Opinion: New Homes: A Benefit or Burden to the Southeast

A recent article from Kent Online presents new homes and land investments as a burden on the countryside, with fields being replaced with developments and housing, but is that necessarily a bad thing?

We spoke to our Managing Director of Land and New Homes, Jason Willetts, to find out if the negative impact of new homes really outweighs the positives.

“New homes are great for those looking for an environmentally friendly option. With stricter specifications in new builds to be energy efficient, and even environmentally friendly source materials, new homes can provide a sense of comfort for anyone doing their bit for the planet.”

Within the past year, we’ve seen a huge increase in economically friendly builds in the south-east, following regulations such as a focus on insulation to reduce energy bills, rainwater harvesting (during building and property use), and even smart technology to reduce a home’s energy consumption.

When asked to comment on the aesthetics of new homes, Jason argues: “When considering the look of a new home, there’s no shame in building something that looks like it's made for the times. The Southeast features aged housing, from Neo-Georgian homes to Victorian styles. New homes are built in a modern style, but can still be sympathetic to the area surrounding, which is key to the aesthetics of a town.”

Though many are concerned about the look of new homes ‘ruining’ green spaces, many new home areas do include green spaces, gardens, and economical features that many older, terraced buildings don’t feature.

Many new homes even feature the option to personalise rooms, carpets, or kitchens and bathrooms if you join the development early enough, meaning that many new home occupiers have homes tailored to them, leading them to stay in a property for longer.

It is also important to mention the help-to-buy scheme, providing a new wave of access to the property ladder for first-time buyers. Exclusive to new homes, Jason describes the help-to-buy scheme as “One of the best sales incentives for decades that provides genuine help.”

We are coming to the end of the help-to-buy scheme and, with a deadline of March 2023, and no current plans to go ahead with a new scheme for first-time buyers, we could be seeing a huge hole in the property market.

“It would be catastrophic if not replaced,” Jason suggests. With a huge rise in first-time buyers utilising the help-to-buy scheme within the past few years, we may see a gap in the industry for accessibility for first-time buyers. “I’m sure we will do something in March” Jason concludes, “but I do think the help-to-buy scheme should be maintained for the best interests of first-time buyers.”

Other opportunities that may interest first-time buyers include shared housing, where buyers can buy a share of a home for a lowered price, then pay rent monthly on the remaining share. 

Though many residents may not agree with the initial introduction of new homes, the long-term effects are consequently better for the environment, featuring controlled green spaces and opportunities for environmentally friendly housing for those looking to join the ladder.

Interested in finding your new home today? Why not take a look at our current new home listings or speak to our experts to discuss how you can utilise the help-to-buy scheme before it finishes.