Location is the most important factor when it comes to buying a new home, according to 88 per cent of Scottish house buyers.

As part of a YouGov survey on behalf of the Home Builders Federation (HBF), the location of a home is the highest priority for Scottish buyers, ranking higher than purchasers in England at 80 per cent and Wales (74 per cent), closely followed by the price (78 per cent) and having a garden (61 per cent).

For many house hunters, especially first time buyers in Scotland (77 per cent), saving up for a deposit is the biggest obstacle to owning a home, with the same figure (77 per cent) citing saving for a deposit as the key reason to put people off from buying.

In addition, high property prices in some parts of the country and getting a mortgage are also hurdles for 71 per cent and 60 per cent of potential home owners respectively. This is despite 69 per cent being aware of Government support, such as Help to Buy (Scotland) (71 per cent), HTB ISA (63 per cent) and shared ownership schemes (52 per cent).

Neil Gaffney, area sales and marketing director at Miller Homes Scotland which is building over 700 new homes this year, said: “Apart from creating good quality, energy-efficient and aesthetically pleasing homes, we are committed to building homes in locations people aspire to live in. More often, we are having to commute to work so it’s imperative our homes are built with excellent road and rail links and in cities and towns people actually want to put down their roots.

“Owning a home is, and always will be, the most expensive purchase anyone will ever make and financial assistance and Government schemes are making a positive impact. With incentives and support from Miller Homes too, we are all helping people get on the first rung or climb up the property ladder as we aspire to be a nation of home owners.”

The research was published to launch New Homes Week 2016, an industry-backed initiative aimed at addressing some of the misconceptions about new build homes. With 34 per cent of people polled saying they have never visited a new build or a show home and a further 18 per cent saying they hadn’t for at least 10 years, the industry faces a huge challenge engaging with the public to explain the many benefits of today’s modern, high quality new build homes.

HBF executive chairman, Stewart Baseley, said: “In the midst of a housing crisis, the prospect of getting on to the property ladder can seem like a distant possibility to many people. But there are options available to today’s young people. Due to Government schemes buying a new build home is a real possibility for people.

“New build homes have so many great benefits, from the high build quality and brand new fixtures and fittings, to the low running costs and added bonus of a 10 year warranty. But the real benefit for many first time buyers is the affordability of the whole process.

“Schemes like Help to Buy (Scotland) really make home ownership an option for many who it would otherwise be an impossible dream. Once in a new build, everyday living in terms of running costs, bills and not needing to spend thousands on upgrades mean people can enjoy living in their new home.

“We really hope that New Homes Week 2016 will help to promote new build homes to a brand new audience and open people’s eyes to the many reasons why they should buy new. We are urging people not to be put off by dated misconceptions, but to go and visit a new build home and see what is actually available.”