ARphotographs Posted May 30, 2011 Share Posted May 30, 2011 Well after 2 years in Middlesbrough Kat and i are moving back up to Glasgow, sadly due to time restraints we have to move in with the inlaws till we find a house. (She just finished uni, and i'm starting a new job on the 13th june, also house searching from 200miles away isn't easy) We are first time buyers and are stuck in what to do, we like the style of new builds, also the 10 year nhbc that comes with them... but, i know that new builds are smaller than older houses and can still have lots of problems. Kats mum keeps saying to get a new build as will have less problems and has the guarantee on the works, although i like the idea of a newbuild i can't help but think, for the same money you could maybe get an older house with more space (but then likelyhood of more problems with no building guarantee?) So just as a simple question, for a first time buyer, what do you think is the better idea? New build or Older? Cheers Adam p.s looking forward to being able to nip out to dukes pass Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ricey Posted May 30, 2011 Share Posted May 30, 2011 Get an older house but get a specialist survey done to highlight any issues. Its a bit like getting a Zed; - you can get a well looked after older one with high miles that is super tight (but expect routine maintenance) - you can get a trashed newer one for the same price that before too long might need some of the bigger jobs doing. - you can get a trashed older one that will rape you wallet until the end of time - you can get a well looked after newer one but you'll be comprimising on spec or paying a premium. I live in a newish build FTB'er house. They're like egg boxes mate - luckily ours is only a 2 bed so the rooms are a decent size but there is still no storage space for anything. You start looking at 3 bed new builds and they're basically 2 bed size with smaller rooms. Do yourself a favour and get an older one thats been well looked after. Rooms will be bigger, they generally appear more 'well built' (so my grandad used to say anyways). An indepth survey is an absolute must though - otherwise you could be stuck with any number of hidden nasties. Don't forget NHBC/Zurich municipal won't cover you for every little thing that goes wrong - I'm pretty sure its only major stuff like building defects. So unless you have a 'disaster' in a new build they're not that much use. EDIT - http://www.nhbc.co.uk/NHBCPublications/ ... 421,en.pdf NHBC only covers building defects. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
magic84 Posted May 30, 2011 Share Posted May 30, 2011 buy an older house. having worked on my fair share of new builds i personally would never buy one. id try and get a pre 60's. they have more character and feel homely if that makes sence. new builds are thrown up in no time at all, yes due to improvments in tech but thats not always better. im a plumber by trade and alot of specs are done on a low cost budget. they tend to use plastic pipe for example over copper which ive never been a fan of, but agian it's due to the construction methods eg the style of joists used. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ARphotographs Posted May 30, 2011 Author Share Posted May 30, 2011 cheers guys, pretty much summed up what i was thinking! will keep looking at older ones as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mattbowey Posted May 30, 2011 Share Posted May 30, 2011 i would get an older house and make sure you get a good survey done. when we moved house we got a nice big house with a massive garden for half what it wouldve been for the equivalent size new build. surveyer missed a damp issue in the kitchen and one of the bedrooms though. so that is gonna cost us when we get it sorted soon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
magic84 Posted May 30, 2011 Share Posted May 30, 2011 i would get an older house and make sure you get a good survey done. when we moved house we got a nice big house with a massive garden for half what it wouldve been for the equivalent size new build. surveyer missed a damp issue in the kitchen and one of the bedrooms though. so that is gonna cost us when we get it sorted soon did you had a full survey? if so are they not liable for not picking up on it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mattbowey Posted May 30, 2011 Share Posted May 30, 2011 i would get an older house and make sure you get a good survey done. when we moved house we got a nice big house with a massive garden for half what it wouldve been for the equivalent size new build. surveyer missed a damp issue in the kitchen and one of the bedrooms though. so that is gonna cost us when we get it sorted soon did you had a full survey? if so are they not liable for not picking up on it might be worth lookin into, tis my older bro's house (he lives in australia) so will have to get him to look into the documents Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carla Posted May 30, 2011 Share Posted May 30, 2011 I don't think you should be saying its gotta be either or. Why don't you look at a variety of properties with the budget you have, keep an open mind, you might be pleasantly surprised by what you find. Otherwise you will be limiting your search and you might end up missing the property you are after. I wouldn't mind moving into a bigger house regardless if it was new or old......................you hear that Ricey??? Sorry off topic Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
veilside z Posted May 30, 2011 Share Posted May 30, 2011 older is better. more character on certain homes, solid walls, bigger rooms. better going for one thats altogether if your not good at diy. good luck with your search. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jezza030 Posted May 30, 2011 Share Posted May 30, 2011 I'd be more inclined to go for a minimum 10 year + property - logic thinking that any problems would have surfaced by that point and rectified - also you may have options to modify/extend the older buildings whereas new build plot sizes are conservative... Problem with properties being built at the moment is the "majority" are having to be built at reduced costs which in turn must mean reduced quality, we know of 2 or 3 couples that have purchase new buildings (from previously reputable builders) and they have had no end of problems with plumbing issues (underfloor heating valves/pipe leaks) and damp via the mortar on brick ties etc etc... and its a nightmare trying to get anything resolved via the NHBC!! Good luck which ever way you go!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
captain Posted May 30, 2011 Share Posted May 30, 2011 As an estate agent, I'd say old every time. Larger rooms, larger overall plots, room for extensions when money allows, convertable attics, better quality build etc. etc. "Old" really stops at 1980ish in my eyes. After that point, the chances of finding high-quality construction and decent plots are minimal. New builds these days are usually 16 plus to the acre whereas estates up to the early 80s rarely exceeded 10-12. I've got a development at the moment at 20 per acre and it's hell in there. Financially, new-builds are sometimes good as the builder will offer Stamp Duty and conveyancing assistance and maybe cash-back making your need to accumulate a deposit less difficult. However, new estates take time to find their real value and can go either way (like cars) With an older home, this has already happened and you will know if you are buying in to a good area. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
James B Posted May 30, 2011 Share Posted May 30, 2011 The last two houses I've owned, the most recent of which I bought with the missus 2 months ago, have both been old, then refurbished, improved and extended. In my opinion it's the best way as older (pre 1970s have much heavier internal walls so have less noisy internal acoustics and generally built better. Then we're rewiring, new central heating and all mod cons to bring the tech to 21st centuary levels. Leaves you with a house that's specced better than most NB, more character and is to your personal taste right down to the light switches. You'll still probably save on buying NB and have a better home, don't kid yourself though redoing and rennovating a house is a massive undertaking and ALWAYS more stress and money then you'll expect. It's down to personal preference, what you want to get and what you're willing to put into it. Just go into it with your eyes wide open. Good luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrisS Posted May 30, 2011 Share Posted May 30, 2011 What Captain says. Only thing I'd add is what about self build,might be an option. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ebized Posted May 30, 2011 Share Posted May 30, 2011 On the flip side, one thing you might wish to consider if money is tight is to look at the runing costs. New homes these days are likely to be more economical to run (gas/electric/water) than older properties. Also, and unless you are keen DIY person, an older property can be a bigger drain on the money - look at how the house is constructed has it used materials that are going to require regular maintenance, unlike say a brick & tile house with upvc windows and doors. That is what June I bought having got together with very little money some 20 years having both come out of previous relationships with little money but fortunately our new build pile (bought off plan and modified as it was being built to suit our spec - advantages of being associated with the building industry) has saved us a lot of money since, compared to friends who bought older properties and yes, with lovely character, but have cost them all the spare money they have. Depends what your priorities are at the end of the day. i would get an older house and make sure you get a good survey done. when we moved house we got a nice big house with a massive garden for half what it wouldve been for the equivalent size new build. surveyer missed a damp issue in the kitchen and one of the bedrooms though. so that is gonna cost us when we get it sorted soon did you had a full survey? if so are they not liable for not picking up on it might be worth lookin into, tis my older bro's house (he lives in australia) so will have to get him to look into the documents If the Surveyor missed something then you should be able to claim against his professional indemnity, but there might be a time restriction Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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