Expert guides, market updates, and everything you need to know about buying a new-build home in the UK
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.
Costs & BudgetingA 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.
Mortgages & FinanceA 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-Time BuyersAn 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 GuidesConsidering 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.
Design & InteriorsA practical guide to measuring before you buy furniture for a new build, with bed and wardrobe sizing tables, doorway and staircase delivery checks, and space-saving layouts that genuinely fit typical new build bedroom and box room dimensions.
Sustainability & EnergyExplains how heat interface units meter and bill communal district heating in new build flats, why standing charges can exceed a typical gas bill, what new Ofgem heat network regulation means for pricing, and questions to ask before buying.
HomeownershipExplains why most new build roofs use lightweight engineered trusses that make loft boarding unsafe without extra work, what limited storage options exist without breaching your warranty, and realistic alternatives from garage racking to a proper loft conversion.