With many house buyers feeling uncertain about the potential impact of the EU referendum outcome on property prices and job security, the media has been full of reports about an immediate stalling of the housing market.
It will be several months before we start to see the full economic effects of Brexit, however, and there will still be many buyers who want to continue full steam ahead with their house-hunting mission – perhaps hoping to take advantage of lessening competition and trying to negotiate hard on prices.
The South East has a notoriously competitive housing market, so for house buyers there the immediate effect of the Brexit chill could be interesting. Commentators are likely to be watching with interest both resale values and the prices of homes at brand new developments.
Our latest selection of brand new homes in the South East includes apartments and starter homes as well as larger family properties, many of which are available through the government-backed Help to Buy scheme.
Walnut Meadow in Drayton, Oxfordshire (Miller Homes)
A brand new show home is coming to this development just south of Abingdon on Saturday 23 July. A four-bedroom ‘Buchan’ house will be professionally decorated and designed to demonstrate the layout of the house type and build quality and specification of the development as well as inspire homebuyers.
The development offers three-, four- and five-bedroom houses, set along tree-lined streets, complementing the neighbouring scheme The Gables in the village of Steventon, which comprises a mix of two-, three- and four-bedroom properties surrounded by trees and green spaces.
Tracey Lee, regional operations director at Miller Homes Southern, says: “Walnut Meadow and The Gables, which are less than two miles away from each other, are located in a highly-desirable part of Oxfordshire so we are expecting to see many visitors at our show home.
“The two developments are served by high-quality amenities, including schools, shops and leisure facilities. Both are just a short drive from Oxford city centre and there is also an express bus that takes people to London in around 50 minutes.”
Prices: From £470,000
Find out more about Walnut Meadow from Miller Homes
Banister Court in Southampton, Hampshire (Charles Church Developments)
Set in the heart of Southampton, Banister Court is made up of a mix of three-bedroom homes and one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments, appealing to first-time buyers right through to those looking to move up the property ladder.
With great shopping options on its doorstep, the development also offers easy access to an excellent range of leisure facilities, and the city's transport links are impressive - whether by road, rail, sea or air. Southampton Central train station is within walking distance of Banister Court (about 1.3 miles away), offering regular services to surrounding towns and cities, including a direct line to London Waterloo. Just south of Banister Court, The Avenue links to the M3 motorway, which then connects you to the M27 and A34 for routes northwards and into London. The A36 links the city to Bristol, the rest of the West Country, and Wales.
Schooling is well-catered for, with a good primary and nursery school just a short walk away and many other options covering all age groups within about a mile-wide radius of the development.
Locally, Southampton's Common is close to Banister Court, providing residents with 326 acres of open parkland to enjoy – ideal for running, walking, cycling and relaxing. For leisure time, the city has a popular waterfront area, superb shopping options, and a good range of cultural venues such as Southampton City Art Gallery and the Mayflower Theatre.
Prices: From £174,995
Find out more about Banister Court from Charles Church Developments
Leybourne Chase in West Malling, Kent (Taylor Wimpey)
Set on the outskirts of pretty West Malling, this development offers a choice of one-, two- and three-bedroom homes, including both apartments and houses, suiting a wide range of buyers. Help to Buy is available for those who can muster a 5% deposit.
This brand new semi-rural community is being developed on the grounds of a former manor house and provides pleasant open spaces for all its residents to enjoy, ranging from the renovated walled gardens to children's playgrounds and a nature walk.
Surrounded by historic architecture and woodland, the location is also convenient: there are local shops and supermarkets nearby; educational facilities for all ages; and easy access to the M20 at Junction 4. West Malling station offers frequent rail services to London, and the towns of Maidstone, Rochester, Chatham and Gillingham are all within easy striking distance.
Prices: From £184,000
Find out more about Leybourne Chase from Taylor Wimpey
St James Place in Clanfield, Waterlooville, Hampshire (Barratt Homes)
In the attractive village of Clanfield, St James Place offers a collection of two-, three- and four-bedroom homes right on the doorstep of the beautiful South Downs National Park - yet only about 12 miles from Portsmouth, about 15 minutes' drive away without traffic, via the A3(M).
Offering lovely views across rolling fields, and yet just 10 minutes from Petersfield, this is a location that is both picturesque and convenient. There are local schools and village square shops within walking distance, for example, and there will soon be brand new sports and community facilities that are being delivered as part of the development.
The nearest train station is located in Bedhampton, about eight miles away, which is on the main train route between London and Portsmouth.
Prices: From £272,000
Find out more about St James Place from Barratt Homes
Meadowbrook in Storrington, West Sussex (Crest Nicholson)
This collection of traditional two-, three-, four- and five-bedroom houses offers an incredible amount of choice for buyers, and is set amongst generous open spaces in the pleasant town of Storrington, within the South Downs National Park.
The designs aim to combine characterful features with practicality, and have been created to suit modern family life – yet to also remain architecturally sensitive to their rural surroundings.
Meadowbrook is close to the town centre, which houses a good selection of shops, restaurants and cafés as well as a community market on Friday mornings, where local producers sell their wares. Nearby Horsham offers a wider choice of high street and independent shops, bars and restaurants alongside cultural venues such as The Capitol Theatre.
Prices: From £324,950
Find out more about Meadowbrook from Crest Nicholson
Stratton Park in Bicester, Oxfordshire (Mulberry Developments)
Saturday 16 July is the launch date for this latest development in Bicester, the Oxfordshire town that is destined for huge expansion over the next few years. This new scheme will provide a collection of two-, three- and four-bedroom homes and marks an expansion of the working region for this housebuilder.
Steve Mitchell, residential director for Mulberry Developments, says: “[The company] already has an excellent reputation for building high-quality houses across Northamptonshire and Leicestershire and Stratton Park in Bicester will be no exception. The development is ideally located for commuting to Oxford, the Midlands or to London with the newly revamped Bicester Village railway station within a five-minute walk and direct access into London in less than 50 minutes. We expect demand for these properties to be high so would encourage anyone thinking of moving to register their interest now.”
Prices: From £223,960
Find out more at mpdl.co.uk ; 01582 797562