The benefits of buying new

Buying a new home has a wide range of benefits, from lower maintenance and running costs, to stylish new fixtures and fittings. NHBC, the UK's leading warranty and insurance provider for new homes, looks at why new is so appealing to today's homebuyer:

Lower running costs - new homes are built to higher insulation standards and have more efficient heating systems than ever before - greater energy
efficiency means lower heating bills and a reduction in carbon emissions.

10-year warranty - if the builder is registered with NHBC, the home will receive the full protection of NHBC's ten-year Buildmark Cover. Around 80% of new homes built in the UK are covered by the warranty and it currently protects more than 1.7 million homes. As well as protecting homeowners against faulty construction, if a problem is reported in the first two years after the home is finished, NHBC can provide its free, independent Resolution service. This involves investigating the problem and if a breach of NHBC Technical House Building Standards has occurred, NHBC will instruct the builders to put it right.

Chain free - spiralling house prices and long chains can be extremely stressful but because there is no chain when buying a new home it allows you to sell your home in your own time and often move in when you're ready to.

Contemporary design - most house builders provide a variety of quality designs from loft style apartments to three storey town houses. They may also offer a choice of kitchens, bathrooms, fixtures, fittings and even the internal colour scheme, so you can personalise your new home before you move in.

A blank canvas - a new home is a blank page which means there are no decorating disasters from previous owners to deal with and you can also start from scratch in the garden, designing and planting what you want.

Incentive schemes - look out for incentive schemes run by house builders such as offering to part exchange on your old home, or payment of stamp duty and removal costs.

Security - if you have a growing family it is important to know your home is safe. In addition to using fire resistant materials, house builders install smoke detectors as standard and robust locks on front and back doors. Plus there is no need to worry about old and loose wiring, as electrical circuits in new homes are designed to meet the electrical demands of today's lifestyles.

Long live the DIY free Sunday - new homes require less maintenance and repair than older homes and areas that would commonly require attention, like window frames and skirting boards, are fresh and just beginning their life span.