{"id":1624,"date":"2026-04-28T20:21:24","date_gmt":"2026-04-28T17:21:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/oun.fi\/buying-a-new-home\/"},"modified":"2026-08-05T10:44:17","modified_gmt":"2026-08-05T07:44:17","slug":"buying-a-new-home","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/oun.fi\/en\/buying-a-new-home\/","title":{"rendered":"Buying a new home"},"content":{"rendered":"

A new build with its gleaming surfaces and modern solutions is an attractive choice, but signing a binding purchase agreement during the construction phase also means you’re paying for a home that doesn’t yet exist. In this article, we’ll go through the biggest risks of buying a new build, how the law protects you from them, and a concrete checklist to help you know what to investigate before the purchase. <\/p>\n

The biggest risks of buying a new build<\/h2>\n

Buying a new build differs from buying a completed home precisely in its risk profile – you’re not buying a finished product, but a promise of one. The main risks: <\/p>\n

The builder’s financial situation and delays<\/h3>\n

The single biggest risk is that the builder won’t be able to complete the home on the agreed schedule or will face financial difficulties mid-project. A delay postpones your moving date and can cause overlapping housing costs if your current home has already been sold or your rental agreement is ending. <\/p>\n

Company loan and rising charges<\/h3>\n

In new builds, the company loan can be as much as 70 percent of the home’s selling price. A low selling price may be tempting, even though the actual monthly cost with the financing charge would be high – and the interest rate risk remains with the buyer if the loan share isn’t paid off. Read more about company loans and whether it’s worth paying them off.<\/a><\/p>\n

Market situation changes during construction<\/h3>\n

Years can pass between signing the purchase agreement and the home’s completion. If the housing market weakens during that time, the home’s value at handover may differ from its value at purchase – this is a particularly significant risk when buying for investment purposes. <\/p>\n

Teething problems and an unfinished environment<\/h3>\n

A new building typically experiences minor teething problems, for example in sound insulation or ventilation settings. If the area is still under construction, neighboring building sites – noise, dust, traffic – can continue for years after you’ve moved in. <\/p>\n

Delays in ownership registration<\/h3>\n

Congestion in the Residential and Commercial Property Information System (HTJ) has led to situations where a new shareholder doesn’t make it onto the shareholder register before the next shareholders’ meeting and therefore can’t vote on decisions concerning their own building. Read how to prepare for HTJ congestion.<\/a><\/p>\n

How the law protects you – the RS system and guarantees<\/h2>\n

The RS system (Housing Transactions Act, Chapter 2) was developed precisely to manage the risks described above. Compliance with it is mandatory when a housing company share is sold during the construction phase. Under the RS Act, the builder must, among other things: <\/p>\n