Do new builds in London lose value?
New build houses have been known to lose value by over 7%. However, the extent of the loss in value does not represent the entire picture. As well as the loss in value, you need to take into account that you may have lost out on a price increase if you had purchased an old home.
Yes. According to 2019 data from the Land Registry, the average price of a new build is 29% greater than existing housing. The average price of regular housing was £224,729 whilst new builds were £290,176.
New build premium pricing
Just like a new car, a new build house or flat will depreciate in price the minute you turn the key in the door. Even in a rising property market, you may not get your money back when you buy a new build home if you have to sell within a year or two.
As new phases are added, lot prices go up. The increased value of the land your home is built upon is positively affected by the lot prices in that community. Also, available homesites with increased premium prices bump the value of those lots that did not have a premium price attached.
Despite new build homes being newly constructed and built with highly regulated and energy-efficient materials, they can depreciate in value very quickly and also be very difficult to resell. This is important to a lender as if they have to repossess, they need to be able to make their money back from the loan.
Typically new builds go down in price after you buy them, a bit like a car. This is because new builds have the premium price tag that's out of character for the area, so they come down before they go up – meaning it can take a while to start seeing any equity in your property.
The most recent data suggests that new-builds in the UK attract a 19% price premium. This is equivalent to paying £50,200 more when compared against the average price of an existing property. Historically, the new-build premium has averaged 18% over the past 25 years and has never fallen below 13%.
How Much Do New Builds Lose in Value? New build houses have been known to lose value by over 7%. However, the extent of the loss in value does not represent the entire picture. As well as the loss in value, you need to take into account that you may have lost out on a price increase if you had purchased an old home.
More Expensive – Although new builds are usually more energy-efficient than older builds, they often sell at a higher premium so can cost more than comparable older houses. Delays – If you're waiting for your new house to be built, then you might experience delays which could affect the completion date.
“As more bigger houses are sold, so overall average prices have been pushed up. At the same time, a lack of second-hand stock has meant that buyers have turned to new build and as a result more family homes have been sold off-plan.”
Is it worth buying new build?
Low bills – New build homes have to comply with the latest building regulations. This means they are far more energy efficient than older properties. Data from Energy Performance Certificates shows over 80% of new homes have the highest A or B ratings. That compares to just 2.2% of existing properties.
It definitely can be, but the general consensus is that if you are buying a new build property you should do so with the intention of actually living there yourself for a good few years before you intend to sell if you are looking at the purchase as an investment rather than a long-term home.
The question of how long a property should last is often debated in the construction industry. In 1992, it was suggested that new build properties should have at least a 60-year lifespan. However, just 25 years on, the Local Government Association (LGA) has stated that new-build homes should last at least 2,000 years.
Experts say the rush to build homes amid Britain's chronic housing shortage, and the dominance of a few big building firms that use a multitude of subcontractors, are also to blame for poor building standards.
A housebuilder is making a 20 per cent profit margin on each plot sold.
With house builders in such a good position, can you really negotiate on a new build house price? In short, yes! New build developers will be as open to negotiation as any other home seller.
The value of a new construction home might shift in the first year of your purchase, simply because with a previous owner it is no longer “new construction” but has shifted into the existing-home category — and if people are still able to shop in your neighborhood for empty lots on which they can build their dream home ...
- 1 – What else have you built? ...
- 2 – What do I get with my new build home? ...
- 3 – What is included with the new home warranty? ...
- 4 – Freehold or Leasehold? ...
- 5 – How many other properties have been sold? ...
- 6 – What help is available for purchasing our new build home?
Old homes have better-quality construction
Even the walls are likely different. In an older home they're probably built with plaster and lathe, making them structurally stronger than the drywall construction of modern homes. These older materials also provide a better sound barrier and insulation.
Yep. New build is significantly warmer and easier to heat (and keep clean) than my beautiful Victorian semi.
Is it worth buying a 20 year old house?
While the fact that a house is over 20 years old should certainly not discourage you from buying it, there are still some things that you should know. Current laws dictate certain regulations in newly-built residences. These include important measures for safety and energy efficiency.
It is worth noting that mortgage lenders will often be willing to lend less on a new build house than on an older property (often up to 85% of the value of a new build property).
- No Chain. One of the biggest advantages of buying a new build is the fact you won't be buying into a chain. ...
- Low Maintenance. ...
- Influence The Final Finish. ...
- Government Incentives. ...
- More Energy Efficient. ...
- Everything Is Brand New. ...
- Harder To Get A Mortgage. ...
- Property May Not Be Built Yet.
- 1) Barratt Developments. Barratt Developments is arguably the largest housebuilder in the UK. ...
- 2) Persimmon. Persimmon is a leading UK housebuilder with an annual turnover of £3,328 million. ...
- 3) Taylor Wimpey. ...
- 4) Bellway. ...
- 5) Vistry Group. ...
- 6) Berkeley Group. ...
- 7) Redrow. ...
- 8) Bloor Homes.
Confidence in new builds falls as average house in England will have to last 2,000 years. The average new home in England will have to last 2,000 years if the sluggish rate of house building and replacement continues, the Local Government Association warns today.
The overall winner of the competition and Global Homes category was a sprawling Italian Villa near Sardinia, Italy.
PRO: Buying a new build comes with developer incentives
As well as making savings when you move into a new build, you can also make savings through your initial purchase. Most developers will offer a variety of incentives to make you more likely to buy through them.
The value of a new construction home might shift in the first year of your purchase, simply because with a previous owner it is no longer “new construction” but has shifted into the existing-home category — and if people are still able to shop in your neighborhood for empty lots on which they can build their dream home ...
Flats increase in value more than other types of properties, and that has been the case, especially in the last decade or so, where they achieved an astounding 60% rise in the overall value.
The 'new-build premium'
The difference between the value of a new property compared with that of an identical or similar resale or second-hand stock, reflecting benefits only available to the first owner.
Why are new builds overpriced?
“As more bigger houses are sold, so overall average prices have been pushed up. At the same time, a lack of second-hand stock has meant that buyers have turned to new build and as a result more family homes have been sold off-plan.”
More Expensive – Although new builds are usually more energy-efficient than older builds, they often sell at a higher premium so can cost more than comparable older houses. Delays – If you're waiting for your new house to be built, then you might experience delays which could affect the completion date.
The question of how long a property should last is often debated in the construction industry. In 1992, it was suggested that new build properties should have at least a 60-year lifespan. However, just 25 years on, the Local Government Association (LGA) has stated that new-build homes should last at least 2,000 years.
Quality and Snags – New builds often get a bad press with stories of poor quality making the headlines. Even with the best new build home, you can still expect snags like doors getting stuck on new carpets or a loose tile.