Housebuilders

Known to millions of homeowners for her expertise in property and interiors, journalist, author and tv presenter Alison Cork writes for the Telegraph and London Evening Standard and is a regular pundit on ITV's This Morning.

Timing is everything in life, and whilst no one quite has a handle on when the economy will recover, there appears to be a general concensus that the property market has gone as low as it is likely to. In other words, if you stick to the golden rules of property purchase, namely, do you like the property and can you really afford it, then now is almost certainly a great time to buy.

Having decided to take the plunge, the next big question is old versus new. And whilst period properties will always find their market, there are increasing numbers of compelling reasons to opt for a new build.

First and most obviously, the simple matter of choice. Our stock of period property is finite and architecturally speaking, well defined. Someone contemplating a new build however, can choose from an ever growing and sophisticated array of stock – houses, flats, starkly contemporary, mock period, eco friendly – and many variations inbetween; each designed bespoke with a specific type of householder in mind, be it families, couples, single people, professional people or first time buyers.

This also has an impact in terms of the sense of community, as like minded people will be drawn to particular environments, for example a development aimed at providing family accommodation; all of which brings residual benefits to homeowners in terms of local amenities and community values, quite additional to that of living in the property itself.

Then there is the issue of practicality and freedom of design. New houses are unconstrained by what has been before, or at least, can take the best of the past and merge it with the advances of the present and future. Building design is constantly reinventing itself with more sophisticated materials and build techniques, most obviously reflected in kitchen and bathroom design, and provision of space for storage, parking and garaging. 21st century home dwellers work more from home, and this is also an important part of what a new build can accommodate and refine.

Matt Aslett and Kerry Diggins outside their new home in Basingstoke – the couple are hoping to start a family in their new home, and they were attracted by the open-plan kitchen and the dining area with a semi glazed roof.....plus the great price they negotiated.

Better yet, a new home represents a blank canvas in terms of design and customisation – developers now routinely offering a bespoke finishing service, and at competitive prices.

A new home means that there are no previous DIY disasters to uncover and rectify, all of which invariably cost more than people anticipate and budget for. And of course there is the additional benefit and comfort of the 10 year building warantee that a new home will carry.

Sustainability is also a core issue. As approximately half of all EU energy consumption comes from its buildings, new build can play a valuable part in reducing our carbon footprint, by using recycled materials and energy efficient technologies. Moreover, new builds are more cost effective to run, easily maintained and provide a healthier environment. And sustainability is constantly being refined - the average new home is 6.5 times more energy efficient than it was just 30 years ago! And, on average, 60% more efficient than older homes.

And finally, in an age when personal security becomes ever more relevant and necessary, new homes also offer the added bonuses of greater safety.

Whilst period properties are our architectural heritage, and have informed our approach to modern day construction, new build is a fast changing and dynamic movement which has more to offer the homeowner with each new innovation. As a nation of homeowners we must embrace this momentum and all the good things that come with it. New build is the way forward.