Don’t fall for these new-build show-home tricks

With the new build market accounting for 41% of Britain’s entire housing stock, purchasing a new build as your first or next property is commonplace.

There are many benefits that go hand-in-hand with new build homes. Buyers can simply unpack and go thanks to the specifications of many new builds. There are also many more incentives and extras to be gained, with new build developers offering to pay your stamp duty or cover the cost of fittings and fixtures such as flooring or appliances.

The opportunity to design a home from scratch by purchasing off-plan is another advantage that makes new build homes popular amongst modern-day buyers. The property buying process is often easier too, with the majority of new builds coming to the market chain-free.

For the many plus-points, however, comes a series of downsides. The quality of many new builds often doesn’t compare to older properties, whilst the risk of construction delays can also cause unnecessary stress. The lack of space is another sticking point as Paisley on the Web details:

“In an attempt to raise their profits, some developers fill their sites with as many properties as possible at the expense of space. For the most part, they reduce storage space and the size of the rooms. The lack of space can also result in you struggling to fit your furniture in your new home. Meanwhile, older properties tend to be more spacious.”

If the pros outweigh the cons for you, viewing a show home is likely to be the first port of call in your search for the perfect new build. Here we reveal the tricks many developers use to draw you in and explore how you can see beyond the smoke and mirrors to buy a new build with confidence.

Put aside the professional staging

Show homes have to sell a lifestyle to entice potential buyers, even if the property they choose isn’t built yet. With this in mind, many developers recruit experienced interior designers to kit out their show homes and successfully optimise the space.

These interior designers are often well versed in the optical illusions that make the pokiest of new builds appear particularly spacious.

Beware of rooms with small furniture

A popular optical illusion relied on by interior designers and new build developers across the country is using smaller furniture to create a larger than life interior.

When viewing, note the size of the furnishings used and their abundance. You may find bedrooms only contain a couple of smaller furniture items to instil a feeling of space. Mirrors and glass furniture may also feature heavily throughout space-saving schemes to continue the illusion of a more generous interior.

Turn off the lights – yes, really!

Another tactic relied on in show homes is the use of specialist lighting. Some lighting features are designed to draw the eye to more attractive parts of the interior. Others simply replicate sunlight to give the impression that the space is flooded with natural light. Turn off the lights in every room you enter to view the space as it truly is.

Look closely at the optional extras

It probably goes without saying that not everything you see in the show home will be featured in the new build you purchase. All too often the most basic fixtures and fittings come at an additional cost and this could inflate the final buying price significantly.

Dig deeper into what’s included as standard and what isn’t, especially when it comes to the features that really impress you or make the room what it is.

Remember to consider the exterior of the property too. Show homes take advantage of the best plots on the development, which means that spacious back garden or seemingly endless front lawn may not be included in the plot you choose when purchasing.

Whether you’re purchasing a new build or a property that’s a little older, your choice of mortgage matters. Discover why everyone should get mortgage advice and contact our team to get started.

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