Everyone buying a new home needs to really look into it. Especially those first home buyers as that government handout is not much use if you then have to fork out as much or more in order for your new home to be “perfect”. I have bought off the plan. I had that deer in the headlights look when I thought of how fantastic it would be to live in a home that no one else had ever lived in and that would not need anything done to it for years and years. And though it is great to have a home that has no one else’s stamp upon it, I realize that there is no such thing as perfect in a new built and that there is always something that needs attention.
My experience pales into insignificance compared with some off the plan purchases. In my complex the amount we had to fork out for our new homes to meet building codes and Australian standards was minimal, though annoying that we had to pay anything at all. After my own experience and read about many more, I would never buy off the plan again. And not just in strata, but new house either. Same problems can appear there. Sure a 1950s block of units or that 50 year old house will need money put into it, but you expect that. You don’t expect something new needing a cash input to fix it. And if those involved in the build are never found to be responsible, why should they ensure a good job is done?
I would however buy a new car again. That experience has been very pleasant. I get that feeling that no one else has driven it, and when something goes wrong it is fixed, within the warranty period, no question and without cost! And if the manufacturer has numerous cars with a fault, they are obliged to recall and check each and every vehicle for the fault. If only we could be as safe when we sleep in our own homes as we are when we drive away from them.