10 good reasons to buy new

Why do so many people prefer to buy new rather than second-hand homes? At least ten reasons crop up regularly in buyer surveys, most highlighting the central fact that new homebuilders generally offer a range of benefits that the second-hand market cannot hope to match.

A perfect example is Barratt West Midlands’ Scholar’s Gate development in Stafford where buyers can take advantage of packages ranging from help with deposits and Stamp Duty to part-exchange, plus equity share options including HomeBuy Direct, where a selection of homes are available for 70 per cent of the price.

Graydon Worthing, Sales Director for Barratt West Midlands, said: “Deals and assistance like this are simply not available when buying second-hand homes because the vast majority of individual vendors and their estate agents are just not in a position to offer them.

“The help we can give with deposits or Stamp Duty, with discounts, part exchange and a whole raft of other benefits – very often, these are what make the difference between people being able to buy and not being able to buy.”

He added: “What’s more, the economic downturn has brought new home prices in line with the second-hand market, so there is not even a ‘brand new’ premium any more. Buying new is even better value now.”

So what exactly do buyers prefer about buying new? The most common reasons given by Barratt customers are:

- A brand new home in which no-one else has lived in
- Fully-fitted kitchens and bathrooms
- Energy efficiency – new homes are green homes, built to the latest environmental standards and cheaper to run
- Choice of certain finishes and coverings
- Opportunities to view example properties in advance, repeatedly if required
- Opportunities to tailor a custom made package to suit
- Wide range of no-strings help packages
- Customer service – friendly staff who help every step of the way
- Excellent locations
- Ten-year NHBC warranty

Barratt offers a variety of brand new homes at its Scholar’s Gate development. Scholars Gate offers two remaining five-bedroom homes from £374,750. The sales office is open 10am to 5pm, Thursday to Monday.


Alternatively, for more information, log on to Barratthomes.co.uk.

*Figures are based on the Department of Trade and Industry’s Home Accident Surveillance System report.