Thinking about trading up to a new-build home? Steve Rush, area sales and marketing director of Cala Homes (Midlands) discusses the advantages.

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Full value part-exchange offers, which also save estate agents' fees and HIPs costs, coupled with a myriad incentive schemes are providing a greater choice of new homes for potential purchasers, as developers seek to keep the housing market moving.

As long as potential purchasers ensure that they understand exactly what each developer is offering, part-exchanging can guarantee an immediate, hassle free sale, with incentives helping to secure the deal.

But, moving to a new-build home can also help purchasers save money in the long term, as well as offering a better lifestyle and standard of living.

New homes are built to make use of every inch of space. Research shows that 17 per cent of living space in older style properties often goes unused, which translates to £34,000 of a £200,000 house going to waste.

New homes, on the other hand, are designed to meet the needs of modern family life and can provide much more flexible spaces, such as kitchens with dining and living space.

Developers are also much more aware of creating light, bright homes with a feeling of spaciousness and many pay real attention to getting right the small details which go to making a home.

Because new houses are built in line with the latest energy efficiency regulations, they are already six times more energy-efficient and generate 60 per cent less CO2 emissions than older style homes.

This equates to a family living in a new-build four-bedroom detached house, saving £556 every year on average energy bills, at current prices.

This is also the equivalent of driving 10,000 miles less each year.

Because they are built to a much higher specification, many new-build properties offer long dreamed-of luxuries as standard, whether it be a fitted kitchen with cooker and hob, fridge/freezer, washing machine and dishwasher or an en-suite bathroom to the master bedroom.

An insurance-backed 10-year NHBC warranty provides new owners with peace of mind and eliminates the need for any renovations, repairs or DIY, apart from putting their own style and personality on a brand new home.

Having made the choice to buy new, if homes owners do one day decide to sell, then estate agents reckon that new homes are generally more saleable than older second hand properties.

The benefits of the NHBC warranty and the kudos of a new house built to a high standard by a well respected developer, such as Cala Homes, can really help to speed the sales process.

Cala Homes is presently selling family houses at developments across the Midlands.