Before you begin the house-hunting process, it’s wise to have an idea in your head about the kind of property you’re interested in to help you narrow down your search immediately. Otherwise, you could find yourself trawling the country and never really finding exactly what you’re looking for.
One of the choices you’ll need to make is whether you’d prefer a period property or a new build, so it’s worth looking into the pros and cons of both in order to make an informed decision in this regard.
New research from Admiral Home Insurance has just revealed what Brits really think about period properties and new build homes – and it seems that newer houses are proving to be very popular at the moment.
The study found that even though they lack character and there are some concerns over inadequate room sizes, newly built properties are in fact the UK’s favourite style of home, with 23 per cent of those asked saying they would choose this kind of house over any other period property if given the choice.
The good news is that more than three-quarters of a million new builds have been constructed in the UK in the last five years so it seems that there are plenty to choose from if you are currently looking to buy a house at the moment, with the help of conveyancing solicitors in Epsom.
Although new-builds are proving popular, period homes will always be a top choice for many would-be homeowners out there. Victorian properties were found to be the second most popular housing option, characterised by their sash style windows, patterned brickwork and stained glass in windows and doors.
Georgian homes were also a favourite, renowned for their multi-paned windows, symmetrical formations and traditional features like cornicing.
Top tips for buying a new-build home
New builds are appealing for all sorts of reasons, with many liking the fact that they’re the first people to live there, as well as the fact that there are likely to be minimal redecoration and repair costs and lower running costs and energy bills.
Speak to a mortgage adviser to find out how much you can potentially borrow before you start looking for a new house, so you know what you can afford. From there, always make sure you do some research into the area you want to live in, as well as the local amenities and the property developer’s record for delivering properties on time.
Once you find a house you like, you can put an offer in – but remember that if this is accepted, you’ll have to pay a reservation fee (typically deducted from the purchase price upon completion of the sale).
For more help and advice, get in touch with the Gumersalls team today.
