THE New Homes Marketing Board has launched a new leaflet to demonstrate the substantial benefits of buying a new build property.

A spokesperson for the NHMB said: "There are so many myths about buying a new home but the reality is that it can save you time, money and stress in both the short and long term."

In research carried out by NOP last year for Halifax it seems that the simplest things can put us off an older property from peeling paint (23 per cent) and smoke stained walls (37 per cent) to more serious but common problems such as mould (51 per cent).

With a new home what you get is a blank canvas, a place you can really stamp your own mark upon. The stress and pace of modern life also means that many people spend far less quality time at home with family and friends than they'd like to. So, increasingly, property owners want a home that's low-maintenance, easy and inexpensive to run.

Since everything in a newly built home is brand-new, there'll be no home improvement costs, no need to redecorate, rewire, replace the kitchen or bathroom, install a second bathroom, re-insulate, install a new boiler or central heating, replace windows, doors or guttering.

Not having to upgrade an older property could save you up to £22,000, which is enough to buy a new car plus a family holiday and still have money left over to treat yourself!