Buying a home is exciting—but it can also feel overwhelming. Once you’ve worked out your budget and location, one of the biggest questions is: should you go for a brand-new home, or choose an old build property?
The truth is, there’s no single answer that works for everyone. Both new builds and old builds have their strengths, and the right choice depends on what matters most to you. Do you prefer modern design and low maintenance, or do you love the character and space that older homes often provide?

In this guide, we’ll explore the top 5 advantages of new build properties and the top 5 advantages of old build homes. To make it simple, we’ve put them side by side so you can compare at a glance.

A surge in supply, coupled with buyers’ sensitivity to higher borrowing costs, is putting significant downward pressure on prices.
• According to Rightmove, the average asking price in June 2025 fell by 0.3%, while newly listed sellers in July cut their asking prices by 1.2% — an unusually weak performance for the summer period. These declines are concentrated in higher-value regions such as Southern England and London.
• The key driver is a substantial increase in housing choice: the number of properties for sale is up about 14% compared with the same period last year, with London seeing an even larger rise of 16–19%. Buyers are no longer rushing to outbid competitors, instead using their improved bargaining power to negotiate lower prices, forcing sellers to cut to attract interest.

🏙️ Population Growth Continues to Drive Housing Demand
Reading’s population is steadily increasing, with the Reading Chronicle reporting a current figure of around 182,907 residents. Official data from the ONS and Reading Borough Council confirms consistent growth, with the local population exceeding 178,000, and even higher when surrounding towns and suburbs are included.
So, what’s attracting people to Reading? A combination of thriving businesses, excellent transport links, and strong appeal to students and young professionals.
👉 What this means for landlords: More people = more demand for housing. Whether it’s students, young professionals, or growing families, Reading’s rental market remains very active.