Why would anyone choose a newbuild over a character property for its looks?

[treacleturkey]

I realise new builds are a lot better to run (economically) and so benefit the environment, but man, are they plastic and unattractive!!!

[treacleturkey]

To be honest my Victorian IS cold and draughty in winter, but i love the fireplaces, bay windows, high ceilings etc. No two walls are aligned with each other!

Didnt mean to offend others btw!!

[WetGrass]

We've moved from a character to a new build. We spent 2K redoing the plumbing at the last house. We're spending 2K on original art and handmade quirky furniture on arrival in this place. I think the newbuild will end up with more character than the last moneypit place.

[WetGrass]

We've moved from a character to a new build. We spent 2K redoing the plumbing at the last house. We're spend

[FCEK]

I've seen a new build I like. It's a bit over budget but then the cost of doing up an older house to suit our tastes would be the same

[Turnipinatutu]

I can see this thread turning into a complete bunfight as everyone defends their own likes and dislikes!

[tabled]

period houses don't equal poky or dark ime!

[Bunbaker]

"I also dislike square boring rooms and love quirky features and nooky storage spaces"

And I dislike quirky features and nooky storage spaces. I like square boring rooms because they are so much more versatile and usually have more light in them. I hate dark rooms and poky spaces.

[EstelleGetty]

Ours is newish, built in the late 90s, I think, and i was totally against a new build to begin with but love it now. It's ok to look at from outside, but the interiors were done by an Italian company who've given it a very Italian mid-century kind of look, all clean lines, warm woods. We got to keep the sofas when we moved in too, and they're very elegant burnt orange ones.

We rented in Victorian tenements before, and they were lovely to look at, but I wouldn't go back. Way too cold and expensive to maintain.

[Turnipinatutu]

An individual new build, that you have designed yourself is a totally different thing IMO to a mass produced new build on an estate.
The article that Noddy linked to outlines this well.

I probably wouldn't buy anything newer than 50's, as I like solid walls, fireplaces, floorboards and a good sized garden. Yes these things do have disadvantages, but I love living with them. I also dislike square boring rooms and love quirky features and nooky storage spaces.
However, if I had the money and could find a good plot, I'd design and build my own house in a heart beat!

As has been stated, some people don't give a monkeys about the characteristics that come with old houses and some even dislike them. They love their easy to clean, cheap to run, modern looking homes.

I have plenty of friends who happily live on new build estates and I'd never insult their choice of home, just as they don't look down on my dusty, drafty one.....

[noddyholder]

Aris that is what I will do when I eventually settle!

[Arisbottle]

We live in a new build which we designed ourselves .

It is not everyone's cup of tea but I love it. To buy a period house with this much space, the outdoor land and extras would be millions .

We have huge windows to take in the amazing view.

[MarshaBrady]

Modern and Georgian with modern interior are my favourites.

[minibmw2010]

Poundbury looks lovely but I heard its a tricky place to live. Lots of rules and regulations that Prince Charles is very much a stickler for which I think I'd find hard to live with.

[MarshaBrady]

I love modern design. Usually big sheets of glass and loads of light, with clean lines. Good spaces.

Not sure if new build has become a thing that specifically means the townhouse look.

[noddyholder]

God I think those are horrible! I don't think people want pseudo period they want contemporary design. Mock anything rarely works but in Europe they seem to be able to do it and cheaper than us!

[noddyholder]

interesting article

[Potterer]

Ladies and Gentlemen I give you Poundbury

Duchy of Cornwall Poundbury

New can be stunningly beautiful. I love period properties but where I live they are few and far between; people seem reluctant to part with them We chose a house built in 1999 due to motorway links for Dh's job, layout, space, number and size of the bedrooms an perhaps most importantly what we could afford.

[MrsBucketxx]

I love my new build as the developer has used a traditional exterior with modern interior.

the whole range is the same.

the only thing lacking imo is the gardens, tiny plots on everyone.

[minibmw2010]

That's a stunning new build Mumble, big price though, even in Bucks which can be v pricey.

Ours is a new build (or was 9 years ago). It's great. It's a double fronted red brick house with lovely sash windows and I love it. Yes it's on a development but who cares. The only thing we had to work on was the garden as they left us a huge slope but we got that fixed and now it's ideal for us. Plus I never hear the neighbours so sound proofing is good.

[noddyholder]

Definitely the current ones are in general very dull.

[nkf]

It would.be nice to see some interesting modern building in the commercial sector. Most new build companies seem to copy old styles. The modern townhiuse look.

[noddyholder]

I have been in loads of houses with lots of character where the owners are dull as dishwater. The character was still there though in the house. I don't know why people get so upset on these threads. Modern houses are different and have their own style if they are well built and designed. But there is no way a bog standard barratt home has the character of a georgian house even if stephen fry is living in it! I prefer old but can see the attraction of all the 'advantages' of new houses. I spend my time renovating old houses to bring them up to that standard though so know it can be done but not everyone wants the hassle or expense. I don't know why some of the brilliant designers we have in this country can't tackle the wimpy home style and give it some individuality.

[celticclan]

Character comes from the people living in the house not its past.

[OrangeLily]

Did you mean to be so rude?

My new build is great because:

1. Non-traditional/interesting layout.
2. Very clean compared to our old builds
3. Minimum upkeep
4. Light and airy
5. Very warm
6. Heating bills are so much lower
7. Easier to get a mortgage on
8. Lower deposit
9. Double glazing awesomeness

10. Blank canvas - this is OUR house and I don't have to fix any previous owners' ideas or mistakes
11. Your can choose exactly what you want in your bathroom/kitchen/floors/fittings to your own personal taste.

[mumblechum1]

yy Sidge I'm with you on the exposed brickwork and beam thing. They never look properly clean imo, probably simply because they're dark.