Home hunters see the benefits of buying new

The Home Builders Federation launches New Homes Week 2009 from 12-20 September 2009, giving home-hunters an industry insight into how and why there has never been a better time buy the home of your dreams.

New homes builder Stamford Homes – which has head offices in Peterborough and Grimsby – prides itself on a reputation of quality and affordability, outlining the benefits of buying new.

When it comes to moving or buying a first home, many people are faced with the dilemma of old versus new.

A serious debate facing most homeowners is which one will give them the best value for money - a new, or second-hand property.

Re-decorating, installing a new bathroom or kitchen and laying new carpets are just some of the DIY jobs many of us have planned when we move into a ‘used’ home.

However, buying a new home can cut down the cost and also put customers in the driving seat when it comes to those finishing touches – as well as save them a small fortune in domestic repairs.

Now is a great time to buy a brand new dream home. As well as prices being at their most affordable for years, Stamford Homes is able to offer a wide range of incentives to curb the cost of moving – and helping the customer to secure their brand new home. The days of paying a premium to purchase a brand new home are over, with home-builders and lenders now valuing new at the same values as second-hand.

As well as the financial benefits, there are also numerous advantages with buying a home where everything is pristine and brand new and means a fresh new start.

New homes also offer fantastic value in terms of energy efficiency, security and design – both internal and external. They are a blank canvas allowing you to stamp your own mark and personality on what is the most important purchase of your life.

Benefits include:

- A number of financial-related special offers, including deposit paid, legal fee contributions, availability of 95 per cent mortgages, the Government’s HomeBuy Direct scheme and Stamford Home’s take on the Bank of Mum and Dad, Family Bond incentive – to name a few.

- Housebuilders have perfected the moving process with many packages to help customers sell and existing home, allowing them to go ahead and reserve a new home. Stamford Homes can offer part exchange or Stamford Assist. Stamford Assist Plus gives customers whose home has not yet been built to sell their existing home and move into rented accommodation for up to nine months.

- Less maintenance - old homes may have more character but they may also need more costly things doing to them, which could see the owner shelling out for things like new guttering, replacement windows or extra roof insulation.

- Energy efficiency. New homes are well insulated, and include double-glazing as standard, making them cheaper to run than older homes. All new homes are fitted with a water metre. Studies show that new homes are on average four times more energy efficient that older homes, so producing lower energy bills.

- A blank canvas - you can usually determine colour schemes, choose kitchen units, bathroom suites and matching wall tiles, you can even pick your own carpets and curtains.

- New homes are built to make use of every inch of space. Research shows 17 per cent of living space in older style properties often goes unused, which translates to £34,000 of a £200,000 house going to waste. New homes, on the other hand, provide flexible living space whatever your circumstances, whether you are single, a couple, a growing family or retired.

- The vast majority of new homes come with an insurance-backed 10-year warranty from the National House Building Council or Zurich, giving new owners real peace of mind. That’s something else you simply can’t get when buying second-hand.

- New homes builders are often more realistic and flexible about pricing.

Stamford Homes regional sales and marketing director Peter Bond said: “In today’s market place, with so many incentives available, the argument for buying new as opposed to old has never been greater.”

“There can be many hidden costs involved in buying a secondhand property - perhaps the central heating system is not as reliable as you were led to believe, or the windows need a lick of paint or even replacing.”