My dd bought one eighteen months ago. In our area, there are tons of newbuilds but at exorbitant prices, generally executive type at £450,000-£500,000.
The area she has bought in is not particularly good but she is at the back of a small development which look pretty good. She has a proper hallway, not straight into living room. Living room long and wide, good size kitchen, well fitted. Downstairs cloak. Upstairs two doubles, ensuite, main bathroom, single bedroom. Looks onto a railway line which is not busy. But means no houses behind. She was going to buy the smallest and cheapest but bought the biggest instead for resale reasons. Paid £154,000 on help to buy. Also has a garden, driveway and other parking. She is very happy with it although she has had a few snarky comments from her colleagues about where it is.
The builders were nice guys. They have moved on to build the £500,000 plus houses in a nearby market town. They build to an average to good at a push standard and have told my dd the new properties they are building are of no better quality, just fancy kitchens, bathrooms in a posher area.
Whilst posters have named dodgy builders, these are the same builders working under the name of the next company they are employed by ie a reputable company. I also understand that one very reputable building company is now owned by Persimmon.
Price wise, there are some town houses nearby on a better but busy road at around £265,000. They are not selling. When a valuer from a local building society Estate Agency valued ours last year, she told me that they were not valuing up for these properties and this is why they have not sold. Simply put- far too much.
My dd's estate was the only sell out in the area with a waiting list.
I would have several looks around op. My dd certainly does not regret her buy. She was paying £550 to rent a 2 bed terrace. She is paying the same for a 3 bed semi with gardens which she owns and it is freehold.