Users' questions 

What upgrades to ask for in a new house?

Leia Doyle

What upgrades to ask for in a new house?

New Construction Upgrades that Add Value

  • Wood floors. Generally, carpet comes standard everywhere except for the kitchen, bathrooms, entryway and hallways.
  • Roughed-in plumbing.
  • Electrical.
  • Master bathroom tilework.
  • Radiant floor heating.
  • Deeper basement.
  • Appliances.
  • Lighting.

Can I pull out of buying a new build house?

If you pull out of the sale after the contracts are exchanged, you’ll be breaking a legally-binding contract and will have to foot the bill for some hefty penalties; even if you’re backing out for reasons beyond your control. You’ll also lose any money you’ve spent on surveys, advisor fees, mortgage fees and so on.

Do new builds hold value?

It’s hard to say exactly how much a home is devalued when it’s no longer new and perhaps some don’t lose value. But for some properties it’s as high as 10% of the home’s value, instantly trapping some new owners in negative equity. If new buyers were purchasing existing homes, they wouldn’t be running that risk at all.

Why do some new builds have bricked up windows?

During the Georgian period, England had a window tax in place which was a form of property tax especially focused on the wealthy. Some people could not afford to pay or did not want to pay the tax for windows in unused parts of their house so bricked them up.

Are old houses built better than new houses?

2. Old homes have better-quality construction. 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.

Are new builds built to last?

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.

Can a builder remove work from home?

If they have been assembled or processed into another product then it may not be possible to remove them. Building works are especially complex because most standard form contracts provide for the title to pass to the employer once materials are included in a payment certificate issued to the main contractor.

Do new builds hold their value?

Just like a new car, a new build house 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 if you have to sell within a year or two.