Buy a detached new build or stay put

[LastsliceofBattenberg]

I'd welcome opinions please. I live in a 3/4 double bedroom 1970s semi in walking distance to the local high school. I'm a single parent. 4th bedroom is a good loft conversion which is used as a home office since I wfh 2 days per week. I've only been here 3 years and have £110k left on mortgage which I intend to pay off in full with recent inheritance when the fix runs out in 2026. There is good living space downstairs thanks to rear extension off the kitchen diner and good storage thanks to attached garage with internal door. There is only one toilet in the house which is problematic with two teens so my plan was to convert the garage into cloak room/utility/toilet with new entry to the house (as currently the front door opens right into carpeted lounge). . I've just agreed to a quote from a good tradesman to do the conversion for approx 17k. The toilet would have to be a macerator as no other option. The house also needs new double glazing and bathroom suite soon.

Until this last week, I had accepted that I would stay I in this house until the children finish school (in 7 years) and then move. I've never felt fully at home here for a few reasons including frosty neighbours .... it's the least friendly street I've ever lived on. Most people just keep themselves to themselves (not even a "hello") but next door family are actively hostile for no reason I can fathom other than I've dared to move here from a different part of the country. I suddenly thought that, since I have this inheritance (I'll end with about £350k when probate finished) maybe I should just forget costly renovations and just move now. If I'm going to go through the hassle of moving it needs to be worth it... so 4 bed detached with good sized bedrooms for each of us. The only property that meets the criteria and doesn't need loads doing to it is a new build, very nearby, for £418k. The estate is said to be v friendly and I could part exchange and get them to pay stamp duty. I'd have less storage space and downstairs living space. I'm just awaiting their offer to part-ex my house. This move would eat up a lot of my inheritance that I probably should put in my pension (I'm NHS but only joined in 2020 so barely have a pension pot at 46year old). I could still pay off the mortgage and price difference but it would eat up most of the inheritance. But part of me just wants to get out of a house that I don't feel at peace in.

No brainer then, @LastsliceofBattenberg

Here’s to the simultaneous weeing!

@TriangleLight that's great to hear. Yes, they are wanting their bedroom space more and more now. The lounge in the new build is actually a tad bigger than my lounge and kitchen diner is similar. I'd just be losing my little snug extension and the integral garage dumping ground.

Have lived in my new build for just over 4 years and have had no problems at all. It's a gorgeous house and we absolutely love it. However, it a small 30 house site and not built buy a big house builder so the quality is arguably 'better' than the typical 'new build'. I think do some research on the company first and check reviews etc. If you haven't already!
Good luck whatever you decide!

I'd be moving. I have had a succession of wonderful next door neighbours over the years, but the one bad one that didn't clear up after their dog made life really disgusting. A big renovation job is a lot of effort if you are still unhappy with the location.

New build wise, what are the reviews like for the building company generally? If this doesn't work ut and you still want to move will there be other options?

I would do it, sounds like you don’t love your house or neighbourhood that much.

We love our new build, and would buy another. It’s so warm and any issues within the first 2 years their dedicated team came and sorted it out down to an issue with a toilet seat 😂

OP if you do this, the card are in your hand at the moment with the market, push that builder for as much as you physically can and barter. You mentioned stamp duty but ask for upgrades in the house like flooring or turn (if not included), solicitor fees etc. we went back and forth 2/3 times making an offer for reduced price, stamp duty and a garage conversion, before signing a deposit.

Also get your current house valued separately as you will tend to find the part exchange is fine apart from they might knock 10-20k off the price you could sell at. All depends how well houses sell on your area.

Have to disagree here on a few points. Not all new builds are poor quality, go down in value and are hard to sell. It depends on the builder, the area, the current market etc. We bought a new build in 2021 and sold it very easily (as did others in the area) this year for 30% more than we paid for it. We went on to buy another new build in a different area for personal reasons. Also not had any issues with quality or room sizes and we're quite picky people with things like that.

The estate we lived in was nice and had a good community feel. Only problem was one set of neighbours who were awful and people like that really do affect daily life. They were just arseholes towards us for no reason and made things feel extremely strained and awkward. Our new estate is similarly very nice, not characterless at all, and the people are great.

Go for it!
We bought a NB 3yrs ago and it has been great.

Being part of the FB group is a good start.
You will appreciate being detached and the noise isolation it gives.
Lovely design & layout, well built, plenty of space, well laid out development, a mixture of house types, designs & styles where you don't get two similar houses next to each other etc (the usual NB are rubbish, cramped, all timber framed, built of cardboard, look identical etc does certainly NOT apply here).
Everyone seems to get on well (with everyone moving in over the space of just a few years, you don't tend to get the usual dynamics).
A couple of houses have been sold on relatively quickly (one was a divorce and the others are moving to another part of the country) and at a premium over the cost of a new house (can't get my head around that one myself!).
The estate charge is £160pa which is negligible in the greater scheme of things.
House is lovely & warm with minimal running costs.
Had a few snags at the beginning but the developer dealt with everything and the site manager could not have been more helpful (a good site manager who has a grip on the site goes a long way to maintaining quality and keeping problems to a minimum).
The surrounding green spaces are already starting to soften. Young trees & hedgerows are establishing, (some) people are landscaping & planting plus several of us have unofficially "adopted" nearby green spaces and between us planted thousands of bulbs which come spring looks lovely.

We have no intention of moving on.👍

Double, triple and quadruple check all the contracts and stipulations about the new build. Make sure you get a really good conveyancing solicitor - not one recommended by the developer. Negotiate hard on part exchange values.

Try to speak to the current owners to find out if they are happy or encountered any problems. Ask about snagging. Ask them about their typical bills, water pressure, broadband speeds, all the things that you won't get from the developer.

On the face of it the move sounds good. You will probably live there a minimum of 10 years until your kids are independent and then you can decide whether you want to downsize and release more equity for your pension planning.

Good luck!

To be honest it sounds like you've made your mind up, so go for it and good luck!

Seems like a great option then. I’d definitely get a snagging survey done on the house beforehand though.

Oh gosh yapping dog would have me moving in a second!!!!

you sound rather persuaded by the idea and if not so worried about the £££ depreciation and you prefer the area then go for it.

If the new build is good quality, then go for it. Sounds like you could easily spend 60k on your existing house (garage, windows, bathroom) and still not be happy.
All new builds are not equal!

In your shoes I'd go for the new build. I've never lived in one but I have friends who have, and they are toasty warm with low bills whilst we shiver in our 1920s singke glazed house!

As others have said, it depends on the builders. It sounds as though you've done your research.

It really depends on the builders of the new builds and whether there is a service fee.

We have lived in 2 new builds, built by a very good local building firm, on an estate with no service charge. The house we are in now and the previous have had no problems at all, are really warm, everything is new and under warranty.

We never would have freely chosen a new build either, but it was the only way we could buy, due to help to buy. It has turned out really well though. We have had no problems, you don't have to worry about new boilers or a new roof or new kitchen/bathroom as it is all new.

As with old houses, it really depends on the builder.

Same here. Love our warm, cosy newbuild house. All of our neighbours had introduced ourselves within a week of moving in but they're not nosy or intrusive, just friendly. We did each other's shopping during the pandemic. Lots of same age peers for my kid (6) and a wonderful primary on the estate 7 mins walk away. Great transport links to London and local towns. House now worth £150K more than what we paid for it.

I have previously lived in: an Edwardian semi which was constantly falling apart; a 30s semi, which was absolutely fine; a very damp terraced Victorian flat that was actually wet inside if it rained; and a mansion flat in a converted Victorian school which was so cold that we didn't get out of bed in the winter unless we were wearing fleece onesies. I loved all of these homes for different reasons but this one has been by far the most comfortable and least high-maintenance.

Another new build convert here. Moved from our draughty difficult to heat, constantly requiring maintenance 1930s semi in 2019 and never looked back! Again not huge estate,quality build have had some snags but none major and all fixed quickly. Estate is friendly and bills are cheap next door moved quickly for personal reasons and sold after 18m at a profit. I agree woth bartering over the extras.Think there are lots of myths about new builds from people who have never lived in one

Macerator toilets are rubbish and it sounds like you have other reasons anyway for not being that happy where you are.

I would move house rather than spend £££ on improving your current one where there will still be some problems.

I would be considering everything suitable on the market in your area not just the new build estate. New builds don’t tend to appreciate in value as much as other types of housing because they lose the new build premium as soon as you move in. But there are exceptions to this & it’s important to buy a house you love. If you intend to stay there many years then it’s less relevant if they do or don’t increase in value in the first few years.

I can relate to a lot of this.
We had dreadful neighbours, something I had never experienced before and it's absolutely soul destroying. It was very hard to feel at home there unless you were a local as everyone knew each other and incomers swiftly moved on as they were made to feel very unwelcome. Before we moved there we looked at a new build which was in a lovely secluded location and seemed well built but I resisted despite my DH loving it and a couple of friends being very happy in their new houses and instead chose what seemed a sensible option.
Anyway, fast forward a few years we finally escaped the cul de sac from hell and are blissfully happy in a newly converted house in a great location. Give it plenty of thought but go with your heart. Life is too short to be miserable!

I am really happy with my new build. I have had zero problems and am enjoying putting my own stamp on the house. All of my neighbours are really nice too, a mix of ages and types of families.

I am well aware I have paid a premium for the house and if I had to move soon I would likely make a loss, but it’s just not really about money for me I guess, it’s my home.

Sometimes we just need a change of scene and a fresh start, especially after a bereavement, so I say go for it.

Def move to the new build. You’ll have the guarantee if anything does go wrong and won’t have to worry about upgrading anything for a long time. Your kids will love the swanky newness and if it’s in school catchment, will have local friends.

The garage conversion doesn’t sound like a great plan either.

Mostly though, I’m a strong believer that your home is your castle. It should be your safe space where you feel good. You don’t have that at present with the weirdo neighbours, so sod ‘em. Find another happy for you and your kids.

Thanks for all replies. I'm out for the day but will have a good read later.

Our son and Dil bought a new build 5 years ago.
At the time I was worried about this house.
After visiting since they purchased I have changed my mind.
It is a beautiful place. Plenty of space, large rooms and friendly
neighbours.
No bungalows or id have moved asap.

I'd just go for it in your shoes.

I love a new build and am living in my third house at the moment (I’ve also had a flat). I’d go for that option but the nicest one you can afford.
I love having tiny fuel bills, look for ones with solar panels and also being maintenance free apart from some decorating every five years.
It’s also really nice being able to add fixtures and fitting and customise your house. I love having lots of bathrooms and a utility room. Also we have lots of cupboards so that’s worth looking out for too.
I have had a Bovis, Barret and Redrow house and like Redrow the best.