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What to look out for when buying a new home

If you’ve decided it’s time to get on the property ladder and you think a new home would suit you better than a period conversion, there are a few key things to bear in mind when you’re searching for your new nest.

The first, and probably the most important thing to do, is plenty of research on the property development company that you’re thinking of buying from.  When buying new, you need to look for new home builders that comply with the highest standards and are certified to do so. You need to know that you’re investing in the best quality home that you can.

If you’re going to look at a new development that’s not yet finished, then see if you can pay a visit to a development that has already been completed by the builder as this will give you a good idea of how your home will look when it’s finished. Take note of things like landscaping, pathways, entrance gates and whether or not there appears to be any remaining debris or building materials that still need to be cleared from the site. If you’re about to commit to one of the biggest purchases of your life, you want to know that you’re buying from a developer who will see the project through to completion.

Remember to look beyond the cosmetic details in the showroom to make sure you are happy with the overall quality of the build. It’s easy to make any new home look fantastic with nice accessories in the rooms and pretty wallpaper on the walls. However, more important things to look at are fixtures and fittings. Take note of things like the door handles, the type of taps and shower unit used in the bathroom, the quality of drawers and cupboards in the kitchen and the brand of the hob and oven if the house comes with a fitted kitchen. All these little details will tell you whether or not the builder has made the effort to finish the house off properly, rather than using the cheapest materials he can find.

It may not always be possible, but if you can, talk to someone who has already bought one of the houses or apartments and ask them if they think the home was worth the money they paid for it. Unless they are particularly friendly with the builder, they’ve got nothing to lose by telling you the truth.