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Original poster

Would you buy a new build in a new development?

46 replies

xmyboys · 03/03/2012 17:35

I looked at a new build development this week.
I was not surprised that I loved the showhome. All new shiny beautifully presented etc
I quite like the idea of living in a development, families with similiar age children able to play in playground
My heart sank as I left the development and parts around are just not as nice, nothing wrong just a bit run down.
Not sure now???
Does anyone live in a new development, what's it really like?
Any regrets??

OP posts:
Jcee · 03/03/2012 17:47

It'll look shiny and new but look carefully at space/sizes of rooms and availabilty of storage. New builds tend to be small - show homes often use 3/4 sized furniture so you don't notice - and due to overall size of plot, rooms maximised with little or no storage.

Is the development complete? Buying on an early phase means you'll be living with building work going on outside as later phases are completed and often local amenities aren't available until the development is almost complete, which might be an issue depending on location.

Rhubarbgarden · 03/03/2012 19:31

I wouldn't, personally. I lived in one briefly, years ago, when I was renting with friends and it was awful. The walls were paper thin so you could hear everything, and the fixtures and fittings were constantly breaking because they were such poor quality.

AgnesBligg · 03/03/2012 19:34

Oh no I couldn't. I loathe developments, commerce over good architecture imo.

ChickensHaveNoLips · 03/03/2012 19:39

We are. In fact, we're moving in less than three weeks. We're leaving a house we bought off plan 11 years ago. It depends on the development, ime. Some are shocking, jammed close together, tiny plots, awful finish etc etc. There are some builders I would avoid like the plague. We're buying a decent sized house on a decent, south facing plot. We have a cycle path in front of us, and fields behind us. Location is key.

WhatMakesYouSay · 03/03/2012 20:14

Ours is being built at the moment. Yes, we will live with building work around for the next year or so, but I know people already living there who say that it's not really a problem, and the builders are very considerate.

We are in the penultimate phase though, so the majority of the work has been done. Also, there is a big chunk of open public land on one side of the development, so even though it is quite big, it doesn't feel overwhelming. Some of the house styles are better than others, and we could have chosen two other houses which would have been ready sooner, but I wanted the style we've gone for as the room sizes and layout are better, even though we've had to wait longer.

ChickensHaveNoLips · 03/03/2012 20:50

I actually liked having the builders on site when we bought our current house. They were friendly, and for a cup of tea and a couple of biscuits weren't adverse to hanging mirrors etc Wink

Original poster
xmyboys · 03/03/2012 22:17

Any recommendations on companies ?

OP posts:
ChickensHaveNoLips · 03/03/2012 22:36

We're buying a Davidsons property this time, and so far so good. The kitchen and bathroom suites are ok, but nothing special. However, the build finish is excellent. Lots of decent sized windows, nicely proportioned rooms, a flat and good sized garden (development is on a hill, so garden is having to be levelled), reasonable room for manouevre regards small changes etc. Ask me again in about 3 months, though, and I might have a different song to sing .

livelaughlovevintage · 03/03/2012 22:47

DO NOT buy from persimmon!!!

We moved into our new build 18 months ago when it was 5 months old and we've had nothing but problems. The finish is poor, the workmanship is horrific.
We've had cracks, leaks, dodgy electrics, piss poor fixtures and fittings, there's no room for parking so inevitably there's cars parked all over pavements. Just looks a mess really.
We are only in it because we are on a rent to buy scheme. The plan is to buy, gain some equity, sell and get the fuck out of here to buy a proper home!!!

Oh and our street has still not had the road surfaced! Lost a spring last year pulling into it!

ChickensHaveNoLips · 03/03/2012 23:00

I remember Persimmon featuring on Watchdog a fair bit. Also Barratt.

FriedSprout · 03/03/2012 23:23

Most developers have targets that have to be met and cut corners whenever they can. DH has worked for most of the "top names" and would not buy a new-build for love or money.

RachelHRD · 03/03/2012 23:28

We bought off plan and moved in last July having lived in a rental on the same development for 10 months which was really helpful in terms of choosing the kitchen & bathroom fittings and floorings. We have a good sized 4 bed, 3 storey town house which has some lovely features - oak frame at the front, triangular bedroom window on top floor and bifolds at the back - so they aren't all carboard boxes. We also have one of the biggest gardens on site - approx 30 x 65 ft and overlook allotments and walking land at the back.

The finish is good and soundproofing is excellent - not paper thin walls like they used to be. You get snagging issues and settlement which is a bit of a pain to get sorted but it is all covered - with our site the developers cover the first 2 years and then it's NHBC.

We also have a lovely park at the centre of the development with a childrens play area and the grounds are nicely landscaped (annual charge for this but it means it's kept looking nice). Parking will always be an issue on these sites - we have 2 allocated spaces and there is visitor parking - we have permits and wardens to ensure people don't just park wherever they want = pros and cons to that.

I would recommend that you research the developer - there are some out there with pretty bad press. We have bought from Linden and are pretty happy with them. I love the fact that everything is new, the layout works brilliantly and I had input into the finishing elements of the house.

MegBusset · 03/03/2012 23:31

We live in a 'new build' (actually built 11 years ago, we are the second owners). Ours was built by Bovis. It has been absolutely fine - no problems with the house apart from minor niggles with the central heating (which could happen in a period house). Room and garden sizes are good, plenty of storage and it has off-street parking. The estate is very peaceful, well-kept etc - not very exciting but then I don't really crave excitement from my home!

The only thing I would check is amenities like schools. In our estate (which was started 20 years ago) the plans included a primary school but they only got round to building it 3 years ago so for quite a few years there was huge pressure on the surrounding schools. If a school is planned then make sure it's actually going to be finished at the same time as the estate (assuming that you have school-age DC).

cece · 03/03/2012 23:36

No, the gardens are always too small for my liking.

FlatCapAndAWhippet · 04/03/2012 08:55

No. No character ....and yes, agree with cece on the garden size.

youarekidding · 04/03/2012 09:06

I live in a new build on a new development right opposite the park they eventually built. I am in phase 1 and they had built only half that when I moved in. Building never bothered me and yes for tea and biscuits the builders were very helpful. I've lived here 5 years the estate was finished 3 years ago. The roads, park etc in the past 2 years.

The kitchen in my flat is tiny and they could have thought the layout a little better but other than that it's lovely and all the children have a great time socially, which IMO is important.

Mines a HA flat though so I didn't chose this property, but did select it iyswim?

Having said that there's a privately owned house which has been subsiding for years so they're opinion would be much different. They've had builders in correcting it for as long as I can remember Sad (building co are responsible, not to cost of the owners)

Chunkychicken · 04/03/2012 09:15

Personally, I wouldn't, particularly in my area. The new estates are crammed into gaps between other estates, cost minimum 100k more than similar sized/bedroomed properties elsewhere, can have weird layouts and small gardens and all in less than ideal areas. I'd rather have a second-hand house with more space, less money in a nicer area, with a good school walking distance any day...

Lightofthemoon · 04/03/2012 10:31

I've seen some nice looking ones and then realised they are built into the roof, so no attic and no garage which a lot of people don't notice until they move in and realise they is nowhere to actually put your stuff as there is very limited storage space. Most seem to have small gardens too.

They also seem to be very overpriced in my area, but I guess there is a good chance of doing a deal as they are keen to sell.

Just make sure you stand back and take a very objective look as the show home will generally wow anyone over and you can miss some key things.

Original poster
xmyboys · 05/03/2012 22:55

Thanks input.
Was a persimmon! GrinGrin
Think it's not right at the moment!

OP posts:
masie737 · 21/01/2016 13:46

Hi anyone living on victory fields or surrounding area? Know anything about linden homes. Thanks

marghini · 23/01/2016 17:50

I am about to move into a new development this summer. It is being built atm.

As much as I am concerned I will miss the village vibe and historical character of the neighborhood where I live now, the new flat will be much nicer and bigger and the development comes with many nice facilities (gym, swimming pool, garden, sauna, residents club).

I"ll attach a couple of renderings of the project for reference.

So yeah, I will give it a go and see if I can ever feel "at home" in a modern high-rise new building!

Would you buy a new build in a new development?
Would you buy a new build in a new development?
Would you buy a new build in a new development?
FeedMyFaceWithJaffaCakes · 25/01/2016 23:21

On this vein, does anyone know anything about Taylor wimpey homes?

Thanks in advance :)

LoisWilkersonsLastNerve · 25/01/2016 23:26

Most developers have targets that have to be met and cut corners whenever they can. DH has worked for most of the "top names" and would not buy a new-build for love or money*
Yep. Exactly what I was going to say. My DH has worked for just about all of them and ever the million pound plus homes are shoddy. Buy a plot and self build if you can afford to.



NewLife4Me · 25/01/2016 23:30

Oh God, no, never.
Pokey bloody things that all look similar unless you are at the "head of the cul de sac". Some even have residents committees, I'd rather chew my foot off.

Can you tell I don't like them? and EA keep sending them to us, even though they don't tick any of our boxes Grin

carrie74 · 26/01/2016 13:52

We live in one. It's a small development, originally of about 45 houses (currently they're building another 45 though, and trying for more but keep being refused planning. We're waiting on Secretary of State's final say). We weren't original buyers, they were built in 2003, and we moved in in 2006. On the whole, it's been great, fewer issues than we'd had in period properties. It's a lovely size, with big bedrooms, well thought-out layout, and lottos space. The garden's quite small, but neither of us are keen gardeners, so it's big enough for our needs (and big enough to kick a football around and have a trampoline if we'd got one).

I was very anti the idea of a new build when we were looking to buy, but I'm so relieved we did get this one - we could move straight in with our tiny baby, no work needed doing until we wanted to, and we've been able to update and make it our own over time.

I've always lived in old houses, so it's hard for me to admit this, but I think to avoid the hassle, I'd be quite happy to buy new again (the show homes for the new houses have been lovely).