There was once a time when the good old British public would run a mile when asked to buy a house off- plan. Seeing is believing was the motto and unless there were bricks and mortar to examine there was no chance of persuading Yorkshire folk in particular to part with their brass.

Times have changed. Today, buying off-plan is pretty much an accepted part of life in the property world.

And why not, when it can provide so many advantages?

Take a development by Beal Homes, The Nunings, at Nafferton, near Driffield. Early-bird buyers here have been snapping up the best-placed plots… and then having a say in how their homes will look.

Sue Waudby, Beal Homes sales and marketing director, explains: “Buying off-plan means purchasers secure the best plots at pre-construction prices. And the earlier in the build process that people buy the more we are able to meet their individual requests regarding internal layout. We are a family-owned builder and we’re always happy to work with our buyers to arrive at their dream home.”

The company was also happy to introduce us to one family who have taken advantage of buying off-plan. Local couple Pat Dawson and Gary Johnson are buying one of Beal’s Thornton-style homes, one of the ten large detached properties at The Nunings.

Pat, who has lived in Nafferton since childhood, said: “I can’t imagine living anywhere else, so when Beal began building here we were keen to see what the homes would be like.”

The couple decided to buy off-plan – but they also had the chance to see a completed Thornton house at one of Beal’s development in north Lincolnshire.

The Thornton is a four-bedroom, double-fronted home – one of 14 different house types on offer at the development which is close to Driffield and 11 miles from Bridlington.

Off-plan prices start at £119,995 for a two-bedroomed cottage; three-bed family houses range from £174,995 and top of the range detached houses like the Thornton, Haxby and Canterbury styles are priced from £249,995 to £279,995.

Further details from Beal Homes on 0800 612 1216.