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!!!

[celticclan]

I don't think all new builds are bland. I live in a Victorian house, inside its quirky but from the outside its quite unattractive, new builds of a similar size are much nicer looking.

[BewitchedBotheredandBewildered]

Have a look at the Farnsworth House by Mies Van de Rohe.

You may not like it but it's far from bland, and was built in 1951!

[Earthworms]

I lived in a gorgeous character cottage. Rented, thank god.

Rising damp, falling damp, freezing cold, cost a blood fourune to heat. And insure contents. Mysterious smells, mysterious leaks.....

I love my soulless new build.

[MurderOfGoths]

Only rented tbf, but I'm in a new build now and it's ugly as sin, but far less of a problem that previous character properties have been. No draughts, damp or leaking roofs here. It's blissful.

[Gunznroses]

I don't want a house with 'character', the only character it needs to have is mine and my family. Im not interested in all the scores of people who previouly owned it, how they lived, what they did to it blabla, i just want to know it as it is now. 'Character' in a house makes me feel uncomfortable.

[Mimishimi]

I grew up in a 'character' cottage. My dad spent nearly all his spare time doing maintenance work on it (when he wasn't doing it on the car).

[Jaynebxl]

"What an appalling and unnecessary OP!

What are you trying say? That you find new builds so unattractive they make you shudder?

Neither interesting nor helpful."

I guess because the OP is proud and keen for us to believe know they live in a period property.

We have just moved from a 110 year old Victorian terrace to a relatively new house that's 25 years old. I loved the quirky character of the ols house but you can't heat character or stretch out into its space.

In moving to a newer house we have gained:
Space
En suites on 2 bedrooms
An extra bedroom
utility room
Playroom
Less things that don't work
Smooth walls
More options for placing furniture without all the alcoves and nooks and crannies
Less draughts
Our own drive
Walls you can hang pictures on without needing industrial tools

We have lost:
A bit of quirkiness
Original fireplaces

Sounds like a good deal to me.

[formicadinosaur]

It's tricky to get permission to knock an old house about sometimes. I love old character but also love other eras too.

[noddyholder]

I definitely prefer the feel of old houses but you have to have the time and money if you want to eliminate draughts etc and update insulation and finish. Where I live they are definitely bigger but there is a lack of decent modern here. 70s and 60s houses are amazing but I looked for nearly 2 years for one and only one came up for sale and the people decided to stay in it in the end! It is not competition!

[propertyNIGHTmareBEFOREXMAS]

I love an executive new build. I like open plan living so appreciate a huge kitchen diner with family living area. I like a utility room, a walk in wardrobes, multiple ensuites, a playroom. Basically all the modern touches that make life luxurious and comfortable. Plus a well insulated, warm house is a real bonus.

[mumblechum1]

I must admit there's a newbuild up the road which caught my eye today: www.primelocation.com/for-sale/details/29672281?search_identifier=ca64693f249aa19d7a661a1fbd4937e0

We always used to buy old houses but are currently in a meh 50s house which has all the drawbacks of a character house (damp, wonky windows, smoky fireplaces) but without the character

[mumblechum1]

Oh yes, and our characterless 50s box costs a bloody fortune to heat .

Biggest mistake of my life, buying this place.

[propertyNIGHTmareBEFOREXMAS]

Mumble, that newbuild is beautiful.

[mumblechum1]

I know. There are three there, the original Victorian house has been done up and the other two have been built in the grounds. None of them has sold yet though......

[Sidge]

I'd much rather have a (decent) newbuild.

"Character" properties can often be cold, draughty, expensive to buy and maintain.

I'd much rather have a clean, bright, spacious and insulated house than have to live with exposed brickwork, beams, draughty fireplaces and doors and windows that don't fit properly.

[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.

[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.

[celticclan]

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

[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.

[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]

Definitely the current ones are in general very dull.

[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.

[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.

[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.

[noddyholder]

interesting article