Thanks to the government’s Help to Buy scheme, record low interest rates and the latest strides in energy efficiency technology, there has rarely been a better time to buy a new-build home.
For househunters, the conditions have starkly highlighted the difference between purchasing an old property with its inherited problems, or a brand new one with its lower running costs, 95 per cent mortgage opportunities and professional after-sales support.
We have a choice of high quality properties for sale across the Thames Valley region to suit every type of buyer, including a new community of over 300 homes at Victory Fields in Upper Rissington, Gloucestershire.
This unique collection of three, four and five-bedroom homes will also benefit from a new village square that will include a local shop, a proposed public house, a gym and a nursery. A primary school is also being built and residents will enjoy landscaped grounds featuring wildlife ponds, children’s play areas, new playing fields and tennis courts.
Here are the top five reasons from Linden Homes’ Thames Valley sales and marketing director, Steve Garton, why more and more people are choosing new-build homes as the place to settle down.
1. Help to Buy
“Even those with a deposit as low as five per cent can step onto or climb further up the property ladder thanks to the government-backed Help to Buy initiative which in just its first six months made possible more than 15,000 reservations in the UK.
“There are two parts to Help to Buy. The first option is for new-build only and works like this: with a government equity loan of up to 20 per cent of the value of the property, eligible buyers only need a five per cent deposit in order to secure a 75 per cent mortgage.
“The second Help to Buy option applies to new-build and existing homes and enables a five per cent deposit too – this time through the government guaranteeing the mortgage provider on a proportion of the loan.”
2. Energy efficiency
“The price you pay to shrink your energy bills in an old house can spiral into tens of thousands of pounds. A new boiler, double glazing, insulation, solar panels – the costs and inconvenience add up frighteningly fast.
“With every Linden Homes property, however, all that has been taken care of before you even move in and most measures come as standard. Some even have energy display screens so households can keep track of how much power they use.
“The figures say it all: according to the National House Building Council a typical four-bedroom Victorian house costs, on average, £2,379 a year to run. A new-build equivalent costs just £1,067. A one-bedroom ground-floor Victorian conversion costs £915 to run – a new build equivalent just £489. That’s a saving in each case of about a half.”
3. Peace of mind
“Once you’ve completed on an old house, there’s no easy way back if you hit difficulties. But with Linden Homes’ properties, each one comes with a 10-year NHBC guarantee and two-year customer care warranty.
“That peace of mind comes as standard, plus superb customer service and a proud reputation for quality. Linden Homes can also take the hassle out of moving with the popular Part Exchange scheme where it will act as your guaranteed buyer.”
4. Make it your own
“Whether it’s ripping out the ghastly 1970s bathroom or paying for the ugly gas fire to be extracted from the living room, it’s a battle before an old house feels like your own.
“But a new-build home is a blank canvas free to paint with your own personality. Linden Homes’ Enhance service even offers one-to-one design sessions to help with individual decorating so that it’s ready and waiting for you on moving day.
“And for customers who buy off plan, there’s the chance to influence aspects as fundamental as the layout of their home.”
5. Location, location, location
"Linden Homes chooses its sites with great care so that not only do buyers get top quality homes, but they also enjoy locations purposely selected for their proximity to transport links, access to town centres, or their rural surroundings.
“It means there’s an option for whatever lifestyle a buyer wants and they don’t have to compromise.”
For more information call 0844 417 8520.
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For further information, contact Claire McCowan or Claire Bradley at Remarkable PR on 01962 893 893.
References to “we”, “us” or “our” are to the part of the Vistry Group (including Linden Homes, Bovis Homes, Countryside Homes, Drew Smith, Vistry Ventures or one of Vistry’s joint venture companies) from which you are intending to purchase a new home. References to "you” and “your” are to the prospective buyer or buyers of a new home from us.
All images are used for illustrative purposes only and are representative only. They may not be the same as the actual home you purchase and the specification may differ. Images may be of a slightly different model of home and may include optional upgrades and extras which involve additional cost. Individual features such as windows, brick, carpets, paint and other material colours may vary and also the specification of fittings may vary. Any furnishings and furniture are not included in any sale. Please check with our sales consultants for details of the exact specifications available at the development(s) for each type of home and the associated prices.
