Leading homebuilder Barratt Homes is urging home buyers across the country to consider the cost and lifestyle advantages of owning a new-build home by outlining its top five reasons for buying new.

“Buying a new home is a big decision, so you want to make sure it’s the right one”, said Douglas McLeod, Regional Director for Barratt Scotland. “New-build homes rival older properties in a number of ways, some of which buyers may not be aware of, so we’ve decided to highlight just a few of the reasons why buying a new-build home can be so beneficial to you, the homeowner.”

Here are Barratt’s top five reasons for choosing new-build over old:

1. Energy efficiency
New build homes are installed with the latest energy-saving measures, which can mean lower gas and electricity bills. In fact, Barratt has calculated that new homes are up to 50% more efficient than similar Victorian properties, with the average energy bill of a brand new three-bedroom home being around £800 compared to more than £1,600 for a similar Victorian home, even with modern day improvements. This cut in energy bills comes from energy-efficient central heating, double glazing and high levels of insulation, together with top quality build techniques, exclusive to new-build properties.

2. Safety and security
When buying a new home, purchasers can be sure that homebuilders like Barratt will adhere to the latest building regulations which set standards on everything from fire-safety to ventilation and from electrical safety to quality of workmanship. New-build homes are also often more secure, using the latest security locks and sometimes intercom systems, potentially saving you hundreds of pounds on security and reducing your house and contents insurance.

3. Low maintenance
Not only are new-build homes free from any niggling DIY issues but every new Barratt home comes with an industry leading five year fixtures and fittings warranty on top of the standard 10 year NHBC warranty, allowing you to buy with confidence and enjoy your new home with complete peace of mind.

4. Less stress
Buying direct from a homebuilder like Barratt can make the house moving process easier, particularly if you’re able to take advantage of the excellent housing schemes available such as Park Exchange and Movemaker. With Part Exchange, you won’t have to wait to move into your new home, because Barratt could buy your existing one, offering fair market value for your old home; with Movemaker, Barratt will instruct an estate agent on your behalf who will manage all the valuations, viewings and enquiries for you. They’ll even pay the estate agent fees so all you need to do is agree the asking price, check the sales particulars and allow viewings.

On top of this, home owners can also save money using Help to Buy, a government-backed scheme exclusive to new-build homes, enabling you to purchase a property up to the value of £600,000 with only a five per cent deposit, a 75 per cent mortgage and a government-funded equity loan of 25 per cent.

5. The personal touch
And finally, one of the most exciting things about buying new is that you don’t have to do any re-decoration before you move in. A new home is a blank canvas on which home owners can stamp their individual mark. And if you purchase a Barratt Home early in the build process, you can even personalise it with extras from the exclusive Choices range, a service not usually associated with a volume developer. This means you can make your own choices on such things as kitchen specification and fixtures and fittings even before the property is finished.

Douglas continued, “Choosing a new-build home can have a positive impact on both your lifestyle and your bank account, and with Barratt Homes you can expect the highest levels of design and an unrelenting commitment to build quality as well as all the additional advantages that come with buying a new-build property.”

“If you’re still unconvinced, or want to find out more, come and visit our sales centres at developments across the North where our team of experienced Sales Advisers will be on hand to answer any questions you may have and help you find the home that’s right for you.”

For more information, please visit the website at www.barratthomes.co.uk, or alternatively call the contact centre on 0844 811 3377.

A well-established homebuilder, Barratt Homes prides itself on building exceptional homes in the finest locations and recently achieved the maximum five-star rating in a customer satisfaction survey ran by the Home Builders Federation (HBF).