Property management, parking and gardens top the list of things homebuyers wish they had thought about before purchasing their home, according to a new survey.
More than 7,000 buyers who bought a new build in the last three years recently revealed their regrets.
The findings, which form part of the HomeViews New Build Buyer’s Guide, published in partnership with HomeOwners Alliance, reveal that 36% of new build homeowners wish they had researched their management company and developer more. Many homeowners felt let down by the on-going management of their home.
Almost a fifth – 19% – wish they had investigated the quality of the garden. Issues ranged from poor drainage to rubble making it hard to enjoy the garden.
Some 18% of homeowners said they wish they had booked in a snagging survey, while 15% regretted not visiting the property at different times of the day.
Paula Higgins, CEO, HomeOwners Alliance, has this advice for homebuyers, that you may wish to consider sharing with applicants: “Don’t assume anything when you’re buying a new home. There’s a lot more to research than you think. And with a new build in particular, you need to look beyond the glossy marketing brochure.”
Higgins insists that the purpose of this Homebuyers Guide is to help property purchasers so that they enter negotiations with “eyes wide open” and do not “overlook the small stuff”.
“Until now it’s been difficult to find independent and verified information about new developments,” she added.
Rory Cramer, Co-founder and CEO, HomeViews, commented: “HomeViews “ exists to give buyers and tenants the best information about finding the best possible new home. Our verified reviews are one of the best ways for new build buyers to avoid any of the ‘nasty surprises’ during the buying process, and to stay informed about common issues that are likely to come up.
“Our new Buyer’s Guide brings together some of our extra review data not publicly available on HomeViews.com – data the industry is already using to better understand residents and raise standards in the UK.”