Period Property Vs New Build – Which is Best?

house building essex colchester

With a plethora of modern housing being built to meet the demand of buyers, we decided to weigh up whether new build properties with the latest architectural insights were as popular as older, traditional properties. We have discovered that a large proportion of the population are quick to mention the adjective ‘period’ when describing their ideal and perfect home, alluding to the appeal of the character involved in a traditional property and its ability to radiate a homely ambiance.

A large percentage of the population would hasten to disagree with the viewpoint of attraction to period properties, citing these “second-hand homes” as “never ending money pits.” The increased likelihood of an older property needing renovation works is a major turn off for a great number of buyers, and a modern built property is also able to brag its energy efficiency with effectual insulation and double glazing, pointing towards a decline in the costing of bills.

The period fanatics are soon to counteract a modern property’s practicality by signalling towards their small gardens with no privacy from neighbours, as modern houses are often crammed in tightly together on a development. The ceilings are low and the rooms are thought to be smaller than the ones found in a traditional property, with the underlying factor of no character being found in a modern home.

The word ‘period’ has a tendency to be used in a very broad context, so what actually is a period property? Many think of the grandeur and neo-classical stylings, with clean, symmetrical lines of Georgian architecture, whilst others envisage the cornicing, bay windows and patterned brickwork from the Victorian era. Another share of the UK would argue that the light airiness of the Edwardian period is their definition of a period property. A preference in a particular era of period architecture is widely thought to be down to personal fondness and what makes you individually think of as home.

Both period and newly built properties have their advantages and drawbacks, but the underlying question of which is better really depends on a personal level as to what kind of property and lifestyle you are partial towards.

Josh Cousens – abbotFox

Alex Evans

You May Also Enjoy

Estate Agent Talk

How to find out when a property was built and why it’s important to know

A leading provider of niche and specialist insurance to the home insurance market, Stanhope, has provided a step-by-step guide to finding out when a property was built and explained why it is so important for the homeowner to know its age. Matthew Ashton a Director of Stanhope said: “Knowing the property’s age is crucial for…
Read More
Breaking News

Five real estate opportunities to watch in 2026

By Daniel Austin, CEO and co-founder at ASK Partners The 2025 Autumn Budget offered limited stimulus for the housing market and, persistent headwinds such as sticky inflation, higher for longer interest rates, elevated construction costs, and slow planning processes continue to impact development viability. But there are still reasons for cautious optimism. The UK economy…
Read More
Breaking News

Autumn Budget 2025: What It Means for Buyers, Renters and Landlords

Budget headlines for the property sector: Landlords and property investors are the most directly affected, with slightly higher tax on rental income and frozen tax thresholds. Very high‑value homeowners (£2m+) face a new recurring annual charge from 2028. Renters don’t see direct tax changes, but may end up paying more in rent due to increased…
Read More
Rightmove logo
Breaking News

Rightmove’s Most Searched Locations in 2025

Rightmove reveals some of the trends which defined the 2025 property market, from the most viewed homes to the most searched for locations UK’s top property hotspots: London, Manchester, and Glasgow are the most searched for locations in 2025 Capital crowns: Wimbledon, Fulham, and Chiswick are the most searched-for London spots for buyers, while Canary…
Read More
affordable houses glasgow
Breaking News

Consistent support for apprenticeships helps construction

The Government has announced a £725 million package of reforms to the apprenticeship system, including £140m for a Mayoral pilot programme. Richard Beresford, Chief Executive of the National Federation of Builders (NFB), said: “The consistent messaging from politicians that apprenticeships should be valued as highly as degrees is fantastic and will be of great benefit…
Read More
Christmas Decorations - Good or Bad for Selling
Estate Agent Talk

6 tips for a stress-free Christmas move

With an average of 87,000 home sales taking place during the month of December, Property DriveBuy has compiled practical advice for those due to complete this festive season, a time already known for being one of the busiest and most emotionally charged periods of the year. Despite this bringing the potential for a more stressful…
Read More