Just because you're buying a new home doesn't mean you'll be paying more for the privilege - in fact, there can be numerous cost benefits to buying new builds rather than older houses in need of repairs and upgrades.
Whether you're looking for your first home or moving to a more desirable property, there's a special feeling that comes from stepping inside a new build and knowing you and your family will be the first people to make your mark on it. Because you won't have to deal with damage or questionable DIY jobs carried out by previous owners, your house can feel even more distinctive and like it's truly your own.
Some house hunters avoid new builds because they worry the costs may be higher, especially if the property needs furnishing. However, paying a little more to fit carpets and sort out the garden could prove to be insubstantial compared to the money you'll be saving in other areas. That's not to mention the freedom these actions will give you to put your individual stamp even more firmly on your home.
Among the cost-saving advantages of newer homes is the money you could be saving on electricity and heating. Modern homes are frequently designed to be more energy-efficient than those from previous decades, both in terms of construction and components such as your boiler and central heating system.
If you're particularly concerned with environmental issues, you could even look for homes being built specifically to benefit from renewable energy sources, such as solar power. Solar PV panels can be expensive to install yourself, even with the savings they provide on energy bills, but if you're able to negotiate an affordable price for a new home that includes these already, you could enjoy these savings instantly.
A new home is also likely to cost less to insure than an old and damaged one, which insurers may feel is at higher risk of claims being made. You can easily compare home insurance online to find the best rates available for your new property, which should be better secured against criminals as well as at lower risk of structural damage.
Even if you decide to build your own home from scratch for a truly personal living experience, there are a number of ways you can save money - from looking for the cheapest bricks to arranging the floor plan to make the best use of your available square footage.
Whether you're looking for your first home or moving to a more desirable property, there's a special feeling that comes from stepping inside a new build and knowing you and your family will be the first people to make your mark on it. Because you won't have to deal with damage or questionable DIY jobs carried out by previous owners, your house can feel even more distinctive and like it's truly your own.
Some house hunters avoid new builds because they worry the costs may be higher, especially if the property needs furnishing. However, paying a little more to fit carpets and sort out the garden could prove to be insubstantial compared to the money you'll be saving in other areas. That's not to mention the freedom these actions will give you to put your individual stamp even more firmly on your home.
Among the cost-saving advantages of newer homes is the money you could be saving on electricity and heating. Modern homes are frequently designed to be more energy-efficient than those from previous decades, both in terms of construction and components such as your boiler and central heating system.
If you're particularly concerned with environmental issues, you could even look for homes being built specifically to benefit from renewable energy sources, such as solar power. Solar PV panels can be expensive to install yourself, even with the savings they provide on energy bills, but if you're able to negotiate an affordable price for a new home that includes these already, you could enjoy these savings instantly.
A new home is also likely to cost less to insure than an old and damaged one, which insurers may feel is at higher risk of claims being made. You can easily compare home insurance online to find the best rates available for your new property, which should be better secured against criminals as well as at lower risk of structural damage.
Even if you decide to build your own home from scratch for a truly personal living experience, there are a number of ways you can save money - from looking for the cheapest bricks to arranging the floor plan to make the best use of your available square footage.