Cold snap sends house hunters online

While the recent treacherous weather and road conditions have deterred house-hunting on foot, homebuyers have turned to the web in droves to search for a brand new home, according to SmartNewHomes.com.

The UK’s leading new homes portal saw traffic surge by 23% during January’s snowiest weather as record numbers of potential buyers set about planning their viewings for when the weather improves.

Housebuilders can expect an unseasonal rush as homebuyers head for developments when show homes reopen for business once the cold snap is over. For many potential buyers experiencing the recent sub-zero temperatures, better insulated homes and lower fuel bills will be at the top of their “must have” list. New homes are around 40% more energy efficient than homes built before 1992, potentially saving the consumer up to £500 a year on bills and developers across the UK will be keen to promote these benefits.

David Bexon, Managing Director of SmartNewHomes.com, comments:

“When the snow is falling outside, it seems homebuyers are doing the legwork from the comfort of their own homes as the rise in the number of searches to our site confirms. Now more than ever, the benefits of buying a brand new home are apparent. Not only are they the most energy efficient homes in the UK in terms of the fabric of the building but also have a range of low carbon emission appliances included in the price. New homes also score highly for low on-going maintenance which continues to make household budget savings for a number of years.”

For more information and to search the database of new homes visit, smartnewhomes.com.