Written by Carly Freestone | 29th April 2021
Spring is in the air and the housing market continues to be turbo-charged. At Michael Graham we are specialists in the country house market, and also have a wide variety of luxury new build country homes for sale, all offering the very best of modern living.
Our period properties have effortless charm and character in abundance, so what are the benefits of buying a new build country home?
When buying off-plan, many development companies offer buyers the option of choosing from a range of fixtures, finishes and flooring. Having this freedom to choose tiles, paint colours, kitchens and bathrooms can be a huge incentive for buying a new build, mainly because it removes the cost and the hassle involved in redecorating to put your own stamp on an older property when you move in.
For many first-time buyers a new build home is the only way to get a foothold on the property ladder because government-backed schemes such as Help-to-Buy and Shared Ownership are only available on the purchase of a brand new property. Some developers will even throw in extras in order to seal the deal, including paying the stamp duty or covering the cost of carpets.
New builds often benefit from all the latest fittings, appliances and technology. Many offer ‘smart home’ features and desirable open-plan layouts. Some gated new developments also have shared amenities such as a gym, a swimming pool or a concierge service and enviable communal gardens.
As you’ll be the first owner you won’t have the dreaded chain of buyers above you. At a stroke this takes away what can be one of the main stresses of buying a home, especially at the moment when the market is suffering from delays and logjams. If you don’t have a property to sell first, buying a new build can mean a speedy, bump-free process to exchange and completion.
All the latest safety and security measures should be in place in a new build home, including fire prevention, industry approved locks on doors and windows, intruder lighting and alarms. It makes for a much easier and cheaper consultation with home insurers than for a period property with stone mullion windows and heavy oak doors.
The extensive structural surveys needed when buying a period property are not necessary when buying a new build. Brand new properties usually only call for a cheaper and easier ‘snagging’ survey, which looks at the quality of a house builders work and confirms that the structure and finish are sound.
All new build properties come with a 10-year warranty from the National House Building Council, giving new homeowners protection against major structural defects should anything go wrong. Individual policies may differ, but they should all offer comprehensive cover against major structural defects and contaminated land. All of the new build country homes listed with Michael Graham are built to exceptional standards giving buyers peace of mind knowing that their home maintenance costs will be low for the foreseeable future.
The government has strict 2025 carbon reduction targets for all new homes. These targets place the buyer and the planet firmly before homebuilders who shoulder the increased costs of complying with rigorous carbon reduction standards. Developers are obliged to use efficient cavity wall and loft insulation and install double or triple-glazing to avoid energy wastage They also have to use the latest building materials and energy efficient lighting as standard. Data highlights this stark difference: over 80% of new homes have the highest A or B energy efficiency rating, compared to just 2% of older properties. That means a smaller carbon footprint for your household, lower bills and cosier living spaces, which amounts to a case for buying a new build that’s hard to argue against.
A development of eco-friendly homes by the award winning housebuilder Hayfield in Hanslope include eco features such as air source heat pumps, electric vehicle charging points and underfloor heating.
At Michael Graham our focus is on finding your dream home and our team would be delighted to offer you help and advice if you’re thinking of buying a new build home or a home ‘off-plan’. Why not head to the Michael Graham new build properties page on our website and if you have a home to sell, you can book a free, no obligation market appraisal too.