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Happy New Home

Friday, January 11, 2019

As 2019 begins and we make our new year resolutions, thoughts turn to the prospect of a fresh start, perhaps to moving house and being settled by Spring. Whilst older properties boast a wealth of character, additional space and an opportunity for buyers to develop and renovate, new homes or conversions can provide a brand new blank canvas that requires little maintenance and is ready to move in to.

Approximately 80% of house hunters are just not prepared to buy a property that needs renovating and at least 30% of buyers will only look at new builds, according to research by Gocompare.com. Even those who actually prefer the character and space of older properties may be daunted by the time or the money required to tackle a “project”.

New Home developments are especially appealing to investors and it is clear to see why; they offer the latest home designs, building materials, style, home comforts and come chain-free. Whether buying a New Home to live in or to rent out, there are many additional benefits.

New Homes are often designed with contemporary living in mind from kitchens with brand new appliances and open plan space to luxuriously fitted bathrooms and ensuites. They maximise space efficiently while indulging lifestyle trends such as media/cinema rooms. If you reserve a new home in the early stages of a development you may be able to select your own fixtures, appliances, flooring and paint. In some cases you can even amend the layout to suit specific requirements such as a walk-in wardrobe or study area.

For some inspiration from the experts it might be worth a visit to The Ideal Home Show at Olympia, London from 22nd March - 7th April 2019. Whether you’re planning to build your own house or extend/remodel your own home, exhibitors will be showcasing all the latest hi tech products and gadgets for new homes.

New Homes often incorporate the very latest designs, contemporary building materials, modern technology and state of the art building components from high-tech security systems to new technology heating and smoke alarm systrems. A new home also provides additional reassurance for buyers in the shape of long-term guarantees, such as the 10 year Buildmark warranty that is provided by the National House Building Council. This requires the property to meet current building regulation codes at the time of purchase.

Using the latest technology New Homes can be far more energy efficient than homes built even just a few years ago. Some use renewable energy sources while others incorporate energy efficient materials such as triple-pane windows, skylights to improve natural lighting and modern insulation that saves on heating. An energy efficient new home will minimise your carbon footprint as well as reducing your utility costs.

With state-of-the-art circuit breakers, fire resistant materials, smoke alarms, high-tech security systems and electric entrance gates, New Homes are often better protected than older properties from the risk of both fire and theft giving not only greater peace of mind, but also a reduction in insurance premiums.

In short, New Homes are a good option but should be viewed as a medium to long-term investment. Property prices can fluctuate but buying a new property will help keep ongoing costs to a minimum. For this reason investing in a New Home could be a wise move. Also, in the current marketplace, demand for newly built homes is likely to ensure a smooth resale making them an attractive proposition.

The Frost Partnership is a leading New Homes estate agent network offering high quality New Homes and restored period properties from reputable local and national developers across Buckinghamshire, Middlesex and Berkshire. For more information on New Homes or to see a selection of the latest new properties we are currently marketing across our network click here.