New build support chat thread?

[notheragain4]

There seems to be a few of us buying new builds at the moment. I thought it would be good to get a thread going where we can chat about the specific issues we deal with when buying a new build, like incentive negotiation, help to buy if using, exchange deadlines, long stop completion dates and snagging.

We are selling our house to a FTB and reserved a Barratt new build. Stressed out atm as we are 4 weeks passed our exchange deadline as buyer didn't instruct solicitors until his mortgage offer came through which took 7 weeks, we are waiting for his searches this week and praying it won't be long after that. We are getting keys to a rental today and house is built in November.

I will leave it there in case no one responds and I am talking to myself!

@notheragain4 yes the same double front around us too. I praying we might get the opportunity for a self build after this house, then I can smash together all my favourite layouts and styles!

@Thriceisnice Yes, it is a bit unusual, we actually did the same in our current property, the downstairs WC was big enough and so we added it all. As long as its done nicely then it doesn't feel too weird being the loo the guests use (unless you do a wash load whilst they're there!). In the show home it was really spacious too, which was nice. The only downside, for me, is if it was a utility off the kitchen I could happily keep the microwave or less used appliances there, but I can't with a downstairs loo! So I think we'll build a drinks/appliance station for coffee machine/hot chocolate velvetizer/alcohol stash at the far end of the dining area tin a way it can be hidden/tidied and have some big cupboards underneath to stash the big mixers etc so we only have a few appliances in the kitchen full time. Is it mean to shove the dog food and stuff in with the downstairs loo?

Is it mean to shove the dog food and stuff in with the downstairs loo?

Seeing as dogs lick their own, and other dogs', bums I don't think they'll mind

One of the things that lets me down about our floor plan is only one french door to the back garden. I'd love it if the utility was separate with a door to the back garden for ddog, so we can have a mucky paws area for winter garden mud and wet and walks. I don't think I've seen this in a new build yet, only doors coming off the drive way.

Seeing as dogs lick their own, and other dogs', bums I don't think they'll mind - I think she's helped me decide too - she's just let off the most almighty wind under my desk - hygiene and smell is not her concern at all. I just gagged in the middle of a work call. Luckily everyone laughed.

@MyDucksArentInARow yes an outside door would be great, ours isn't really a proper utility, it doesn't even have a door, it's just a sectioned off laundry space really. In another style of house we were looking at the utility came off the driveway which would have been better as we have a muddy footballer in our house!

I think we're lucky as we have doors coming off the kitchen, study, and utility. Still a small garden though!

@Maybenexttime08 The dream!

Just went to look at the house - roof is on, but makes you realise how close they all are to each other :-(

@Maybenexttime08 were you able to get close? Does it affect you in terms of being overlooked and parking?

We have our own parking and garage - and I knew we were going to be a bit overlooked.. sure it'll be fine!

I'm sure it'll be fine, every house is a compromise and that's a common one with new builds. Maybe look at some modern window coverings and what you can do in the garden.

www.ft.com/content/4a5f23d0-5a17-11ea-a528-dd0f971febbc

Do make sure you are buying freehold and not one of those escalating ground rent leases.

@dotoallasyouwouldbedoneby yes we checked everything was freehold, it doesn't seem to be as widespread of a problem as it was a few years ago. Absolute scandal. Worth checking garages as well too if not on your plot.

Also ask about service charges, we've been very lucky and never had one on any of the new build estates we've lived on, nor the one we're moving to, but I think that's somewhat unusual.

We have a service charge of £20 a month - will be interesting to see how it is used!

Yeah it's really frustrating how councils don't step up everywhere anymore. That said, I wish it wasn't the council managing our estate's park as they won't open them 😡

Hi gang, this came up on my active threads and I took a look.

I'm a property solicitor and I deal with a lot of new builds. I'm also a member of a few forums (fora?!) where people have bought new builds and their solicitors (or conveyancers if they didn't use a qualified lawyer) didn't really fill them in on the joys of the various charges involved in living on a new estate.

You need to ask them specifically if your estate and property is subject to an estate rent charge. If it is you must ask them to explain the risk to you and ensure that your lender is aware and consent to proceed nonetheless.

Rentcharges are easily google-able, try "rentcharge danger and lenders" and "risk with new bike estate rentcharges".

Do your homework guys. This is causing so much trouble for people who signed up a couple of years ago and are now trying to sell.

Good luck with everything!!

So I've tried to get a house insurance quote with our current insurer and they're not able to do so yet as they don't have enough information, they said try again a bit closer to the time otherwise we'll need specific new build insurance until the address is more established. I hope they do get more information soon as specialist insurance sounds expensive!

Really gutted today, we were gazumped for our plot. We were checking their counter offer with our mortgage advisor as it was bordering having an impact with lenders. Literally in half a day. So it's now looking unlikely we will find a suitable plot within the stamp duty and HTB time scales as they won't do a hold on the plot with an easy move now they're down to the last one.

Fortunately though, it'll only set us back about 12 months and we're not desperate to move. We're seeing if we can early bird a better plot and wait for that, then negotiate in the stamp duty for that plot and a part exchange. Gutted we're set back though.

@MyDucksArentInARow I'm really sorry to hear that. We had no difficulty negotiating stamp duty off on two properties, developers are generally happier to do that, so I definitely wouldn't get too hung up about the stamp duty deadline. And there are rumours they may extend HTB changes to keep the market going so you never know. Keep your ear to the ground.

I have a new build Bellway property. Love it! Very sturdily built, no major snags and very, very little sound coming from next door, if any (semi detached)

Sorry, that's crap @myducksarentinarow, but hopefully you will end up in the perfect home and this is all for a reason

Thanks everyone. Yeah it's feels a bit weird but then part of me does think, if we can get the other plot, it's all for the best. It's the difference of being able to buy without the HTB or not. Without HTB we can also look at part exchange, which would be much less stressful. Just got to be positive that it all happens for a reason.

@MyDucksArentInARow I've just noticed another house on our development that was reserved has come back onto the market 3 or so weeks later. Although reservations are happening I'm noticing a lot falling through (I'm sad and check every day!) I assume mortgages are potentially an issue. So keep an eye and maybe ask the salesperson to call you in case it falls through?

@notheragian4 yes, I've said exactly that to the sales woman. I've ended up being super honest with her about what we want and why, what our timeline options are etc. We're still putting our property on the market but we're not going to rush now to reserve the plot we were after, since that's gone, and the "race" to secure the plot over. We were going to do their easy move scheme so we didn't incur estate agent fees and to hold the plot because we're not desperate to move, so we're going to try a free estate agent service and handle viewing etc ourselves. Best way for us not to lose out really. I don't want to gamble much on selling our place in case we decide not to sell for 12 months.

@notheragain4

OMG it is very uncanny!We were FTB 3 years ago using FHTB which will be paid back when we move as less than 50 miles away and not OOO. Doing so will increase DH salary.

Still no news on moving yet, and I sucked up the SD issue. It is what it is and as I said on the other thread concentrating hard on the bigger picture. Luckily work this week has been so busy I haven't thought about moving too much. But we are considering air con!

The floor plans of everyone's houses are amazing, so excited for you all