When it comes to house-hunting, most people have a rough idea of what they want – it could be a contemporary new build or an established home requiring an upgrade. Both have their pros and cons, depending on your budget, and the time you are prepared to live with ongoing home improvements!
However, as we enter the coldest time of year, we thought it would be timely to explore why a new home is also a warmer and more affordable home.
A new property built to the latest building regulations can cost half as much to heat as a Victorian house of the same size, according to a brand new report by the NHBC Foundation.
The advantages of new homes are based on a survey of 2,000 people who have recently moved into a new home. Many pointed to the energy efficiency benefits - the better standards of insulation, enhanced draught-proofing and improved ‘airtightness’ that help to lower household annual energy bills and improve levels of comfort.
The report shows that energy bills are expected to be around £440 lower in a modern one-bedroom ground floor flat, compared to its Victorian equivalent. And, for a new build four-bedroom detached house, bills are estimated at £1,050 - saving £1,400 compared to those of a 19th century house.
Sticking with money matters, which underpin most property transactions after all, there is also much more financial assistance out there in respect of new builds than second homes.
For example, we are actively building homes right now which fall under the ‘Help to Buy (Scotland)’ initiative, meaning you could buy a new build with as little as a 5% deposit, the main stumbling block for first-time buyers in particular, but remember the scheme also accommodates second movers. Of course, there are other options such as Part Exchange and Assisted Move which really can make the difference between being able to move when you want to or not.
Putting the financial aspects aside, new builds also offer peace of mind, with a number of added reassurances to avoid unpleasant (and expensive!) surprises. Not only is the price fixed but everything is new and guaranteed with the NHBC 10 year warranty and Consumer Code for Home Builders.
Of course, design is another prime reason why people love new builds. Although our Perth-based team has been building homes since 1935, our properties are built to suit today's modern lifestyles and meet high technical standards. They also offer layouts which many older homes cannot accommodate without major structural works. Changes to accommodate open plan living areas or introduce en-suites, utility rooms or even built-in wardrobes can prove too much for many purchasers.
In fact, it has been estimated to cost £45,000 to bring the standard of an older property up to the same specification as a new home. Opting for a new build means that you avoid the hassle and cost, and can enjoy your home from day one.
Helping to tackle fuel poverty and climate change, our stunning homes are built to some of the highest technical standards in Europe. Slashing carbon emissions while enjoying a cosier home requiring no decoration or costly facelift, surely that’s a warming prospect?
You can download the NHBC Foundation report at www.nhbcfoundation.org or explore the homes we are creating right now in our developments section.
