Is this worth the extra £30k

[CatchingBabies]

Looking at buying our first home and we are torn between 2 new builds.

New build 1 meets our needs, is already built and so has been reduced as they are keen to get it sold. It's 3 story's with the huge master bedroom on the top floor and its end terrace. Comes with 2 designated parking spaces but no drive or garage.

New build 2 is a 2 story detached and is more spacious downstairs although the master bedroom is smaller. The downstairs space is better laid out so it's easier to make use of the space. It also has a drive and a garage and a utility room which new build 1 don't have. But it's 30k more and it's off plan, last 4 bed left, in a very popular development so not much room for negotiation although we will try.

Is it worth 30k more to get more downstairs space, a garage and a utility room. Plus the advantages of being in a detached rather than a terraced. It would be the top end of our budget but doable, it's our forever house so maybe worth it long term but would we prefer the increased disposable income of the cheaper house.

Such a tough choice!

If you can afford it, yes no question. We are in a terrace with no utility room or garage and getting a semi or detached with both is absolutely on my list for next house!

House 2 definitely sounds better to me, detached, better layout, 2 storeys not 3 (preferable), driveway, garage and utility are all valuable to me.

Whether it is worth 30k more depends on the overall price of the house? £100-£130k probably not. £500-£530k, yes, definitely.

I'd go for number 2. 3 story houses are a pita to clean and sounds like it'll be easier to resell house 2 in the future. Also, for me, garage and utility room would further clinch it.

I am not mad keen on three storeys with kitchen and living room on different floors - which a lot of them have...

That said I've never lived in one, I just think it could be a pain with meals etc.

We have a v big bedroom but actually there's no great need, nice tho it is. I would always pay more for better downstairs space, I love my huge kitchen/living room and would sacrifice bedroom space to have one in any other house.

I also think a garage is useful, not for the car but for the junk! What's the storage space like in the three-story house?

Detached... hmmm I like it but it's only a problem living in a semi if you have noisy neighbours (which you can't know about) or play the trumpet!

I would go for the bigger better house personally. Are they equal otherwise in terms of location (eg near schools/shops etc)?

To me it would be worth it- more socialising (for children, adult friends etc) space over a massive bedroom any day!

I'd go for 2 every time.

New builds are notoriously poor quality so being detached is worth a lot.

Better downstairs living space also beats bigger master IMO, you spend most of your time in the bedroom asleep!

Also, garage and utility are worth the extra, even stuff like storing a vacuum can be a problem without either.

There is a reason why new build 1 hasn't sold!

Option 2, definitely.

Not a fan of townhouses

Yes totally worth it for all that.

Definitely go for house 2, re-sale wise people always prefer detached, more living space with good layout, garage and utility.

Price wise, if you are sold or are in rented then negotiate.

Never pay full advertised price on a new build, there’s always a buffer in there to allow for incentives and discounts.

If they won’t discount the price then take it in carpets/flooring/upgrades/extras/legal fees and land tax.

Thanks everyone, pleased most seem to agree!

The more expensive house is more rural and further away from shops etc. But it's closer to work than the cheaper house so it balances out really. Plus there's 300 homes being built on this development with 4 more developments locally so while it's rural now I imagine shops will pop up close by eventually.

So time to negotiate!

As new build 1 is completed they built it with all the upgrades and it comes with all flooring, appliances etc plus every upgrade was added in it as standard. They knew they would struggle to sell it I assume. The reason I think is because it's the one directly next to the affordable houses. That's not a deal breaker for us however.

New build 2 we could add the extras but they are charged. So its 30k house price extra plus the cost of the extras that are already included on the other house. More like 35k with the the ones we would actually want.

What's a typical reduction to get on a new build?

We pushed for extras to be included rather than asking for money off the purchase price

Definitely. Especially if you have children.

I would go for 2 every time. The utility room and garage are definitely worth extra money, especially if there is a better downstairs layout than house 1.

I’d say there’s an average of 20k worth of extras /incentives to play with when buying a new build from a large building company in this market.

Do you think £5k off the house price and £5k worth of extras is achievable? Should I email the offer so it's in writing or phone them?

I would think it's worth an extra £30 easily. Detached adds 35k where I am. Garage adds £15. Utility adds another 5k. Location and driveway also add. Long term house 3 is a better investment with better resale value

Deffinately worth the extra! I think with new builds you struggle to get money off and are more likely to get the upgrades thrown in instead x

You probably have around 3-5% margin to negotiate on the asking price. I'd look for a stamp duty contribution and free legal.

Being detached, with a garage etc is worth loads more than 30-35k. I suppose the difference is that little as it's far from amenities. It's a classic location v house conundrum.