Buying Off-Plan: A Complete Guide
Buying off-plan means purchasing a home before it has been fully built, often based on plans, designs and visualisations.
Many new homes are sold this way, particularly within larger developments built in phases over time. This guide explains how buying a new home off-plan works, what to expect, and whether it could be the right option for you.
Benefits of Buying Off-Plan Homes
The benefits of buying a home while it is still under construction include:
- early access
- potential price growth
- personalisation
- brand-new home
Off-plan homes are typically part of larger developments, where homes, green spaces and amenities are built in phases over time. The benefits of buying off-plan can include access to launch prices and incentives.
You may even have the opportunity to personalise certain features like flooring, kitchens or finishes – depending on the build stage. When buying off plan property, customisation windows are time-bound, so early reservation helps.
How to Buy Off-Plan Property
Buying off-plan often starts before a home is fully built, so the process of choosing a property can look slightly different to buying an existing home.
Below is a quick view of how buying an off-plan property works with us.
Site plan of one of our new build developments at Hartland Village.
Explore Our Developments
You’ll usually begin by exploring developments online, where you can view floorplans, CGI imagery and detailed brochures to help you understand the layout and specification.
We use high-quality CGI imagery, floorplans and detailed brochures online to help you visualise the homes before they’re built.
Visit the Sales and Marketing Suite
From there, you may choose to register your interest and visit a Sales and Marketing Suite or Showhome.
Many marketing suites have interactive digital tools and sometimes scale models available to help you visualise the homes and neighbourhood. This gives you the opportunity to get a feel for the development, speak to the sales team and ask questions about the homes, timelines and availability.
Register your interest to receive updates on availability
You can turn up in person or book a visit online using our get in touch form at the bottom of each development page.
Why Buy a New Home?
A brand-new Berkeley home comes with a range of advantages that you won’t always find when buying a second-hand property:
- Move-in ready – No need to renovate or update – everything’s brand new.
- Energy efficient – Modern insulation, heating and appliances help lower your bills.
- No onward chain – A simpler, quicker buying process.
- Modern layouts – Designed for the way people live today.
- 10-year warranty – Peace of mind with structural and aftercare cover.
- Personalise your home – Choose finishes when buying early – subject to cut-off dates.
- Part of a new community – Live somewhere designed to thrive for years to come.
See the benefits of buying new
Buying Off-Plan: Step-by-Step Process
Buying a new home with Berkeley Group is a little different from buying a second-hand property, especially if you're buying off-plan. Here’s what the typical journey looks like:
1. Explore Our Developments
Browse our website to find the development you are interested in. Use the 'Find a home' search to explore developments or homes in your desired area."
We use high-quality CGI imagery, floorplans and detailed brochures online to help you visualise the homes before they’re built. We also have interactive digital tools and sometimes scale models available at Sales & Marketing Suites to help you visualise the homes and neighbourhood.
Whether you’re buying a finished home or an off-plan one, you’ll have the reassurance of knowing the home is brand new, chain-free, and covered by a 10-year warranty.
2. Register Your Interest
Register your interest by filling out the form at the bottom of each of our development pages.
3. Visit the Development and Speak to Our Sales Team
In most locations, you can visit a Sales & Marketing Suite and Showhome to get a feel for the space and style and speak to a sales consultant in person. You can turn up in person or book a visit online using our get in touch form at the bottom of each development page.
Sales & Marketing Suite at the Horlicks Quarter development.
Reserve Your Home
When you’ve found somewhere that you want to buy, you can secure your chosen home with the payment of a reservation fee and signing a reservation agreement. We will then take it off the market.
You will be able to manage everything using our MyHome Plus portal where we will keep you updated with how things are progressing. MyHome Plus provides an online toolkit collating all documentation regarding your new home in one place. Berkeley will support you throughout the buying process, ensuring everything runs smoothly.
What Happens After you Reserve
Once you’ve chosen your home, the legal process begins, including appointing a solicitor and progressing towards exchange of contracts. For a full step-by-step breakdown, see our Buying Journey guide.
Your Home is Built
After exchange, our customer team will guide you through to legal completion. At every stage in the build process you’ll receive updates, have the chance to choose finishes (if available), and prepare for your move.
You will need to finalise your mortgage, or other financing, and your solicitor will review the final paperwork with you.
Completion and Handover
When your house is legally complete, it’s all yours to move in. On handover you will be able to get your keys, your handover pack, and support from our Customer Care team.
Once you move in, we will help you get settled. We provide a full home demonstration to ensure you’re confident using all features of your new home.
Aftercare
Even after purchase you can use MyHome Plus for information about your home such as maintenance advice.
Berkeley’s MyHome Plus
Is Buying Off-Plan Right for You?
It is often a good fit for first-time buyers who want a brand-new home and are comfortable waiting for completion. It can also appeal to buyers planning for the longer term, as well as those who want the opportunity to personalise finishes if buying early in the build process. However, off-plan purchases may require flexibility around timelines, as completion dates can change during construction.
Explore Your Options
If you’re considering buying off-plan, you can:
- Search for available developments in your preferred location
- Register your interest to stay updated on new releases
- Arrange a visit to experience the development in person
Why Buy From Berkeley?
Berkeley Group is an award-winning company, with a 50-year track record of delivering on our promise of building exceptional places for people to live, work and enjoy, with sustainability in mind.
When you buy a new home from Berkeley you can be safe in the knowledge that it is built to high standards of design and quality, has low environmental impact and that you will receive a professional, efficient and helpful service from us. We aim to establish beautiful, sustainable, places, offering lifestyles and communities that improve people’s lives.
We put as much attention into our service as we do detail into our finishes. You will receive tailored information relating to your purchase and have a dedicated person to guide you through your buying journey and beyond.
See our awards and recommendations.
View a Selection of Our Developments
FAQs: Common Questions About Buying a New Home
What is meant by off-plan?
How long will it take before I can move in?
Can I choose my finishes or layout?
Often yes – if you buy early enough, you may be able to personalise items such as flooring, kitchen or bathroom finishes. When buying off plan property, some buyers can request minor layout tweaks subject to build stage
Is there a warranty?
Do I need to sell my home first?
Where can I see what the homes are like?