Name of house builder: Bovis Homes
Name and location of the development: Edwalton Fields Nottingham
The type of homes available (eg apartment, terrace, townhouses, detached, number of bedrooms etc)
Various, affordable housing which are mostly terraced, the rest are detached, varying from 3-5 bedrooms.
Overall impression of quality, show homes etc.
Main showhome is an Oxford 5 bed, the finishing inside and overall look is good. However the plans show very tight plots, with small back gardens, no front gardens and the dreaded shared double garage drive. Seems to be a common thing to save money on land, you simply don't get value for your money.
Timber frame or traditional masonry construction.
Not solid, but reasonable sound proofing in the show home.
Parking and garage availability.
Most detached houses have 2 parking slots but in one row so you have to move your back car to get it out. One shared garage which means you may come into conflict with your neighbour over parking and access if they aren't as considerate.
Proximity and amount of social housing.
Just behind expensive detached housing. Some opposite detached houses too.
Density: How close the homes are built, overlooking, width of roads, footpaths, front gardens etc
Very close, not much room at all between houses. Even corner areas have had their land space maximised to sell a house on it.
Consideration given to occupied homes.
New land area, but near a Sharphill woods which got a lot of resistance.
Any off-putting features like being beside a railway line or busy road.
Big pond nearby which they advertise as a "balancing feature" when its really an attenuation pond.
How helpful and truthful the sales advisor(s) were.
Helpful, not necessarily lying, but never upfront about all the hidden costs, had to find out there was a maintenance cost of £175 per year by asking, otherwise they rope you in by getting you emotionally attached to the house, then drop the bill on you after when you've already set your mind. Sales people, not house builders really.
The prices and value for money when compared with the local second-hand market.
Rip off mostly, 15% overpriced.
Appearance and design of the homes.
Not bad, shame there is only one garage, when older homes you'll get 2 garages and more space inside.