Benefits of buying a new house

New build homes are a great choice if you want to skip the stress and uncertainty of the bidding wars or collapsed buyer chains that can happen with existing homes. Likewise, if the words “fixer upper” send a chill down your spine, a low-maintenance new home could be the answer to your prayers.

Let’s take a look at 7 things to consider when buying a new house and see if this could be the right move for you.

Whether you’re time-crunched, on a fixed budget or simply want to move with minimal hassle, you can’t go past the convenience of a new home. You can confidently move in and start unpacking, knowing that everything from the roof over your head to the carpet beneath your feet is new.

One of the biggest benefits of buying a new build home is that maintenance and repair costs will be minimal. Everything is brand new and in good working order when you move in, from appliances, plumbing and electric systems, glazing and other fixtures and fittings. You won’t need to worry about repairs for years to come and can simply enjoy living in a home that needs minimal maintenance.

Pre-owned homes can sometimes have an outdated, boxy or unusual layout that would require a lot of renovation to make them work. By contrast, a new build home is designed for the way we live now, with features like open plan layouts, taller ceilings, spacious kitchens ripe for social gatherings, underfloor heating or smart home technology.

Because a new home is a perfect blank canvas there’s no worrying about hidden issues or questionable decorating choices from a previous owner. You can also work with the builder to tailor the home to your preferences. Most companies give you a range of options for tiles, flooring, appliances, colour schemes and various fixtures and fittings.

If you choose a new home that is still in the design or construction phase you could have even more input into the finished product. If you have your heart set on a luxurious kitchen or gigantic bathtub there may be scope for adding that into the plans from the start, unlike an existing home where this would mean a costly and disruptive renovation.

You can also take the opportunity to make sure your new home is designed to get maximum daylight. It’s a must-have feature when we spend up to 90% of our time indoors (according to research from the World Health Organisation), whether it’s for socialising, relaxing or working. Including roof windows in the design is the best way to flood your new home with daylight - VELUX roof windows offer at least twice as much light as vertical windows of the same size.

New build homes must comply with the latest building regulations and minimum energy efficiency standards, which frequently makes them more energy efficient than older properties.

New homes have energy efficient features included as standard that would be costly retrofits or upgrades in an existing house. For example, new homes have excellent insulation which helps keep them warmer for longer without needing to switch the heating on. Many construction firms are also using more sustainable materials and building materials, as well as more energy efficient appliances and heating systems. So not only are new homes frequently cheaper to run, they can have a lower carbon footprint.

One of the biggest benefits to consider if you’re thinking of buying a new house is a 10-year warranty. If any problems arise the builder covers the cost of rectifying them for the first two years, known as the defects insurance period. The remaining eight years of the warranty make up the insurance period, which would cover any issues with structural elements such as the foundations, roof or ceilings. Such claims are made directly through the warranty provider.

Any new appliances such as washing machines or fridges that come with the property should also have their own warranty. This helps you save money and brings peace of mind too.

There is also usually a final “snagging” check of the property when you move in to take care of any minor issues, like a stuck door or chipped paintwork.

An attractive thing to consider with buying a new house is that because you’ll be its first owner you will avoid or reduce one of the biggest uncertainties of buying - the property chain. Even if you’re selling your existing home, the chain only goes upward, which can be attractive to buyers as it’s one less link in their own chain.

New homes can also be a great option for first-time buyers, and often their only viable way of getting on the property ladder. Initiatives like shared ownership and the government’s Help to Buy equity loan scheme are only available for new build homes.