If you’ve made up your mind to move and know that you want to live in a house that’s newly built, then it’s possible you’ve already registered your interest in a particular scheme with a developer or agent.

This has obvious benefits: updates on progress, for example, and an invitation to a pre-launch when early birds can take their pick of the plots. But if you are less certain about where, when – and even if – you want to move, then open days and weekends at new developments can be a great way of gathering information.

We find that holding these events, when the site or marketing suite is open and staffed for anyone who might just want to drop in without an appointment, is proving to be very popular with the keen and curious alike. I think the idea appeals for different reasons. Those who are undecided may not want to book a more formal viewing for fear of wasting anyone’s time, while those juggling the many pressures on their time may find that house hunting without being tied to a specific slot can help ease the strain.

These events can be an invaluable part of the decision-making process; a chance to speak to agents about the market, to see at first hand what’s out there, to discover the latest trends in design and specification and to talk to developers about what else may be in the pipeline if the current offering doesn’t fit the bill because of location, size or timing.

It also gives would-be buyers the opportunity to talk through what support may be available such as Help to Buy, part exchange or assisted moving, where the developer helps in the sale of an existing home.

My advice is even if you’re really not sure you want to move, never be afraid to go and have a look – you might find it’s love at first sight or, at the very least, a great way to discover more.

Further information

New Homes Week takes place 15-21 May 2017

Contact Savills New Homes & Development