Expert guides, market updates, and everything you need to know about buying a new-build home in the UK
First-Time BuyersA first-time buyer's guide to reading new build floor plans correctly, covering scale, room dimensions, furniture layouts, symbols, and the questions to ask the sales team before reserving a specific plot.
Buying GuidesWhat to expect if you buy a new build home while later phases of the development are still under construction, including noise, dust, traffic, site hours, and the practical and legal steps to manage living beside an active build.
Design & InteriorsDesign inspiration and practical advice for making the most of a new build downstairs WC or cloakroom, covering space-saving layouts, tiling and colour choices, storage solutions and ventilation requirements.
Sustainability & EnergyExplains why well-insulated, airtight new build homes can overheat in summer, the Part O regulations developers must now follow, and practical fixes like shading, ventilation and cooling strategies to keep rooms comfortable.
HomeownershipA practical guide for new build owners on what estate management rules and planning restrictions say about fitting TV aerials and satellite dishes, including conservation-style covenants, conservation area rules, and alternative options.
Market NewsLooks at the data behind the so-called new build premium, how much value is typically lost on resale in the first few years, which property types hold value best, and what buyers can do to reduce the risk of paying over the odds on day one.
InvestmentA clear explainer for buy-to-let and off-plan investors on how recent leasehold reform changes ground rent, lease extension costs, and enfranchisement rights for new build flats, and what it means for yields and resale value.
Location GuidesA regional guide to buying a new build in Northern Ireland, covering key growth areas around Belfast, Lisburn and Derry/Londonderry, price bands, the separate conveyancing process, and what to check before reserving.
Developer NewsA practical explainer for buyers on what happens when a housebuilder is acquired or merges with another company partway through a development, covering warranty continuity, build quality, completion timelines and what to check with your solicitor.
Government SchemesExplains how Scotland's LIFT shared equity scheme helps buyers purchase a new build home with government support, who qualifies under Open Market Shared Equity and New Supply Shared Equity, and how the equity share and repayment actually work.
Snagging & QualityA practical guide for new build owners on when noise transfer through party walls counts as a genuine snagging or building regulations failure, how to test and document it, and how to escalate to the developer or NHBC.
Legal & ConveyancingExplains your legal rights around new build reservation fees, when they are genuinely refundable versus non-refundable, what the reservation agreement small print usually says, and how the Consumer Code and New Homes Quality Code protect buyers.