What does it involve? When you buy a property off plan, you choose the plot and style of your home from site plans and technical drawings drawn up by the developer, put down a deposit of up to 10% and then wait for the house to be built.

Reasons to buy There can be a number of benefits to buying off plan. As well as being able to create a home to your specification, the property can increase in value by the time it has been built if the market is strong. Houses sold at the beginning of the development are likely to cost less than those sold when the work is complete.

Added incentives Developers usually offer financial incentives that make moving much easier, such as paying your stamp duty, deposit or legal fees, offering a part-exchange service and providing additional offers for first-time buyers.

Research first To get the property you want, you must do your research thoroughly before you make a decision. Choose a development and then go to your local planning office and get the plans of the site. From this, you can identify which plots are in the best locations.

What to look for Check the location – for example, a quiet cul-de-sac will probably be more popular than a main road. Also, go for south-facing properties to get the most sunlight.

Land use On the local council plans, look at the land surrounding the site and find out what it is used for and whether there are plans to develop it, as that could impact on your future home in terms of noise or being overlooked.

Quality control If there is a show home, visit it to get some idea of the layout of your future home. Check the quality of the building materials, fittings and finish. If there’s no show home, the sales team should show you a virtual tour of how the property will look when completed.

Personal touches Most developers will allow you to add your own mark as your home’s being built, so if possible, choose your own flooring, lights, tiles, sanitaryware, kitchen units, appliances and fittings. You’ll pay more for upgrades, but they will still be cheaper than high-street prices and it is worth it to get your ideal home.

Extra benefits Most appliances come with the property, which is especially useful for first-time buyers. Ask for a list of what’s included in the price and negotiate for any extras, such as carpet, new turf for the lawn or a security system.

Your expectations Let the site manager know what you expect of them and make sure there are no restrictions on you visiting the site to check how work is going. Keep in regular contact throughout the build.

Moving in Ask for an estimated completion date for your new property, as this may affect potential buyers of your existing home or any rental contracts you may have.

Ecological policy Most companies will have a policy that includes undertaking environmental assessments, preserving and protecting the environment when building, and minimising pollution and its adverse affects on the environment and local community. Ask the developer about its use of sustainable resources and find out if it plans to replant trees and greenery once the development is complete.

Home protection New properties should come with a 10-year warranty from the National Housing Council or a similar body. This covers putting right any defects caused by materials or workmanship for the first two years, then a further eight years against major structural damage to your property.

Check for faults Before completion, ask the site manager to show you how everything works. Test as much as possible, including taps, heating, appliances and doors, then make a list of snags that need to be corrected before you move in.

After care Once you’ve moved in, your home will take a while to dry out and warm up because of moisture in the building materials, so make sure it’s well ventilated for the first few months and keep your heating at a steady temperature.