New build estates South Bucks- opinions please

[Fretfulmum]

We are looking to move to South Bucks and there are hardly any properties on the market. We’ve seen this new estate being built very close to Beaconsfield town. What are the things we should be aware of if we are considering a new build here with so many new properties being built nearby? Do you think the property is unlikely to go up in value as much as non new builds nearby? Is this location desirable? We are looking at a 4-bed detached.

www.newwiltonpark.co.uk/

I live in a village quite close near to this estate.

I have relatives in the building trade and the general opinion is that new builds can often be overpriced (especially when there are schemes like Help to Buy) and sometimes not always built as well as they could be.
Often smaller rooms and often small gardens or outdoor space, parking etc.

We’ve recently bought a 1950’s built house because it appeared solid in comparison to new builds that we saw and we felt that it was better value for money.

Is it possible to look into the history of the builder and see what other new builds they’ve constructed in recent years? Whether the buyers are happy with their purchase.

Most new homes should come with a ten year warranty to correct any faults in construction.

Have you looked at other aspects of the area, schools, transport, etc?

I think my main concern would be schools. If primary, I think your nearest would be St Mary’s though they say that the increased capacity would be Holtspur, which is the other side of Beaconsfield. So I’m not sure what their plan is. Secondary the only plan is to increase The Beaconsfield School but doesn’t mention increase to grammars. Beaconsfield High for girls is in reasonable distance but boys have to travel further for grammar. Probably Challoners? Not sure about that.

The development is conveniently close to the local waste recycling centre but I’m sure that would only be an issue when the wind is blowing a certain direction, it doesn’t usually affect the area where the houses would be, to the best of my knowledge

Beaconsfield itself usually retains value well, but these are right on the outskirts. There is nothing else nearby to compare it to. New builds generally don’t increase in value as much as non new builds so I think it would be unlikely to benefit in the same way with local increases but doubt you would lose money. It has good road transport links which is likely to be a plus. Most new builds in Beaconsfield are small developments of a few houses, or someone knocking down a massive house to replace it with an even more massive house so this is something different.

I couldn’t see what the prices are for the 4 bed detached but I should think pricey due to the area…

Where are you looking OP?

Also, the ones being advertised as ready aren’t new build, they’re refurbished. Not sure if that’s what you had seen?

Thanks everyone this info is so helpful. I’m well aware of general drawbacks of new builds like the small gardens, boxy rooms etc. we are planning to view the first wave of the new homes at the end of Jan, due to be completed by June.
New builds wouldn’t be my first choice but we have DD starting a prep in September and we need to move soon. State schools aren’t a consideration for us and neither is commuting as we WfH. A big draw is we have a flat to sell and Bewley Homes will do a part exchange at a good price which will save us a lot of hassle as we’ve had trouble selling it since covid.
The 4 beds start from £975k. It looks like a big development of 350 homes and I saw another separate planning application adjacent to this land for a further 450 homes. This is what worries me- the impact this many homes will have on the house prices

I guess I’m trying to gauge the desirability of living in this particular area to try to determine if these homes will always be in demand? Or if generally people prefer to live elsewhere eg the surrounding villages

Personally I’d say that it is a nice area. Beconsfield is a lovely place but expensive, that’s the reason we looked at villages close by.
Marlow is quite close by as well and while I haven’t been there much it is really nice. I’m only a couple of miles away from Cookham which is on the River Thames. My grandchildren often visit Odds Farm and the model village in Beconsfield. I’m sure that there’s lots of other places that they visit locally as well. I think that the houses your looking at will probably be popular because of the area and the lack of available houses in the area at the moment.
Maybe it won’t be your forever home but I can’t see them loosing value unless there’s a massive housing crash but that would affect all houses, not just new builds?

Also looking at the numbers of houses to be built. That will take quite a few years just for phase 1, let alone the 2nd phase.

I think that you really need to find out more information about the area, I just looked on Google earth to see exactly where the estate is.

There are also some new build houses I drive past that look nice.

www.taylorwimpey.co.uk/new-homes/high-wycombe/pine-trees

It says High Wycombe but it’s more towards Flackwell Heath (a lovely village).

The new Abbey Barn estate is nearer to Flackwell Heath but Pine Trees is Daws Hill Lane in Wycombe and has a number of issues from what I understand (mainly to do with open spaces and children’s play areas).

If you are considering 975k for a 4 bed near Beaconsfield, I think it’s worth knowing that it would be considered relatively low priced for Beaconsfield. Holtspur prices would be over a million for a similar sized property so I would take that into consideration on what they are projecting future value to be.

Many do choose to live in the outlying villages. This wouldn’t be that, nor would it be in Beaconsfield really… does that make sense?

Depending on whether you need close proximity to your daughter’s school, I’d consider Penn, Marlow, Cookham, Chalfonts, Gerrards Cross, Seer Green etc.

These would probably be desirable to many as they are in Beaconsfield (ish) but are right on the access point for the motorway. I don’t think you’d have a problem selling on.

These replies are so helpful, thank you. Our top choice school is Maltmans Green in Gerrards Cross so we need something not too far from there. We WFH so no transport issues from that point of view. We’ve been waiting for properties to come onto the market but there’s so little so now considering new builds as well. Think we will drive by and have a good look around at the weekend. I’m quite focused on the ability to sell on after a while as I don’t think we want to stay in the home forever but I guess that’s a risk we have to take

Hi OP, how long are you planning to own the house for? If its just a few years I'd be concerned that as such a big development is being planned there a danger that houses will still be being built when you're looking to sell. A friend was in a similar situation recently and found it difficult to sell; given the option people seem to prefer a brand new house as opposed to a nearly new one. If you're planning on staying longer this is less of an issue.

Beaconsfield is very desirable, and so are the villages just outside, but as @LooksLikeImStuckHere says this is kind of neither really, its not Beaconsfield proper nor an established existing village. I live a few miles away and although I don't follow the Beaconsfield property market as closely I've noticed people living around here massively seem to prefer older houses, so anything newer can take longer to sell and increase in value more slowly. Its not something I've noticed quite so strongly in other markets so I thought it worth flagging if the ability to sell on quickly and for a good profit is a priority for you.

I'd second trying all the places @LooksLikeImStuckHere suggests looking at as well, they'd all be great places to live. You might want to try Amersham too- all have good school options nearish by, especially as you'd like to send your daughter to a prep school. Marlow is particularly popular with people relocating the the area, especially from London, and is a really lovely town.