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Property Blog & Insights

Expert guides, market updates, and everything you need to know about buying a new-build home in the UK

New Build Aerials and Satellite Dishes: What Your Estate Allows

New Build Aerials and Satellite Dishes: What Your Estate Allows

A 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.

New Build Resale Premium: What the Market Data Really Shows

New Build Resale Premium: What the Market Data Really Shows

Looks 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.

Leasehold Reform: How It Affects New Build Buy-to-Let Investors

Leasehold Reform: How It Affects New Build Buy-to-Let Investors

A 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.

New Build Homes in Northern Ireland: Regional Guide

New Build Homes in Northern Ireland: Regional Guide

A 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.

What Happens If Your New Build Developer Is Taken Over Mid-Build?

What Happens If Your New Build Developer Is Taken Over Mid-Build?

A 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.

What Is the LIFT Scheme for New Build Buyers in Scotland?

What Is the LIFT Scheme for New Build Buyers in Scotland?

Explains 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.

Hearing Neighbours Through the Wall: New Build Soundproofing Snagging

Hearing Neighbours Through the Wall: New Build Soundproofing Snagging

A 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.

Is a New Build Reservation Fee Refundable? Your Legal Rights

Is a New Build Reservation Fee Refundable? Your Legal Rights

Explains 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.

Cladding and EWS1 Costs: What New Build Flat Owners Could Face

Cladding and EWS1 Costs: What New Build Flat Owners Could Face

A clear explainer for new build flat owners on EWS1 certificates, cladding remediation risk, who pays under the Building Safety Act, how it affects mortgages and resale, and practical steps to check your building's status.

Bridging Loans for New Build Purchases: When They Make Sense

Bridging Loans for New Build Purchases: When They Make Sense

A practical guide to using a bridging loan to buy a new build, covering when it makes sense against a delayed sale or missed mortgage offer deadline, how costs and exit routes work, and the risks to weigh before signing up.

First Homes Scheme: How First-Time Buyers Get 30% Off a New Build

First Homes Scheme: How First-Time Buyers Get 30% Off a New Build

An explainer for first-time buyers on the First Homes scheme, covering eligibility rules, how the 30-50% discount is applied and locked in for future sales, local connection criteria, and how it compares with other government schemes.

Buying the Show Home Itself: What to Know Before You Do

Buying the Show Home Itself: What to Know Before You Do

Considering buying a developer's show home? Learn what's usually included, the hidden wear, furniture and fittings negotiations, timing pitfalls, and the legal checks to make before signing for a fully-dressed new build.

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