Tips when buying off-plan

Buying a new house off-plan is an incredibly exciting process, as your future home rises out of the ground. However, it also requires a degree of imagination which isn’t needed with resale properties. It’s not uncommon to reserve a preferred plot before its foundations have even been laid and these are our insider tips about making off-plan reservations… 

Save the date 

Completion dates are an estimate rather than a guarantee, but Cruden Homes will do everything within our power to ensure your home is completed on schedule. We’ll give you an anticipated window for completion, which is predicated on the build stage at the time of reservation. This gives you a clear timeframe for selling an existing property or serving notice on a rental home. You’ll have plenty of time to choose new furnishings, some of which can be on long lead times (sofas for example). Give utility companies and service providers early notice of your moving-in date – removal firms may need to book you into their diaries months in advance. 

Visit other sites 

Cruden Homes has developments across central Scotland, from West Glasgow to East Lothian. Our sales staff at your chosen site will be able to confirm whether a house style you’re interested in is under construction at another Cruden Homes’ development, where it might even be possible to look round a finished property, so you can see the size and layout of each room. However, bear in mind there may be differences between properties at other sites and your chosen development, even if house types share the same name. If this is the case, our experienced sales advisors will clearly explain any variances in layout, specification or materials. Even if your chosen house type isn’t available to view elsewhere, visiting one of our other sites can give you a good idea of build quality and finish. 

Do paper research 

Two-dimensional top-down floorplans remain the best way to judge layout, room sizes and practicality. Sometimes these can be tricky to get your head round if you are not used to looking at them, but during your reservation meeting we will go through all the plans with you in detail and you will have opportunity to ask any questions. We don’t recommend that you scale off floor plans for precise space planning, but they will give you a great indication for furniture layouts. Reviewing plans might help you choose between different property styles, but also between different plots – perhaps a corner apartment wouldn’t work as well with your huge dining table because of additional glazing, whereas a mid-block apartment would accommodate it better. 

Choose your preferred orientation 

Sun worshippers generally want south or west-facing outside space. Bear in mind balconies can be along the front or rear elevation of a block of flats, whereas back gardens are the ones we tend to dine and socialise in. Pay close attention to the ‘N’ arrow on site plans to determine how much sun your chosen plot (and any outside space) will receive, and don’t assume more sunshine is always better. Home workers often prefer north-facing studies, and children generally sleep better without early-morning sun waking them up in east-facing bedrooms. 

Don’t lose the plot 

Visiting other modern developments often helps determine if you’d rather have a ground-floor flat for ease of access, or whether an end-terraced or semi-detached villa is preferable to a mid-terrace. Garden sizes vary – if outdoor space is important, look for bigger plots, which are often located around the periphery of a development or in corner locations. Think about vehicular access, parking and proximity to public transport, for you and likely visitors, and explore the area beyond your chosen development. Are there any surrounding elements you’d like to face onto, such as open space or communal gardens? 

Study the specifications 

When you’re buying a property off-plan, Cruden Homes will itemise the specifications so you clearly understand what’s included in your new home as standard. Depending on the build stage, you may be able to select from a wide range of kitchen and tile finishes and add a variety of optional extras, such as flooring, additional kitchen appliances or vanity units, for example. Once your date of entry has been confirmed, approximately six-weeks before you move in, it’s advisable to pre-book appointments for the installation of anything you’ll want or need quickly, to ensure they’re fitted as soon as possible after you move in. This might include items such as blinds and satellite TV.

Back to Latest Posts