Advantages of buying a brand new home

New homes are built to the very latest Building Regulations

A new home will be more energy efficient, with a modern heating system and higher levels of insulation. New homes built today can use up to 50% less energy than homes built in the early 1980�s. The energy efficiency of new homes continues to improve with stricter regulations. New homes have higher levels of sound insulation both within the home and from neighbours and other external sources. New homes are built to mobility standards giving easier access for the disabled and elderly.

Less Maintenance
Being brand new, your new home should not need modernising, updating, refurbishing or redecorating for several years to come. Most new homes are fitted with upvc double glazing, fascias and soffit boards, requiring only cleaning as maintenance.

Security
New homes come with higher levels of security, with window locks and British Standard 5 lever locks to main doors. Some builders either pre-wire for a burglar alarm system, or fit one as standard. These measures can help reduce house and contents insurance. Some developments even meet the criteria required for Secured by Design approval - a scheme that meets police standards for home security to guard against burglary and assault by way of estate design, physical security, lighting and alarms.

New homes are more environmentally friendly (greener)
Using less energy than older homes, new homes emit less carbon dioxide; a cause of global warming. Domestic water use can be kept to a minimum by using water efficient fittings such as showers and dual flush toilet cisterns. New homes are increasingly built on brownfield sites, recycling previously developed land. Typically these developments are close to town centre amenities.

Warranty

Most new homes come with an NHBC Buildmark warranty. This insurance backed policy covers purchasers against all defects due to the NHBC standards not being followed for the first two years. During the next eight years the warranty provides cover against major damage arising from structural defects or drainage defects.

Choice

There are normally a variety of home styles to choose from on a development. A lot of older properties are built in streets where the properties are similar in layout, style and accommodation. Subject to the stage of construction, buyers can usually choose fixtures and fittings from the builder�s range; typically this is confined to kitchen units and wall tiling. Some developers offer other choices or options at an additional cost. Most new homes are decorated in �neutral� colours giving purchasers a blank canvas to work from.

Safety
Modern homes are built to the latest safety standards using fire-resistant materials and linked smoke alarms. Certain rooms are required to have accessible opening windows, large enough to allow escape in the event of a fire.

First use
Everything is clean and unused and new! No greasy kitchen units. No tobacco stained decorations. No scratched or damaged fixtures and fittings. You also do not have to live with the previous occupant�s taste or DIY disasters.

Specification.
New homes are generally to a higher specification. Most new homes come with a fitted kitchen with oven, hob and extractor hood as standard. Most new homes also have built-in or fitted wardrobes in the principal bedrooms � uncommon in older style properties.

Simplified buying process

When you buy a new home you will be required to 'complete' on the purchase, usually within two weeks of the property being finished. On reservation you will be given an estimated completion date. You are then at the end of the selling chain. Some builders even offer a part-exchange deal on your existing home, saving you the expense of selling through an estate agent and the worry that the sale may fall through due to complicated chains, poor surveys or other glitches. On reservation, the price is fixed and your new home is taken off the market. Provided you exchange contracts within a given time period, you will not be �gazumped�
Procedure when buying a new home.

Re sale price
The valuation of your property will be directly linked to the price that the last property of your home type sells for on the development. As developers very rarely reduce prices on a development during construction, it could mean your property might increase in value in line with prices for the last homes offered for sale. This may exceed normal house price inflation. Your property will then be forever linked to the highest price achieved for the same house type. The earlier you buy on a development the greater the potential increase.