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Hi lovelies,
Unless you live under a rock, you’ve probably come across plenty of new housing developments in nearby areas. It seems as though every city has at least one, and it’s all down to the demand for housing. We’re not going to get into all of that as it’s irrelevant and - quite frankly - a little bit boring! Instead, we’ll look at the main concerns you have when buying a new-build home.
Why buy a new-build?
The main reason to get a brand new home is just that - it’s completely brand new. Nobody has lived there before, so you don’t have to deal with old furnishings or lingering property issues, etc. You have a clean slate, which means your home should stay in excellent condition for longer, you can mold it to your preferences with ease, and it will have all the latest home technology & features.
This all sounds pretty amazing, but don’t rush into buying a new home just yet. While these properties are brand new, that doesn’t mean they’re free from issues. Sometimes, the people that develop and build these houses will rush them. As a result, some common problems present themselves to you. So, if you’re thinking about buying a new-build and want to know what to look for, then here are some potential issues:
Aesthetic defects
You’re bound to see lots of aesthetic defects as you make your way around the new-build. These can range from minor to severe, but they’re all problems relating to the visual aspects of the home. The most common of these defects is paint that’s become chipped or come away from the wall. This happens quite a lot as homes are usually made when it’s cold, then the temperature heats up, and the house kind of adjusts to this, leading to the cracks forming.
Again, this isn’t a huge problem as the structural integrity of the property is fine. It’s just a visual issue as it does make the house look quite badly damaged. Be sure to make notes of any aesthetic defects and tell the real estate agent about them during your tour of the house. If you do choose to buy the home, you want someone to deal with all these problems before you move in!
Stiff doors
It’s always a good idea to try and open the doors by yourself when viewing a new-build. Often, if you’re being led around by an estate agent, they do all the opening for you. It’s common courtesy, they’re not trying to hide anything, but it does stop you from feeling how the doors open. This is a problem as many new-builds have stiff doors that don’t open that freely.
Once more, this happens when the builders either rushed the installation, or the doors have moved slightly out of place over time. Either way, you end up with doors that are very hard to open, and can sometimes get stuck in the closed position. It’s a frequent occurrence, so be sure to look for this and get it fixed if you decide to buy the house.
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Gaps in the windows
You’ll be surprised at how many new-builds are guilty of having this problem. Gaps in the windows refer to instances where it looks like the window isn’t fully closed. Even when it’s in the closed position, you can still see slight gaps around the edges or where the frame meets the seal.
Clearly, this is one of the most significant problems to watch out for. Gaps in the windows can let in rain and cold air. Thus, your home can suffer from water damage when it’s raining, and it will be very energy inefficient. Essentially, heat escapes through these gaps, meaning your energy bill will go through the roof. Sometimes, the problem is fixed by relaying a thicker piece of sealant to plug up the gap. Other times, you might need a full window replacement to ensure everything fits correctly and that no gaps are present or will present themselves in the future.
Breaks in sealant
Similarly, another common issue revolves around the door and window sealant. This is that rubbery material that almost connects the windows or doors to the property. It’s supposed to help keep your home tightly locked and avoid any drafts of air coming through. Unsurprisingly, builders rush the sealant application process, which leads to breaks and gaps appearing.
Luckily, this is an easy fix. So, while it’s definitely a big concern, it can be dealt with pretty simply. All you need to do is replace the sealant with something stronger and better. Obviously, you shouldn’t be the one that needs to do this. If you buy the house, make sure you tell the estate agent that you expect all sealant to be fixed before you move everything in.
Tips when buying a new-build
Those are the four most common problems to expect in new-build homes. The good news is that they’re not overly problematic. Most can be dealt with quite easily, but always be sure they make any improvements or repairs before you move in, as it prevents any disruption during your move.
If you do want to buy a new-build, then there are a few tips to think about. Firstly, don’t assume that the asking price is set in stone. It’s not unheard of for real estate agents and property developers to drop the price and offer you a deal - particularly if you’re keen to buy the home ASAP and have the money ready.
Secondly, always visit the house more than once. This ensures that you can spot any issues that may have appeared since your first visit.
Finally, take pictures of all problems and notify the estate agents handling the sale. You must do this, so they know that the problems were their fault, not yours. If you wait until after you’ve bought the home, then they could argue you caused the issues.
Hopefully, this clears things up and gives you an idea of what to look for when buying a new-build. They can definitely be beneficial, just be wary of a few little problems that may present themselves.
