Benefits of retiring to a brand new home

If you are looking to move home when you retire, how will you choose a property that is right for you?An estimated 450,000 moves made each year are by those aged over 50. These people are also known as the ‘last-time’ buyers, with many hoping to make their later years the best.In a survey undertaken by NHBC last year, of more than 100,000 new-build homeowners, 20 per cent were aged over 55 and were seemingly attracted by the prospect of living in a newly built home that is easier to manage and enjoys lower maintenance and running costs.With NHBC’s latest new home registration figures showing an increase of six per cent in 2017 compared to 2016, it’s a great time to think about visiting a showhome if you’re considering a move. NHBC highlights how buying a newly built home can not only reduce costs but also benefit buyers wanting to retire to a hassle-free home:Benefits include; a blank canvas – easily decorated to personal taste and free of DIY disasters from previous owners. In most cases, buyers can personalise their new home with a choice of kitchen units, flooring and tiling, and have a fresh start in the garden too.Lower utility bills – new homes are built to high levels of energy efficiency, which reduce the amount of gas or electricity needed to keep warm. Research from the NHBC Foundation and Zero Carbon Hub revealed that new-build homes built to 2013 standards could save up to £1,400 a year on energy bills when compared to older homes.Chain free – being part of a long property chain can be extremely stressful and can often cause unforeseen delays.Buildmark warranty and insurance – around 80 per cent of new homes come with an NHBC Buildmark warranty and insurance policy, which currently protects 1.5 million homes across the UK. Buildmark provides a number of features including:Pre-completion insolvency cover – protection if a builder becomes insolvent after exchange of contracts, builder warranty for the first two years after legal completion – the builder is responsible for putting right certain damage and defects, NHBC insurance cover for years three to ten – to cover the cost of putting right damage caused by defects in specified areas, high levels of satisfaction, and better safety and security – new homes come with safety and security features as standard.