The housing market remains open in the current lockdown, which is good news for homehunters looking to move at this time, especially, if like so many people at the moment, they have decided they need a larger home due to home working, and home schooling pressures. Or in the absence of an expensive holiday abroad you could decide that 2021 is the year to invest in a new home.

Buying new is always a good bet if you want to move into a property which is fully equipped with modern fixtures and fittings, and does not need any major structural work.

Let’s look at some other reasons..

Lower Repair Costs

Newbuild properties from quality housebuilders are constructed to a very high standard using the very latest materials and techniques. Buyers receive industry recognised 10+ year structural warranties as a safeguard. You can look forward to moving into a brand new home and putting your stamp on it. Everything will be brand new and in working order. Unlike an older property, you don’t need to allocate money to costly repairs or renovation, and that is if you can find the best tradesmen which is not always easy, as they can come at a premium rate, and be in great demand for their services.

All new properties have a snagging process. It shouldn’t be too tiresome, and will give you an opportunity to get any small defects identified and resolved within a set timeframe.

Higher Specification and Choice

Buying new covers one of the main costs in any home– providing a kitchen that is as you want it to be. Housebuilders usually always provide a fitted kitchen with a cooker, fridge and washing machine of your choice pre-installed. Spec can vary and often there is an opportunity to upgrade and add extras such as hot water taps, wine coolers and dishwashers. You’ll usually enjoy a range of options at competitive rates.

At No 1 Old Bellsdyke Road, we offer Porcelanosa Kitchens as standard in our penthouses and apartments. They are a top supplier accessing quality materials and with a real eye for detail that we know our buyers will love. Some of their stunning designs use natural materials such as oak, walnut, porcelain and compact minerals. Subject to build schedule, you may also be able to choose your exact kitchen unit colours, floor coverings and wall tiles etc.

Many newbuild homes will also have built-in or fitted wardrobes installed in the principal bedrooms, which is another very convenient touch.

All in all, new build properties can be very bespoke, and you should enjoy the whole process of choosing what will work for you.

Lower Maintenance Costs

Over the years, buying new means less maintenance costs. Technology is moving fast with eco friendly materials inside and out, but generally, newbuild homes have UPVC double glazing, fascias and soffit boards, which require no maintenance at all other than periodic cleaning.

Safety

Newbuild homes adhere fully to current building standards. Using fire-resistant materials and providing linked smoke alarms are now standard. Builders have to ensure that some windows can open sufficiently to allow escape in the event of a fire. All electrical wiring must be protected by circuit breakers. You can have complete peace of mind buying new.

Lower Heating Bills

This is another major advantage in buying new, especially as we live in damp and cold Scotland! Double gazing, draft proofing, cavity wall insulation and loft insulation all prevent heat from escaping, whilst a reliable and industry leading central heating system will generate heat as efficiently as possible. So, it’s true to say that newbuild homes are cheaper and faster to heat. At Ochilview Developments we now offer Smart Control Heating, whereby you can adjust your heating for your phone or mobile device when you are out and about! Another effective way of ensuring that you don’t waste heat!

More Environmentally Friendly

This is a concern for many buyers nowadays, and something we take very seriously at Ochilview Developments. We build sustainably, using eco friendly materials. Heating and insulation efficiencies mean that newbuild homes have a smaller carbon footprint, and as a result, are greener than ever before. We have recently introduced industry leading photovoltiac solar panels to our properties, the most efficient solar panels on the market at the moment.

There is no doubt that if you want to do your bit for the environment – and who wouldn’t living in such a beautiful country as Scotland - you should consider a new home where technology like this is included. It’s easy to check the Energy Rating of your new home too.

Ease of Purchase

On reservation of a new property, the agreed price is set, so there is no confusion or chance that you will have to pay more. Plus, your newbuild home is taken straight off the market. In certain cases, developers can let you see your new property emerge by letting you visit on site - with hard hat and high vis jacket of course! You can keep up with the build progress, and on when your entry date is likely to be. It’s an exciting journey which we want to make as enjoyable and stress free as possible.

WHY BUY NEW?