4 Benefits of New Build Homes
If you’re considering moving house, whether it’s a first step on the property ladder or the seventeenth, then you’ll face a choice between two broad categories of property: those that have been occupied before, and those that haven’t. If you’d like to live in a new-build home, then you’ll face slightly higher prices, and you might (arguably) lose a little bit of the character that comes with an existing property.
On the other hand, there are a number of slightly more tangible benefits to opting for new build homes. Let’s consider a few of the important ones.
Modern Designs and Layouts
New builds are built to modern standards. That means, among other things, that designs and layouts tend to be more expansive. You’ll avoid the compartmentalisation that comes with, say, a period cottage; instead, you’ll get sprawling kitchen-diner spaces, en-suite bathrooms, and made-to-measure, walk-in wardrobes.
Customisation
If you’re buying a home that hasn’t yet been constructed, then you’ll enjoy a big advantage: the ability to have a say in the layout of certain spaces, the materials used, and the fixtures. If you’d prefer to forgo the bathtub in your main bathroom and just have a shower instead, then you can make it happen. If you have particular needs at home, then this can be a considerable upside. For example, you might want a home office space with Ethernet sockets and plenty of power.
Lower Maintenance Costs
New builds require less maintenance. This is because the materials from which they’re constructed are often superior, and they’ve had to endure less wear and tear. Thus, the premium you pay for a new-build is often offset by the savings you’ll make in the years to come. Often, new builds come with warranties, which will protect you against structural problems (and, often, non-structural ones). It’s worth conducting a snagging survey shortly after you’ve moved in, however, so that any issues can be promptly flagged and addressed.
Smart Home Integration
The modern world is almost defined by computer networks – and the modern home often reflects this. With a new build, you’ll not only get a home network, but a number of modern smart appliances. When your lighting, security systems, and television can all be controlled using voice commands, you might be surprised at how much simpler and easier life feels.
Again, this is something that you’ll often be able to deal with right from the start. So, rather than upgrading the fridge-freezer that comes with the house, you might simply agree that the home will be sold entirely unfurnished, so that you can secure the appliances that best fit your needs. In the long run, this will represent a saving – even if you end up paying more to begin with.