect to live in a new build unless they had absolutely no other option. Even then, I think I'd just rent...
Our friends got one of the "starter homes". A soulless box with the front door leading into a tiny open-plan living room/diner and a doll-sized kitchen "for one". Tiny bedrooms. Walls so thin, they could hear the neighbours having sex. Horrid garden with artificial grass.
There are some better quality new builds but they are in gated communities and smack of the Stepford wives.
Flat I could deal with but not the house. But more importantly, it is of no consequence whatsoever what they think unless they want to gift you one.

They're being ridiculous and can only think they might be a bit 'envious' and it's the only reason they can come up with.

To be mid-20s and single and buying anything is great, buying a freehold house, and not a flat is pretty remarkable in this day and age. In most areas of the UK.