{"id":1379,"date":"2018-02-14T12:58:16","date_gmt":"2018-02-14T12:58:16","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.propertysearch-ng.com\/?p=1379"},"modified":"2018-03-06T11:15:11","modified_gmt":"2018-03-06T11:15:11","slug":"15-topics-id-like-property-developers-to-write-about","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.propertysearch-ng.com\/?p=1379","title":{"rendered":"15 topics I\u2019d like property developers to write about"},"content":{"rendered":"

Courtesy \u00a0Propertyblogs.co.uk<\/a><\/h2>\n

Many major property developers have embraced the art of blogging on their websites and produce articles that are interesting, informative and engaging. I\u2019ve read a hefty amount of material that does this ever so well, but there\u2019s a few glaring omissions from some major players.<\/h2>\n
\n

As a devotee of new-builds and a serial homebuyer, I don\u2019t think I\u2019m untypical of many buyers.<\/p>\n

I look for new developments online, visit their microsite, examine site plans, house types and availability. If the area is unfamiliar, I\u2019d check out Google maps, proximity and reputation of local schools, access to town and country.<\/p>\n

On the company website, or even development microsite, there\u2019s at least 15 topics that I\u2019d find useful and I\u2019m convinced others may.<\/p>\n

Here goes:<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Location.\u00a0<\/strong>Not just the marketing speak but really good location information like how close is the nearest primary school or high school, whether there\u2019s shops to hand, or walking and cycling from the doorstep. Persimmon<\/a> do this well. Others don\u2019t. It\u2019s useful. All developers should do it.<\/li>\n
  2. Running costs.\u00a0<\/strong>We all take car manufacturers\u2019 mpg figures with a bucket of salt \u2013 but a new build\u2019s energy costs aren\u2019t measured in a vacuum like those VWs. Give the average monthly cost of gas, electricity and water.<\/li>\n
  3. Construction methods. <\/strong>Types and styles of windows \u2013 hardwood or uPVC. Colour of roof. You get the idea?<\/li>\n
  4. Schools.\u00a0<\/strong>New developments attract families as a rule of thumb \u2013 I\u2019d like to know distances and reputations of schools close to the development.<\/li>\n
  5. Play areas.\u00a0<\/strong>Are there going to be any? Or will there be any public open spaces?<\/li>\n
  6. Public transport.\u00a0<\/strong>Bus routes and train information for example.<\/li>\n
  7. Testimonials.\u00a0<\/strong>Now I know many big house builders sometimes get bad press \u2013 but they don\u2019t highlight the positive feedback they get. Some positive reviews should be on websites.<\/li>\n
  8. Floorplans.<\/strong>\u00a0I remember fondly when new builds showed radiators, power points, telephone sockets, washing machine and dishwasher points on floorplans but they seem to have disappeared \u2013 I think developers should include detailed plans for would-be buyers.<\/li>\n
  9. Broadband options.\u00a0<\/strong>A page alone could be dedicated to this on developers\u2019 websites, talking about modems, routers, fibre-optic cabling, download speeds and consumer choice.<\/li>\n
  10. Customizable options.\u00a0<\/strong>I\u2019m sure before the first fit phase buyers would like clearly costed options so they can choose a double oven not a single, go for better flooring than the cheap free stuff, choose to have an integral garage made into another room etc. Local builders who can add a garden home office etc.<\/li>\n
  11. Area guides.\u00a0<\/strong>Where is the nearest town? What amenities does it offer? Bluebell Meadow (where we live) mentions it is under 30 miles to Norwich \u2013 but that fine city could occupy 10 blog posts on its own merits. 23 miles or 40 minutes\u2019 travel time to Norwich would make this development even more appealing.<\/li>\n
  12. Leisure facilities nearby.\u00a0<\/strong>I\u2019ve been writing Design Access Statements and many of the criteria named there \u2013 like railway stations, schools \u2013 could offer a blueprint for content marketing. Why don\u2019t developers mention the nearest David Lloyd, Nuffield or Bannatynes? The closest cinemas and theatres? The nearest public swimming pools?<\/li>\n
  13. Landscape and walks.\u00a0<\/strong>I\u2019ve only recently unearthed great walks from the doorstep \u2013 why don\u2019t developers name walking routes, describe the local landscape, rather than relying on estate agent speak like \u201ca stone\u2019s throw away from \u2026 a beach, woods, a river?\u201d<\/li>\n
  14. Financial and legal advice.\u00a0<\/strong>Just some generalized advice on the types of mortgages available, how conveyancing works, what is the difference between exchange and completion, Help to Buy etc.<\/li>\n
  15. Snagging.\u00a0<\/strong>New homes all develop faults \u2013 some major, others minor, so an outline of what to do in the event of a toilet blocking, a path subsiding, brickwork cracking, doors sticking, walls cracking etc \u2013 plus some general advice on how to hang blinds and poles on those walls \u2013 would be welcomed.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

     <\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    Courtesy \u00a0Propertyblogs.co.uk Many major property developers have embraced the art of blogging on their websites and produce articles that are interesting, informative and engaging. I\u2019ve read a hefty amount of material that does this ever so well, but there\u2019s a few glaring omissions from some major players. As a devotee of new-builds and a serial homebuyer, I don\u2019t think I\u2019m untypical of many buyers. …<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":14,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"link","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[87],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.propertysearch-ng.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1379"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.propertysearch-ng.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.propertysearch-ng.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.propertysearch-ng.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/14"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.propertysearch-ng.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1379"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.propertysearch-ng.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1379\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1380,"href":"https:\/\/www.propertysearch-ng.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1379\/revisions\/1380"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.propertysearch-ng.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1379"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.propertysearch-ng.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1379"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.propertysearch-ng.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1379"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}