Self-build green properties hot in 2008

Self-build green homes are set to become hot property in 2008, says specialist magazine SelfBuild & Design.

According to the organisation, building your own environmentally friendly home is preferable to buying one from a developer - as you can design it to meet your own needs.

"A self-builder has a different agenda to a developer. A developer is a business, not a charity. Their agenda is the bottom line, basically: they will supply the minimum standards that they can that will be saleable," said Ross Stokes, editor of SelfBuild & Design.

"A self-builder comes from a different perspective entirely; a self-builder will build the maximum spec house he or she can to their budget."

According to green mortgage provider Norwich and Peterborough Building Society, roughly 20,000 people already self-build their own home every year in the UK.

And the reasons are obvious according to SelfBuild & Design.

"The self-builder will be building to the maximum standards they can, because they're going to live in it. Whereas a developer will build to the minimum standard, because at the end of the day they've got to provide a house they can sell and make a profit on," continued Mr Stokes.

"The self-builder isn't interested in the profit; they are interested in low running costs for the long term - because they are the ones who are going to have to pay the bills."

Finally, ensuring homes are environmentally friendly can also provide a boon to self-build developers, according to SelfBuild & Design.

"Green improvements will save a lot of money in the long run, for the occupier of the house," concluded Mr Stokes.