Acorn Gardens – Buy To Let Case Study

How did you first hear about CB Homes?

I was looking on Rightmove for properties to buy as an investment and the house came up on a search.

What was your main reason for wanting to buy New Build?

Buying a new build meant that everything was fresh and new, together with an NHBC Buildmark Warranty, and that a tenant would be able to move in and know that everything is taken care of. It gives me peace of mind as a landlord, putting a tenant into a new build and that is what I was looking for.

What attracted you to this particular house?

It is a three bed semi-detached, which is what I look for in a buy to let. It is local, in an area that I know and a new build so it ticked all the boxes. I liked the layout, which had been well thought out, and that it has a nice drive, downstairs w.c. and double doors at the back.

What do you like most about the design of your house?

Although it is not for me to live in, one of the things I really liked was that the downstairs is open plan and, although the kitchen is separate, it has no door on it, so it still gives you that open plan feel. I was also surprised to learn of the extras that came with the house, which you don’t normally get, like a shed, outside tap, turf, an alarm and even a doorbell. This made it so much easier for me having everything included because being an investor it meant I did not have to worry about what I had forgotten to add or what it wasn’t going to come with because it came with everything you expect a house to have, which so often is not the case.

“I was also surprised to learn of the extras that came with the house, which you don’t normally get, like a shed, outside tap, turf, an alarm and even a doorbell.”

Did you have any specific requirements, and how were they met?

With it being a rental, I didn’t have any specific requirements but I look for three bed semis in an area that I know, close to schools etc. and this property had all of those, along with nice features for a great family home.

What was the buying process like for you?

The buying process was really easy. It helped that the property is local to where I live, I was kept up-to-date and well informed. There were a few delays but during Covid this was to be expected and likewise, after completion, getting the snagging done was not such hard work as I thought it would be. Snagging was done incredibly quickly; CB Homes just got on with it and they have done everything they promised to do. Just as the sale was easy, the aftercare was easy too.

How was the build process and how involved did you get?

It was a long process but new builds quite often are. In the last couple of years there have been a lot of changes and difficulties in every aspect of life – not just housebuilding, so there were delays but they were not extortionate and I was kept well informed, so it was not a stressful time for me.

I did not get very involved in the build process. To be honest, it never really occurred to me to customise things because when I have purchased new builds in the past this was not an option, so I never realised CB Homes would have accommodated any requests if I had any! After completion I was aware that some of the neighbours had a few things done like extra paving slabs to make the driveway longer or having electric put in the shed, but even now there is nothing I would change so it is not something I would have made use of, but it’s such a nice thing to know going forward.

What were your high and low points of buying a new build?

That is a tricky question because as it is a buy to let it wasn’t an emotional decision. It was a thought-out strategic business decision so there were no particular highs or lows because it wasn’t an emotional choice.

What are your home’s best features?

It is well built and nicely finished. It is pretty, even the front door and the porch are nicely done and there are nice little touches. It is not like any other new build home that has just been thrown up.

What was the best buy on your new-build project?

The white goods. Although I could have got them cheaper elsewhere, just knowing that they were all installed and supplied by CB Homes meant that when I got the keys everything was done and ready to go.

What was your biggest extravagance?

Again, probably the white goods.

What are your home running costs like?

With this being a rental property, I do not have this information.

What are your ‘Top Tips’ for new home owners?

Make sure you pay attention to the Handover Manual given at time of handover. This is an invaluable folder with all the information regarding your new home, from the internal decorating colours to information manuals on how things work and warranty certificates all in one place. Another tip is to ask questions – the more you ask, the more you know.

Please sum up your CB Home

One word… easy. It rented quickly, all the snagging was done, it was a smooth transaction.

Would you buy a CB Homes home again? Why?

When I become a multi-millionaire, I will ask CB Homes to build my dream home. But seriously – yes, I would not hesitate to buy a CB Homes house.