Three-quarters of prospective homebuyers would consider investing in new build rather than old, a survey for the Home Builders’ Federation (HBF) found this month. That’s good news for the housebuilding sector, but the reality of its selling practices and products may be provoking an increase in buyers’ remorse. The HBF’s national new homes survey found a near doubling last year in the number of buyers saying they would not buy from the same builder again.

The quality of new homes has come under recent scrutiny in the wake of well publicised failings. But back in 2012, Paula Higgins saw the need for a campaign group to help people negotiate the hurdles of buying both new and existing homes. Having worked in the Ministry of Communities, Housing and Local Government’s predecessor, the Department for Communities and Local Government, Higgins understood both construction and policy.

…