Existing Property vs 'new build':

At progressive we have been shouting for a long time now that existing property [property that is not new] is a far better investment thatn new-build property, off plan property and overseas property.

How do we know this? Because we have bought every property type and measured the results carefully against each other [not that we have needed to be careful, it has become patently obvious].

New Build:

New build property that is sold by developers is sold at a premium, much like if you buy a brand new car from the forecourt. You are paying the premium to the developer who needs to make a profit.

You are paying for many new features that do not have an impact on the long term value of the property such as new materials, fixtures and fittings, mod-cons and the privilege of owning something new.

"The 2 things that make a difference to long term values of property are square footage [size] and location. "

Off plan:

Off-plan property is much the same as new build with furthermore added speculation. You are paying premiums in the same way that you are paying for new property, but you are also speculating as to a future value [which is normally hiked by developers and property companies].

The more variables that can go wrong within an investment, the more your investment becomes a gamble.

Overseas property:

Most of the overseas property that you will be offered will be both new and off plan, so you are carrying over the same risks that you are with new build and off plan property locally, but with added unknown variables such as language barriers, differences in legal systems and barriers to communication.

The further away something is, the less you can control it. Would you send your young child overseas on her own? So why do it with your money and your future?

Evidence:

Don't just take our word for it, read this article that was posted in the money section of The daily Telegraph: