Should I Buy a New Build Home? Five Benefits You Should Consider

Buying a home is an exciting experience. However, narrowing your property search can be challenging - especially with many homes available and seemingly endless factors to consider.

Luckily, there are many benefits of buying a new build home that can make your decision easier. New build homes can provide an easy, quick and hassle-free move - not to mention the longer-term advantages they offer once you’re settled in.

Five Benefits of Buying a New Build Home

From stylish, modern fittings to the latest safety features, new build homes combine comfort, convenience and functionality under one roof. Discover five advantages of buying a new build to see whether it’s the right choice for you.

1. Enhanced Energy Efficiency

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) states that the age of the property is the most significant factor associated with a home’s energy efficiency. According to ONS, homes built from 2012 onwards are much more likely to have a better energy efficiency rating than properties that predate this time. A greater energy efficiency rating means lower running costs for the homeowner - highlighting the benefits of buying a new build.

Older homes can often have poorer insulation and drafty windows which can be costly to repair and heat. Meanwhile, newer properties adhere to the most current building standards and regulations, improving thermal insulation and air-tightness within the home.

New homes, such as the ones featured across Berkeley Group developments, usually feature high-quality energy-saving appliances to help you live more sustainably. Collectively, these energy-efficient features create homes that are kinder to the planet and your pocket - helping to save you money on utility and heating bills.

2. Greater Reassurance

Unlike older properties, new build homes have no pre-existing owners. That means you won’t have to worry about general wear and tear on the property by its former occupiers.
In fact, all of our new homes come with a 10-year build warranty - with the first two years covered directly by Berkeley Group. Moreover, all brand-new appliances installed also come with individual warranties. 

The knowledge that a warranty protects your home provides total peace of mind and may even reduce the cost of your buildings and contents insurance. It’s this reassurance that provides an invaluable benefit of buying a new build for many.

3. Money-Saving Incentives

The opportunity to take advantage of government incentives creates another benefit of buying a new build home. 

The Help to Buy: Equity Loan scheme was launched by the UK Government in 2013 to help first-time buyers get onto the property ladder. It involves the government lending buyers a percentage of the new build property price. This could be anywhere from five per cent to a maximum of 20 per cent (40 per cent for new homes in London), which means the amount of deposit that first-time buyers need to contribute is much lower.

In addition to saving money on your mortgage, a new property can also save you money long-term. When you buy an older property, there are often unforeseen costs for repairs, rewiring or renovations to transform it into your dream home. However, with new build properties, everything is completely brand new, which means you can move in and start living your life straight away. 

4. A New Community

When you move into an older home, you’re moving to an area that already has an established community that you then become a part of. However, when you buy a new build home, you’ll be surrounded by like-minded people all working together to establish an entirely new community - like our residents at Stanmore Place.

A new development is usually chosen for its location and proximity to essential amenities. These can vary from commuter towns close to London to areas further afield, like the West Midlands.

Some developments, such as Kidbrooke Village, even have essential amenities onsite, such as a gym, schools, shops, dining and 86 acres of open space, making connecting with your neighbours even easier. 

5. Modern-Day Living

New properties usually feature spacious, open-plan living spaces that maximise natural light and seamlessly connect with the outdoors.

In addition, modern developments often allow for certain features of the home to be customised to your taste. This includes individually designed kitchens, bathrooms, layouts and a choice of fixtures, fittings and colour palettes to tailor your new build home to your preference.

Many new homes will even come with a host of modern technologies, such as built-in USB charging ports, lighting controls and smart appliances for your convenience.

Are New Build Homes a Good Investment?

If you’re looking to move quickly, the completion of a new build home is typically faster than an older property. With no former owners, the process tends to be more straightforward—allowing you to enjoy your new home sooner.

But it’s not just the short-term benefits of buying a new build that make them an attractive option for many.

Often developed in well-connected locations, new build homes put an array of amenities such as train stations, shops or schools within easy reach. This makes new build homes the ideal choice for commuters and families alike.

This, combined with enhanced energy efficiency, greater reassurance and opportunities to become part of a new community, can make new build homes a good personal, social and financial investment for many.

Find a New Build Home With Berkeley Group

If a new build home has piqued your interest, why not arrange a visit? Simply register your interest in a new build home to arrange a tour and see the benefits for yourself.

Alternatively, learn more about buying a new build home with Berkeley Group or visit our Inspiration section for further home-buying advice.