New builds - yay or nay?

[JoanApple]

Just that really...

I agree, Mini. I used not to like them but my son's Bellway one is really lovely and freehold (don't buy a house one that is leasehold ever). My mother knew Mr Bell in Newcastle - used to call him "Bell the builder". The Bell house (NOT a new build) was on our street as a child!

Even that @Xenia - my house is a 125 year leasehold - i know that’s really not ideal but better than the situation I was in before which was £850 rent a month. It’s weighing it all up and finding the best situation you can afford after researching as much as possible.

Definitely, a long leasehold is better than renting. Some of the new built houses which are leasehold have ever increasing service charges but anyone buying will have a solicitor who will tell them all about that if it applies to them.

It's a bit like everybody thinks Victorian houses were better built, not a chance, solid walls, to let the damp creep up, build straight onto clay, no insulation anywhere chimneys full of rubble , crap clay drains . You get the picture , the only good ones are the ones that have been fully renovated. I think some new builds look nice but never lived in one .

It's a bit like everybody thinks Victorian houses were better built, not a chance

Just as with new homes, you can’t really compare. The Victorian house I grew up in was a really solid, good quality build, beautiful quality fittings and big gardens.
The Victorian terrace I bought as my first house was shoddy and damp.

Yes! I didn't think we'd end up in one but very happy! All bedrooms double, solid build, excellent quality with 20 year guarantee, well insulated so our costs have reduced despite living in a much bigger home. We've a big garden. All houses on the estate are different and so much green area. The kids have so much outside space. Low traffic, parking never a problem. Eco creds very high. Everything works, any niggles sorted immediately. Our home is well sized yet still cosy and full of character.

We wanted a life, not a "lifestyle". We wanted to move in, not have to rent at same time while getting work done, cycle to work so we can be quickly home with the kids, cycle to countryside (10 min). And that's what we have, stress free.

The first phase still looks pristine. And we paid much less than a trendy matchbox victorian house.

@Livingmagicallyagain 20 year guarantee?! Never heard of that before. Heard of 10 year guarantee though... is that what you mean?

Like you said there are loads of perks. Lower energy bills is a massive plus for new build homes.

It’s good you’ve got a large garden as that’s what normally let’s new build homes down imo.

I'm not in the UK so could be different here!

@Livingmagicallyagain

I'm not in the UK so could be different here!

That completely changes the meaning as the context changes. If outside the UK then they will have different building regulations and use different building materials (more suitable for the country's climate too I imagine).

Impressive that they offer 20 year guarantee though. In the UK it's 10 years, which some people feel is too short.

I was put off viewing a new build because it had two bedrooms, two bathrooms AND a downstairs loo. All those bogs to clean! The plumbing to maintain. Surely you could make better use of the space?