4 Things First-Time Buyers Should Look For In A New Build Home
Buying your first home can be a daunting yet exciting time. New builds are popular among first-time buyers, as they allow you more customisation than an existing home, and you’ll benefit from being the first people to live in the property. That being said, there are many worrying stories out there from homeowners who have had issues with their new build down the line, and you’ll want to avoid such problems for the best possible experience.
You’ll need to do your homework to find the right new build to buy. This means investigating the developer to ensure they have a good reputation for providing quality housing. Approach any new build with caution, and gather as much information as you can to make the best choice.
Developer Reputation
It is often not hard to determine if a developer has a good or bad reputation with a quick Google search. Check out any news stories you find relating to the developer and assess the ratio of good to bad articles or other sources. Reviews can also be beneficial to get an idea of how trustworthy a developer is.
Look for a company with a majority of positive reviews on an independent review aggregator like Google or Trustpilot. It is likely that even the best developers will have some negative reviews, so sort the reviews from the most recent to get a good idea of the experience of buyers in the most recent months.
Customer Service
The level of customer service you’ll receive before, during and after construction can make a massive difference in how easy and painless the buying process will be. Some developers focus on customer service before and during the sale but may let buyers down after the contract is signed. A great way to find out if this is the case is by talking to neighbours in the development. Ask them how the customer service experience was for them, any issues they had and any positives.
Warranty
A new building warranty can be an excellent option for your peace of mind. Many developers offer them to protect against common issues that arise in the years after you buy a new build, often for a period of around 10 years. Always assess the new build warranty offered by a developer and ensure it provides excellent protection. For an idea of what to look for, check out the excellent warranties from Buildsafe.
Site
You can tell a lot about a developer and their contractors from a visit to the building site itself. Look at how the space is laid out, the provisions for green areas and the parking provided. It can be easy to tell if a development has been started without proper consideration for how accessible and functional it will be for the owners.
You can also look at completed developments to get a feel for how the neighbourhood will look once completed. It may also help to take someone with knowledge of construction with you, as they may be able to spot things that laypeople would miss.
