If you’re in the market for a new home for your family, then you’ll often be faced with a choice between a pre-existing property and a brand new one on a new development. Increasingly, British families are tending toward the latter option, thanks to a combination of convenience, cost, and a need for a home environment that’s genuinely compatible with the pressures and challenges of modern life.
So, why is it that new-build homes and developments are so compelling?
Designed Around Modern Family Priorities
These developments are often more than simple collections of interconnected houses. They’re purpose-built communities, which have been designed from the start to deal with the challenges of modern life. For example, you probably won’t have to deal with narrow Victorian-style streets, where it’s virtually impossible to park a car. You’ll typically get a dedicated local park, essential amenities like shops and schools, and the ability to walk to everything in just a few minutes.
Why New Build Homes Are Becoming More Attractive
What about the buildings themselves? There are a few good reasons to prefer a new-build.
For one thing, they’re built to comply with modern building regulations, which means that you’ll enjoy superior energy efficiency. You’ll also get a flexible (often open-plan) interior that suits modern life. Finally, since everything is new, you’ll be less likely to run into problems with repairs and maintenance. What’s more, many new homes are protected by warranties, which are backed by insurance. Just make sure that you arrange a snagging survey, and that you make the developer aware of any problems as soon as you become aware of them.
Community, Belonging and Social Connection
When you move into a new development, you’ll often find that everyone around you has also recently moved in. As such, you’ll be able to explore the same spaces together and make friends with one another quickly. Often, the spaces themselves are designed to facilitate this and to move families closer to one another.
If you have specific needs from your local community, then you might look for a development that’s close to specific religious buildings, meeting places, and other essential facilities.
Future‑Proofing Family Life
These developments are often designed not just to meet the needs of the people who currently live in them, but to cope with the demands of the future. This might mean building green energy sources directly into the homes themselves, and providing green transport links, like trains, trams, and bus stations. In many cases, you might also get the opportunity to adapt the design and layout of your home in order to meet the specific needs of your family.
In Conclusion
While the number of bedrooms on offer and the square footage might grab our attention, many of the criteria according to which we choose our homes are a little more difficult to quantify. If you’re unsure of whether a new build fits your needs, the best approach is often to go and visit one in person and to make sure.