Although some of us dream about a lovely period home, it may turn into a nightmare when you realise that 'character' can actually cost you a packet!

A recent survey done by the Daily Star newspaper discovered that more than one third of home buyers throw away an average £2,500 in repairs when they buy a second hand property.

Old windows, boilers and insulation are the expensive culprits – none of which are a problem if you buy a newly built home.

But that's not the only good point to buying a brand new house. Buying a new build also helps the environment and means you don't have to deal with greedy previous owners forcing you into a bidding war for the property.

Why should I buy a newly-built home?

A Fresh Start

A brand new home is real fresh start for any family. You can decorate every single room exactly to suit your individual needs. This means there's no more putting up with the bright pink carpet that the previous owner adored!

For the first time in your property you now have the say-so for every single part of the decor in your home. These choices extend to include important and costly decisions such as carpets, curtains, bathrooms and even kitchen worktops.

But as well as looking exactly how you want, a brand new home is very kind to your pocket as well. Newly built homes are much better insulated than older properties and include double-glazing windows as standard.

This means you can retain heat in your property more easily than in a rickety old building.

Helping Mother Nature

If you've been worried about global warming then you can rest assured in your brand new home. Most newbuild houses are kinder on the environment as the efficient boilers, heaters and insulation mean you don't have to waste electricity and gas.

Most new homes also come with an energy rating certificate which means you can be sure that you are reducing your carbon footprint – and helping save the planet.

A Good Night's Sleep

If helping the environment doesn't make you sleep easier then the top notch security of a new build definitely should.

New homes are far safer and more secure than older properties. Fire safety, in particular, is helped by the standard installation of smoke alarms, fire doors, and fire retardant materials.

It is also written into UK law that the architectural design of new homes, and even new extensions, must adhere to rigourous fire safety standards – which greatly increases your chance of escape should a fire break out.

Another bonus is most builders will include security locks, burglar alarms and security lighting as part of your standard specification.

Ace Deals

You can really negotiate some cushy extras when buying a new build - if you know what to look for.

Eager housing developers are adept at knowing what will encourage a curious buyer into a sale. Financial incentives include getting your stamp duty paid or a certain amount of cash back after you move in.

But you can also haggle for special bonuses like wood flooring throughout the property, included curtains, carpets, special tiling in your bathroom or kitchen, and top quality landscaping for your garden.

A lot of builders will also include white products such as a fridge freezer, dishwasher or washing machine so always ask before you agree a price!

No Property Chain

You are free of the nightmarish property chain. You don't have to wait for the owners of your new property to find somewhere new, and deal with the complications if they don't.

Once you agree on a move in date, very little should stand in the way of your move. And if you have any doubts, you can even ask your solicitor about getting the completion date written into your contract.