First Time Buyer - December 2021/January 2022 by The Ultimate Guide Company

the Ultimate Guide to... GETTING ON THE LADDER, THE PROPERTY MARKET AND HELP TO BUY December 2021/ January 2022 £3.95

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A BUNDLE OF KITCHEN ACCESSORIES FROM ADDIS, WORTH £100

GET READY FOR THE FESTIVE SEASON

SPOTLIGHT ON LONDON BOROUGHS

THE NORTH IS BOOMING!

CHECK OUT ABRI HOMES

HOTSPOT BROMLEY-BY-BOW FOCUS ON YOUR FINANCIAL HEALTH

“Set yourself a goal on what you can save but be realistic” Lynsey Crombie

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The Queen of Clean

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EDITOR’S LETTER

E D I T O R I A L – 020 3488 7754

Editor-in-Chief SARAH GARRETT sarahg@spmgroup.co.uk Editor LYNDA CLARK lynda@firsttimebuyermag.co.uk Editorial Assistants KATIE WRIGHT, DAWN HARKER

Operations Assistant SOPHIE MUNNERY Creative Director RYAN BEAL Sub Editor KAY HILL Social Media DAWN HARKER, KATIE WRIGHT

Contributors CHRIS CLARK, DEBBIE CLARK, ADAM CRAWFORD, DAWN HARKER, KAY HILL, JONNIE IRWIN, SOPHIE MUNNERY, LAURA DEAN-OSGOOD, LESLEY PRICE, GINETTA VEDRICKAS, KATIE WRIGHT A D V E RT I S I N G – 020 3488 7754

Director of Advertising/Exhibition Sales LYNDA CLARK

lynda@firsttimebuyermag.co.uk Special Events KATIE WRIGHT – First Time Buyer Home Show – First Time Buyer Readers’ Awards katie@firsttimebuyermag.co.uk

Welcome Slowly, slowly it looks like we are getting back to some sort of “normality”. Christmas is a time of year we look forward to being with family and friends and it looks like we will all be able to celebrate together this year – I really do hope so. There was much excitement at team FTB headquarters recently. We were delighted to have won the Consumer Magazine of the Year at the Property Press Awards for the second year running! If you are planning on buying your first home in London then do turn to pages 24-28 where we look at which boroughs come out on top, for factors like house prices, council tax and transport, and highlight some affordable homes which are perfect for first time buyers. Or, if you are looking to live in the North of England then our feature on pages 64-67 takes a look at some key areas of growth in the region, where the property market is booming and we focus on some affordable property hotspots. Planning your Christmas menus can always be a little overwhelming, but we have tried and tested some of the festive food available from the UK’s top supermarkets, pages 78-79, to help you make the best choices. I hope you enjoy this issue which is packed with information to guide you all the way through the homebuying process, which can quite often be confusing. So, if you are struggling to understand how it all works then I am sure you will find the answers to all your questions inside. I wish you all a very happy Christmas and a prosperous New Year and thank you again for all your support. Until next time, happy house hunting @firsttimebuyer

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Managing Director SARAH GARRETT sarahg@spmgroup.co.uk Public Relations RACHEL COLGAN rachel@building-relations.co.uk SUBSCRIPTIONS 020 3488 7754

EDITOR’S PICKS…

We have a mortgage approved in principle and have set up a viewing.

The market always goes through cycles and there is never a good or bad time to buy Wei and Jaime Chan, if it’s going to be House Hunter, page 16 your home.

SWITCHBOARD 020 3488 7754 All advertising copy for February/March 2022 must be received before 7 January 2021. Send all copy to: lynda@ firsttimebuyermag.co.uk The content of this publication, either in whole or in part, may not be reproduced, stored in a data retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying or otherwise, without prior permission from the publishers. Opinions expressed in First Time Buyer magazine are not necessarily those of the publishers. © The Ultimate Guide Company Ltd 2008-2021. The Ultimate Guide Company Ltd t/a First Time Buyer magazine will take no responsibility for any loss/ claim resulting from a transaction with one of our advertisers/media partners.

Going into lockdown actually benefited me, as there was no more going out and I didn’t see the point in spending money. Sofia Dihoiu, Real Life, page 68

Try not to let your head be swivelled because you fall in love with the property.

Dee Gibson, At home with, page 14

After your initial viewing, the next visit will be far less emotionally charged.

Adrian Plant, 20 Questions, page 106

Jonnie Irwin, Jonnie’s World, page 9

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CONTENTS

DECEMBER 2021/JANUARY 2022 / ISSUE 92 / FIRSTTIMEBUYERMAG.CO.UK

What’s in… 69

For sale – the best FTB properties

For savvy saver and property sales manager Sofia Dihoiu, 31, the UK lockdowns helped her exceed her saving expectations, in turn leading her to purchase a brand new one bedroom apartment at Berkeley Homes’ Lumina development, in the heart of Camberley, Surrey.

HOMEPAGE

9 Words from Jonnie TV presenter and property expert Jonnie Irwin gives his views on the housing market.

11 FTB loves… A round up of our favourite hot buys.

12 Living Excited to decorate your new home this Christmas? We have chosen some of the best affordable Christmas decorations to add that extra magic needed this festive season. Traditional Christmas decorations these are not, as we promise to add colour, vibrancy and sparkle to your home with these top festive picks.

14 At home with… Dee Gibson Having worked for 10 years in the financial sector, Dee Gibson followed her heart and became an interior designer. Her company, Velvet Orange, pulls together teams of builders, architects and craftspeople to create unique luxury spaces. In 2020 she was a silver winner in the UKs national Best Business Women Awards for the Most Inspiring Business Woman. She talks to Lynda Clark about her first step on the property ladder, her fascinating career and gives some excellent advice for first time buyers.

16 House Hunter We try to find Wei and Jaime Chan a home in Essex or East London, convenient for work and family.

18 Developer’s doctor James Zamchick, Sales, Marketing and Commercial Director at Places for People answers this month’s property question.

FEATURED

20 The View: Lynsey Crombie Lynsey Crombie is a bestselling author, blogger, and Instagram influencer with more than 250,000 followers who is best known as the Queen of Clean. She starred in Obsessive Compulsive Cleaners for Channel 4 and is a regular guest on This Morning and Good Morning Britain. She talks to Lynda Clark about her first home, her fascinating career and her passion for all things to do with cleaning.

and highlights some affordable homes in these hotspots.

24 Convenient Living in the Capital Affordable housing developer Pocket Living has analysed each London borough to reveal the most accessible locations for “city makers”, defined by Pocket as young, middle-earning Londoners who contribute to their city. Debbie Clark takes a look at which boroughs come out on top

30 Top tips for moving into your first home Rune Sovndahl, Co-founder and CEO of Fantastic Services, gives his top tips and some practical advice for first time buyers moving into their new home.

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CONTENTS LYNSEY CROMBIE, PAGE 20

IF YOU BUY A NEW BUILD THEN YOU WILL START WITH A FRESH, CLEAN CANVAS, BUT TRY TO KEEP IT TIDY AND ORGANISED FROM DAY ONE 50 LOOKING FOR YOUR NEW HOME? LOOK NO FURTHER

Lynsey Crombie

REGULARS

Spotlight on Abri, which has committed to building more than 12,500 new homes by 2030. It has recently rebranded and has been named one of Homes England’s strategic partners for the Affordable Homes Programme 2021-2026. Abri Homes has its own dedicated website that offers properties for sale, and to let, as well as providing all the guidance needed for people who are looking to take the first steps towards buying a new home.

84 Finance 32 Hotspot We look at Bromley-by-Bow as a place to live.

76 First home, first meal Always a Christmas favourite, this wonderful winter gingerbread man brownie recipe from Lakeland is sure to go down a treat with all the family.

It’s coming up to that time of year when we all promise ourselves a New Year makeover. Kay Hill suggests you review your financial health and proposes a 10-step plan to pile on the pounds next year!

86 Market Ginetta Vedrickas considers if building your own home could get you on the property ladder.

88 Agony Agent All your property questions answered by our panel of experts.

91 Buyer’s Guide

Competition Win a bundle of new kitchen essentials from Addis worth £100.

Check out FTB’s Buyer’s Guide, which walks you through the property process.

96 Who can legally help me buy my first home

78 Fast food A round-up of the best Christmas food from the UK’s top supermarkets.

80 The conveyancing process

Adam Crawford, Partner at Prince Evans Solicitors LL, explains who can legally help first time buyers purchase their first home.

Lesley Price FCILEx of CGM Solicitors breaks down the conveyancing process into simple, easy-to-understand steps.

98 Directory

82 Buying a shared ownership home

We ask 20 quick-fire questions to a property expert and in this issue Adrian Plant, Shared Ownership and New Homes Director at Leaders Romans Group is in the spotlight.

Censeo Financial offers some handy tips when buying a shared ownership home.

Where and how to contact your Help to Buy Agents or providers.

106 20 Questions

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LETTERS

Mailbox NEW BUILD WARRANTIES

FIRST MORTGAGE

Janet Nash FTB says: There is no getting around the fact that some new properties will have issues. Thankfully, you are covered in a number of ways to ensure that these problems, or snags, are dealt with quickly. The Consumer Code for Home Builders oversees all operations in the new build home sector and there is a code that all builders need to adhere to. All new build homes come with some sort of warranty. A builder’s warranty, usually for around 10 years, protects against structural issues. There should also be a developer warranty, usually for two years, to provide protection for smaller snags with fixtures and fittings. It’s good practice to get a professional snagging company to look around your new home and give you a list of issues that need to be dealt with.

lakeland.co.uk

Please send us your questions, comments and suggestions concerning property, or the articles in First Time Buyer magazine. First Time Buyer Letters, 37 Ivor Place, London NW1 6EA lynda@firsttimebuyermag.co.uk

I have heard that new homes can occasionally have some issues. What would I have to do if my new property had any problems and would there be any warranties on the building?

This issue’s star letter wins a fantastic Lakeland hard floor spray mop worth £29.99. With its own on-board water tank, this simple-to-use spray mop is a much easier way to make sure surfaces are their sparkling best. No bucket, no hassle, no mess. The flat microfibre pad picks up dirt, dust and liquid while gently scrubbing and polishing as you go, and there’s no need for rinsing or wringing out.

WRITE TO US!

WHEN IS MY MORTGAGE PAYMENT DUE? Having saved up for a deposit I am so happy and excited to have recently found my dream home and I am in the process of purchasing it. When will my first mortgage payments start and how will I know when they will take the payment? Belinda Martin FTB says: Congratulations on buying your first home. Your mortgage payments will start from the day you complete the purchase of your new home. The home provider should have told you when this will be. However, you will be notified by your lender about the date of your first payment and the amount. This could mean your first payment is slightly higher than your normal payment as it may be covering more than one month. It is best to speak to your mortgage lender to confirm this information or a specialist mortgage broker.

Recently I have come across the terms AIP and DIP when looking for my first mortgage and I am not quite sure what these letters stand for or what they mean? Andrea McCulloch FTB says: A Decision In Principle (DIP) and Agreement In Principle (AIP) are essentially the same thing. This is when certain information is provided to a mortgage lender about your personal circumstances and requirements and a credit search is then conducted on your behalf. A lender will then say if they would be happy to accept a full mortgage application from you and subject to additional checks would consider offering you a mortgage. You are not committed to proceed at the DIP/AIP stage, but this may help you when viewing properties as many will in fact require you to have this information if you are to make any offer on a property. We would suggest you contact a specialist mortgage broker who will be able to advise you.

IMPROVE CREDIT SCORE I would love to buy my first home but unfortunately, I have a bad credit score. Are there mortgages available for people with a bad credit rating and are there any ways I can possibly improve my credit score? Ana Bradley FTB says: It is possible to get a mortgage with a poor/bad credit score, but be aware that the lenders and products available to you will depend on the nature of the bad credit and how recent it was. If you do have an adverse credit rating, then you may want to consider specialist credit lenders as well as lenders that only credit check, rather than credit check and credit score, as all lenders credit check but not

all of them credit score. These lenders assess applications slightly differently, which could help you get a mortgage with bad credit. It is advisable to speak to a specialist mortgage broker who will be able to help you. To improve your credit score, you may want to consider registering on the electoral roll (register of voters) as quickly as possible, pay your rent and all bills on time, put any ad hoc credit commitments on to direct debit and try not to max out your credit card, which you should pay off in full and on time every month.

VISIT OUR WEBSITE For everything you need to know about buying for the first time, go to firsttimebuyermag.com

First Time Buyer December 2021/January 2022

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OPINION

Photo © Mike Prior

WORLD

TV presenter and property expert Jonnie Irwin gives his thoughts and views on first time buyers and the housing market

I don’t trust people who claim they love autumn. Sure, the colours of the trees are wonderful, but for me the season represents the end of long days, warm(ish) weather and being outside – the foreboding prospect of an all too soon to be reckoned with cold of winter. I hate the cold. Perhaps a reason for this is down to me having a rather annoying complaint called Reynaud’s disease, which means I feel the cold acutely – I even get numb fingers in the gym on the rowing machine! Externally, I have the appearance of a bit of a wimp. I remember my dad being incredulous about the amount of layers I’d wear working alongside him on the farm when growing up, and playing rugby through the winter meant I was keen to be involved in as much action as possible – just to keep warm! It’s probably this that fuels my dislike of winter, which is also compounded by the location in which I now live – Newcastle ain’t the warmest! I suspect when people start extolling the virtues of autumn they just like the aesthetic that the season brings; working on Escape to the Country at this time of year is a real treat, with the autumnal hues of golden yellows and rusty reds across the countryside, shown in some of the areas we film, at their very best. Worse still are those who claim they love winter. These odd specimens are to be avoided at all costs. Their love of the cold, dark season is normally accompanied by some mindless drivel that it gives them the opportunity to “wrap up all cosy”. They’re probably the same sort of people who claim they don’t actually watch television or, worse still, gleefully inform you that they don’t even have a TV in their house. I don’t believe a word of it – they’re probably binge-watching Squid Game on a tablet as you are reading this. There is, however, an advantage of colder, more inclement weather, and that’s the fact we get to see our potential new homes without the rose-tinted lenses of warm sunny days. Estate agents can’t rely on a garden to sell a property and are less likely to open up the house and leave patio doors wide open to give an impression of space. In the cold months, when selling a house, they’re more likely to focus on a property’s ability to be a warm and welcoming home. It’s a lot harder to sell a home in the winter – the properties, their gardens and communal outside areas just don’t have the same appeal as they did in bloom and bathed in sunshine – and that’s to a buyer’s advantage. At viewings, expect the heating to be on with the radiators “bouncing” as my plumber calls it. With increasing energy costs and the likelihood of heating bills getting higher and higher over the foreseeable future, it’s worth taking note of the EPC, and as you walk around, make a note of how the heating is performing. When you arrive, take your coat off as soon as you can! Hopefully you won’t be wearing it inside when you live there, so you can get a proper feel for the place. After a couple of false starts, I’m currently going through the conveyancing process of a home I’m purchasing and want to survey the property myself – being an ex-surveyor (and a control freak) I still want to give the place a detailed once-over myself – something I’d encourage everyone to do. After your initial viewing, the next visit will be far less emotionally charged and hopefully more practical. You don’t have to be an expert to spot a water ingress or even damp patches. If an owner or developer won’t let you have another viewing once solicitors are instructed, that would raise questions with me. Having another look at the property myself, at a time of my choosing, is a huge advantage. I admit I’m at risk of sounding like one of those “I love winter” oddballs, but as I’ve said before, a day with heavy rain, or better still, the day after, is a great time to see a property (at its potential worst). If there are weather-related issues it’s not the end of the world, but you’d rather it was sorted before you buy and therefore becomes your issue – especially in your first home. With many of us now going back to places of work in offices, at least for a couple of days a week, the shorter days will also give you a better sense of how safe and comfortable you will feel on your commute – let’s face it, if you work standard hours you’ll at least be coming home in the dark. So, there you have it, the autumn and winter are good seasons after all, well to look at property at least. Right, I’m off to the shops to buy some thermals…

First Time Buyer December 2021/January 2022

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FTB LOVES

What’s hot in the shops? Always on the lookout for exciting and innovative new ideas and accessories that will help create the perfect space, here are our favourites this issue

Let’s get into the holiday spirit(s)

I de a Bright refresh your interiors? Looking for a simple way to when you see the ent mom b tbul Prepare for a ligh Candy. bright idea cushion from Red a fun filament has ss line love s inou lum The on the inside as well message to make you glow tration is printed as the outside. The bulb illus your cushion is ning mea on, cott % on to 100 , you can flip Plus . guaranteed to be super soft us black geo gor the y this softy over and enjo k. “Watt” a bac the on t prin ham and white ging fun, and lighten up fabulous way to add some your home! Candy Bright idea cushion, £19, Red .uk y.co and redc

FTB headquarters is awash with excitement for the holidays, and we can’t wait to be-gin celebrating with our friends and family. We love the idea of setting up our own at-home bar, but as ever we’re always on the lookout for an inexpensive way to do it. We love this bar cart from Dunelm as it has plenty of space for glasses, a cocktail shaker, and a bucket of ice. There’s also plenty of storage underneath, so whether your guests fancy a martini or a rum punch, you will have room for plenty of bottles. To really amp up the flair and create a proper at-home bar feeling, we love Primark’s cocktail neon sign and rose gold cocktail-making set. They are perfect additions to set your bar apart from the rest, while being super affordable. Fulton kitchen trolley, £99, Dunelm Neon cocktail sign, £18; rose gold cocktail-making set, £18, Primark dunelm.co.uk primark.co.uk

Dachshunds cut a dash!

We must admit that we’re animal lovers here at FTB, and a sausage dog is a firm office favourite of ours. When we saw the gorgeous new Dachshund range from Sophie Allport it had to be featured in FTB Loves. Not just stylish however, these double oven gloves are 100% cotton, and the reverse of the glove and inside of each hand pocket has a polyester thermal layer, so you know your hands will be kept safe, not to mention the gloves are machine washable. Dachshund double oven glove, £23, Sophie Allport sophieallport.com

First Time Buyer December 2021/January 2022

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eer. h e hy not

Homepage LIVING

e b e m o h r u May yo t h g i r b d n a merry

It’s the season to deck your halls with Christmas cheer. There is no better time of year to introduce a splash of festive colour into your home. Christmas is a time to be around friends and family and it reminds us why December is our favourite time of the year – so why not enjoy it with merry and bright surroundings? Technicolour rainbow bauble wreath, £25, John Lewis & Partners

Set of seven tropics paper fans, £8; set of four tropics paper onion decorations, £12 ; set of four Nordic Nomad round decoratio ns, £12; 20in hanging paper onion decoratio n, £15; 6ft slim flocked tree, £49, Dunelm

Merry Christmas indoor planter, £5, Wilko Neon star light, £25; Gemstone Forest pine cone owl, £35; Gemstone Forest hedgehog, £12; hedgehog tree decoration, £8; butterfly tree decoration, £6; glitter floral bauble, £8; beaded band bauble, £6; peacock decoration, £12; extralarge bauble, £8, John Lewis & Partners

Reversible Gingerbread duvet set, from £12, George Home

Tinsel Christmas trees, £4.95, acorn & will

CONTACTS

» acorn&will acornandwill.co.uk » ad&i adandishop.co.uk » Dunelm dunelm.com » Ella James ellajames.co.uk » George Home direct.asda.com » Homesense homesense.com

» John Lewis & Partners johnlewis.com » Missguided missguided.co.uk » Poundland poundland.co.uk » Red Candy redcandy.co.uk » Sass & Belle sassandbelle.co.uk » TK Maxx tkmaxx.com » Wilko wilko.com »

First Time Buyer December 2021/January 2022

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Homepage LIVING 7ft flocked fir artificial tree, £50, Wilko

Ketchup £12, bauble, dy n a C d Re

Christmas tree candle, from £1, Poundland

Oil slick stocking, £5, George Home

Aperol Spritz bauble, £10, Missguided Caravan bauble, £14, Ella James

Cactus bauble, £2.99, Homese nse

Spiral ra inbow bauble , £6, Sass an d Belle

Above: Supernature rainbow bauble garland, £30; icicle lights, £25; star £35; Supernature bauble tabletop tree, £25; gold metallic mug, £7; Supernature nutcracker wrapping paper, £5; Anyday Slipper lounge chair, £299; high rise cushion, £45; textured knitted throw, £60; Collage Connect rug, £220; Supernature rainbow bauble wreath, £25; set of two Cartissi Shuffling canvas prints, £150; indigo Inky Blue II framed print and mount, £30; Galerie Maeght Jean Bazaine 1970 Exhibition poster framed print, £150, John Lewis & Partners Supernature neon white angel, £35 ; Pols Potten Spartan candle holders, from £29; wax dinner cand les, £6; Supernature Christmas cards, from £5, John Lewis & Partners

ag Green st , £3 , le b u a b o Wilk

Rainbo w bauble , £2, Wilko

auble, Lemon b d&i a , 5 £8.9

osaur Felt din , , £2.99 le baub x TK Max

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First Time Buyer October/November 2020

Homepage LIVING

At home with:

Dee Gibson

Dee Gibson worked for 10 years in the financial sector but eventually followed her heart and became an interior designer. Her company, Velvet Orange, pulls together teams of builders, architects and craftspeople to create unique, luxury spaces. In 2017, she built a magnificent boutique villa, Kalukanda House, in Sri Lanka and in 2020 she was a silver winner in the UK’s national Best Business Women Awards for Most Inspiring Business Woman. She talks to Lynda Clark about her first step on the property ladder, her fascinating career and gives some excellent advice for first time buyers FTB: Tell us about your first step on the property ladder? DG: I was pretty late getting on to the property ladder but I bought my first ground floor garden flat when I was about 28. I had been living in east London and I played hockey for a club, so we used to travel to various places in London to play matches. We used to go to south London and that’s when I discovered Clapham, which I really liked, and it was always a great place to socialise in as it has so many bars and restaurants. I had a friend who lived in a top floor flat there and she told me that there was one for sale on

the ground floor. I went to see it and decided it was perfect for what I was looking for, so I went ahead and bought it. As I had been working for quite a time I had a little pot of money, so I had a decent deposit, and as I had a secure job with a good salary I didn’t have any trouble getting a mortgage. I still live in Clapham today and love it. It really ticks all the boxes – there’s always so much going on and I think it’s living a London lifestyle without being right in the centre of town. FTB: Tell us about your career? DG: For 10 years I worked in the city for

“IT REALLY TICKS ALL THE BOXES – THERE’S ALWAYS SO MUCH GOING ON AND I THINK IT’S LIVING A LONDON LIFESTYLE WITHOUT BEING RIGHT IN THE CENTRE OF TOWN”

Arthur Andersen but secretly I was always a frustrated architect. Then there was a huge financial scandal and Andersen’s went down and I took redundancy. It was the perfect opportunity to follow my dream and I found an interior design course with a focus towards interior architecture, which was perfect for what I wanted, and I studied for a year at The Interior Design School in Queens Park. It was an exciting time to re-train for a completely new and different career at the age of 31. While I was there I made friends with another student who had been an estate agent. We decided to set up a business together and hit the ground running! We had to find clients, of course, and so we did a lot of free work to build up our portfolio. Eventually she moved on and I have been running Velvet Orange for 10 years now on my own. I had a short career break when my children were small but I got back into the saddle quite quickly. I did some property developing where I bought

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Homepage LIVING

at auctions and then did the homes up and either sold them on or rented them out. It was very interesting as I always had to watch how the market was performing. I did many design projects too and in 2017 I built and designed Kalukanda House, my boutique villa in Sri Lanka, and I was delighted when we became part of the HIP Hotel collection.

“A HOME IS A PLACE YOU WANT TO FEEL HAPPY, SAFE AND SECURE IN, SO BEFORE YOU BUY LOOK AT THE BASICS”

FTB: What else keeps you busy? DG: Through my company, Velvet Orange, I also work with my clients who often want advice on what they should do to add value to their homes. This might be an extension or re-design and I have a wonderful relationship with them which is built on trust and it is very much a collaborative process. I am also a mentor for a charity which helps girls aged between 16 and 21. Recently I have been mentoring a girl who was doing her A-levels and wants to become an architect and now she has just started at university. It is very rewarding and I am also a trustee of a charity in Sri Lanka. FTB: What are your plans for the future? DG: I really hope that the travel industry will return to normal soon. Bookings at Kalukanda have started up again and I really want people to enjoy their time staying there. I really support sustainable design practices and Cradle-to-Cradle concepts – this is where products at the end of their use can be either recycled or dismantled for parts for re-use if they do not naturally degrade. I also love speaking about sustainable and emotional design that innovates and improves our wellbeing while also supporting communities and the environment – I hope to do more of this in the future and raise awareness in the design and travel space. FTB: What advice do you have for first time buyers? DG: Buy a home that you feel comfortable in and don’t feel that you need to do everything immediately you move in. A home is a place you want to feel happy, safe and secure in, so before you buy look at the basics – things like the heating system and the windows for example – and be sure to get a full survey done. Don’t leave it all to the experts, but take some responsibility and ask lots of questions. Try not to let your head be swivelled because you fall in love with the property, but look at the details too. You can set your own style in your own time and make your house the home you really want it to be. velvetorange.co.uk kalukandahouse.com

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“W PR BY CU W CU FE

Homepage FIRST RUNG

The

HOUSE HUNTER

What we found… THE NEW COMMUNITY Beam Park Rainham, east London

FROM £65,000*

THE QUIET LIFE Templar Green Cressing, Essex

FROM £TBC

This month FTB goes on the hunt with Wei and Jaime Chan who are after a home with two or more bedrooms in Essex or east London – with room for home working and good connections into central London

PROFILE

Names Wei and Jaime Chan Occupations Online tutor, programme manager Maximum budget £400,000 Requirements A home with two or more bedrooms in Essex – or around the east London/Essex borders – with convenient local facilities, lovely green spaces and good access into central London

What they wanted… Now we are both mostly working from home, we are looking to move. We’ve lived in east London for several years, but now we only commute to work once or twice a week we’d like to move slightly further afield. We’ve struggled to work in a one bedroom flat with no garden; we need at least one other bedroom and some outdoor space. Our lives are centered around east London, and Jaime’s family are mostly in Essex, so we’d like to consider Essex as it’s so easy to get to by train or car, and won’t feel like we’ve completely uprooted our lives. East London is very well connected with Essex, so we’d consider areas of east London, too. We are very sociable and like to eat out a lot, so things to do and places to eat nearby are a must. I am also a keen runner, so interesting running routes and a gym would be great for us. We’ve made some big savings in the past 20 months and with our deposit of £40,000, we have a budget of around £400,000.”

When complete, this exciting new development will be home to 3,000 new properties along with a new railway station, public square, 2.5-acre park, GP surgery and two schools. Created on a 71-acre site, which straddles the London boroughs of Barking and Dagenham and Havering, Beam Park promises an entire new community. A range of one to two bedroom apartments is available through shared ownership, with outdoor space, open-plan living areas and hallway storage. Travel links are fantastic: trains to London Fenchurch Street take 20 minutes.

Set to launch in early 2022, this collection of two, three and four bedroom homes offers residents a best-of-both-worlds location. The peaceful rural setting, complete with pretty village and open spaces, is only 10 minutes by car from the larger town of Braintree. The properties are thoughtfully designed, with exteriors in keeping with the countryside surrounds, while the well-planned layouts offer flexible living spaces. All homes have gardens and private parking. Rail services from nearby Cressing station reach Liverpool Street in around 55 minutes.

lqhomes.com

inlandhomes.co.uk

*Based on a 25% share of the full market value of £260,000

What they thought… This looks like an amazing new area with so much on offer – and so much green space as well as new local facilities. The apartments here are really impressive, too, with great styling and architecture. It would be incredible to have such a big park on the doorstep, I could certainly get some running miles in here. Commuting is super-easy, too – Jaime works in the City, so could get to work very quickly – and what we really like is that it’s not too far from our current area, but has a distinctly greener feel.”

Wow, there’s so much lovely countryside close by, yet it’s so easy to get to the main town – and into London. Moving to a rural area would be such a change for us, but one I think we would embrace enthusiastically. The fresh air would be wonderful, and the weekend walks and running options would be endless. It’s really great that Braintree is so easy to reach by car as I don’t think you’d feel cut off here at all. Trains into London take less than an hour, which is ideal for our situation.”

First Time Buyer December 2021/January 2022

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Homepage FIRST RUNG

THE PALACE GROUNDS The Arbour at Beaulieu Chelmsford, Essex

FROM £68,750*

THE BESPOKE COLLECTION Centenary House Highams Park, east London

FROM £420,000*

First choice! ENT

THE SUPER-DEVELOPM Warley HQ Brentwood, Essex

Set within the former parkland of the Tudor palace of Beaulieu, this development has created thousands of new homes near Chelmsford. They range from one bedroom apartments to five bedroom houses – with a collection of two bedroom apartments released with the latest phase, The Arbour. The homes are surrounded by landscaped gardens. The community will include schools, transport links and amenities. Chelmsford lies just 30 miles east of London, while the stunning coast can be reached in around 40 minutes by car.

This bespoke collection of contemporary homes enjoys a leafy, residential setting in north east London’s Highams Park. Five two bedroom apartments remain at the development, which has been created with sustainability in mind – with features including solar panels. Chingford and Chingford Mount, for a great range of high street restaurants, shops and supermarkets, lie within easy reach, while Highams Park itself offers restaurants, cafes and a park. Epping Forest, River Lea, reservoirs and plenty of parkland are nearby.

lqhomes.co.uk

redloftsales.co.uk

*Based on a 25% share of the full market value of £275,000

Jaime is originally from Chelmsford and still has lots of family in and around the area. We really like this part of Essex and know it well. There’s a great mix of busy town and more laid-back things to do. There are loads of options for dining out and meeting friends – and getting into London is really easy. These properties are lovely, too. We really like the shared gardens, and I think being part of an emerging new community would be quite exciting and possibly quite sociable, too.”

*Help to buy is available

This is a nice small development in a cool location. We live close to Hackney Marshes and know the Highams Park area well. We think this is a part of town with lots to offer – and having Chingford and Epping Forest close by would be great – plus it’s easy to get into Essex from here. The apartments look great – we love the styling and are impressed with the eco credentials. Not only can we help reduce our impact on the environment – we can save money on our bills while we’re doing it, too!”

FROM £260,000

any, this former Ford Motor Comp Located on the site of the and two , one 0 33 n be home to new development will soo s. On use tho pen ry luxu ing s, includ three bedroom apartment nal mu com a yoga and gym room, site, residents can access as – as are h barbecue and picnic gardens – complete wit of Residents can enjoy a mix as. are ace well as worksp ngs, ndi rou sur and odl wo h idyllic country and town life, wit l Rai . to lovely Essex countryside as well as easy access rby nea the Liverpool Street from services reach London n has a utes, while the local tow min 40 station in around s. pub and s erie eat salons, great selection of shops, hamptons.co.uk

THE NEXT STEP

“We are very keen to get things moving and can’t wait to move into a bigger property. We have a mortgage approved in principle and have already set up a show home viewing. We are very excited at the prospect of moving into Essex and experiencing a new and improved way of life!”

This is a really great location for us: close to London, close to family in Chelmsford and with town and country life within minutes from the front door. We also love the on-site facilities at this development – we have never seen any so comprehensive. I would definitely make good use of the on-site gym, and workspace areas would be really useful, meaning we could vary our surroundings when working from home. The whole set-up is very appealing, and there’s loads going on in nearby Brentwood, too. The properties are good looking – and we really like the history attached to the building – it’s definitely different to many other new builds that we’ve seen.”

First Time Buyer December 2021/January 2022

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ADVICE

James Zamchick is Sales, Marketing and Commercial Director for the Placemaking and Regeneration division at Places for People. James joined Places For People more than four years ago, leading sales for high-profile regeneration schemes across the UK. He oversees the sales, lettings, marketing, customer experience and commercial functions, ensuring a seamless customer journey from the first point of enquiry all the way to the aftercare

I’ve recently bought my first home using shared ownership; how much decorating am I allowed to do?

Firstly, huge congratulations on the purchase of your new home – a very exciting time! One of the things people like most about getting on to the property ladder is the knowledge that it’s yours – you are the homeowner and as a result have rights to decorate as you wish. The great thing about buying a new build home in particular is the blank canvas you obtain; everything is decorated to a highquality, modern standard, with brand new kitchens and appliances, bathroom suites and flooring. But, of course, it can also be nice putting your own stamp on it. When it comes to the inside of your home, then it’s no different with shared ownership, whether that’s painting every room a different colour, or creating a feature wall of photos of your cat – it’s totally up to you. However, you’ll definitely want to review your lease to check exactly what you are allowed to do, as most only allow aesthetic changes. If you want to make structural changes (such as fitting a new kitchen or bathroom suite, or changing internal wall layouts) you will need to gain written permission from the leaseholder – your housing association – though it should not be able to withhold permission unreasonably. Some developers will spend more time and effort on interior designs than others. At East Wick + Sweetwater, the new neighbourhood we’re building on Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in London, we made sure each apartment features a vibrant design to match the creative feel found in nearby Hackney Wick. However, should our residents wish to add more, they are free to paint, wallpaper, or treat their walls however they see fit, providing it’s not structurally damaging or puts the integrity of the building at risk. Flooring is carefully considered in all of our homes to ensure comfort of residents

– this also includes sound transference. If you’re in an apartment block with a neighbour below you, you’ll need to think about how loud your footsteps would be if you’re looking at changing the floor. Ours are installed to mitigate noise, so we’d suggest not taking up carpets to replace with wood flooring, for example, or swapping lighter laminate for solid tiles. If you’ve purchased a house, there’s sometimes other aspects to your lease

East Wick + Sweetwater, Hackney Wick

James Zamchick, Sales, Marketing and Commercial Director, Places for People

agreement to be aware of, such as those concerning a garden or a driveway. Many agreements don’t allow you to erect any new buildings such as a large shed, or make additions to the nature of the external building, including conservatories, without prior agreement with the landlord. If in doubt, check your leasehold agreement on what constitutes a structural versus an aesthetic change, and enjoy getting the paintbrush out!

FROM

£116,8

75*

In the shadows of the Olympic Stadium, Copper Box Arena and London Aquatics Centre in east London, East Wick + Sweetwater is a major new London neighbourhood on Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. Eventually featuring more than 1,800 homes, alongside offices, flexible workspaces, schools and new community spaces, East Wick + Sweetwater is set to play a key role linking the adjacent communities of Hackney Wick, Fish Island and Stratford, becoming a new independent area in its own right. Genuinely affordable homes will be provided via social rent, affordable rent, and shared ownership, alongside quality privately rented apartments, market sale apartments and larger townhouse-style homes. Every home includes an individual balcony or terrace, while communal spaces for residents will include courtyards and play spaces. Additionally, there will be general areas of green space open to the public, and, of course, residents can easily access the sweeping expanses of Olympic Park, with Hackney Marshes and Victoria Park also nearby. Bordered by the River Lee Navigation canal and River Lea, the neighbourhood is ideally located in the iconic Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, next door to Hackney Wick, Fish Island and a stone’s throw from Stratford. The nearest stations are Hackney Wick, Stratford and Stratford International. The Park also has walking and cycling trails, bus routes, and it’s 20 minutes from the M25. For further information, please visit eastwickandsweetwater.co.uk or call 020 3369 0573 *Based on a 25% share with a full market value of £467,500

First Time Buyer December June/July 2018 2021/January 2022

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THE VIEW

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THE VIEW

The Queen of Clean Bestselling author, blogger, and Instagram influencer with over 250,000 followers, Lynsey Crombie is the Queen of Clean. She starred in Obsessive Compulsive Cleaners for Channel 4 and is a regular guest on This Morning and Good Morning Britain. She talks to Lynda Clark about her first home, her fascinating career and her passion for all things to do with cleaning

"I LOVE CLEANING SO MUCH THAT THE IDEAS FOR THE BOOKS JUST ROLL OUT OF MY HEAD! THE BOOKS HAVE LOTS OF TIPS AND TRICKS TO HELP KEEP YOUR HOME CLEAN WITHOUT SPENDING HOURS AND HOURS DOING A DEEP CLEAN" First Time Buyer December 2021/January 2022 21

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THE VIEW

efore speaking to Lynsey, I was intrigued by how cleaning could be such an integral part of her life. We all have to do the chores, but Lynsey is a serious enthusiast for anything and everything to do with cleaning. When we spoke, I was immediately hooked by her lovely personality and enthusiasm for life, and her story is enthralling. Lynsey was born in Twickenham and at the age of 14 she and the family moved to Peterborough. “I was always very close to my grandparents and my grandmother was always cleaning. Even from a toddler I remember being surrounded by mops and buckets and my granny sweeping or cleaning the doorstep, so I think it is definitely in my bloodline to love cleaning. Granny is now in her late 80s and still cleaning every day. She has lots of hints and tips and she reads my books and says, ‘Did that idea come from me?’ She is quite amazing!” She went to college but was always an entrepreneur at heart and was very keen to get out into the big wide world and start working and earning money. She worked in PR and marketing and also in telemarketing and was very successful. Then, when she was 23 she got married and her husband wanted to move to Newcastle, so Lynsey had to give up her successful career and go back to square one. While she was heavily pregnant with twin girls there was a very big trauma in her marriage which ended with her husband going to prison and Lynsey and the babies moved back to Peterborough, where they could be close to friends and family. “It was very tough being a single mum but I was determined to get back on my feet. I set up a speed dating company, which was successful and I loved it. During this time, I still adored cleaning and then a hairdresser friend asked if I would be interested in going to a care home and helping some of the elderly people there. They were in need of people to do their shopping and laundry and generally have a chat and keep them company for a while. It was so rewarding and I used to take my son who was still a baby in his car seat, and the old people loved him – it was truly very special. “I then decided to start a cleaning company which was what I had always really wanted to do. I always had work and never had to advertise and the business grew and grew. One of my clients had a publishing company and produced local magazines. She asked if I would join her and we started up another five magazines, which was great fun. I have always been very self-sufficient and wanted to succeed on my own and I think this all proves that I could do it.” Then, out of the blue, Lynsey got a call from Channel 4 saying they were from the show Obsessive Compulsive Cleaners and were looking for cleaners, families who

needed help with cleaning and hoarders in her area, and could she help. “I spoke to them for quite a while and said I had watched the first series and how I had enjoyed it. They then called me back about a week later and said they loved what I had said so much they would like me to be a member of the cast. I was thrilled. A few days later they arrived at my home with cameras and lights and so my presenting career began! Before they arrived, a very good friend who owned a printing company made me a bright pink apron which she had specially printed, saying Queen of Clean and a Crown. The producers loved it so much they asked if I would wear it on the show and it took off from there. It was all over social media and became my trademark. I always believe that things happen for a reason and as I never applied to do the show it was definitely meant to be. “I was then approached by a shopping channel, Ideal World, who asked if I would present a show where I recommended and present cleaning products that I thought were worth investing in. It was great fun, but often I was filming late at night which was very hard work especially when I had a young family. I then realised that social media was getting bigger and bigger and when my twin girls, who were 13 at the time, came home and asked if they could have an Instagram account I looked into it and told them they could as long I could go on it too. "It grew from there, and now I have over 250,000 followers. I write my blog and have my own website of course. I am called the Queen of Clean as that’s my brand, and I have grown it gradually as I think that is far better than rushing into something and not thinking it through properly.” Lynsey was then asked to go on This Morning as its cleaning expert and appears a couple of times a month. She is also a presenter on Channel 5's Gadget Show where she demonstrates products and devices which are quite technical, like robot vacuum cleaners, which have become very popular. She has also appeared on Hoarder Homes: No Room to Move. There is a never a dull moment for Lynsey as she has also written three bestselling books: How to Clean your House at Christmas, The 15-Minute Clean: The quickest way to a sparkling home and The Easy Life: Quick ways to clean and manage your home all year round, which are all available at Amazon, Waterstones and WH Smith. “I love cleaning so much that the ideas for the books just roll out of my head! The books have lots of tips and tricks to help keep your home clean without spending hours and hours doing a deep clean. I am also launching my own range of vacuum cleaners, steam cleaners and carpet cleaners, including a small hand-held one which is perfect for rugs or cleaning the inside of the

car out, in January, which I am very excited about. I have been working with Swan and they will be available online and in the shops after Christmas. Of course, the packaging is pink – what other colour could I choose? And it has been quite hard during the pandemic because we have had to work remotely, which was difficult at times, but it’s been a great experience.” Lynsey bought her first home in Peterborough, which was a two bedroom apartment, which she bought for £42,000, and then a year later she upgraded and bought a terraced house for £47,000. She now lives in a three-storey town house with her second husband Rob, her twin girls who are now 18, and their 13-year-old son. “It’s a beautiful house and we love it, but you never know what’s around the corner.” She has some excellent advice for first time buyers and said, “When I look back and see the price I paid for my first apartment I can’t believe it, as the value of properties has risen so much. I also advise my daughters to be very mindful of what they spend and make the right choices. For example, you can spend at least £6 when you buy a sandwich etc at lunchtime, but if you take a packed lunch the savings will all add up. So, set yourself a goal on what you can save in a year or two years, but be realistic and plan what you are likely to spend and how much you can save. “Once you have bought your home, make yourself a cleaning box with 10 essential items. You really don’t have to buy the entire supermarket shelf of cleaning products! If you buy an older property then I would recommend you start by replacing the toilet seat, give the carpets a professional clean or borrow/hire a carpet cleaner and do it yourself and also thoroughly clean the oven. If you buy a new build then you will start with a fresh, clean canvas, but try to keep it tidy and organised from day one and things will not get on top of you. Finally, if you are sharing a flat then make a simple list of tasks and who is responsible for doing them and stick to it, otherwise one person ends up doing everything for the others! “I have always said declutter and organise your home, which will create more time for yourself and your family. There is nothing better than relaxing in a tidy, calming environment and most importantly, never spend a weekend on chores again if you follow my golden rules.” Lynsey finished our chat telling me that simple washing-up liquid works wonders for a host of different chores and is perfect for bringing up the toilet bowl to be white and sparkly. Guess what? The first thing I did when I got home was give it a try and it worked – simple as that! @lynsey_queen of clean queenofclean.blog

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THE VIEW

"THERE IS NOTHING BETTER THAN RELAXING IN A TIDY, CALMING ENVIRONMENT AND, MOST IMPORTANTLY, NEVER SPEND A WEEKEND ON CHORES AGAIN IF YOU FOLLOW MY GOLDEN RULES"

"I THEN DECIDED TO START A CLEANING COMPANY WHICH WAS WHAT I HAD ALWAYS REALLY WANTED TO DO. I ALWAYS HAD WORK AND NEVER HAD TO ADVERTISE AND THE BUSINESS GREW AND GREW" First Time Buyer December 2021/January 2022 23

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LONDON LIVING

CONVENIENT LIVING IN THE CAPITAL Affordable housing developer Pocket Living, which delivers new homes across the capital for first time buyers living or working in London, has analysed each borough to reveal the most accessible locations for 'city makers’, defined by Pocket as young, middle-earning Londoners who contribute to their city. Debbie Clark takes a look at which boroughs come out on top and highlights some affordable homes in these hotspots THE RESEARCH Factors such as transport links, green spaces and costs associated with getting on the property ladder are all significant to city makers, so the research consisted of a thorough analysis of these considerations. Each of London’s 32 boroughs was scored using a points-based system for the following factors: house prices, annual house price growth, council tax costs, number of bus stops, number of Overground, underground, DLR and Elizabeth Line stations, and access to Green Flag parks and Cycle Superhighways.

TOP OF THE CHARTS Hillingdon, in west London, ranked as the most accessible borough,with strong house price growth, the arrival of five Crossrail stations and access to 60 Green Flag parks; the highest number of any local authority in the country. In second place was Havering, while Croydon, set to be London’s Borough of

Culture in 2023, ranked in third place, with one of the lowest average house prices, strong house price growth and access to almost 1,000 bus stops. Barking & Dagenham, ranked at 13th, boasts the lowest average house prices in London at £312,288. Westminster, unsurprisingly, has the highest number of underground and DLR stations in the capital – 32, increasing to 35 with the arrival of the Elizabeth Line. However, Newham, which was rated eighth, has access to an impressive 26 stations; perfect for commuters.

GOING FOR GREEN In addition to its impressive public transport links, Newham also has access to a Cycle Superhighway making green travel easier. Cyclists wishing to benefit from a Cycle Superhighway could also consider looking for a new home in Lambeth, Hackney, Barking and Dagenham, Southwark and Merton, which also all feature in Pocket’s 15 most accessible boroughs.

For first time buyers looking to benefit from access to Green Flag parks, Hillingdon really can’t be beaten. However, buyers in Southwark and Hackney are also fortunate to have access to a significant number of Green Flag parks, with 31 and 28 respectively. There are, of course, plenty of quality green spaces to be found right across the city, with developers working increasingly hard to include them in their own projects too.

POCKET LIVING Pocket’s business model is to build affordable housing, without public subsidy, sold outright to buyers at a discount to the local market of at least 20%. Buyers of Pocket homes have to live or work in the local area and will own 100% of their property from day one. Buy-to-let investors are excluded and Pocket leases ensure the homes remain affordable. Pocket owners also have to prove that they are resident in their homes every year to check that they are not sub-letting.

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LONDON LIVING Borough

House price

Annual house price growth

Access to Green Flag parks

Annual council tax

No. of underground stations and DLR stations

No. of Elizabeth Line stations

No. of Overground stations

No. of bus Cycle stops Superhighway access

Hillingdon

£432,341

£1,702.23

770

Havering

£385,572

£1,603.37

870

Croydon

£394,879

£1,664.65

990

Hounslow

£427,900

£1,640.14

680

Greenwich

£399,475

£1,602.14

715

Lewisham

£458,056

11%

£1,704.38

620

Ealing

£504,519

£1,795.47

700

Waltham Forest

£480,235

£839.10

500

Newham

£382,016

£1,789.39

530

Yes

Bromley

£456,681

£1,691.54

1060

Enfield

£422,476

£1,640.00

570

Lambeth

£547,505

£1,743.62

560

Yes

Hackney

£599,308

£1,195.62

455

Yes

Barking and Dagenham

£312,288

£1,712.57

385

Yes

Southwark

£527,883

£1,856.57

620

Yes

Merton

£545,179

£1,467.33

445

Yes

OUR PICK OF HOMES AVAILABLE AROUND THE CAPITAL FROM £99,750*

Rank

CROYDON

The Grove

The Grove creates 41 two and three bedroom apartments available through shared ownership, moments from East Croydon station. The homes offer contemporary specification and light and spacious living areas. Three rooftop terraces offer stunning views across south London. The entrance lobby includes lounge and workshop areas for use by all residents and there is also a secure residents’ cycle store. optivosales.co.uk/developments/the-grove 0800 0121 442 *Based on a 25% share of the full market value of £399,000

CROYDON

FROM £75,750*

FROM £56,250*

Rank

Cairo Apartments At the centre of Croydon’s Old Town, these modern one and two bedroom apartments are available through shared ownership. Openplan living areas maximise space and light. The development has been designed to offer comfort and versatility, while providing easy access to Croydon’s shopping, leisure and entertainment facilities. Nearby transport links provide easy connections to the rest of the capital and beyond. optivosales.co.uk/developments/cairoapartments 0800 0121 442 *Based on a 30% share of the full market value of £252,500

FELTHAM, HOUNSLOW Dukes Quarter

Octavia will soon be launching an exclusive collection of eight brand new one and two bedroom apartments, available through shared ownership. Located just an 18-minute walk from Hatton Cross station (Piccadilly Line) and a short walk from the shops, pubs and restaurants of East Bedfont village. Applicants must live or work in Hounslow. sharetobuy.com/properties/152709 020 8354 5500 *Based on a 25% share of the full market value of £225,000

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LONDON LIVING Rank

CASE STUDY

HOUNSLOW

Lampton Parkside

Jade, a 30-year-old copywriter for Barclays, had spent the past few years travelling around the world with work, renting in Hackney when she was in London. She says, “Having travelled a lot, constantly renting different places, I decided I needed a base in the UK, and it was time to buy a property of my own.” She was particularly keen to buy in Hackney, “The location is just fantastic; you have all the local amenities you could want on your doorstep, from green spaces to bars and restaurants. The atmosphere is so fun and such a great place to socialise with friends. My favourite spot has to be the canal, it’s calm but with some lovely eateries and drinking spots to enjoy – it’s unbeatable on a sunny evening.” Jade began her property search and came across East Wick + Sweetwater. Having assumed new builds would be out of her price range, Jade was excited to learn that she could afford a flat at the development thanks to shared ownership. She recalls, “I contacted the sales team to book a viewing and was sold as soon as I saw it. The shared ownership scheme is a fantastic help – I honestly couldn’t believe I could buy my own home in Hackney, the place I’d called home for so long.” Apartments at East Wick + Sweetwater have been designed with first time buyers and younger professionals like Jade in mind. When talking about her new home Jade says, “I have loved being able to settle in one location, and to make somewhere my own after so long. The modern finish is great; the fittings are high-spec and the amount of storage is incredible – this was a huge selling point having accumulated so much stuff from my travels. I love the balcony and cannot wait to have friends over for drinks and to enjoy the views over the beautiful communal gardens.”

FROM £292,500

This landmark new development at the heart of Hounslow’s regeneration zone is located moments from Hounslow tube station. This convenient location provides links into central London in just 30 minutes while residents can also enjoy Lampton Park’s 40 acres of open parkland right on the doorstep. On offer is a selection of stylish, well-designed studios and one and two bedroom apartments. Every home comes with private outdoor space in the form of a balcony or terrace and residents benefit from a dedicated concierge service and gym. Each property has been finished to an extremely high level, which includes fully integrated kitchens and quality fitted bathroom suites. Undercroft car parking, with electric car charging points and secure bicycle storage, is also included. hill.co.uk/all-developments/hounslow/lampton-parkside 020 3959 0900

Rank

LEWISHAM

Arden, SE10

FROM £385,000

Arden is the final phase to be realised at Parkside, a landmark regeneration development in the heart of south east London. The collection of apartments at Arden is now available with Help to Buy. Over the past 12 years, the former Heathside and Lethbridge estate has been transformed into a vibrant new neighbourhood, delivering more than 1,200 homes, a community centre, cafe and nursery. This stylish development of thoughtfully designed homes will boast modern interiors and high-quality finishes throughout – from conveniently modern studio, one and two bedroom apartments with stylish specifications, to spacious two and three bedroom duplexes, all with private outdoor space. Amenities include concierge, residents' co-working space, screening room, workout space, studio, optional underground parking and over an acre of landscaped gardens. Lying at the southern point of the landscaping and gardens of Parkside, the development will provide a selection of tranquil homes surrounded by nature and boasting magnificent views of the capital. knightfrank.co.uk/properties/residential/for-sale/arden-lewisham-road-lewisham-london-se10/ TGW012132297 020 7718 5202

UXBRIDGE, HILLINGDON Randalls

FROM £400,000

This Grade II listed former department store consists of two main sections: the 1930s building and the 1960s western extension, with a large yard behind containing the Old Fire Station, which dates back to 1908. In this impressive new development, Inland Homes is preserving the original features Rank of the department store including the cash desk, signage, pneumatic tube system, cast iron radiators and structural columns. The development will contain 14 one and two bedroom apartments, with commercial space, as well as building 41 one and two bedroom new build apartments. The Old Fire Station will be renovated into three beautifully designed duplex apartments. Shared ownership is also available through Inland Homes’ subsidiary company, Rosewood Housing.

inlandhomes.co.uk/developments/randalls 01895 252 000

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LONDON LIVING Rank

GREENWICH

Greenwich Millennium Village

CASE STUDY

FROM £449,995

The latest phase at Greenwich Millennium Village – 67 Park Central – comprises 115 one to three bedroom apartments, in a variety of styles, boasting panoramic views of the development’s parkland, the River Thames and the capital. Each home also has private outdoor space in the form of a balcony, terrace or courtyard garden. The development prides itself on sustainable and practical urban design, with an emphasis on humanist design principles, and offers a range of facilities including games rooms and co-working spaces. A "green corridor" connects the village to the Thames, while picturesque lakes, ponds, marshland, meadows, woodland and beaches transport residents out of the city. Residents benefit from regular public transport services to Canary Wharf and central London. greenwichmillenniumvillage.co.uk 020 8023 7177

CLAPHAM, LAMBETH Clapham House

FROM £349,000

Clapham House is a collection of 50 one and two bedroom apartments on Clapham High Street, set within a newly reimagined high street block; once the laundry building for the Savoy Hotel. Inside, the apartments feature a distinctive Manhattan loft-inspired feel. Open-plan kitchen/living/dining rooms boast bespoke Italian-designed kitchens, while the Rank bathrooms have terrazzo flooring. All properties have USB sockets and digital programmable heating systems – with the added luxury of air-conditioning to all homes. The homes also benefit from two allocated bike storage spaces in a secure underground bike store, a three-year Zip Car membership and a secure basement storage locker. A clever "virtual concierge service" is a convenient addition, where deliveries can be left any time and stored securely in digital lockers. All homes are available using London Help to Buy.

chsw9.com

WALTHAM FOREST The Chain

FROM £91,250*

Situated on one of the cycle routes being delivered as part of the Waltham Forest "Mini Holland" scheme, The Chain is a collection of 518 one to three bedroom apartments for shared ownership and London Help to Buy. The development offers contemporary homes centred around attractive communal Rank gardens, with each home featuring a balcony or terrace. Homes are built to a high specification, with fully integrated appliances in the kitchen and feature mirrored fitted wardrobes to the main bedroom. The Chain benefits from excellent transport connections; three rail stations, St James Street, Walthamstow Central, and Walthamstow Queen’s Road, are within walking distance, providing residents with both underground and Overground links. In addition to shared ownership, Help to Buy is also available and a studio apartment costs from £307,500 for outright sale.

lqhomes.com/thechain 020 8189 7479

Darnel, a gas engineer, and his partner Monique, who is training to be a solicitor, were so excited to have bought a four bedroom townhouse within L&Q’s first phase at the landmark east London development, Parklands, they couldn’t wait to move in! Darnel says, “We moved in the day after picking up the keys with absolutely no furniture – I bought a blow-up bed on the way across. We just wanted to get into our new home.” Moving from Hackney, where they were living with family, the townhouse is Darnel and Monique’s first home together as a family. Darnel says, “It was the details that made Parklands at Barking Riverside stand out – the fact it had a study, and that the main bathroom has a bath in it, not just a shower. We have space for a music room and we’re able to plan for our future and possibly having more kids without having to move. It’s small things, but for us it’s those that sold it.” The couple missed the initial reservation slot as demand at Parklands has been so high, so they were delighted to hear from the L&Q sales team when one of the sales didn’t end up going through. They reserved there and then. Darnel, Monique and their one-year-old daughter, Alana, settled in quickly to their new townhouse and the community. In fact, less than a month after moving in, Darnel had already set up a mid-week football league with his neighbours. “It keeps us fit, and it’s a good way to get to know each other,” says Darnel. “There’s another WhatsApp group for all the residents which we were invited to join as soon as we moved in!” The surrounding area is perfect for the family: “While we were initially drawn to the house, when we heard more about the wider area it all just slotted into place. The fact the school is a stone’s throw away is ideal for when Alana gets older, and there is a playpark opening soon that will be great to go to during the day.”

*Based on a 25% share of the full market value of £365,000

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LONDON LIVING

Rank

FROM £120,750*

CHARLTON, GREENWICH Lime Works

A selection of one, two and three bedroom apartments is available at Lime Works, all benefiting from private outdoor space in addition to communal landscaped grounds with play areas. Situated between Greenwich Peninsula and Woolwich Arsenal, the development is just an eight-minute walk from Charlton station (Zone 3) offering frequent trains into central London. Woolwich Road is just a few minutes’ walk away for buses to North Greenwich, Lewisham and Peckham. Limited allocated parking is available to buyers, and one car club membership per household will be included for five years.

optivosales.co.uk/developments/limeworks 0800 0121 442

Rank

FROM £790,000

ENFIELD Trent Park

Berkeley’s Trent Park offers traditionally designed new and converted two and three bedroom apartments and houses set in 413 acres of parkland. The development promises luxurious amenities at first time buyer prices, with newly launched Club Concierge services, as well as a country style lawn club, complete with an open-air swimming pool, tennis courts and gym. Trent Park House, the converted mansion at the heart of the development, will on completion feature a residents’ reading room and even a museum, which will celebrate the heritage of Trent Park through its exhibitions and events. Trains from Oakwood station – which can be reached using a residents’ exclusive shuttle bus – go to King’s Cross in just under half an hour. trent-park.co.uk 020 3930 4912

*Based on a 35% share of the full market value of £345,000

Rank

FROM £192,000

BARKING

Harbard Close

CASE STUDY

Rank

FROM £116,875*

HACKNEY

East Wick + Sweetwater

This development, located just half a mile from Barking station with easy links into central London, is ready to move into. Each of the 78 one bedroom discounted homes benefit from well-designed open-plan kitchen and living spaces, separate bedrooms and Juliet balconies. Residents also have access to secure bike storage inside the building, on-site allotment beds, and a Garden Room – a communal space, available free of charge for residents to use, which includes dedicated coworking spaces and pods.

This exciting new, residential-led mixed use community can be found at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. East Wick + Sweetwater seeks to create a new community that seamlessly connects Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park with Hackney Wick and Fish Island, eventually bringing more than 1,800 homes, new green spaces and play areas alongside an eclectic range of commercial opportunities for local businesses to thrive. Phase One is complete, including over 300 homes (more than 65% have been sold to first time buyers), with shared ownership available.

pocketliving.com/projects/development/30 020 7291 3683

eastwickandsweetwater.co.uk 020 3369 0573

IT Project Manager Alexandra has recently secured a new apartment at Peabody’s Arden at Parkside development in Lewisham and is excited to move in next September. Buying off-plan is proving popular with London’s homebuyers and has many benefits, including securing a preferred plot and the potential for future price growth before even moving in. Alexandra was able to choose her home, opting for one that overlooks woodland at the back and the communal gardens at the front. Alexandra recently relocated to the UK from Portugal and was living in a shared house with work colleagues. Working from home through the pandemic, she realised how important having her own space was, “While having company at home was great, I realised how important it is to have a space to retreat to. This made my mind up that it was time for me to invest in a home of my own.” When Alexandra viewed Arden, she was impressed: “I had taken a few walks around the development and it feels like it has a ‘soul’.” She was also impressed by the development’s facilities. Alexandra says, “I love to stay fit and work out, Arden will have an on-site gym which will be great for me. I find that you engage with likeminded people in likeminded places – I have met some of my greatest friends from going to the gym and expect it to be the same here. Wherever you live, you should always have a beautiful park or green space close by – living at Arden I will have both! “Living on my own, it is important to me to live in an area that is accessible, sociable and not exclusively residential – somewhere I can easily walk to other places from and where there are amenities nearby. Having two bedrooms means I can create that divide between work and home. I also really wanted underfloor heating – radiators take up so much wall space in an apartment and unfortunately this doesn’t come as standard in all new build homes. The overall standard and finish was something I looked closely at too – a spacious layout, wooden flooring, tiling in the bathroom and having outside space, and I even have a centre island in my kitchen! Arden has ticked every box I had and more – when you are buying a property why should you compromise? My advice is keep going until you find the one that has everything you want.”

*Based on 25% share of the full market value of £467,500

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MOVING

TOP TIPS FOR MOVING INTO YOUR FIRST HOME

We recently caught up with Rune Sovndahl, Co-founder and CEO of Fantastic Services, to get his top tips and practical advice for first time buyers moving into their new home…

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MOVING Congratulations! Soon you will be moving into your new home. You are probably hyped-up about choosing the furniture and decorating the place. But before we get to the fun part, there’s just this one thing that you have to take care of first. The move. It’s one of those big once-or-twice in a lifetime ordeals that can be stressful and tiresome. So here are my top tips to make this a little bit easier.

DON’T UNDERESTIMATE IT If this is your first time moving (or you haven’t done it in a while), then you might underestimate just how exhausting (both mentally and physically) a move can be. It’s not just getting from point A to point B. There are a lot of things that you need to take care of. You are probably excited about moving into your new home, but don’t let the daydreaming distract you from all the things that need your attention right now.

START THE PREPARATIONS EARLY There is no need to wait for the precise move-out and move-in dates. You already have a good idea of when those might be. So, start to consider which are the things that you can prepare, sort out, and research in advance. And, of course, lists are your friends. Make lists for everything – including which belongings you will be moving to your new home and what contractual obligations you need to fulfil concerning your current residence.

TELL YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS ABOUT THE MOVE Consider this advice to be one of the “early preparation” things that you need to do. It’s not just about updating the people in your life about what’s going on with you. There are a couple of practical reasons behind it. Going through relocation is a stressful time, so friends and family might offer their help or at least not bug you for a while until you’ve settled. Just tell Aunt Karen you’ll see what’s wrong with her phone after you’ve moved!

SORT OUT THE OLD PLACE The last thing you want to pop out of nowhere when you have finally moved into your new home is something unresolved related to your previous residence. It would be as if you already moved, but that stressful, tiresome experience just refuses to be forgotten and stay in the past where it belongs. You can’t really argue with your past self to deal with whatever slipped your attention back then, so, take the time now and be very pedantic about things like

contractual obligations, landlord matters, bills, change of address and so on.

MIND YOUR BUDGET Moving is an expense. There’s just no way around it. So, factor that in when you are planning your budget for the month when you are moving. Hence, planning early for your move plays such an important role. Consider the cost as early as possible and maybe go into “savings mode” if necessary.

CONSIDER THE ENVIRONMENT When people move out, a lot of items are thrown away without a second thought. Furniture, appliances, carpets, mattresses, you name it. So, think about the things that are fully functional that you can give to friends and family, or simply donate to a charity. Another great option, consider having them professionally cleaned or repaired if you’d like to continue to use them. The point is to slow down the rate at which we contribute to landfill.

DO A VIDEO SURVEY WITH A MOVING COMPANY When you pick a moving company, schedule a video survey. Basically, just get into a conference call, turn your camera on and show them the belongings and items that you would like to have them move. This way you will receive a more precise quote on your move and save some

time. Moving companies are quite flexible, so you can ask them to deliver packing materials and pack things on your own or let the removal firm handle that for you if you prefer.

KEEP IMPORTANT DOCUMENTS AND PAPERWORK SEPARATE Have a designated folder or even a suitcase for important documents and paperwork. Don’t pack those things with the rest of your belongings, especially if they contain private information. Either take them with you on the day of your move or entrust them to a company that specialises in “sensitive” deliveries.

PRIORITISE YOUR ESSENTIALS The day of your move and those surrounding it might be tiresome and hectic. Chances are you are moving to a new location that you are not all that familiar with. Ensure that you have access to your “essentials” whatever those might be to you. For example, stock up on prescription medicine in advance. Or even your favourite hot sauce that you just can’t do without. Also, it is a good idea to pack some essential toiletries in a separate bag. Finally make sure the new place has a reliable internet connection when you get there in case you work from home. For more help on removals and domestic services, visit fantasticservices.com

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LOCATION

HOTspot Bromley-by-Bow

5 REASONS WE LOVE… B R O M L E Y- B Y- B O W

1. The River Lea 2. Bromley-by-Bow station in Zone 2 3. Eclectic shopping options 4. Delicious food 5. The 3 Mills Studio

Having recently undergone an extensive £1.1bn redevelopment, the trendy East End district of Bromleyby-Bow E3 is on the up. With the legacy of London 2012 a stone’s throw away in Stratford, and Tower Hamlets benefiting from a further £9m investment to improve local transport offerings, first time buyers are sure to reap the rewards

UNDER THE SPOTLIGHT

OUT AND ABOUT

Part of the London Borough of Tower Hamlets, Bromley-by-Bow is located between Stratford and Poplar, on the western banks of the River Lea. Officially simply "Bromley", the local tube station was renamed in 1967 to prevent confusion with Bromley railway station in south London and, over time, has become widely used for the district itself. Bromley-by-Bow, in Zone 2, is served by the District and Hammersmith & City Lines, with National Rail services easily reached via the Docklands Light Railway (DLR) from nearby Bow Road and Bow Church stations. The DLR also reaches Canary Wharf in under 10 minutes; an easy commute to the capital’s financial hub. The new Elizabeth Line (Crossrail), set to launch in Stratford soon, will allow journeys from Stratford to Bond Street in 15 minutes. There is a good bus network. Pedestrians and cyclists benefit from the most scenic routes in town, with the Lea Valley Walk and River Lea on the doorstep. The area is steeped in history, first referenced as early as the year 1000 as one of the manors belonging to St Paul’s Cathedral. In more recent history, Gandhi famously chose to take up residence in Kingsley Hall on Powis Road for three months while visiting London in 1931 for talks with the British Imperial government.

Declining the offer of accommodation in a West End hotel in favour of living among workingclass people, Gandhi was welcomed warmly by the East End community. Bromley-by-Bow was heavily bombed in the Blitz. While many of the area’s historic buildings have been lost, Bromley Hall stands as a proud reminder of times gone by; it dates from around 1845 and is thought to be the oldest brick house in London. Bromley-by-Bow is home to around 12,000 people. The area has historically had a high proportion of its residents renting, due perhaps to its proximity to top universities. UCL is on track to open an East Campus in the next few years, and UAL’s London College of Fashion will unite 6,500 students into one east London campus in 2022, so its popularity with students is likely to continue. Bromley-By-Bow is popular with young professionals, thanks to its commuting possibilities, and there is a great selection of apartments on the market.

In the heart of East London, you are spoilt for choice, with bars and restaurants right on the doorstep. Locals flock to The Galvanisers Union, an old pub with contemporary finishes serving a wide range of craft beers and ales by regional breweries alongside a simple menu with bar snacks. There are even weekly Wednesday quiz nights to break up the week. If cocktails are your thing, The Widow’s Son is well worth a visit too. Foodies will be impressed by the area’s wide-range of offerings and, in true East End style, should probably start at Maureen’s Pie and Mash, where customers have been enjoying traditional pie with all the trimmings for over 60 years. A more contemporary addition, Boxpark in Shoreditch, which started life as the world’s first pop-up mall, has some of the best street food and entertainment the city has to offer. Brick Lane is just up the road; as a hub of London’s Bangladeshi community, it has long been famed for its curry restaurants. It now also has a reputation for its trendy nightlife and is buzzing at the weekend. Westfield Stratford is home to 88 restaurants, a cinema, bowling lanes, karaoke and over 200 shops! For more traditional shops head "down the Roman" to the Roman Road Market,

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LOCATION

FA C T F I L E

Average property price in Tower Hamlets (July 2021) – £496,344 Property breakdown* Semi-detached – £773,060 Terraced – £692,794 Flat – £482,481

HOMES ON THE MARKET... FROM £85,625*

*According to the Land Registry House Price Index

FA M O U S R E S I D E N T S • Physicist William Harold Joseph Childs • Social entrepreneur Andrew Mawson OBE • Actor Jack Warner • First-class cricketer William Faulkner • Comic entertainers Elsie and Doris Waters

which has been running for over 150 years and stretches for half a kilometre through the centre of Bow. Spitalfields is also nearby. Open seven days a week, it seamlessly marries its proud past with the future of retail. Visitors to the market are encouraged to share their experiences via social media and can even visit Amazon’s first ever beauty salon where customers can try new hairstyles with immersive technology before going for the chop! Alternatively, Victoria Park Village offers a range of boutique shops and cafes right by the park. East London has plenty of art galleries, museums and independent theatres, including the Hackney Empire; an iconic venue. The Beehive is a hidden gem; the backroom of the pub has been converted into a mini venue showcasing up-andcoming talent, with music, comedy and spoken word filling a busy schedule. Genesis Cinema is also nearby and offers an attractive alternative to the multiplexes. Green spaces are plentiful and include Bromley-by-Bow recreation ground, Victoria Park and the Olympic Park in Stratford. There is something for everybody, with adventure playgrounds, tennis courts, a bowling green, or just a stroll through gorgeous greenery. There are riverside views from every direction as well as riverside walkways, the perfect location for a morning jog or cycle. You may even stumble across The Grade I listed House Mill, one of Britain’s oldest and largest tidal mills. You can visit the water-powered mill to learn about its history as a gin distillery, or book one of the many heritage tours, concerts, art exhibitions and workshops the venue hosts.

BROMLEY-BY-BOW Leaside Lock Guinness Homes

Sitting on the banks of the River Lea and offering a range of studio, one, two and three bedroom apartments, this lovely development offers communal courtyard gardens, co-working spaces, on-site shops and leisure facilities for residents. The apartments have been designed with modern living in mind, with well-sized living areas opening on to a private outdoor space. There is a separate utility room, along with plenty of storage space. In the larger homes, there is an en suite from the main bedroom, and a number of apartments benefit from spectacular views of the London landscape, overlooking Canary Wharf, the City and beyond. Right on your doorstep is a great selection of restaurants, coffee shops, bars, breweries, galleries, venues and shops. Bow, Mile End, Shoreditch, Stratford and Hackney are easily reached on foot, bike, bus or tube. Nearby Hammersmith & City and District Line services run to central London and beyond, while frequent bus services are excellent. Leaside Lock forms part of a wider revival of the area. The regeneration will create brand new green open spaces, river walkways and cycle and pedestrian bridges. A one bedroom home at Leaside Lock starts from £85,625 for a 25% share with a full market value of £342,500. The two bedroom apartments start from £115,000 for a 25% share with a full market value of £460,000. Help to Buy and open market sale are also available. 020 3288 1907 leasidelock.com

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SHARED OWNERSHIP

SHARED OWNERSHIP IN THE HEART OF WANDSWORTH Located south west of central London, Wandsworth is a vibrant area made up of a large proportion of young professionals. It offers potential homebuyers a wide spectrum of food, drink and entertainment establishments, with the added advantage of quick and easy access into central London Peabody, one of the largest housing providers in London, has three developments within the area, between the thriving districts of Battersea and Clapham: St John’s Way, New Mansion Square and Willow Walk. Each development offers potential buyers a range of homes from stylish studio apartments to spacious three beds, available to purchase with shared ownership – making the dream of homeownership in this vibrant borough an affordable reality. “Wandsworth has long been a desirable place to live, and now Peabody offers buyers an opportunity to purchase a stylish new home and enjoy living an enviable lifestyle using the lower level deposit available with shared ownership,” says Andrew Peglau, Assistant Director of Marketing at Peabody.

ST JOHN’S WAY, SW11 (CLAPHAM) If you’re looking for somewhere well connected, St John’s Way is located just three minutes from Clapham Junction station. From here, you can easily get to popular south west London destinations such as Victoria station, Waterloo and London Bridge and reach places like Croydon, Gatwick and Brighton with ease. Potential buyers can choose from a range of one, two and three bedroom shared ownership apartments situated on leafy St John’s Hill. The surrounding area is vibrant and offers a wide array of independent boutiques, stylish rooftop bars and chic restaurants. Residents also have the open spaces of both Clapham Common and Wandsworth Common within easy reach. Launched in November, prices start from £121,250 for a 25% share in a one bedroom apartment.

NEW MANSION SQUARE, SW8 (BATTERSEA/NINE ELMS) For those who want to live more centrally, New Mansion Square offers a Zone 1 location, sitting near the magnificent Grade II listed Battersea Power Station.

Indicative of Willow Walk

Indicative of New Mansion square

The new Northern Line extension at the recently opened Battersea Power underground station offers easy access into the City while riverside dining, retail and entertainment are all just a short walk away in Circus West Village. With Battersea Park just around the corner, New Mansion Square offers high-spec city living in an amazing location. Due to launch in early 2022, prospective buyers should register their details to receive updates ahead of the launch.

WILLOW WALK, SW18 (WANDSWORTH TOWN) If you want somewhere quieter, but with easy access into London, Willow Walk represents an ideal choice. Launching in

Indicative of St John’s Way

early 2022, potential buyers can choose from a superb collection of one, two and three bedroom shared ownership apartments located next to Wandsworth Park and moments from the Thames. A short walk from the property you have a range of fantastic eateries, eclectic pubs and open green spaces to explore. Wandsworth town centre and Waterside Pier are just a short walk away, offering quick and convenient access into the City. Prices start from £130,000 for a 25% share on a one bedroom apartment. To find out more information about Peabody’s new range of shared ownership homes at Willow Walk, St John’s Way and New Mansion Square, or to register your interest, please visit peabodysales.co.uk/wandsworth

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SHARED OWNERSHIP

LOOKING AHEAD TO 2022 It’s time to reflect on the changes in the property market over 2021, says Kush Rawal, Director of Residential Investment at Metropolitan Thames Valley Housing. It’s been another monumental year, and the summer exemplified an enduring appetite among buyers, including those securing their first home. Figures from Savills reveal that first time buyer purchases were up 63% in June 2021 compared to the same month in 2019, showing promise that there is hope for those looking to get on to the property ladder For many, shared ownership can set you on the road to homeownership. Our shared ownership brand SO Resi is proud to have delivered homes to customers for 50 years, where our dedicated team of specialists is always on hand to ensure that your journey to homeownership is a positive one. Unlike other temporary schemes, shared ownership is a proven method that offers an accessible route for first time buyers – particularly as house prices continue to rise, and the number of lenders offering higher loan-to-value mortgages remains low. SO Resi welcomes this year’s introduction of the new Affordable Homes Programme – a Government-funded scheme to contribute towards the construction of affordable homes in England. As house prices throughout the UK continue to soar, increasing numbers of potential buyers are finding it difficult to get on to the housing ladder and are therefore reliant on schemes such as shared ownership, which provides first time buyers with an accessible solution to the hurdles to homeownership. The Government has also shown its commitment to helping shared owners increase their equity by allowing buyers to staircase and purchase additional shares in their home in 1% instalments, something that SO Resi has deployed since 2017.

SO Resi Greenford

With so many positive changes on the horizon, looking ahead to 2022, I expect to see levels of first time buyers continuing to rise, and the popularity of shared ownership and other homebuying schemes to continue to climb. For buyers thinking about getting on to the property ladder in 2022, take a look at some of the latest new homes we have to offer in London!

SO Resi Ealing

EALING Covering the areas of Chiswick to Northolt, Ealing has long been a hotspot for working professionals and families alike. A home here at SO Resi Ealing has everything you need just moments from your front door. A short stroll away you’ll find bustling bars, restaurants and diverse shopping in Ealing Broadway, good schools and excellent transport options. West Ealing station – soon to be part of the Elizabeth Line when Crossrail launches in early 2022 – is just a nine-minute walk away, connecting you to central London and beyond with ease. There are several one and two bedroom shared ownership apartments available at SO Resi Ealing, starting from £420,000. You could buy a 25% share of this property for £105,000 with a 5% deposit of £5,250.

GREENFORD Located in west London, in the borough of Ealing, Greenford encapsulates a vibrant suburban town that effortlessly combines its historic roots with modern redevelopment. Due to its regeneration and versatile living options, Greenford is perfect for young professionals as well as families, with excellent schools, community centres and spacious green areas. A home in SO Resi Greenford is made for modern life. Set alongside the Great Union Canal, SO Resi homes offer a peaceful escape from the capital, where you’ll be able to enjoy quiet walks along the canal paths. However, you’ll never be far away from the city, as one of Greenford’s best features is its well-connected transport options. Greenford station has its own stop on the Central Line, getting you to Oxford Circus in just 30 minutes. Whether you choose a one, two or three bedroom apartment, each will deliver on comfort, quality and style. Prices at SO Resi Greenford start at £82,500 for a 25% share in a one bedroom apartment (full market value £330,000). To find out more, visit soresi.co.uk

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AFFORDABLE HOMES

GET ON TO THE PROPERTY LADDER WITH SHARED OWNERSHIP

Places for People is making it easier than ever to get the home you’ve always wanted. As a leading placemaker in the UK it doesn’t just build homes; it invests in places and creates communities where everyone can thrive, including you Eskdale Road, Stoke Mandeville

“Buying a shared ownership house has meant I can get on the property ladder… I wasn’t on the highest income, but the scheme has enabled me to gain my independence with the option to buy my home outright in a few years – which is fabulous!” – New homeowner, Ellie Martin Brooklands Square, Milton Keynes

With over 50 years’ experience creating affordable places to live, Places for People is set to build 6,000 new homes in England over the coming years that are designed to work for everyone, whatever their circumstances. That’s why it offers shared ownership on many of its homes, so if you can’t pay the full price immediately, you can pay a part of it and rent the rest. So, if you want to make your dream home a reality, look no further…

MODERN APARTMENT LIVING Its award-winning Brooklands Square community in Milton Keynes is perfect if apartment living appeals to you. Located just a short commute from London, the contemporary one and two bedroom apartments have been designed with style in mind, with flexible living spaces and a range of fixtures and fittings that are certain to impress. Plus, you’ll enjoy your own private terrace or balcony and acres of beautiful green space and woodland right outside

your front door – all from just £121 a week with shared ownership!*

CONTEMPORARY COUNTRY HOMES If life in the country is more suited to you, then you’re certain to love the spacious two and three bedroom homes in the idyllic village of Battle, East Sussex, which are ready to move in from spring 2022. Lillybank Farm gives country living a contemporary twist, with beautiful views across the High Weald. The generously sized two and three bedroom homes have plenty of modern touches, plus the convenience of Battle town just a short walk away. With prices from £297,250,* what’s not to love?

TRADITIONAL VILLAGE LIFE Eskdale Road in Stoke Mandeville, three miles south of Aylesbury, is the perfect spot for those seeking more traditional village life. Here you’ll discover Places for People’s

beautiful three bedroom family homes available from £374,000*, with a village school, local shops, pubs and even a family friendly restaurant just a short walk away. Plus, a range of two, three and four bedroom affordable homes are coming soon to Burgess Hill in mid-Sussex.

HELP TO OWN YOUR HOME With shared ownership, you only need to pay part of the price of your home (usually between 25% and 75%) and pay rent on the rest. Your mortgage will be smaller, and you don’t need to save as much for a deposit. It’s a simple and cost-effective way of owning a home, so you can get a foot on the property ladder sooner than you think.

GET MOVING So, what are you waiting for? Take the first step toward owning your first home by visiting placesforpeople.co.uk *Shared ownership available. Terms and conditions apply. See website for details

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AFFORDABLE HOMES

AFFORDABLE HOMES FOR CRITICAL WORKERS IN EAST LONDON Leading housing association Notting Hill Genesis is launching the “Homes for Heroes” initiative to thank critical workers for keeping essential services running over the last year and give many the opportunity to purchase their own home in the capital. In conjunction with shared ownership, the initiative is open to all critical workers who currently live or work in London – covering those employed across health and social care, education, public safety, community services and transport – who are first time buyers and have a combined household income from £42,000 a year. Workers can purchase between 25% and 75% of a new home under shared ownership, and Notting Hill Genesis will charge a discounted rent of 1.5% on the remaining share, reducing the overall monthly payments on the property and giving them the opportunity to secure their own home at a lower cost than would otherwise be possible. Buyers have a choice of Notting Hill Genesis’ popular developments Dockside and Royal Albert Wharf, in two up-and-coming areas of London offering waterside living with easy connections into the capital and beyond. At Royal Albert Wharf, buyers can secure a selected two bedroom apartment in this iconic new development located in east London’s Royal Docks, one of the capital’s most exciting regeneration areas, which is fast becoming a go-to residential destination in London. Royal Albert Wharf is only seven minutes’ walk to Gallions Reach DLR, providing links into the centre of the city, and is becoming a vibrant new community for Londoners with regular events, versatile workspaces, artists’ studios, a cafe and restaurant. From just £108,125 for a 25% share of a two bedroom apartment, critical workers can purchase their own home near to the banks of the River Thames, with an overall monthly cost (mortgage, rent and service charge) from just £1,148 under the initiative. The stunning apartments at Royal Albert Wharf include integrated kitchen appliances and fibre broadband as well as a dedicated concierge service.

Notting Hill Genesis is making homeownership more affordable for the nation’s critical workers following the Covid-19 pandemic, with reduced monthly payments on new homes at popular developments Dockside at Millharbour and Royal Albert Wharf in the Royal Docks

Royal Albert Wharf

Should Dockside at Millharbour be their preferred choice, critical workers can purchase a one or two bedroom home in a sought-after Canary Wharf location while still being just a stone’s throw from all the capital has to offer, with transport links to the City and beyond. Travel via the DLR, Jubilee Line and – in the not-toodistant future – by Crossrail, makes the neighbourhood really accessible for those working right across the capital. Buyers can purchase a 25% share of a one bedroom apartment from just £121,875, for with an overall monthly cost from just £1,164. Apartments at Dockside are open plan, with integrated kitchen appliances, features such as comfort cooling in bedrooms, and the luxury of a private balcony offering skyline views, all at an affordable price. James Munson, Head of Marketing at Notting Hill Genesis, said, “The last year has been extremely challenging for everyone, but especially our key workers – from nurses to teachers, charity workers to the police – who have supported our

Dockside

communities and kept the country going throughout. As a thank you to them, and with homeownership in London proving difficult for many, we wanted to find a way to help people in these essential roles to purchase their own home in the capital more affordably.” For further information on the “Homes for Heroes” initiative, visit nhgsales.com/heroes or call 020 4502 8299

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HELP TO BUY

RURAL LOCATION IS THE ONLY WAY FOR HOMEBUYERS IN ESSEX

The demand for homes in the county of Essex in the South East has increased by 56% since June 2020, in particular in the county’s rural villages which have experienced a 69% increase in house sales¹. Providing fantastic news for current Essex residents looking to relocate to a quieter location but stay within the county, Inland Homes is preparing to launch a brand new collection of family homes in the quaint village of Cressing, just four miles south of Braintree Set to launch in early 2022, Templar Green will comprise a boutique collection of two, three and four bedroom family homes, many with Help to Buy available. Offering the best of both worlds for every buyer, the new development is located in a peaceful location full to the brim with village charm and an abundance of open space, but still just a 10-minute drive into the larger town of Braintree, offering plenty for both children and adults to enjoy. Also ideal for commuting homebuyers, Templar Green will be just a short walk from Cressing railway station, with services into London Liverpool Street in just 55 minutes. Vicki Noon, Sales and Marketing Director at Inland Homes, comments, “The demand for properties in the home counties, particularly Essex, has seen a huge surge over the past 18 months, as remote working continues and people are happier to take on a longer, less regular commute in favour of more space at home. We’re thrilled to offer a new selection of homes for buyers looking towards Essex, and Templar Green has it all in terms of location. Along with space at the development for children to play, the immediate village has a shop, a primary school and a station, while a short distance away, Braintree has all the shopping and leisure facilities buyers and their families will need.” Residents at Templar Green will have the best of both worlds, right on their doorstep. Cressing itself enjoys a village shop for everyday amenities, a Boots pharmacy, library and a post office. Just a short drive away is the larger historic town of Braintree, offering an excellent array of retail options, restaurants, bars and entertainment options. The George Yard Shopping Centre offers residents the choice of a number of well-known high street brands including Peacocks, WH Smith and Superdrug, while the larger Braintree Village centre offers designer outlets from

brands such as Reiss, Ted Baker and White Stuff. After a day of retail therapy, the boutique shopping village is also home to a number of restaurants and bars including Bill’s, Pizza Express and Wildwood. Families at Templar Green will be spoilt for choice when it comes to weekend activities. The 100-acre Great Notley Country Park is a 10-minute drive away, and is home to Essex’s longest play trail and Sky Ropes adventure course, perfect for tiring out the kids. For avid golfers, Braintree Golf Club is just a nine-minute drive from home, providing an 18-hole course popular with Essex golfers, as well as hosting an extensive social events calendar and Sunday carveries. For a rainy winter’s day, Braintree is home to a number of indoor leisure facilities including a 12-screen Cineworld cinema, Braintree District Museum and Namco Funscape – an entertainment venue with bowling, an arcade and a soft play area. For families with children, there are a number of first-class education options surrounding Templar Green. Rated Good by Ofsted, Cressing Primary School is an eight-minute walk from the development,

while for older children, Alec Hunter Academy secondary school is a 13-minute bus journey away. For further education, Braintree Sixth Form is an eight-minute drive away. For students who wish to study for a degree at home, the University of Essex Colchester Campus and Anglia Ruskin University Chelmsford Campus are both reachable in just half an hour. Commuting residents will be well-placed at Templar Green. Cressing station has direct services into London Liverpool Street in 55 minutes, from where a variety of tube lines can be picked up. The neighbouring towns of Colchester (32 minutes) and Chelmsford (20 minutes) can be reached easily by rail too, while by road, the M25 can be reached within 45 minutes, transporting residents to central London, neighbouring counties and beyond. Prices at Templar Green are to be confirmed. For further information or to register your interest, please call Bond Residential on 01245 500 599, email templargreen@inlandplc.com or visit inlandhomes.co.uk/developments/templar-green 1 savills.com/research_articles/255800/314650-0

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AFFORDABLE HOMES

ST ARTHUR HOMES SET TO LAUNCH NEW SHARED OWNERSHIP HOMES Located in the heart of the new Forge Wood neighbourhood, St Arthur Homes’ collection of two bedroom shared ownership apartments has been designed to seamlessly integrate with the local surroundings while offering modern contemporary interiors. Ideal for buyers looking for an affordable opportunity without compromising on style or location, Forge Wood provides an attractive worklife balance, coupled with easy travel into the capital. Each of the 24 two bedroom apartments has been designed to a high specification alongside spacious and versatile layouts, with elegant modern interiors. Open-plan living, kitchen and dining areas offer a flexible space for eating, relaxing or working from home. Kitchens are stylish and come complete with a selection of integrated AEG appliances. All apartments feature mirrored sliding wardrobes to the primary bedrooms, and selected homes enjoy access to en suite bathrooms. Each property has the added convenience of one allocated parking space. Forge Wood residents will have the best of city and countryside living on the doorstep. Crawley town centre is minutes away, providing a variety of amenities and leisure facilities, while the Forge Wood development itself is set in an idyllic treelined location. Well-connected, Crawley town centre is less than five miles away. and Gatwick is less than a mile away. For commuters, Three Bridges railway station is just over two miles away, and there are direct train links from Gatwick station to Victoria, Blackfriars and London Bridge stations, while Brighton Beach is 28 miles to the south. Whiteley Meadows

Demand for shared ownership homes continues to increase, with a near 10% rise across England during the past year, with a notable increase in sales outside London¹. For buyers wanting to step on the ladder while making the most of city and countryside living, St Arthur Homes is preparing to launch two new collections of stylish shared ownership homes Forge Wood living area (indicative TaylorWimpey apartment)

Prices for shared ownership homes at Forge Wood will start from £114,750 for a 45% share of a two bedroom apartment with a full market asking price of £255,000. Forming St Arthur Homes’ largest collection of homes to date, in partnership with Vistry Group; Whiteley Meadows development in Whiteley, Curbridge, will comprise 95 two and three bedroom houses and two bedroom apartments available with shared ownership – providing an affordable opportunity for purchasers to get on to the property ladder for as little as a 5% deposit* on the share they buy. Buyers will initially be able to purchase a share of the property, with the option to buy further shares up to outright ownership in the future. Whiteley Meadows is a multi-phase development that will deliver more than 3,000 new homes, alongside new schools, a care home, community centre, green spaces and shops. The new neighbourhood is well situated between Southampton,

Portsmouth and Winchester, and surrounded by countryside, making it an attractive and sustainable place to live. Whiteley is well located, the M27 is just over three miles from the development, offering easy access to Cosham in just 13 miles, while Portsmouth is only 14 miles away. Botley station is a stone’s throw away and provides regular services into London Waterloo. Trains to Cosham, Portsmouth and Southampton all take around 20-30 minutes. Southampton airport is nine miles away and Heathrow can be reached in 67 miles. For further information about Forge Wood, Whiteley Meadows or any other shared ownership properties with St Arthur Homes, please visit starthurhomes.com or call 020 3745 4470 1 socialhousing.co.uk/insight/insight/special-reporthousing-association-shared-ownership-sales-rise-almost-10in-2020-72787 * 5% deposit subject to mortgage lenders’ criteria

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AFFORDABLE HOMES

SHARED OWNERSHIP AVAILABLE AT CENTRAL SQUARE, EALING

Shared ownership has launched at Central Square, Copley W7 – Broadway Living’s flagship regeneration development in leafy Hanwell – with deposits from just £4,188 required Combining a prime location, just moments from Castle Bar Park railway station, with contemporary high-specification homes and landscaped green space for residents, Central Square is making homeownership a reality for hopeful homebuyers in the sought-after borough of Ealing. With shared ownership, you buy a share of a property which can be as little as 10% but no more than 75% of its full value. You just need a 5% deposit of the share you purchase – you then take out a mortgage to cover the rest of your share and pay rent on the remaining share directly to Broadway Living. Shared ownership prices at Central Square start from £83,750 for a 25% share of a one bedroom apartment (full market value: £335,000) and from £108,750 for a 25% share of a two bedroom apartment (full market value: £435,000). Every home offers the same impressive specification. The apartments feature an open-plan layout with vast windows that create bright living spaces and offer panoramic views from the higher floors. All kitchens include an integrated Zanussi washer-dryer, fridge-freezer and dishwasher. Every two bedroom apartment includes an en suite shower room to the main bedroom and in every home the main bedroom also includes built-in wardrobes. Providing respite from the hustle and bustle of the city, buyers have access to plenty of outdoor space; each apartment has its own private balcony and there are communal landscaped gardens for all the residents to enjoy. Residents benefit from a bicycle hire membership from Brompton Bikes and will receive a free, three-year membership to the Enterprise Car Club; a car will be stationed at Central Square. Broadway Living – the development arm of Ealing Council – will also deliver a playground, community hub and a local shop for the day-to-day essentials. Ealing is one of the most attractive neighbourhoods in the capital. Located within easy reach of central London, its extensive green space adds a village charm to the bustling high street. A range of

shops, bars and restaurants, together with a dynamic new urban quarter, Dickens Yard, which offers lifestyle brands, leisure activities and a weekly artisan market, are located in the centre of Ealing, just two miles from Central Square. Castle Bar Park railway station is situated at the centre of Copley W7, just a minute’s walk from Central Square, offering direct services to London Paddington in 22 minutes. Copley W7 is a 10-minute cycle from Ealing Broadway station, which is connected by the Overground, District and Central Line services. David Colley, Regeneration Manager at Ealing Council says, “Copley W7 is a proud part of the Ealing community. The launch of shared ownership at Central Square creates a fantastic opportunity for first time buyers

who may think their homeownership dream is out of reach. By launching shared ownership alongside our Help to Buy offering, we’re making sure as many people as possible can be a part of Central Square.” London Help to Buy is also available; prices start from £435,000 for a two bedroom apartment. This Government loan scheme for first time buyers is interest-free for five years and you’ll only need a deposit of 5% and a mortgage of 55%. The two bedroom show home is available to view by appointment and showcases the design and superb quality of the homes. For more information about the shared ownership apartments available or to book an appointment, call JLL on 020 7087 5111 or visit copleyhanwellw7.co.uk

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AFFORDABLE HOMES

LOOKING FOR YOUR NEW HOME? LOOK NO FURTHER Buying a new home is one of the most important and emotive decisions someone can make, so it’s crucial that there’s help available to support customers every step of the way Abri Homes provides the guidance, information and assistance that customers need when buying a new home. It puts people first, and recognises that its customers are an integral part of their communities. In this sense, people are at the core of Abri’s vision, ambition and drive to enhance the communities that it serves. That’s why it’s committed to investing in local communities to make those communities stronger and more vibrant, while helping to provide support and access to homes. Abri has committed to building more than 12,500 new homes by 2030. It has also recently been named one of Homes England’s strategic partners for the Affordable Homes Programme 2021-2026. To facilitate this dynamic growth, and following an exciting rebrand, Abri Homes has its own dedicated website that offers properties for sale, and to let, as well as providing all the guidance needed for people

who are looking to take the first steps towards buying a new home. The website showcases the highquality homes that are available to buy or rent across the South and South West of England. From properties in High Wycombe to Highbridge, Westbury to Wells; there’s a home for everyone. Built with the customer in mind, the website offers a seamless user experience across desktop and mobile, putting the customer in control. Stuart Hensby, Associate Director Sales and Marketing at Abri, emphasises the importance of the investment in Abri Homes, “Buying a new home is an incredibly important decision, and one that we know requires guidance and support at each stage. “We needed a new website that reflects our award-winning homes and one that could bring our legacy websites under one roof within the Abri brand. What we have

produced gives people a real sense of what it will be like to live in our homes, with virtual tours, videos and crisp imagery. “Our core ambitions are to provide a great service to our customers and to build more homes for the future. To do this, Abri Homes provides all the guidance and support that our customers need.” At the heart of this is sharing information that is easy to access and understand on popular topics such as shared ownership, first time buyer tips and in-depth buying guides to help people move on to the property ladder. Hearing from other homeowners is also a key part of the decision-making process for potential buyers, so the website has an area dedicated to our existing customers, all providing feedback on what buying a home from Abri has meant for them. Abri knows their real life experiences will help others setting out on the same journey. Abri Homes knows that this new website

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AFFORDABLE HOMES

You could purchase a home through the shared ownership scheme if: 9 you’re aged 18 or over 9 you’re a first time buyer 9 you’ve owned a home before, or are in the process of selling one 9 your household income is less than £80,000 per annum (or £90,000 if you’re in London) 9 Some shared ownership homes require you to have a local connection. So, you may either need to live, work or have a family connection to the local area

will make homeownership accessible to more people, featuring lots of helpful buying guides, as well as an FAQs section to help explain some of the misconceptions that exist around shared ownership. To many people this may be a term they’ve not heard before – but it’s a simple scheme which is designed to help people get on the property ladder. Buyers purchase a share of the property outright, usually somewhere between 10% and 75%, and then pay that sum off gradually, as they would with any mortgage-supported house purchase. They then also pay a lowcost rent to the housing provider on the remaining share. Usually, a buyer would only need a 5% deposit in relation to the value of the share they’re buying, so they could step on to the housing ladder with a deposit from just £4,900. The scheme is open to first time buyers and also to those who are looking to move up the property ladder too. Shared ownership is a great option for lots of people. The lower deposit and lower mortgage make it a quicker first step on to the property ladder for many people, and they can then buy more shares in their home as and when it suits them. Eventually, through this process of staircasing, a purchaser could end up owning 100% of their own home. Many people also see shared ownership as being preferable to renting because it’s their property from the start – their house to decorate and furnish as they wish. It’s an investment and it’s up to them when, or even if, they buy more shares or sell it. But it’s not just first time buyers that can make an Abri Home, their home. The great thing about shared ownership is that it’s also available to second steppers who might be looking to upsize into a larger family home, for example. There is a range of larger homes available with the scheme, such as at Abri’s King’s Gate development in Amesbury, near Salisbury city centre, where you can enjoy a stroll along the beautiful River Avon, and these homes are ideal for those in need of more space but who can’t afford to buy on the open market. Abri Homes also offers the opportunity for its customers to choose from homes built

Brue Farm

Limewood Place, Sherfield on Loddon

The Pines, High Wycombe

using Modern Methods of Construction (MMC), such as Brue Farm in Highbridge. Homes built in this way are largely made offsite, using precision engineering at specialist facilities. They’re then assembled on-site to reduce waste, maximise quality and improve energy efficiency. With a range of different housing options available, such as one and two bedroom city centre apartments in Bristol, with access to the beautiful Castle Park on your doorstep, to four and five bedroom houses in Sherfield on Loddon, set within a charming local village

community, and with space for growing families, there really is a home for everybody. Because for Abri Homes, home isn’t a place, it’s a feeling. It’s feeling safe, secure, and happy. Everyone has the right to a safe, warm, and sustainable home; and to feel part of a community where everybody has the opportunity to belong, grow, and thrive. Home is a place where you can dream big, achieve your goals, and be who you want to be. That’s the Abri Homes way. abrihomes.co.uk

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AFFORDABLE HOMES

THE BEST IN THE WEST

Discover your bright future at Network Homes’ exciting Acton Works in the heart of the unique Old Oak and Park Royal regeneration area, one of London’s most vibrant districts. Network Homes is proud to be selling this top-tier selection of shared ownership properties at Acton Works. Ideal for young professionals, families and key workers alike, the development is situated just moments away from shopping and dining facilities, Central Middlesex Hospital and a superb range of transport connections – well and truly epitomising the term “convenience” Offering a choice of one and two bedroom shared ownership apartments, there’s something for everyone at Acton Works. Each and every home has been carefully designed to suit the needs of 21st century buyers; with spacious internal layouts and a high-quality specification creating stylish and functional homes. Acton Works has a choice of apartments, one perfect for the life you lead. No matter which one you choose, you will enjoy a home that has been built to superb quality. With stylish and practical interiors, Acton Works offers the best in contemporary city living. High-quality specifications and exceptional design create unique spaces. The sleek kitchens features a range of integrated appliances – perfect for a first time buyer. All apartments are finished with vinyl flooring, carpets and built-in wardrobe to the main bedroom. Bathrooms are fitted, and bigger apartments have an en suite. All apartments have private balconies – the perfect outdoor space to unwind. Additional features include Hyperoptic broadband connections to ensure homeworking lifestyles are well catered for, secure on-site bicycle storage, and car parking spaces available to selected

homes. All residents will have access to the stunning rooftop level communal gardens, complete with colourful shrubs, raised planters and lounge benches to help promote relaxation, socialisation and play. When it comes to location, residents at Acton Works couldn’t be better placed. For some well-needed retail therapy, Ealing Broadway is an 18-minute bike ride away; or, for something a little further afield, Wembley Park’s London Designer Outlet and Westfield London are under half an hour away by tube respectively. The area is also home to a vast range of cafes, bars, and eateries, from Polish and Middle Eastern restaurants to popular high street chains. Or opt for a 10-minute walk to Asda Park Royal Superstore to collect groceries. For those in search of that all-important green space, Wormwood Scrubs Nature Reserve offers 200 acres of green space, ready to be explored. Gunnersbury Park and Chiswick Common are nearby. Families with children are also well catered for here. Acton Works is advantageously positioned within easy reach of a number of educational establishments, ranging from primary school up to secondary level.

Finally, residents at Acton Works will benefit from superb transport connections; with Harlesden, North Acton, and Park Royal underground stations all within walking distance of the development; giving access to the Bakerloo, Central and Piccadilly lines. Situated on Acton Lane, the scheme will form an integral part of the Old Oak and Park Royal regeneration. Major investment has been poured into rail infrastructure projects HS2 and Crossrail, and Park Royal is the only place in London where the two new transport links will meet. Old Oak Common will have six high-speed platforms and eight further platforms for conventional trains via the Elizabeth Line, including Crossrail and services to Wales and the West of England, making it the perfect homing ground for commuters and young professionals. Bus stops can be found just three minutes away on foot, and for those who like to get around on two wheels, the London Cycle Network Routes intersect the local area. Prices at Acton Works start from £79,375 for a 25% share of a one bedroom apartment with a full market value of £317,500. networkhomessales.co.uk

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AFFORDABLE HOMES

MAKE IT A DECEMBER TO REMEMBER WITH CATALYST Christmas is always a time when the home comes into its own – whether as an entertaining space for the whole family, or a quiet retreat after a busy festive period ARRO

Newman Place

The Folium

Catalyst understands the importance of having a home that truly suits you. With a portfolio of new developments across London and the South East, ranging from studio apartments through to five bedroom houses, there is a Catalyst home to suit every family’s Christmas. Some enjoy the hustle and bustle of London in December, while others prefer to spend the holidays on wintery walks in the countryside. Catalyst’s breadth of developments stretches from north west London to south west London, as well as homes in the counties surrounding the capital, such as Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire, so buyers can find a Catalyst home in a place they love. Plus, with properties available through shared ownership, Help to Buy and market sale, buyers can opt for the purchasing route which best suits them. Markus Kendall-Young, Director of Sales and Marketing at Catalyst (London) comments, “It’s moments like Christmas when you really come to appreciate your own home. Whether it’s a place to snuggle up in front of your favourite Christmas film when the weather turns cold, or an opportunity to open your front door and host a party, December is a time when your home really comes into its own. “That’s why we care so much about helping first time buyers get on to the

property ladder, so they can find a place which really feels like home. There’s few better opportunities to start looking than over the Christmas holidays – use the time off work to do your research, work out your budget, and kickstart 2022 with some property viewings.” Offering affordable city living in west London, ARRO features a range of studio, one and two bedroom apartments through shared ownership, in the heart of The Green Quarter. Transforming a district of Southall into a metropolis of greenery, ecology and culture, The Green Quarter is set to deliver more than 3,700 new homes, as well as 13 acres of new green space. Perfect for commuting into the office or heading into town for a night out, residents can walk to Southall railway station in eight minutes, from where trains to London Paddington take just 17 minutes. Providing a green escape in north west London, The Folium in Muswell Hill offers a collection of one and two bedroom shared ownership apartments. Ideal for buyers searching for the sought-after mix of city and village living, The Folium puts this affluent neighbourhood within reach of first time buyers, with deposits from £8,350. Coppetts Wood, Highgate Wood and Alexandra Palace are close by, giving residents tons of green space on the doorstep, without sacrificing an easy commute into the City.

For family living outside London, Catalyst’s Midsummer Vale in Walkern, Hertfordshire, offers a mix of four and five bedroom homes available in a range of different layouts. The spacious houses are perfect for the holiday season, with the largest properties featuring two reception rooms, utility rooms, and double garages. Ideal for families, Walkern boasts a selection of amenities including the Walkern Sports and Community Centre, as well as a number of school options for a range of ages. Finally, for those looking to get on to the property ladder and buy their forever home, Catalyst has recently launched 15 three and four bedroom houses at Newman Place, available through shared ownership. The homes are moments from the rolling Oxfordshire countryside, yet conveniently positioned close to Littlemore’s variety of amenities, including a nursery, range of supermarkets and parade of shops. Just a 10-minute drive away, buzzing Oxford city centre offers a plethora of shops and restaurants. Catalyst is also marketing a number of one and two bedroom apartments at Newman Place, ideal for young professionals who are based in the area. For more information on Catalyst’s latest developments, visit catalyst.homes

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SHARED OWNERSHIP

LIVE THE LONDON LIFESTYLE

SHARED OWNERSHIP HOMES IN AN UP-AND-COMING POCKET OF EAST LONDON – WITH DEPOSITS FROM JUST £4,313 The stylish shared ownership apartments at Earlham Square in Forest Gate, east London, are a brilliant choice for first time buyers and are now over 50% sold. Ticking all the boxes for high quality, convenience, quick transport links and proximity to green space, this outstanding development by Gateway Housing offers the perfect mix for modern city living Buyers can choose from one, two or three bedroom apartments, each featuring sleek design, a high specification and generous outdoor space. Prices start from £86,250 for a 25% share of a one bedroom apartment and a 5% deposit of just £4,312.50 is needed. Shared ownership is very straightforward. You buy a share of a home, typically between 25% and 75%, depending on what you can afford based on your household income – anyone with a household income of less than £90,000 in London can apply. The deposit, usually 5%, is based on the share you buy, which is much lower than paying a deposit on the full price. You then take out a mortgage to cover the rest of your share and pay a monthly rent on the share you do not own. The apartments at Earlham Square have been designed with a meticulous eye for detail and style. The light-filled open-plan living, kitchen and dining areas provide ample space for relaxing, working or entertaining friends. Striking kitchens feature a full range of Zanussi integrated appliances – fridge-freezer, dishwasher, hob, oven, microwave and freestanding washerdryer – all included in the purchase price. As practical as it is attractive, luxury woodeffect tiling flows through the main living areas and hallways, and bedrooms benefit from carpets as well as fitted wardrobes in the main and second bedrooms. In larger apartments, the main bedrooms include an en suite shower room, and every home has plenty of storage space. Outside space is important to homebuyers and this is a stand-out feature of Earlham Square. Each apartment has its own private balcony or terrace, and residents can also relax or break from work in the landscaped courtyards that interlink the buildings. Close by are many parks and open spaces, which offer a peaceful retreat from the fast pace of London life. Within a 10-minute walk is Forest Lane Park, complete with dipping pond, wildflower meadow and woodland. Residents can also head to Wanstead Flats, a large area of open grassland at the tip of Epping Forest, perfect for sports and picnics, or to the

parklands and tranquil waterways of Queen Elizabeth Park, which also hosts sporting events, concerts and festivals. Earlham Square is situated on an established leafy road, just moments from the heart of Forest Gate and within easy reach of an eclectic mix of local amenities, cafes and restaurants. It’s a four-minute train ride or a 30-minute walk to Westfield Stratford City, one of Europe’s largest shopping centres, which has more than 200 shops, an excellent selection of cafes, bars and restaurants and a 20-screen Vue cinema. Forest Gate has long been on the map for its great connectivity with the rest

of London. From Forest Gate station, two minutes’ walk away, trains take four minutes to Stratford and 15 minutes to Liverpool Street, with onward connections via the Central, Hammersmith & City, and District lines. The station is also on the new Crossrail Elizabeth Line, which will cut journey times to Bond Street to 19 minutes and Canary Wharf to 12 minutes. Gateway Housing is currently paying all solicitors’ fees on reservations at Earlham Square. To find out more and to book a private appointment to view the showhome, call 020 8057 3232 or visit newhomes.gatewayhousing.org.uk

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AFFORDABLE HOMES

NEW HOMES FOR FIRST TIME BUYERS LAUNCH IN WARWICK A new housing development has launched in Warwick, and with the first release including three bedroom shared ownership properties, first time buyers and those who have previously been unable to get on to the property ladder can now buy their first home in one of the country’s most desirable market towns

L&Q is one of the UK’s leading housing associations and residential developers and its latest development – Beauchamp Park at Gallows Hill – is a new 450-home scheme that forms part of the 1,600 homes at Warwick Gateway urban expansion, which will also provide a community centre, primary school and country park. L&Q has a proven track-record of creating thoughtful and considerate neighbourhoods, and Beauchamp Park is no exception. The local community and future residents will benefit from a variety of beautiful and scenic public open spaces, footpaths and cycleways, and children’s play areas. The first release of properties includes a selection of three bedroom shared ownership homes with prices starting from just £133,875 for a 35% share and a deposit from £6,694*. L&Q’s shared ownership scheme offers a cost-effective way for aspiring homeowners to take the first step, by part-owning and partrenting a property. With the scheme, buyers are only required to pay a deposit on the percentage share they buy, rather than the full value of the home. Christine Osborne, L&Q’s Sales and Customer Service Director, explains, “There is strong demand for housing that people can genuinely afford in Warwick, and we’re excited to be bringing our inclusive offer to the town for the first time. The homes we’re building represent a unique opportunity for many first time buyers, families and next steppers to purchase their dream home. “Shared ownership is a fantastic option to help would-be buyers get on to the property ladder and is a stepping-stone to outright ownership for those who can’t afford to buy

a home on the open market. Even those who don’t have a large deposit could own their own home sooner than they think, as shared ownership often requires a much smaller deposit.” At Beauchamp Park, L&Q has paid particular attention to the overall look, feel and design of the development to ensure it’s in keeping with the local area. Homes are architecturally stunning, influenced by the Georgian, Regency and Tudor-style properties typically found in Royal Leamington Spa and Warwick, which are characterised by a stylish geometry. Properties are well proportioned and elegant, and built in a mix of brick, render and striking metalwork. L&Q has created truly stunning street scenes that tie in with the local area and mark the gateway to Royal Leamington Spa. Homes include high-quality specification at no additional cost to the homebuyer, to ensure they have everything they need from the get-go, from white goods to a turfed garden with a shed, so they’re ready to move into as soon as they receive their keys. Beauchamp Park enjoys an enviable setting in one of the country’s most

desirable locations, and some homes at the development enjoy views of Warwick Castle. The development is in a semi-rural location in the heart of the English countryside, around two miles from Royal Leamington Spa, with convenient and easy access to the M40 on the doorstep plus a variety of amenities in the scenic, historic market town of Warwick. Beauchamp Park will cater to a diverse mix of buyers thanks to a variety of house types, with an exclusive collection of one, two, three, four and five bedroom houses and apartments available with Help to Buy, shared ownership, private sale and part exchange to suit the needs of every buyer. Shared ownership prices start from £133,875 for a 35% share of a three bedroom house (full market value: £382,500). For more information and to register your interest visit lqhomes.com/beauchamppark, email beauchamppark@lqgroup.org.uk or call 01789 430 165 *L&Q shared ownership terms and conditions apply. All prices correct at time of going to press

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AFFORDABLE HOMES

A PLACE TO CALL HOME!

Tottenham Hale is rapidly developing into one of London’s property hotspots, particularly for buyers looking for new homes within easy reach of central London

This substantial regeneration project is led by the London Borough of Haringey and the Greater London Authority, with over a thousand new homes, commercial opportunities, new retail and open public spaces. With prices in the area now more affordable than 80% of London’s Zone 31, there is no better time to consider Tottenham Hale as a place to call home. Being built on the site of a former garage, this exciting transformation into a 22-storey residential tower will be one of the first developments to be delivered as part of the Tottenham Hale dynamic masterplan. At the same time, Newlon Living is currently offering a second development adjacent to its headquarters, named Hale Works, in partnership with Anthology. Millstream Tower is a new collection of attractively designed one, two and three bedroom apartments, comprising 117 shared ownership and 11 private sale homes, with priority given to buyers who live or work in Haringey. The new homes are light, with spacious open-plan living areas. The kitchens are modern and well equipped, with high-spec appliances included, while the bathrooms are fully tiled with stylish chrome brassware. Standing in this new tower’s shadow is Station Square – a unique site which will be a renewed focal point of the new Tottenham Hale District Centre and the central point in a complex linking these residential developments. The square will bring a new social hub to the local community, including plans for a cinema, restaurants, coffee shops, retail and office space. Tottenham Hale station provides access to the Victoria Line taking you to King’s Cross in just 10 minutes or Oxford Street in 15 minutes2 and is part of the night tube network. Furthermore, the station is served by National Rail and is transforming into a significant piece of this central zone’s regeneration, providing direct travel to London Stansted via the Stansted Express. Or head to trendy east London via Greater Anglia trains; you can reach Westfield Stratford in just 12 minutes2. This developing neighbourhood is a well-connected part of London with a

significant outlay currently being invested in this interchange. Crossrail 2 is planned, further enhancing this location’s growing reputation as a desirable place to live. There is also a bus station opposite, with a variety of routes to surrounding areas and beyond. Tottenham Hale is already home to many parks and wetlands for those who like to explore the great outdoors. The nearby Walthamstow Wetlands is within walking distance, offering everything from fishing to bird watching, with a well-established cafe in a 19th century listed building.

You will find a strong presence of local independent businesses set in the vibrant locale. An array of markets, coffee shops, trendy bars, breweries and a thriving nightlife scene has cemented its reputation as one of the pioneering influences behind the contemporary pop-up scene. For more information about Millstream Tower visit the website at millstreamtower.london As reported by City AM

Travel times research from tfl.gov.uk

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THE NORTH

MOVE ON UP

According to growing house prices and relocating homebuyers and businesses, the North of England is the place to be. We take a look at some key growth areas that offer high-quality and low-cost ways of life In the North of England the property market is booming; big business continues to relocate here from the South East, and buyers are favouring the comparatively affordable housing and living costs. There’s such substantial growth in some of the North’s key cities and regions, that house price rises are outpacing those in the South.

PROPERTY HOTSPOTS Over the past 20 months, a number of northern areas have seen double-figure rises in house price growth. Since the start of the pandemic, Liverpool’s property prices have risen five times faster than the capital’s – with a 16.7% rise. Manchester, Bradford and Leeds have seen between 12% and 13% increases. There are several factors behind this mighty surge, including the popularity of houses since the first lockdown – with buyers preferring larger homes just outside of the cities over apartments in the centres – the Stamp Duty holiday, and an increased demand for homes in greener regions. Of course, homebuyers are taking the opportunity to work from home – and for many, that home no longer needs to be in the capital or anywhere near their workplaces. Buyers are seeking more space, and affordable living and housing. The great news for first time buyers is that homes in many of the areas seeing the strongest growth have average house prices of under £200,000.

QUALITY OF LIFE But it’s not just buyers who are in love with the North; big business and start-ups alike have been relocating from the South East to the North for a number of years now. The trend, known as "northshoring" is one that has continued with pace since the pandemic. Among the big names "establishing major operations" in the North are Just Eat, Ocado and Oliver Wyman. The benefits for them include lower-than-average staff turnover, access to world-class universities and a higher quality of life for employees. That quality of life is bolstered by thriving, everregenerating cities – Leeds, Liverpool and Manchester among them – vast and beautiful national parks, fresher air, affordable living and a slower pace of life. We look at two key areas in the North that are seeing substantial growth and that offer homebuyers a fantastic mix of value for money, green spaces or urban living.

GREENER GRASS Spotlight on: The Ribble Valley, Lancashire Home to some of the UK’s most scenic countryside, idyllic rural towns and critically acclaimed gastro pubs, Lancashire’s Ribble Valley has been hailed as a pretty perfect spot for movers by property journalists. And with all that in its offering, it’s easy to see why. But there’s more – the area has also won the accolade of the UK’s happiest place to live, thanks, in part, to the strong sense of community and high quality of life enjoyed by its cheerful residents. The market town of Clitheroe sits at the heart of the region, and is known for its specialist shops, open-air market and ancient castle. Pretty surrounding villages include Whalley and Downham. And while it offers a laid-back pace of life, it’s perfectly accessible for commuters – Manchester is an hour’s drive. The Ribble Valley Railway runs to Manchester via Blackburn, Bolton and Salford – and it’s a beautiful route, to boot.

PROPERTIES CLITHEROE, LANCASHIRE

FROM £65,625*

The Brooks

There are farreaching views out over the picturesque Ribble Valley at this development, which is home to a range of two and three bedroom houses. The contemporary properties, available through shared ownership, have been built with modern living in mind, with thoughtful design, downstairs WC, built-in storage space and stylish open-plan kitchen areas that open to private rear gardens. The pretty village of Barrow – a short walk away – provides a range of local amenities, including a supermarket and primary and secondary school. From nearby Whalley station, trains run to Manchester and Blackburn on an hourly basis. plumlife.co.uk *Based on a 35% share of the full market value of £187,500

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THE NORTH

FROM £77,000*

URBAN LIVING Spotlight on: Merseyside With stunning coastline, a World Heritage Site waterfront and a cooler-than-cool city at its centre, Merseyside is a no-brainer for homebuyers seeking a mix of city and slower paced lifestyle. What’s more, residents on Merseyside are some of the friendliest folk in the UK. There are several desirable locales within an easy commute of Liverpool, including New Brighton, Crosby, Waterloo and Prescot. All are attracting young professionals and families – with great options for eating out, family fun and exploring the great outdoors. Beautiful coastal paths and gorgeous countryside are easy to come by. In the city, the Baltic Triangle – just south of the centre – is renowned for the best in new breweries, indie start-ups, cool dining experiences and fashion. The regeneration along the Albert Docks continues, with more new homes and businesses highlighting the area’s thirst for continued growth.

CLITHEROE, LANCASHIRE Montague Place

The market town of Clitheroe is home to this new collection of two and three bedroom houses, which have been created in keeping with the historic location. The beautiful surroundings here are recognised as one of the UK's areas of outstanding natural beauty and are perfect for exploring as a family whatever the weather. Inside, the properties are bright and contemporary, with smart fitted kitchens, tiled bathrooms and downstairs cloakrooms. All homes have allocated parking and turfed back gardens. Equidistant between Manchester and Lancaster, Clitheroe is a perfect commutable location for professionals and families alike. plumlife.co.uk *Based on a 35% share of the full market value of £220,000

FROM £70,000*

FROM £59,980*

RUNCORN, CHESHIRE Bridge View

With the Mersey, great shopping, high street, parks and cinema all within easy reach, these new homes are in a great spot for enjoying the best of the local area. These three and four bedroom properties are bright and spacious, with a separate living room and kitchen downstairs, and an en suite from the main bedroom in the bigger homes. Officially part of Liverpool City Region, Runcorn falls within Cheshire – so city and country life are both easy to enjoy. Liverpool city centre is 20 minutes away by train, while regular services also run to Chester and Crewe. Good road links lie just moments away, for easy access to surrounding sights. onward-living.co.uk *Based on a 40% share of the full market value of £149,950

THORNTON, MERSEYSIDE

FROM £245,000

Sundial Place

RISHTON, LANCASHIRE Spring Gardens

Just south of the Ribble Valley district, this new collection of three bedroom semi-detached homes sits in the heart of Rishton, with views over the canal and with landscaped green spaces and plenty of open countryside on the doorstep. The three bedroom homes here have been created to a high standard, with flexible living spaces, stylish modern kitchens and bathrooms, allocated parking and private gardens. There is an abundance of local sights and amenities to take in, while the buzzing town of Blackburn lies within a 20-minute train journey or 15-minute drive. onward-living.co.uk

This popular development, seven miles north of Liverpool city, has a number of three and four bedroom family homes remaining. The properties are ideal for modern lifestyles, with bright, open-plan living spaces that open to back gardens, as well as a handy downstairs cloakroom. Upstairs, there are en suites from the main bedrooms, while the larger properties also have a separate dressing area, too. The local area has a great deal to offer, with shopping, schools, beaches, city and country close by. Crosby Beach – famed for its vast sandy shores and Anthony Gormley statues – is a short drive away. Liverpool city centre is around 25 minutes by car. barratthomes.co.uk

References re prices: thisismoney.co.uk/money/mortgageshome/article-9445397/Houseprice-growth-Liverpool-outpaces-London-FIVE-times-start-pandemic.html yourmortgage.co.uk/editors-pick/property-price-winners-and-losers/

*Based on a 40% share of the full market value of £175,000

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REAL LIFE

Open market: Camberley, Surrey Despite the many pitfalls of the past two years, many first time buyers have benefited from staying at home, with aspiring homebuyers managing to save an average of nearly £1,086 since March 2020¹. For savvy saver and property sales manager Sofia Dihoiu, 31, the UK lockdowns helped her exceed her saving expectations, in turn leading her to purchase a brand new one bedroom apartment at Berkeley Homes’ Lumina development, in the heart of Camberley, Surrey FA C T F I L E

aving previously rented a four bedroom house in Chiswick, west London, with three of her friends; not going out and doing the things she loved for a year meant Sofia was able to save around £1,500 every month, significantly boosting her savings to buy her very own home. She comments, “I had been saving for about three years before Covid hit. Going into lockdown actually benefited me, as there was no more going out and I didn’t see the point in spending money if I wasn’t going anywhere. The usual things I do went out of the window, like getting my nails and hair done, buying clothes and shopping online, and I was just buying groceries and the basics week by week. This meant that I was able to save a massive £1,500 every month, compared to the £500 I was saving monthly prior to lockdown.” She continues, “This valuable boost to my savings really did help me buy the home of my dreams, not just helping towards the deposit but for everything I needed to furnish it too. At Lumina, every apartment comes with a unique storage space – this is an extra room that is separate to your apartment but still within the building. Mine is located just across the corridor from my apartment, and it is a huge locked space that only I have access to. At the moment, I’m using it as extra storage for my things, but I’m planning on turning it into my very own walk-in wardrobe with shelving and a shoe cupboard – I can’t wait!” After finding she had enough money to buy her own home, Sofia started her property search in Hertfordshire before finding Lumina. She said, “I was initially looking in areas around west London and Hertfordshire such as Hemel Hempstead but I found those areas quite expensive, and the quality of homes wasn’t that great. I was then browsing homes in Chertsey and the surrounding areas, and came across Lumina. I thought that as Berkeley build such high-quality homes, any property by them would be out of my price range,

Property: One bedroom apartment Monthly mortgage payment: Approximately £600 Deposit: 25%

“THIS VALUABLE BOOST TO MY SAVINGS REALLY DID HELP ME BUY THE HOME OF MY DREAMS, NOT JUST HELPING TOWARDS THE DEPOSIT BUT FOR EVERYTHING I NEEDED TO FURNISH IT TOO” but a friend encouraged me to have a look anyway. I went for a viewing and after speaking to the sales team found that I could afford one of the apartments. I was over the moon!” She continues, “One of the biggest factors for me when choosing a home was parking, and having the convenience of travelling into London. My apartment came with a dedicated parking space included, so that was a big draw for me. As I work in London and drive in every day, it was really important for me to find somewhere wellconnected, with good road and rail links into London. “Camberley is easily accessible from the motorway, and the train station is actually right across the road from Lumina! Although I don’t use the train as much myself, it is really handy when my friends and family want to come and visit.” Like every resident at Lumina, Sofia has access to a number of exclusive residents’ facilities within the development. She adds, “I really enjoy working out, so the fact that I have a gym literally on my doorstep that I can use as and when I want to, is amazing.

The communal gardens are also a lovely place to do a walking lap, do some circuit training outside in the summer months, or just sit and take a moment to yourself. I also love that we have a cinema room that we can use; it’s such a great place to take family or friends when they come over, and just spend some quality time together watching a movie.” Sofia concludes, “I was initially trying to decide between two apartments and was nervous about making the right decision; but the sales team helped guide me to choose the property that would suit me best. I really love the specification and attention to detail that Berkeley takes when building homes; it’s just been such a smooth, fantastic experience and I’m so grateful.” Prices at Lumina currently start at £225,000. For more information on the development, please visit berkeleygroup.co.uk/developments/surrey/ camberley/lumina or call 01276 819 526 1 nationwidemediacentre.co.uk/news/lockdown-saversput-away-average-of-gbp-1-085-as-pandemic-forces-mindsetchange

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FOR SALE

FOR SALE THE CREAM OF THE CROP Each month, FTB scours the market for the best starter homes for first time buyers. So, if you’re looking for your perfect starter home on a budget or a pad with impressive vistas, we hope you will enjoy our selection.

REAL LIFE

Open market p68 WA L T H A M S T O W , E A S T L O N D O N

HOIC FIRST C

URBAN

SPACE GREEN ★★★ Affordable homes p70-71

WINCHESTER, HAMPSHIRE

HOIC FIRST C

HISTORIC

S VI★S★TA ★

Rooms with a view p72-73

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FOR SALE

AFFORDABLE HOMES FROM £86,250*

WA L T H A M S T O W, E A S T L O N D O N

HOIC FIRST C

URBAN CE GREEN★ ★S★PA

Blackhorse View The new one and two bedroom properties at Blackhorse View couldn’t be better located for commuters with a love of green space, as Walthamstow’s vast wetlands are located immediately next door – for wildlife spotting and a distinctly country feel. The homes sit opposite Blackhorse View station, in Zone 3, for trains to King’s Cross in 13 minutes. The apartments are stylish and contemporary, with private balcony space, openplan living areas and sleek, fitted kitchens. Walthamstow’s centre and popular Village Square are found easily on foot for everyday essentials and all things foodie. L&Q 020 8189 7503 lqhomes.com *Based on a 25% share of the full market value of £345,000

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FOR SALE DEPTFORD, SOUTH LONDON

FROM £123,750* TOOTING, SOUTH LONDON

FROM £110,000*

Deptford Landings The best of south London – and the capital beyond – lie within a short distance of these beautiful new homes. Bustling Deptford is home to great bars, cafes and community projects, while Greenwich, Peckham, Brixton and the Docklands are all a short bus, train ride or cycle away. The two, three and four bedroom

apartments here also enjoy plenty of green space – they are built around shared communal areas, which include a park and water feature. All this with the Thames less than a few minutes’ walk away – London living at its best. L&Q 0333 999 7836 lqhomes.com

*Based on a 25% share of the full market value of £495,000

S I D C U P, K E N T

FROM £TBC*

Bakers Yard Convenience is king at this boutique collection of homes located in the heart of Tooting. With the high street a mere stone’s throw from the front door, along with the choice of two tube stations and sprawling Tooting Common all within a few minutes’ walk, residents will not have to travel far to find all they

need. The one and two bedroom apartments feature modern styling, with open-plan living areas that open on to a private patio or balcony, and en suite bathrooms in the larger properties. Octavia Living 020 8354 5500 sharetobuy.com/ properties/162477

*Based on a 25% share of the full market value of £440,000

HOVE, EAST SUSSEX

FROM £TBC

Hillcross Place Hillcross Place enjoys a prominent location, just a few minutes from Sidcup’s high street and just over a mile from the well-connected railway station. The one and two bedroom apartments are bright and spacious, with open-plan living areas that open to private outdoor areas. Off-street parking spaces are available, along with

electric charging points. Sidcup is on the borders of south London and Kent, so central London is a short commute, while Kent’s beautiful rolling countryside, picturesque towns and striking coastline are easily accessible. Shanly Homes 01372 225 007 shanlyhomes.com *40% Help to Buy will be available

Amberdown This new development from Hyde New Homes will be launching soon and offers a selection of and one and two bedroom apartments and three bedroom houses through shared ownership. Homes come with contemporary kitchens with modern, integrated appliances, quality flooring, ample outside space and built-in

in wardrobes to selected homes. For commuters Amberdown enjoys good connectivity to London with Portslade, Aldrington and Hove train stations nearby. Families will benefit from its location too being just a 20-minute walk to the beach. Hyde New Homes 0345 606 1221 hydenewhomes.co.uk

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FOR SALE

ROOMS WITH A VIEW WINCHESTER, HAMPSHIRE

HOIC FIRST C

FROM £315,000

HISTORIC VISTAS ★★★

Knights Quarter The mediaeval city of Winchester in Hampshire has become somewhat of a property hotspot, loved for its vibrant centre, proximity to the South Downs and excellent rail links to Southampton, Guildford and London beyond. This new collection of one, two and three bedroom apartments, and four and five bedroom townhouses, is located in an elevated position, with views over the local area, which includes the historic cathedral. The homes sit within landscaped gardens, while residents have access to an on-site gym and concierge service. The railway station is just a short walk away. Day at the beach? Bournemouth and Portsmouth are reached quickly by train or car. Berkeley 01962 679 000 berkeleygroup.co.uk

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FOR SALE FROM £290,000

BICESTER, OXFORDSHIRE

NOTTINGHAM, EAST MIDLANDS

FROM £290,000

Heyford Fields at Heyford Park Set in 1,200 acres of land, this development makes the most of its setting in the heart of the Oxfordshire countryside. This phase will create a new neighbourhood within the Heyford Park area – which, along with homes, will see a new village centre, schools, leisure centre and hotel created. The two, three and

four bedroom homes have been built in a variety of architectural styles, all of which are in keeping with their pretty surrounds. Bicester is nearby, or a 40-minute drive takes you to Oxford, Banbury, Milton Keynes or the Cotswolds. Dorchester Living 01869 238 238 heyfordpark.co.uk

FROM £67,500*

MALDON, ESSEX

The Yacht Club Occupying a tranquil spot on the banks of the River Trent, this development is a hit with homebuyers. The south-facing apartments have views over the waterways, while The Hook – a vast nature reserve – is just over the river. The two and three bedroom properties are spacious, with lots of natural light, and two

bedrooms with en suites, while large open-plan living areas lead to a private balcony. The natural surroundings provide a peaceful setting, while Nottingham city centre, for shopping, dining and train travel, is 20 minutes on foot. KMRE Group 0115 841 1155 fhpliving.co.uk

FROM £TBC*

H A R R O W, N O R T H W E S T L O N D O N

Limebrook Walk A new phase of shared ownership homes has just launched at this popular new development nestled close to the River Blackwater in Maldon. The new properties range from two bedroom apartments to two and three bedroom semi-detached houses, all created to the highest of standards. The location is ideal

for commuters and those seeking a slice of country life – beautiful open spaces, parks and coastline lie just moments away, while from North Fambridge railway station, trains reach London Liverpool Street in just under an hour. Peabody 020 7021 4842 peabodysales.co.uk

*Based on a 30% share of the full market value of £225,000

Elmgrove Road There are just 20 new one and two bedroom apartments available at this development in Harrow. The leafy north west London borough is home to shopping centres, beautiful parks and historic Harrow on the Hill – all within walking distance. The properties are generously proportioned, with bright open-plan living areas and

private balconies. Commuters have a choice of mainline, Overground and tube trains, and can reach central London in 40 minutes from Harrow & Wealdstone or Harrowon-the-Hill stations. Octavia Living sharetobuy.com/ properties/156106 *Shared ownership available

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COMPETITION

Taste of Home!

WIN! AB

UN KITCH DLE OF N EW EN ES FROM SENTIALS WOR ADDIS TH £1 00

Inventor of the toothbrush, Addis – a Great British brand – has been established for 240 years and specialises in designing cleaning, home organisation and storage product solutions. Its new range of must-have essentials for the kitchen will make whipping up a meal a doddle! We all spend time in the kitchen preparing and cooking meals for family and friends, and to make life easy, Addis has all the essentials for baking, cooking and quick-fire easy food preparation in minutes. Plus, the new microwave range comes with some gorgeous recipe ideas for you to try out, all prepped and served in an instant – perfect for a quick mid-week lunch while on the go or working from home. The microwave range includes: a four-arm potato baker for whipping up a perfectly fluffy jacket potato in minutes, an egg maker to cook poached eggs just the way you like them and a microwave jug with lid for warming up foods that comes without the hassle of having to clear up a baked bean explosion, courtesy of a built-in air vent in the lid, to allow for even heat distribution. Plus, Addis is also adding in a complete bundle of its NEW kitchen gadgets including an innovative new folding chopping board and strainer specially designed to chop and take to the pot with ease. With a simple squeeze of the handle to fold the board,

a chute is created to take from a chop to a pot instantly! There's a spatula which features an antiscratch head with serrated edge for easy cutting and separating, while the spoon and ladle also feature a handy portion measurer for managing portion control. The whisk is wide and teardrop in shape – ideal for mixing in large bowls, and the accompanying slotted masher is perfect for creating a smooth mash of potatoes or soft vegetables every time. Finally, the 2-in-1 bowl and strainer is a multi-function bowl with an integrated colander. Rinse, drain, mix and serve food in one bowl. Ideal for rinsing and draining fruits, vegetables and rice and for preparing food mixes. addis.co.uk

HOW TO ENTER Answer the following question:

What did Addis invent? Send your answer with your full name, address and telephone number to: lynda@firsttimebuyermag co.uk Closing date: 12 January 2022

THE PRIZE… FOUR LUCKY WINNERS WILL WIN A BUNDLE OF NEW KITCHEN ESSENTIALS WORTH £100. T&Cs • The prize is non-transferable and no cash alternatives will be given. Competition is open to UK residents only.

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FIRST MEAL

FIRST HOME, FIRST MEAL Run into Christmas as fast as you can with this wonderful winter gingerbread man brownie recipe from Lakeland. This winter warmer recipe of gooey brownies is seasonally spiced and oh-so-nice! The gingerbread traybake is easy to follow with the added Christmas sparkle created using the Decora gingerbread man cutter

GINGERBREAD MAN BROWNIE

METHOD 1

INGREDIENTS 2 For the brownie  200g butter, cut into pieces  300g dark chocolate (preferably 70% cocoa solids), broken into pieces  120g plain flour  Pinch of salt  1 tsp baking powder  2 tsp ground ginger  3 large eggs  200g soft dark brown sugar  40g stem ginger in syrup, chopped To top  70g icing sugar  5 tsp ginger syrup  Thinly sliced or diced stem ginger in syrup For the gingerbread men  Ready to roll icing (brown or your colour of choice)

Preheat the oven to 180°C/Gas 4. Line the base of your brownie tray tin with baking parchment. To make the brownies, put the butter and chocolate into a non-stick saucepan and heat very gently, stirring often. Remove from the heat before fully melted, so that the mixture doesn’t become too hot. Set aside to cool slightly, stirring occasionally, until smooth. Meanwhile, sift the flour, salt, baking powder and ground ginger together. Whisk the eggs and sugar together in a large bowl with a handheld electric mixer for two minutes on the high setting. Stir in the melted mixture, then gently fold in the flour mixture and chopped ginger. Transfer to the tin and bake for 30-35 minutes. Cool in the tin on a wire rack. For the topping, mix together the icing sugar and ginger syrup. Drizzle over the brownies and decorate with pieces of ginger. Cut into 20 squares. For the gingerbread men, roll out the ready-to-roll icing, stamp out as many gingerbread men as you like using the Lakeland gingerbread man cutter, then carefully transfer to the brownie. Enjoy!

Tip: You could use lemon juice to make the icing. If you’re using stem ginger in syrup, just use the syrup from the jar.

DECORA GINGERBREAD MAN & HOUSE CUTTER SET Finish your brownie with the help of this Decora gingerbread man & house cutter set. Perfect for creating sweet treats for gifting or sharing with family and friends. Easy to wash, this delightful duo of cutters makes it so easy to rustle up a few quick gingerbread men and a village of houses to accommodate them. £4.99, Lakeland lakeland.co.uk

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TRIED AND TESTED

FTB’S FAST FOOD

G BEST BOXIN G IN D D U P Y DA

The festive season is a time for gifts, seeing family, Christmas trees and Father Christmas. But, for many people, the most important part of Christmas is definitely the food and drink. It seems that the selection of Christmas food and drink is becoming ever more puzzling, with so much variety on offer. FTB has tried and tested the premium selections from the UK’s top supermarkets to make sure that you choose the very best and ensure that this Christmas is a real cracker TESCO

Although probably created with children in mind, this

BEST CANAP

finest* rainbow Gyoza selection; £4

M&S

Percy Pig Pigloo; £15

pudding will have the whole family coming back for

This selection of gyozas isn't exactly a traditional

a second piece. A gloriously moist cake made with

Christmas canape, but these are a real must if you want

Madeira sponge, Percy Pig sweet-flavour buttercream and

to put a smile on your guests' faces. Not only do they

fruity jam, it has some surprise piggy goodies inside the

look the part, with a fantastic array of different colours,

edible smash dome in the form of Percy Pig sweets, small

but the taste is just as good, with a variety of tasty fillings

fudge pieces and mini marshmallows. What more could

including vegetable, prawns and chicken. The range

you ask for? The Percy Pig phenomenon doesn’t seem to

of different textures also works really well, with more

be slowing down any time soon!

traditional softer options as well as some battered ones. It really does not matter which one of these delicious

BEST TU

morsels you go for – you won’t be disappointed.

RKEY

LAKELAND

BEST CHRISTMAS CRACKERS

6 Lakeland Gingerbread Bowling Crackers; £19.99 These festive Gingerbread Bowling Christmas crackers

are the perfect addition to your Yuletide dinner table. Each candy cane-festooned cracker contains an adorable wooden gingerbread person bowling pin, as well as the usual hat, joke, and snap, so you can play a bit of festive bowling between courses. The set includes a stripy bowling alley, felt board and a red and white bowling ball. So once you’ve pulled your crackers, set up the six pins at one end of the board and then get ready to score a strike! TESCO

finest* Medium British free-range Narragansett turkey; between £40-£52.50

TESCO

finest* Premier Cru Brut Champagne; £21

BEST CH

Roast turkey is the centrepiece of any festive

AMPAG

dinner table. There’s nothing worse than a dry and

If you want to get the

flavourless turkey, especially when it’s the one thing

party started, nothing works better than

you’ve been looking forward to all December, but this

a great bottle of bubbly and Tesco’s Cru Brut

one from Tesco will not disappoint. Reared in East

Champagne will do the trick nicely. A crisp and

Anglia, these turkeys have freedom to roam and forage

dry Champagne, with flavours of citrus, green

in lush, enriched pastures, expressing natural behaviour

apple and brioche, it has been aged extra-long

as they would do in the wild. Traditional farming

in the bottle. Great served with canapes or by

methods, their environment and a varied, nutritious diet,

itself, you are sure to enjoy a glass or two as

make the meat full flavoured and naturally self-basting,

you celebrate the most wonderful time of the

BEST PR

OSECCO

so it stays

TESCO

SAINSBURY’S

finest* Prosecco Doc; £8

5 Yule pups; £2.20

Christmas time and some fabulous festive fizz seems

Even a cup of tea at Christmas time needs a

to go hand-in-hand. This excellent prosecco is elegant

tasty chocolate treat to go with it. These yule

and smooth, with a lingering finish, full of citrus and

pups continue the nation’s craze for man’s best

pear flavours with peach blossom aromas. A glass on

friend, with rolls made from a light chocolate

its own works as a great party sipper, but this prosecco

sponge cake rolled in an indulgent vanilla filling

really comes to life when paired with a salmon starter or

and covered with a smooth milk chocolate. The jolly

canape where the flavours match up superbly. These are

pups are then decorated with festive sprinkles and a

great value bubbles that taste a lot more expensive than

sweet little dog face to add cheer to your Christmas

the price suggests.

spread. Almost too cute to eat!

wonderfully succulent as it cooks.

year this Christmas with your friends and family.

REAT

ME T

EATI EST T

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TRIED AND TESTED TESCO

finest* Christmas Dinner for Two; £35

BEST TURKEY DINNER

Take the stress out of Christmas

BEST CH RISTM PUDDIN AS G

dinner. This deal provides everything you need for a full festive feast: tender turkey breast wrapped in bacon, roast potatoes, pigs in blankets, Yorkshire puddings, roasted carrots and parsnips with thyme, broccoli, cauliflower and sprouts, sage and onion stuffing, plus rich turkey gravy and a sweet cranberry sauce. For dessert, enjoy cider and Courvoisier VS Cognac Christmas puddings served with

MORRISONS

brandy sauce. This all comes with Tesco finest*

The Best Christmas Pudding; £5

Premier Cru Non-Vintage Champagne and

What is Christmas without the Christmas pudding? This best

Christmas crackers.

Christmas pudding from Morrisons is made with Turkish sultanas, Vostizza currants, flame raisins, brandy-soaked cherries and nuts,

MORRISONS

The Best Vegan Vegetable Wellington; £5

enriched with ruby port, sherry and Cognac. It has that lovely

BEST VE GAN OPTION

traditional Christmas pudding flavour while being perfectly moist, full of lovely fruit and also having a wonderful boozy hit to it. Add

This is Christmas wrapped

a nice big dollop of brandy butter or cream and you may well find

up in a lovely little parcel. Vegetables

that one piece just isn’t quite enough.

and butternut squash, hand wrapped in a cranberry, apricot and chestnut duxelles with a

ED BEST SMOK SALMON

wholegrain mustard melt and encased in crisp golden puff pastry. This Wellington has lots of different textures with the outer layer being very crispy while the filling inside is wonderfully moist. The butternut squash also adds a lovely sweetness. The perfect vegetarian or vegan option this Christmas.

BEST PA

WAITROSE

NETTON

Baking Camembert with Garlic Doughball Wreath; £6.50

BEST CH

EESE CO-OP

Good food tastes even better when

Irresistible Beech Oak Smoked Salmon; £4

shared with friends.

For many, smoked salmon is a must at Christmas time and this one

This rich baking

from the Co-Op is an excellent choice. The salmon is responsibly

Camembert is

sourced from Scotland and delicately smoked and matured over

MORRISONS

wonderful when

beech and oak for 10 hours to give it that unmistakable smoky

The Best Chocolate Orange and Mascarpone Cream Panettone; £7

the tear and share doughball wreath, glazed with

taste. Great to use in canapes with a splash of lemon juice drizzled

olive oil, parsley and garlic, is dipped into it. A caramelised

over the top, or perhaps alongside soft scrambled eggs and a glass

red onion and sherry vinegar chutney adds even more flavour

of Champagne on Christmas morning.

The Panettone is making its way

to this great eating experience. The wreath looks almost too

on to more and more Christmas

perfect to tear, but once you have tasted it, however, you may

M&S

tea tables every year, and this

be fighting your guests for that last doughball.

Decorate Your Own Cheese Christmas tree; £8

offering is one of the best. Made at a second-generation family run

TESCO

bakery in the Piedmont region

finest* Free From Honeycomb Dome; £6

of northern Italy, and baked to a traditional recipe with butter, free-

We all love decorating the Christmas tree and now you can do it all with a cheesy

range egg, sultanas and orange

A dessert that looks

twist. This great idea from

peel, this excellent Panettone also

incredible but also

M&S gives you a Christmas

contains a mother dough which

has some hidden

tree-shaped twisted butter-

has been nurtured since 1964,

secrets just waiting

enriched puff pastry with

to be revealed

a cheesy filling for you to

and is naturally cooled by being hung upside down. It is made with milk chocolate chunks, injected with a mascarpone and orange liqueur cream, topped with a

EE ST FR

FROM

inside! This is a Belgian dark chocolate dome with crunchy

honeycomb pieces and gluten-free biscuit, drizzled by hand with chocolate and gold lustre. Break

BEST SHARER

decorate at home with Cheddar and mozzarella, basil pesto and red sweety drop peppers. It’s a little

layer of bittersweet chocolate and

through the decadent dark Belgian chocolate dome to reveal

like making your own Christmas pizza and no matter how your

decorated with toasted almond

the crunchy toffee-coloured honeycomb and chocolate biscuit

creation looks, it is sure to be delicious. The red sweety drop pepper

slices and chocolate pieces. What’s

inside. This tastes divine, while also being free from milk,

baubles really are the star of the show! Put it in the oven for just 10

not to like?

wheat, gluten and egg.

minutes and you’re ready to go.

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LEGAL

The conveyancing process Lesley Price FCILEx of CGM Hampshire Limited breaks down the homebuying process into simple steps so you know what to expect from the process CHOOSE YOUR SOLICITOR Once you have submitted your offer or reserved your plot then you will be asked to choose a solicitor. Prices and service styles can vary. Some will offer a more traditional face-to-face service and some will be online-based so make sure you shop around and find the right fit and price for you.

INSTRUCTIONS AND IDENTITY VERIFICATION Your chosen solicitor will send you an initial pack which you will need to fill out and return and you will be asked to make a payment on account for searches. You will need to provide them with identity documentation and information as to where the money you are using to buy the property is coming from. Make sure all buyers and anyone gifting you money has current photographic ID such as an in-date passport or photocard driving licence and that you have original paper copies of bank statements or utility bills that are under three months old.

MEMORANDUM OF SALE/ RESERVATION AGREEMENT The estate agent, developer or housing association will send a Memorandum of Sale with details of the property, any terms or deadlines that have been agreed and their solicitor’s contact details. This should be sent to both you and your solicitor so they can contact the seller’s solicitor and confirm they are acting for you.

CONTRACTS AND PROPERTY INFORMATION The seller’s solicitor will send your solicitor a Contract Pack which will include a draft version of the contract and seller’s information forms. In the legal pack there will be a plan of the property so your solicitor can order your searches.

ENQUIRIES These are legal questions your solicitor will raise about the property. You can also then let them know if you have any specific questions to raise. Remember, your solicitor

will not have visited the property so don’t assume they may spot things you noticed during your viewing. Make a list on any questions you have and pass these to your solicitor as they can check these against the information the seller has provided

MORTGAGE OFFER Your lender will send you a copy of your offer and a separate copy to your solicitor which will set out your mortgage terms and any matters they want your solicitor to confirm. The offer will usually have conditions in it which your legal adviser will need to check against the legal paperwork and source of funds information you have supplied to make sure these can be complied with. Bear in mind that if anyone is giving you a gift then they will have to provide identity documents and proof of where those funds came from to. So, make sure when you look to start your purchase they are available to sign any forms they need to and happy to provide their statements and ID.

TITLE REPORT When all the above has been done, your

solicitor then sends you an overall report on your property. This will include anything they feel you will need to know about the property before proceeding. If you are happy with the report, all your questions have been answered, all signed documents are in and your deposit has been received, your solicitor will do a final file review to make sure they are ready to exchange contracts.

EXCHANGE When all the above steps are satisfied your solicitor can formally exchange contracts. If you are currently in rented accommodation be mindful of your notice period. You should never give notice until contracts are exchanged and your moving date is fixed.

COMPLETION This is the final stage and the day that you will receive the keys and move into your new home. For specialist new build and shared ownership purchase advice email us at enquiries@c-g-m.co.uk or visit our website c-g-m.co.uk

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FINANCE

Buying a shared ownership home Buying your first home can be a massive step, and too often involves stress and uncertainty. However, with proper planning and the right advice, it should be reasonably pain free. So, here are some handy tips to help you get on the housing ladder 1. SORT YOUR FINANCES Work out exactly what you can afford and what your likely outgoings will be. We’ve developed a simple online financial assessment which will give you a result in under 24 hours – you can find out more at portal.censeo-financial.com. Making use of this will save you time down the line, because if you pass, you will receive an assessment certificate which can be shared with the organisation looking to sell you a home. Censeo Financial also has a quick and easy financial calculator app for shared ownership available on Android or Apple which can give you an outline of what you can or cannot afford to buy – given your current financial circumstances.

For over 14 years, Censeo Financial has been providing an exemplary service to both our housing association and developer clients and our customers. We were set up purely as a mortgage provider specialising in providing homes to first time buyers and since then we have become a recognisable, trusted and award-winning brand. Since 2007 we have helped over 25,000 people with affordability assessments and around 6,000 people to purchase a property through shared ownership.

2. GET PROPER FINANCIAL ADVICE Buying a shared ownership property is different from buying somewhere outright. Therefore, we always recommend that you seek help from a professional mortgage adviser firm such as Censeo Financial, which specialises in this sector. It could well save you time and money in the long run. Censeo has a team of full-time professional advisers with an in-depth knowledge of shared ownership. We also have strong relationships with all of the lenders operating in this sector – we even have our own exclusive deals. Plus, we have a long track record of working with all the leading housing associations and developers in the affordable housing sector.

3. APPOINT A DECENT SOLICITOR Solicitors play a significant role in the whole process of buying a property. From making sure you have everything necessary to help you buy your home quickly, to checking the lease and speaking to both your mortgage broker and the solicitors acting for the housing association or developer.

In addition, they will also carry out searches, as well as ensuring the developer has all the correct legal documentation for the scheme it is selling. Ultimately, your solicitor will need to check that all the paperwork and your mortgage are in place to allow you to purchase your new home. A lot of time will be spent liaising with all the different parties – that is why it is so important to choose a good, efficient lawyer with knowledge of shared ownership. Censeo has a panel of law firms that we work with. You are under no obligation to select one of these conveyancing lawyers, but they do all have significant experience in this sector which should speed up the sales process.

4. BE PATIENT From reserving your property to completing usually takes around six weeks but can take anything up to 12 weeks, depending on

how quickly your chosen property is made available for completion.

5. BE PREPARED Work backwards from your expected completion day. Think about sorting out your change of address, do your homework on the best utility and insurance companies to use and of course book the removal van!

6. PLAN FOR THE FUTURE Buying your first home isn’t the end of the process though, as at the end of two years (or five years, depending on the mortgage you took out) you’ll have the option of either remortgaging or staircasing (where you can decide to buy a larger share in your home). With both of these scenarios, it is a good idea to seek advice from a qualified mortgage adviser. censeo-financial.com

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FINANCE

Pile on the ££££££s

EXPERT COMMENT With so many savings products on the market, it can be difficult to know which ones will suit your needs the best and what you should consider before making a decision. It’s important to understand what you’re signing up for, so before you start saving, check out your provider’s small-print or key facts document,

It’s coming up to that time of year when we all promise ourselves a New Year makeover – to drink less beer and eat more vegetables, spend more time at the gym and less at the takeaway. This year, for a change, why not focus on your financial health? Kay Hill offers a 10-step plan to pile on the pounds next year!

which should tell you about your rights for cancelling the product and any associated charges that may apply. It’s easy to get embroiled in the latest financial craze or follow in the footsteps of what family or friends are doing, but what’s right for them is almost certainly not right for you. Setting personal goals and objectives puts you in charge of your own financial destiny and you’ll feel

REVIEW YOUR FINANCIAL HEALTH As with any self-improvement resolution, you need to know what you are dealing with before you can make sensible decisions – it’s no use going on a diet if you don’t know your weight or BMI! So, the first job is to work out exactly where you are right at this moment in time. Gather together your current account statements, check the balances in all your savings accounts and ISAs, make a note of the current value of any shares or investments and look at what you owe on credit cards, store cards, loans or overdrafts, plus any tax owed if you are self-employed. Ideally, put all these figures on a spreadsheet or in a notebook so you can revisit it regularly over the year and see if things are getting better or worse.

FOCUS ON THE DEBTS Now take a good look at the debts you have,

and find out the interest rate you are paying on each. There are some things like student loans that are not usually worth paying off (as they are eventually written off), and interest-free loans for furniture that won’t save you anything by repaying, but others, such as credit card debts, could be racking up 30% interest a year! In addition, reducing your debts will help you pass affordability checks when you look for a mortgage. In general, if you have savings, and they are earning less interest than the rate you are paying on your debts (in the current climate you can take that as a definite), then try to repay what you owe, while holding some back for emergencies.

confident and secure in the savings decisions you’ll have made. Setting short-term, mid-term and long-term financial goals is an important step towards becoming financially secure. If you’re looking to purchase your first home in 12 months’ time, your money will need to be easily accessible and not put into a highrisk investment. For a cash-based product, such as an ISA, make sure you research which provider is offering the best interest rate and at a fixed return.

Will Lenehan,

LOOK AT YOUR OUTGOINGS

Financial

Next turn to your current account. If you’ve ever got to the end of the month and wondered where the money goes, this is the opportunity to find out! Firstly, check to see if there is anything on there that shouldn’t

OpenMoney

Adviser,

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FINANCE be – subscriptions you’ve forgotten about, duplicate insurance policies and so on. Then weigh up carefully the regular payments you do have – do you actually go to the gym you’re paying for, watch the Sky or Netflix subscription, read the magazine?

bonus, so that’s potentially £1,000 of free cash each year towards your deposit, as well as tax-free interest. The best paying LISA at the time of writing was Moneybox, paying 0.6%.

CUT YOUR BILLS

After that, depending on your timescale, you could look at fixed rate accounts - Zopa, for example, pays 1.35% if you can lock away £1,000 upwards for a year, or 1.61% if you take a two-year fix. If you plan to buy sooner then you could consider a notice account – Secure Bank Trust pays 1.1% if you can give 120 days’ notice; a regular saving account with an early withdrawal option – Coventry Building Society will pay you 1.05% if you commit to a regular deposit of up to £500 a month; or stick to instant access – at the time of writing, Shawbrook Bank was offering 0.67%. You might also consider changing your current account to one that pays interest (Nationwide FlexDirect pays 2% interest on up to £1,500), or one that allows you a highinterest savings account (RBS and NatWest customers, for example, can save £50 each month into a linked account paying 3.04%).

When you’ve pruned anything you are paying for that you don’t use, see if you can cut the price of the ones you do. If you are renting and pay your energy bills direct to the supplier, did you know that you can change suppliers? Even if you are on pre-payment meters you may be able to move to a cheaper deal. Broadband, mobile phone and TV subscriptions have generally become cheaper in recent years, so consider changing supplier or ringing up to negotiate a cheaper tariff. Make a note in your diary to shop around when annual policies like contents insurance, pet insurance and car insurance are due.

WATCH THE PENNIES Sometimes small savings can add up, so as well as looking at the big items in your monthly spending, consider whether you can make small but regular savings – cycle instead of using the tube or car, make your own coffee and lunch, try own-brand products on your weekly shop, cook at home more. In the words of one supermarket – every little helps!

MAKE A PLAN When you have your outgoings under control, you should be in a good position to set some realistic goals for the future. Work out a budget (a spreadsheet could come in handy – you can find a downloadable or printable spreadsheet, plus some really useful advice on making a budget, at moneysavingexpert.com/banking/budgetplanning/). When you have factored in all the necessary spending for the year, along with things like Christmas and birthday celebrations, you will have a good idea of how much you can save each week or month while still having enough for the occasional treat or unexpected cost.

OPEN A LISA When you’ve worked out how much you can save, think carefully about how best to do it. First of all, open a Lifetime ISA (LISA) if you haven’t done so already and if your purchase is at least a year away. These are individual savings accounts, so if you are buying with a partner make sure they open one too. Each person can save up to £4,000 a year and the Government will add a 25%

OPTIMISE SAVINGS

EXPERT COMMENT For first time buyers, saving for a deposit can feel like an impossible task; but getting your finances in order takes you a step closer to your dream home. It is extremely important to get on top of your outgoings. Look at what you have coming in versus going out – and

BOOST YOUR EARNINGS

set a budget. While you may be

There are lots of ways to make a little bit extra, and the Government allows you to make up to £1,000 trading income each year without paying tax on it. So, for example, you could make things to sell on Etsy, do babysitting or dog walking, mow lawns and so on without being bothered by the tax man. Selling secondhand items that you have previously owned and used yourself never attracts tax, so if you have a wardrobe full of unwanted clothes or a loft full of vintage childhood toys, selling via eBay, Depop etc can give your savings a tax-free boost.

to head out for dinner and spend

feeling the pressure from friends money, why not look at areas you can pull back on? Make an effort to stay in more and see if there are perhaps any subscriptions you could pull the plug on – even temporarily. By sticking to a budget, you will be much more likely to be able to put some money in savings each month. Consider moving a proportion of your money into a savings account as soon as you get paid – it’s much easier to stick to a budget when you know how much money you

MAKE A WILL

have remaining. Plus, that way the

Yes, we know you don’t want to think about it, but making a Will enables you to make sure that your savings end up with the right person if the worst happens. If you are not married to your partner, for example, and you die without leaving a Will, the money will go to your parents, not to your partner. We would recommend seeing a solicitor (expect to pay upwards of £100), but at the very least use a Will writer (from £50) or, as a last resort if your affairs are extremely straightforward and you read the instructions carefully, buy or download a Will template, fill it in and make sure it is properly witnessed. If you get married or enter a civil partnership it automatically invalidates a previous Will, but divorce does not, so make sure to update it as your circumstances change.

more than if you were to move it

chances are you’ll end up saving over at the end of the month. A great way to kick off your savings journey is to open a Lifetime ISA (LISA) – you can save up to £4,000 per year, to which the Government adds a 25% bonus at the end of each tax year. This will help you get that bit closer to your financial goal.

Jo Winston, Sales Director, St. Modwen Homes

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MARKET

Could building your own home get you on to the property ladder? New Government initiatives will soon make it easier to build your own home. Ginetta Vedrickas looks at what is being proposed, including Help to Build GOVERNMENT REVIEW INTO SELF-BUILD HOMES The closest most of us get to imagining our own personally designed dream home is by watching TV’s Grand Designs. But self-build may soon be a more accessible option thanks to last summer’s publication of the Government’s review into self-build and custom self-build homes. House: How Putting Customers in Charge Can Change Everything was initially commissioned by Boris Johnson. The prime minister requested the review with the intention that this way of building could help ease the housing shortage and give people the kind of homes they wanted to live in, as he explained, “Self-build and custom housebuilding can play a crucial role in increasing choice for consumers and ensuring people can live in the homes that they want, and that are designed to meet their needs.” Currently around 13,000 properties per year are constructed through the selfbuild route, but MP Richard Bacon, the minister in charge of the review, believes that this figure could be boosted to around 40,000 per year by putting customers at the heart of the process. The review contained many suggestions of how ordinary people could go about constructing their dream home and, throughout, Bacon is adamant that building your own home – whether though custom or self-build – should be as straightforward as buying a new car. But, he says, “In practice, most customers have very little say. Indeed, for the very item on which customers spend the largest proportion of their incomes – their homes – they hold the least consumer power.”

DEFINITION OF SELF-BUILD AND CUSTOM BUILD Self-build projects are typically “one-offs” where an individual buys their own land and then directly organises the design and construction of their own home. This

can cover a wide range of projects from a traditional DIY self-build home to projects where the self-builder employs someone to build their home for them. Custom self-build homes are where you work with a developer – as an individual or a group – to help deliver your own home. The developer may help you find a plot, manage the construction, and even arrange the finance for your new home. This is more of a hands-off approach, but your home will still be tailored to match your individual requirements.

DIFFICULTIES FACING SELF-BUILDERS According to research by the National Custom and Self Build Association, NaCSBA, which formed part of the review’s task force, around one in three UK adults have ambitions to build their own home, with younger recipients the most enthusiastic – 48% of 18-24-year-olds and 45% of 25-34-year-olds expressed an interest in self-build. But 59% of all respondents said that finding the money to fund the project was their biggest barrier. In 2020, the average cost of a self or custom build home in the UK was £460,000 with £190,000 of that accounting for land and the rest for the build itself. When the review was published, former housing secretary Robert Jenrick expressed his intention to make building your own home a “mainstream,

realistic and affordable option for people” right across the UK.

A GREATER ROLE FOR HOMES ENGLAND Among the review’s recommendations was the idea that Government department Homes England should play a greater role by creating a new “custom and self-build housing delivery unit”. The intention is that this unit will help to create serviced building plots on small and large sites and help support the delivery of custom and self-build housing throughout the country.

RAISE AWARENESS OF THE RIGHT TO BUILD The review called for a greater awareness of the right to build your own home, with the intention that the Government, again through Homes England, should work in partnership with the custom and self-build industry by creating a custom and selfbuild housing “show park” to showcase self-build projects. The review also called for existing legislation to be strengthened with a call for the wider

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MARKET

publicity of “self-build and custom housebuilding registers” (all local authorities are legally obliged to hold registers where individuals seeking sites can register their intention) and the sharing of key data between landowners and people on registers.

meet the Government’s net-zero housing ambitions (homes that produce as much energy as they use).

MORE SUPPORT FOR COMMUNITYLED HOUSING

Recognising that planning consent can often be a barrier to self-build projects, the review called for the Government to make sure that the planning reforms in its White Paper Planning for the Future maximise opportunities for access to land which has permission for custom self-build homes.

The review called for “diversity of supply and levelling up” by reigniting what it described as its former “successful Community Housing Fund”; and creating accessible opportunities for communities to help themselves.

NEW £4M COMMUNITY HOUSING FUND Following the review, the Government announced a £4m grant programme to fund community-led schemes for affordable housing. This grant fund is effectively an extension of the Community Housing Fund with the same aim of giving community-led housing groups better access to high-quality, affordable housing. Launching the new fund, housing minister Christopher Pincher said, “Community-led housing is about local people playing a leading and lasting role in solving their housing problems, creating genuinely affordable homes and strong communities where mainstream house builders are unable to deliver.” Pincher explained that the fund is intended to support housing schemes that are truly “community-led” with the intention that it lasts for generations to come. Community-led housing is where local groups form community land trusts or housing co-operatives to build and deliver new homes which they control, and which could then be rented or sold. As a good example of community housing, the Government pointed to the Granby Four Streets group, a community group which rebuilt an area of Toxteth in Liverpool by refurbishing derelict homes for affordable tenures and discounted market sale.

PROMOTE GREENER HOMES AND MORE USE OF ADVANCED MANUFACTURING METHODS Bacon’s review called on the Government to recognise and support the custom and self-build housing sector for its pioneering approach to building. Specifically, the review wants to promote advanced manufacturing methods, typically modern methods of construction such as factorybuilt homes, and more environmentally friendly, greener homes which could

SUPPORT CUSTOM AND SELFBUILD THROUGH PLANNING REFORMS

EXPERT COMMENT If we were the same as many other European countries, we would be building over 100,000 homes each year this way – 40,000 is realistic and deliverable but it will take time. The more we deliver, the more people will want such homes, and the easier it will be to make it happen. We need to ask why we have so little choice over the most expensive new thing we will ever buy, and then think

IRON OUT ANY TAX DISADVANTAGES

how much better homes could be with greater choice.

The review also called on the Government to investigate any tax disadvantages there might be in the custom self-build model.

Andrew BaddeleyChappell, Chief Executive,

HELP TO BUILD The Government also announced details of the Help to Build scheme, a £150m Government fund which could help selfbuilders access low-deposit mortgages through equity loans, similar to the Help to Buy scheme. Currently, self-builders are unable to make use of Help to Buy as the equity loan must be paid to the developer on completion. This approach means that the loan can’t be used for custom and self-build projects, which typically require multiple payments to different parties involved in the build project. The NaCSBA hopes that the scheme will be available by the end of this year.

National Custom and Self Build Association

EXPERT COMMENT Anyone should now be able to build their own house. A Custom Self-build (CSB) is for all ages, tenures, budget – including young couples wanting a first home – and it’s not only for wouldbe builders with grand designs. Sally Tagg, Planning Expert for the London

REACTIONS TO THE REVIEW

Homebuilding

Experts have broadly welcomed the review and its intentions to promote self-build. The NaCSBA believes that it could help anyone considering this route, especially first time buyers, as financial help via Help to Build will soon be available, enabling interested parties to build their own homes with just a 5% deposit. The organisation says that this is vital to open up a market previously restricted to older self-builders who typically have equity in existing homes or higher incomes. The NaCSBA also believes that show parks are a good idea as the public will be able to see first-hand the variety of homes that can be constructed this way, as is common in many European countries. Germany alone has 30, and 40% of all new homes in most developed countries are built this way. In the UK, TV programmes are the closest most of us get to seeing self-build projects and many of us don’t realise that it is an option.

Renovating

and Show

EXPERT COMMENT I congratulate Richard Bacon on his review, and I urge the Government to act on his recommendations if we are to diversify the housing market and meet our housing targets.

Brian Berry, Chief Executive, Federation of Master Builders.

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EXPERTS

Agony agent Readers put their property questions to our guest panel of experts: solicitors, mortgage advisers, property gurus and Help to Buy providers

THIS MONTH’S PA N E L O F E X P E R T S Wayne MooreRead, Senior Partner, Direction Law

Rich Login, Director of Sales and Marketing, Optivo

Simon Scott Assistant Director of Commercial & Property Marketing, Origin Housing

Can I use Help to Buy and live by the sea?

T E S T T H E PA N E L

We need your questions... If you have any queries, or difficulties in understanding the property buying process, our panel of experts is waiting to help. Send our team your questions on buying property, Help to Buy, legal issues, or your financial problems and we’ll find the best person from the panel to give the advice you need. Email your questions to: lynda@firsttimebuyermag.co.uk

I have managed to save up towards a deposit for my first home. Now that I can work remotely, I am looking to move away from London. I hope to move closer to the coast but with the option to use Help to Buy to supplement my deposit. Is there an opportunity where I can buy a new build with Help to Buy nearer the coast, and where is best to invest? Poppy Sedgwick, Stockwell

There are many Help to Buy opportunities across the country, and as we shift to more hybrid working, living nearer the coast or into the country is becoming more appealing. To purchase a property with Help to Buy in London you need a much higher deposit, therefore the Government scheme offers up to 40% equity loan of the property price. In the South East, the equity loan is 20% but property prices are normally lower to begin with. It’s great to hear you have saved up a deposit. One option would be to look at where the latest new builds are being developed along the coast. Brighton, in the past, has been a go-to for

London commuters wanting to be by the sea. And now there is a whole new neighbourhood being built in North Brighton, offering first time buyers the chance to own a home with Help to Buy. Home X in Lewes Road, by Optivo, offers high spec apartments without the traditional Brighton price tag, making homeownership in this area more achievable. You will have fast connections to London, while also being only a 19-minute bus ride to the beach or a short walk to the Wild Park Nature Reserve, part of the South Downs. The town, in recent years, has seen a growth in the digital sectors so you would be among like-minded creatives and techies too. The selection of studio, one, two and three bedroom apartments, available with Help to Buy, start from £231,000. Home X’s high quality residential homes include cuttingedge technology, landscaped outdoor spaces and inspiring flexible workspaces, perfect for those who want to divide their home and work environments. Residents at Home X also benefit from a concierge service in the ultra-cool communal space, a wellness area for time out and bike and car club membership. Rich Login

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EXPERTS

Proof of deposit

I am buying a shared ownership property and using a solicitor recommended by my housing association. The solicitor has said that I must prove where my deposit money is from. I don’t understand why they need me to provide evidence for this as it’s my money from family overseas and savings – is this normal or should I just change solicitors? Felicity Greenview, Basingstoke

When you instruct a solicitor to act on your behalf, one of their first jobs, which is required by law, is to verify your identity, and in the case of a purchase, details of your source of funds. This is required by all solicitors as they have to comply with the law regarding money laundering and proceeds of crime, in particular The Proceeds of Crime Act 2002. The rules are not prescriptive, but all solicitors must take reasonable steps to verify where the money you are purchasing your property with is from. Therefore, you will be asked whether money you are contributing is from your savings, being gifted to you or loaned to you from a third party (separate from your main mortgage lender), and whether any of the monies are

from overseas. If so, you will also be asked to supply supporting documentation to prove the source of the money. In your case, as your deposit comes from more than one place, it is important to provide everything that is relevant for each part. In terms of your savings, your solicitor will need to know how they were accrued, for example regular savings, inheritance, property sale, divorce settlement, etc, and will request evidence to support this. With regards to the money being gifted to you from family abroad, details will need

What can I afford?

My company has offered me an opportunity to relocate to London for work, which I would really like to take. However, after searching for rental properties in the capital, I just don’t think I can justify the move. I saved some money during the pandemic which I hoped could go towards a deposit for buying my own home, but I don’t know how far this will get me in London. I’m worried that I’ll end up living far out and spend my life travelling in for work. Are there any ways I can avoid this? Debbie Barber, Oxford

Relocating to the capital is an exciting prospect; however, rising property prices in London mean that many feel priced out of the city. Luckily, for first time buyers looking to make the move, there are alternative options available to you, rather than buying a home outright on the open market.

Many housing associations, such as Origin Housing, offer new build properties available through shared ownership. This Government-backed scheme gives first time buyers the flexibility to buy what they can afford, by initially purchasing a share of a new build home between 25%-75%. With shared ownership, new homebuyers can secure a property with deposits from as low as 5% of the purchased share of the home. Shared owners pay a mortgage on the share they own and pay subsidised rent on the portion they do not own. We would recommend doing some initial research at the start of your property search, with your criteria in mind. Check out the websites of housing associations

to be provided and depending on which country the money is coming from there may be some additional requirements, so be prepared to provide translations of bank statements and other documents. As well as it being a legal requirement, it is important to remember to satisfy your ID, proof of address and source of funds with your solicitor as soon as possible, as they will be unable to proceed to exchange without them. Wayne Moore-Read

like Origin Housing to browse for available homes and find the developments which offer what you are looking for. It helps to pinpoint areas where you think you might like to live first, and check out their transport links and other nearby facilities. At Origin, we have a number of shared ownership developments available in wellconnected north London neighbourhoods. Located just moments away from Harrowon-the-Hill London Underground Station, our shared ownership homes at Harrow One offer residents swift connections into central London in under 20 minutes. Developments such as Harrow One provide first time buyers affordability in a well-connected location, which means you’ll avoid spending too much of your time commuting. For you, Debbie, shared ownership would allow you to find an affordable new home, without compromising on location and space. For more information about our choice of currently available homes, you can browse our website at originhousingsales. co.uk/developments. Simon Scott

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Buyers’ guide FTB EXPLAINS ALL THE OPTIONS TO HELP FIRST TIME BUYERS

Your options What are your funding options if you want to get on the housing ladder? FIRST STEPS

ARE YOU ELIGIBLE FOR A GOVERNMENTBACKED SCHEME? The Government backs several schemes to help people get on to the property ladder. The best known is the Help to Buy: Equity Loan, which is open to all buyers purchasing a new home costing up to £600,000 from an approved provider. There are no income restrictions and you can use it to upsize, but not to buy an additional property. For more details, contact a Help to Buy Agent. There is also shared ownership, which is open to families with a household income of up to £80,000 (£90,000 in London).

BUYING ON THE OPEN MARKET Many people buy property on the open market. Homes are offered for sale by estate/sales agents or from private developers or house builders. On new build developments there is usually a show home you can look around and a sales adviser, based on site, to answer your questions. To buy on the open market, you will need a mortgage deposit of at least 5% to 10% of the full property value.

BUYING A NEW HOME OFF-PLAN

FUNDING OPTIONS

JARGON EXPLAINED

G O V E R N M E N T- B A C K E D SCHEMES

EQUITY LOAN

Help to Buy: Equity Loans The Government provides equity loans of 20% of the full property value (40% in London boroughs). The loan is interest free for the first five years with interest at 1.75% in year six, rising by RPI (retail price index) inflation plus 1% after that. The loan must be repaid when the property is sold or within 25 years. You will need to raise a deposit of 5% and a 75% loan-to-value (LTV) mortgage. New build homes priced up to £600,000 can be bought. The current Help to Buy: Equity Loan Scheme runs until the end of March 2021 and will be restricted to first time buyers after that.

This is a Government loan for a percentage of a property’s value (20% outside London, 40% in London). If you remain living in the property, you repay the equity loan within 25 years. If you sell the property, you repay the percentage of the property price the loan was for. For example, if the equity loan was originally £30,000 on a £100,000 property (30%) and you sell the property for £200,000, you’ll have to repay £60,000 (30% of £200,000).

Shared Ownership or Part-Buy, Part-Rent The Government shared ownership scheme is available for households with an income of up to £80,000 (or £90,000 if buying in London.) The scheme allows you the chance to buy as little as a 25% share in a property and pay a subsidised rent on the rest. Rent is calculated at 2.75% (sometimes less), with annual increases of RPI + 0.5%. In most cases, you can buy more shares after you move in with the opportunity to own the property outright. This is called staircasing. The mortgage deposit you’ll need to buy with shared ownership is calculated on the share value; this works out at a lot less than if you were buying outright. There are a few less well known Governmentbacked schemes; more details of these can be found on ownyourhome.gov.uk:

Rent to Buy or Intermediate Rent With this scheme you rent a newly built property for up to five years and pay a reduced rent. This gives you time to save up for a deposit so you can apply to buy a share of the home later. Homes available with Rent to Buy are few and far between.

Demand for new homes often outstrips supply; this means that new homes are often reserved before their construction is complete, sometimes several months before they are built and finished. This is called “buying off-plan”. Most providers market and sell their homes in this way. Do some careful research to make sure the home you reserve is the right one for you, especially as you may not have an opportunity to physically view inside it before your commitment to buy it becomes a legal obligation.

Older People’s Shared Ownership (OPSO)

PRIVATE INITIATIVES

*NEW!* First Homes

Some builders offer incentives on new build homes such as cashback, free legal fees, help with moving costs or money towards Stamp Duty. Some developers may offer shared equity, a private version of shared ownership.

This is a new option announced by the Government in late 2019. With First Homes, first time buyers and key workers will be offered discounts of 30% on new build homes. Further details are awaited.

This is designed for people aged 55 and over. Scheme specific details vary, so check with the housing association provider.

Home Ownership for People with Long Term Disabilities (HOLD) HOLD is a specialist option designed to help people with long term disabilities to live independently in a shared ownership property where, in some cases, repairs and maintenance services are offered by the housing association provider.

HOMES ENGLAND This is a Government organisation tasked with increasing housing supply. They also fund affordable homes including Help to Buy.

STAIRCASING If you buy a home with shared ownership, you will be given the right to buy more shares at any time in the future. This is called staircasing. In most cases, you can buy shares up to 100% of the property and own it outright. When you buy more shares, these are valued at the market value at the time. Because house prices tend to rise over periods of time, it is a good idea to think about staircasing right from the moment you move into your new shared ownership home.

FUNDING OPTIONS BUYING ON THE OPEN MARKET & P R I VA T E I N I T I A T I V E S

To buy on the open market or from a house builder you’ll need to get a mortgage from a bank or other mortgage lender. To do so you’ll need to save a deposit and meet the provider’s lending criteria.

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BUYERS’ GUIDE

The ftb process

Buying your first property can be a daunting experience. It’s a big decision, so it’s important to get it right. We take you through all the steps involved

TIPS

Unless you have enough money to buy a property outright you’ll need a mortgage. A mortgage is a loan used to buy a property and is repayable over a number of years (usually 25-35 years). The loan is “secured” on the property, which means the mortgage lender could repossess your home if you fail to make repayments on time. For this reason, it’s vital only to buy a property you can realistically afford. Before you start, find out how much money you can borrow. A mortgage adviser will need details of your income, outgoings, savings and credit history – they will then be able to give you an “agreement in principle”, which will state, in theory, how much they will be able to lend you. An agreement in principle, however, doesn’t tie you, or the lender, to anything. Instead, it will just give you a rough idea of how much money you’ll be able to borrow. You’ll also need a deposit, normally around 10% of the property price. The bigger the deposit, the better the mortgage rate you’ll be offered. Each mortgage product will have a maximum loan-to-value or LTV.

inance

APPLICATION You will need at least three months of bank statements, payslips or tax returns, photo ID such as a passport or driving licence and details of any loans. Lenders will look at your outgoings to assess how much you can afford to pay on your mortgage each month. The bigger deposit you have and the better your credit score, the better mortgage rate you’ll be offered.

BUDGET Work out how much you can afford to repay each month, taking into account your normal living expenses and the bills, insurance and council tax on your new home. Don’t forget there is likely to be a service/ estate management charge on a new home, plus ground rent for a leasehold property, so find out how much they will be.

MORTGAGE BROKERS VS LENDERS You can apply for a mortgage via a mortgage broker (or financial adviser) or direct from a lender. A broker can look at the deals available and advise you which one would be best for your circumstances. Some mortgage products are only sold through brokers, not directly to customers. A broker will help you with the paperwork and deal with the lender on your behalf up until completion. You may have to pay them a fee or they may earn commission from the lender – find out how they are paid before committing to anything. Mortgage advisers in banks or building societies can only sell you products offered by that company, so it’s unlikely they will be able to offer you the very best deal for your circumstances. It’s important to shop around. You can compare mortgages online at sites such as moneysupermarket.com or

CREDIT SCORE Get a credit report from Experian or Equifax, and make sure there are no default accounts, CCJs (county court judgements) or missed payments. If you are making lots of enquiries to find the best deal, make sure the lenders log your enquiry as a soft search rather than a hard search as too many applications leave “footprints” on your credit score and can affect your rating. To improve your score, make sure you’re on the electoral roll, and pay your bills and any loan repayments on time.

SET A BUDGET

FINANCE

Work out how much money you have for fees, deposit and the monthly mortgage you can afford.

CREDIT SCORE

Make sure your credit rating is sound and there are no mistakes on your file, and pay off any debts you can.

moneysavingexpert.com, then apply directly to your chosen lender.

FIXED-RATE MORTGAGES Some mortgages are fixed rate. This means you’ll pay the same rate of interest for a defined period of time, and your payments won’t change. If interest rates go up, you’ll be protected from the increase, but you won’t benefit from any fall in interest rates. Normally, at the end of the fixed period your mortgage rate will revert to the lender’s standard variable rate (SVR) for the rest of the term. You can either pay this rate (which is often quite expensive) or remortgage to another lender. Remortgaging to another lender can sometimes mean you have to pay a fee or early redemption charge (ERC).

VARIABLE-RATE MORTGAGES Variable-rate mortgages are either linked to the lender’s SVR or the Bank of England base rate, and the rate you pay can change. Lenders can change their SVR whenever they want, but they normally only change it when the Bank of England base rate changes. Tracker mortgages are also variable, but they have repayment rates that are directly linked to the base rate so will go up and down with it. With variable-rate mortgages you need to be sure you could afford higher repayments if rates rise.

REPAYMENT OR INTEREST-ONLY Most mortgages available to first time buyers are on a repayment basis. With this type of mortgage, every monthly payment will pay off some interest and some capital (mainly interest in the early years). At the end of the term, you’ll own your home outright. If you have a larger (25% or more) deposit you may be offered an interest-only mortgage, where you only pay interest on the loan. The monthly repayments are lower but at the end of the term you’ll still owe the original mortgage sum. You’ll need to prove you have a plan in place (such as an investment) to pay off the capital.

SHOP AROUND

Speak to a mortgage broker, but also look at lenders’ direct products and search the internet.

RESEARCH

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BUYERS’ GUIDE

TIPS

RESEARCH AN AREA

Buying a property is a big investment. horough You need to make research sure you buy a home that you can afford and one you will be happy living in.

LOCATION IS KEY The first step is to shortlist the locations you feel you’d like to live in, then check if you can afford the house prices in those areas. It’s also worthwhile visiting places you like: it may be that there’s an up-and-coming hot spot just down the road you didn’t know about that’s much more affordable. Ideally, you will have rented in the area before buying, but if this isn’t the case, at least spend some time there, check out the commuting time to work, and look at local pubs, shops and leisure facilities. Visit the area at night, too.

PROPERTY SEARCH Once you have found the right location, go online and check out what’s on offer. Most homes are listed on property portals such as rightmove.co.uk, onthemarket. co.uk, or zoopla.co.uk, plus estate agents’ websites. Properties featured have pictures, descriptions and a floor plan, and DECIDE ON A LOCATION

Be practical. Think about the commuting time and whether you can afford to buy in the area.

RESEARCH THE AREA

Check out crime statistics, transport links, regeneration and, if relevant, schools.

Check online for prices of sold properties in the area, and make sure properties you like fit your budget. You can search for recent sold prices of property in any area at nethouseprices.com, and also on property portals like rightmove.co.uk/zoopla.co.uk.

sometimes a video. Also, sign up with as many local estate agents as you can. They should send you new properties that match your description, but it’s worth phoning them regularly. If you’re looking for a shared ownership property, search online at sharetobuy.com and propertybooking.co.uk.

Aerial shots of an area can be viewed at google.co.uk/maps; switch to “satellite view”.

VIEWING Once you see a property you like, arrange a viewing. Most people see at least 10 properties before putting in an offer. It’s worth bringing a friend or relative and also arranging a second viewing to check out any bits you may have missed. Don’t get taken in by the furnishings and decor too much. Remember that a property that is slightly run down can still be a great investment and may only need a touch of paint and a change of furniture.

Before you put in an offer, visit the street at different times of the day and night. You could also ask neighbours and local shop owners about the area.

BEFORE YOU BUY When looking at buying apartments, check exactly what is included in the service charge and how much it is. Also, ask about the terms of the lease and its length. If the lease has less than 80 years left, use this as a negotiating tool and make an offer below the asking price.

ESTATE AGENTS It’s a buyers’ market, so make use of agents’ legwork in finding properties that fit your requirements. Be aware that estate agents are paid commission by the seller on the sale, so try to inspect the property yourself rather than just the parts the agent shows you. Don’t get sucked in by the hard sell. SEARCH

VIEWINGS

Look at several properties, and visit ones you like more than once and with someone else. Take a checklist.

OFFER

If the market is slow, when making an offer, don’t be afraid to offer less than the asking price. If the property needs work done, you can use this as a negotiating tool.

SURVEY

BUYING

Make sure you have a survey – it could save you money in the long run by spotting any problems.

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BUYERS’ GUIDE

BUYERS’ COSTS

uying process

SURVEYS AND VALUATIONS

Once your offer is accepted, tell your mortgage lender. They will do a valuation to ensure the property is worth the money being advanced. At the same time, instruct a surveyor to carry out a survey. If this shows problems, find out how much they would cost to rectify and use this information to renegotiate the sale price. Or, tell the seller certain repairs need to be carried out before contracts are exchanged.

SOLICITOR’S/CONVEYANCING COSTS (ESTIMATED)

£700-£1,500

LOCAL AUTHORITY SEARCH FEES (ESTIMATED)

£200-300

LAND REGISTRY FEES: For an existing property: For a purchase of £80-£100k £40.00

For a purchase of £100-£200k £95.00 For a purchase of £200-£500k For a new build property: For a purchase of £80-£100k £80.00

For a purchase of £100-£200k £190.00 For a purchase of £200-£500k £270.00

SOLICITORS

A QUICK SALE Push the seller to take the property off the market. This will limit the chances of being gazumped (another buyer making a larger offer). The seller can insist on continuing to show the property, especially if you haven’t offered the asking price.

Once the mortgage offer is in place, the contract is satisfactory and buildings insurance has been organised, both parties will agree an exchange date. You will sign the contract with your solicitor, and at the point of exchange of contracts, you pay a deposit and a completion date is set. At this point, there’s no going back – the seller could sue you if you pull out, and you could lose your deposit. The completion date is usually around a week to 10 days after exchange, but can be done on the same day. On completion, the final paperwork is done, and the property is legally yours.

Never get pressured into an exchange and completion date without knowing all your finances and documents are in place. If you can’t complete, you may have to pay the seller’s costs. English property law is different to Scottish law: in England, if you put in an offer and then have a change of heart, you can legally back out of the deal or negotiate up until the exchange date. But, in Scotland, an agreed price is binding.

Compare quotes from solicitors, and ask your friends who they recommend. A good solicitor can make a big difference to whether a purchase completes or falls through. Online companies can be cheaper but are less personal.

STAMP DUTY LAND TAX (SDLT) (UNTIL 31/03/2020):

£0-£500,000 Zero

£500,000 to £925,000 5% £925,001 to £1.5m 10% Above £1.5m12%

Example: on a £600,000 purchase SDLT would be £5,000 – 0% on £0-£500,000 and 5% on £100,000 (being the £100,000 above £500,000)

OTHER FEES TO CONSIDER (ESTIMATED, DEPENDENT ON CIRCUMSTANCES): MORTGAGE ARRANGEMENT FEE

EXCHANGE AND COMPLETION

Use a recommended solicitor who you know to be reliable and who can move fast.

SOLICITORS

For a purchase of £500k-£1m £540.00

After the offer is accepted, you will also need to appoint a solicitor or conveyancer who will oversee the contract, deal with the finances and exchange the deeds. Your solicitor will carry out searches, check the terms of any lease and restrictive covenants and tell you how much Stamp Duty you have to pay. The seller will also appoint a solicitor, and the two legal teams will be in regular contact to make sure the purchase goes as smoothly as possible.

TIPS

INSURANCE

You must have buildings insurance in place for when you exchange contracts (not complete). This will be a condition of your mortgage offer.

MORTGAGE VALUATION £0-£300

SURVEY £300-£700

MORTGAGE BROKER’S FEE £0-£500

BUILDINGS INSURANCE £200-£300 annually

GROUND RENT (LEASEHOLD ONLY) & SERVICE CHARGES £100-£4,000 annually charges for maintenance of communal areas

From offer to completion usually takes about six weeks to three months, but don’t feel pressured or rush into anything you’re not sure of just because the seller or estate agent wants you to exchange.

Look at the results of searches your solicitor has done. They will tell you, for example, if a main road is about to be built at the end of your garden.

£0-£1,500

New freehold homes may also have service/estate

TIME SCALE

SEARCHES

£135.00

For a purchase of £500k-£1m £270.00

REMOVALS

Shop around for a removals firm, and find one that can move your possessions on completion day. You could also look at van hire to do it yourself.

REMOVALS (IF REQUIRED) £1,000-£2,500

COMPLETION

Your solicitor or estate agent will call you to tell you the property is yours. The solicitor will have some final paperwork to do, and you will then have to pay the solicitor’s bill and your Stamp Duty payment (if applicable).

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BUYERS’ GUIDE

Home buying glossary Confused by financial acronyms and industry terminology? Buying your first house is daunting enough without having to decode property lingo. FTB’s homebuying glossary is here to make the process a whole lot easier to understand AGREEMENT IN PRINCIPLE

DISBURSEMENTS

The initial document that a lender will give you outlining the amount you are likely to be lent if you applied for a mortgage. An agreement in principle is not a guarantee of getting a mortgage.

These are additional charges incurred during the homebuying process such as Stamp Duty and Land Registry charges. You must give the money to your conveyancer or solicitor who will then pay the charges on your behalf.

APR APR stands for annual percentage rate. It is the interest rate you’d pay over a year. It takes into account not just the interest on your loan but also any other additional charges.

EARLY REPAYMENT CHARGE

ARREARS

EQUITY

This is a term used to describe payments that haven’t been made on time.

The difference between the value of the property and the value of the mortgage you have secured.

BASE RATE The interest rate set by the Bank of England. Lenders usually use the Bank of England base rate to set their own interest rates.

BROKER

This is an amount of money you may have to pay a lender if you decide to move mortgage provider or if you pay off your mortgage quicker than expected.

EXCHANGE OF CONTRACTS This is when you exchange contracts with the seller. When this has happened, both sides are legally bound to complete the transaction.

A broker is someone who gives you advice on your mortgage. Some are independent, while others work for particular lenders.

FREEHOLD

BUILDING SURVEY

When a seller accepts an offer and then later on rejects it in favour of a higher offer from another bidder.

A survey carried out by a qualified surveyor to spot any structural problems or faults in the home you are buying.

COLLATERAL Something of value that is offered as a guarantee against a loan. With mortgages, your home is collateral.

COMPLETION The finalisation of the sale. Completion day is when the paperwork is complete, all money is transferred and you become the legal owner of your new home.

CONVEYANCING The legal process of transferring ownership of a property.

A freehold is when you fully own a property and the land it stands on.

GAZUMPING

GUARANTOR A person, usually a parent, who guarantees that you can pay your mortgage repayments. You often need a guarantor if you are struggling to get a mortgage based on your own income. If for some reason you cannot pay your mortgage, your guarantor has to pay it for you.

HIGHER LENDING CHARGE If you take out a large mortgage on a property, some lenders may charge a one-off extra fee. This funds an insurance policy that protects the lender (not you) from the additional risk.

LAND REGISTRY FEES This is a fee you have to pay in order to register your ownership of the property with the Land Registry.

LEASEHOLD A type of tenure where you buy the right to occupy a property for a fixed period of time. You usually have to pay annual ground rent each year.

LTV This stands for loan to value – the ratio between the amount of money you have taken out as a loan and the valuation price of the property.

LUMP-SUM REDUCTION In order to reduce your mortgage, you can make a lump-sum reduction. This is where you pay more than you owe each month in mortgage repayments.

REDEMPTION Paying off your mortgage in full is known as redemption.

REPAYMENTS The amount you have to pay back each month to your mortgage provider

STAMP DUTY Stamp Duty is a shortened name for Stamp Duty Land Tax, also called SDLT. This is a Government tax you may have to pay when you purchase a new property. Your solicitor or conveyancer will organise the payment for you.

TITLE DEEDS The legal documents that outline your rights and liabilities in relation to your new property. The title deeds also act as proof of ownership.

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LEGAL

Who can “legally” help me buy my first home? With house prices at record high levels, and salaries not keeping pace, it is widely accepted that it has become increasingly difficult for first time buyers to buy their first home. Adam Crawford, Partner at Prince Evans Solicitors LLP, looks at alternative ways to buy your first home THE OPTIONS » Buying with friends » The bank of Mum and Dad » Mortgage guarantor » Shared ownership » Help to Buy: Equity Loan In this article, we look at the legal aspects of these alternatives.

BUYING WITH FRIENDS One option for buyers who cannot afford to buy a property alone is to buy with friends. This is becoming an increasingly popular choice. Things to consider If you are considering buying with a friend then there are legal aspects you should consider before deciding if this is right for you, such as: » What deposit and initial contributions are you both making? » Will the mortgage/outgoings be split equally between you? » What happens when you wish to sell the property or if only one of you wishes to sell? » What happens if someone dies (morbid yes, but it must be considered)? » What happens if you fall out? How are future price increases shared? When you buy a property with another person you hold the property as “joint tenants” or “tenants in common” and it is important you take advice from a specialist conveyancing lawyer who will be able to explain the difference to you and the options available to you. In most cases of buying with a friend, your lawyer will advise you to hold the property as tenants in common (where you can own different shares and the property does not pass to the survivor in the event of death) and may recommend you enter into a Declaration of Trust to reflect your ownership wishes and to address the questions above. It is strongly recommended you discuss

these points with your co-buyer friend, and instruct your lawyer accordingly, before you make the commitment of buying together, as while this may seem like a good idea (and often proves to be) the reality can often be very different, and it is best to be prepared for such an eventuality.

THE BANK OF MUM AND DAD The bank of Mum and Dad is where parents (or another relative or friend) gift you money towards the deposit of the property you are buying.

Things to consider If you are fortunate enough to be in a position where parents (or another relative or friend) are able and willing to gift you a deposit or part of it then you will need to consider the following legal aspects: » The deposit must be a gift and not a loan – if the money is a loan then it is highly unlikely any mortgage lender will accept this arrangement. » Your parents (or whoever makes the gift) will need to sign a “gift” letter confirming that the money is a gift and that they will have no legal interest in the property.

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LEGAL

This will be required both for your lawyer and the mortgage lender. Your parents (or whoever makes the gift) will need to provide evidence of the source of funds. This is not your lawyer being difficult but is to comply with AntiMoney Laundering Regulations. Any lawyer will have to ask for this (as well as for any funds you are contributing). This is evidenced by your parents (or whoever makes the gift) explaining where the funds are coming from and providing documentary evidence to support this. For example, if this was from their own property sale then they could supply evidence of the sale, if it is from their own savings from their salary etc they can supply several months bank statements showing the salary being paid into their account and the savings increasing. Your lawyer will be able to explain exactly what is required dependant on the nature of the gift. Your parents (or whoever makes the gift) will need to satisfy your lawyer’s identification requirements.

Finally, your parents (or whoever makes the gift) would be recommended to seek independent legal advice if they have queries or require any advice relating to their gift.

MORTGAGE GUARANTOR It may be possible to have a relative or someone else as a guarantor to your mortgage. This is generally for people who the banks may be concerned cannot afford the mortgage payments alone. There are two options which are either “sole proprietor joint mortgage” – where the buyer(s) is named as the owner of the property but both are named on and liable for the mortgage, or the more traditional mortgage guarantor where the mortgage and property are both in the sole name of the buyer(s) but with the guarantor guaranteeing the mortgage payments. Things to consider If buying with a mortgage guarantor, then consideration needs to be given to the following points: » The mortgage guarantor will need independent legal advice as to the commitment they are making, ie if the

buyer defaults on the mortgage then the mortgage guarantor will be liable for the mortgage payments. There is a moral not just legal responsibility on the buyer to ensure they keep up the mortgage repayments. A buyer who gets into difficulties with their payments and has to rely on their mortgage guarantor could cause a rather unpleasant breakdown in the relationship between the buyer and guarantor.

Buyers are advised to be honest with guarantors if they do get into or expect to get into any difficulties with payments.

SHARED OWNERSHIP Shared ownership is where you part-buy and part-rent a property from the landlord, normally a housing association. The rent you pay is subsidised and this is a popular product for first time buyers. Things to consider Other articles will explain this in more detail, but some of the legal aspects to consider are: » Staircasing – a feature of shared ownership is that you can normally buy additional shares in the property up to the value of 100% ownership – this process is known as staircasing. To do this, the property will be valued by a RICS valuer and you will pay the percentage share price you are buying based on this valuation. If you are staircasing to less than 100% ownership then the housing association will financially assess you to ensure that you are not buying more than you can afford. » Rent – you will pay rent on the share you do not own. The rent is subsidised and generally when the property is first sold it will be set at 2.75% of the full market value of the property (although may be higher or lower). So, if you were buying a 25% share of a new build shared ownership property for £250,000 the rent payable would be £429.69 per month. If you are buying a “resale” shared ownership property (ie an existing nonnew build property) you will continue to pay the rent at the current rate payable by the seller. The bigger your share, then the less rent you will pay. Rent increases annually generally by RPI plus 0.5%.

Prince Evans specialise in all aspects of new build property. Please contact Prince Evans’ New Build Homes team for all your conveyancing needs and for a friendly no obligation quote on 020 8567 3477 or nbh@prince-evans.co.uk

» Resale – when you want to sell the home

you will have to first offer the property back to the housing association, which will get a period of time (usually eight weeks) in which to find a buyer. The price will be set based on a RICS valuation. If a buyer is not found within this period then you can sell on the open market. Restrictions – the shared ownership lease will prevent you from renting out the property. It must be your residence. When you buy a shared ownership property you do not need to be a first time buyer but you must not own another home (unless this is being sold) and you must earn less than the maximum household income (currently £80,000 out of London and £90,000 in London).

This is just a very brief overview of shared ownership. Your lawyer will provide more detailed guidance (which is why you should ensure you use a lawyer with considerable expertise in this area).

HELP TO BUY: EQUITY LOAN A Help to Buy: Equity Loan is a popular product where the Government lends you up to 20% (or 40% in London) of the cost of your home – this can only be used for the purchase of a new build property and only for first time buyers. This means you will only need a 5% deposit to buy your property. Things to consider Again, other articles will go into more detail but the following legal aspects should be considered: » No loan fees or interest is charged on the Equity Loan in the first five years (ie there is nothing to pay for five years). » After five years, interest is charged at 1.75% and increases annually at CPI plus 2%. » When you sell the property, the loan must be repaid on the percentage basis, ie if you have a 20% Equity Loan you will repay 20% of the property value when you sell (irrespective of whether prices have increased or decreased). To be eligible for the Help to Buy: Equity Loan scheme, you must be a first time buyer and the home you want to buy must be newly built with a price of no more than the regional cap which has been set for the region where you are buying the property (This is £600,000 in London and lower in other regions). This is just a very brief overview of the legal aspects of some alterative methods to take your first step on to the property ladder. It is important you take more detailed legal advice from a specialist lawyer before proceeding with any of these alternative arrangements.

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Directory HELP TO BUY - NORTH PlusDane Tel: 0300 790 0570 helptobuyagent1.org.uk Cheshire Cumbria Durham East Riding of Yorkshire Greater Manchester Lancashire Merseyside North Yorkshire Northumberland Tyne and Wear South Yorkshire West Yorkshire

HELP TO BUY - MIDLANDS AND LONDON bpha Tel: 03333 214 044 helptobuyagent2.org.uk

ZONES, HELP TO BUY AGENTS, HELP TO BUY PROVIDERS AND MORE...

HELP TO BUY - SOUTH Radian Tel: 0800 456 1188 helptobuyagent3.org.uk Bedfordshire Berkshire Bristol Buckinghamshire Cambridgeshire Cornwall Devon Dorset East Sussex Essex Gloucestershire Hampshire Hertfordshire Isle of Wight Kent Norfolk Oxfordshire Somerset Suffolk Surrey West Sussex Wiltshire

Derbyshire Herefordshire Leicestershire Lincolnshire London Northamptonshire Nottinghamshire Rutland Shropshire Staffordshire Warwickshire West Midlands Worcestershire

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USEFUL CONTACTS

ZONES, HELP TO BUY AGENTS & HELP TO BUY PROVIDERS – RECEIVE ADVICE ON PROPERTY FUNDING OPTIONS

NORTH

Shropshire Staffordshire

PlusDane

Warwickshire

Tel: 0300 790 0570

West Midlands

helptobuyagent1.org.uk

Worcestershire

Cheshire

SOUTH

Cumbria Durham

Radian

East Riding of Yorkshire

Tel: 0800 456 1188

Greater Manchester

helptobuyagent3.org.uk

Lancashire Merseyside

Bedfordshire

North Yorkshire

Berkshire

Northumberland

Bristol

Tyne and Wear

Buckinghamshire

South Yorkshire

Cambridgeshire

West Yorkshire

Cornwall Devon

MIDLANDS AND LONDON

Dorset East Sussex Essex

bpha

Gloucestershire

Tel: 03333 214 044

Hampshire

helptobuyagent2.org.uk

Hertfordshire Isle of Wight

Derbyshire

Kent

Herefordshire

Norfolk

Leicestershire

Oxfordshire

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London

Suffolk

Northamptonshire

Surrey

Nottinghamshire

West Sussex

Rutland

Wiltshire

ADVERTISE HERE Speak to our advertising team to find out the best ways to give your organisation maximum exposure. Call 020 7258 0036 or email lynda@firsttimebuyermag.co.uk

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USEFUL CONTACTS HELP TO BUY PROVIDERS – OFFERING NEW BUILD SCHEMES, INCLUDING HELP TO BUY (SHARED OWNERSHIP) AND RENT TO BUY PROPERTIES

LONDON Catalyst Housing

Octavia Housing

BMA Property Group

Hastoe Housing

Optivo

octaviahousing.org.uk

bmapg.com

Association

optivo.org.uk

020 8354 5500

020 8942 4062

hastoe.com

0800 012 1442

catalyst.homes 0333 444 3500 Clarion Housing

Southern Home Ownership shosales.co.uk

0300 123 2250 Optivo

Chelmer Housing Partnership

optivo.org.uk

chp.org.uk

Home Group

originhousing.org.uk

0800 012 1442

0300 555 0500

homegroup.org.uk

0300 323 0325

myclarionhousing.com/

01235 515 900

Origin Housing

0300 555 2171 Sovereign Housing sovereignliving.org.uk

0345 141 4663

0300 500 0926

sharedownership

Origin Housing

CHS Group

020 7378 5638

originhousing.org.uk

chsgroup.org.uk

Housing Solutions Group

Association

0300 323 0325

0300 111 3555

housingsolutions.co.uk

orwell-housing.co.uk

Stonewater

0800 876 6060

0345 601 0030

stonewater.org

Estuary Housing Association

Orwell Housing

01202 319 119

estuary.co.uk

Paradigm Housing

Clarion Housing

0300 304 5000

paradigmhousing.co.uk

myclarionhousing.com/

Hyde New Homes

PA Housing

0845 337 4877

sharedownership

hydenewhomes.co.uk

pahousing.co.uk

Swan Housing Association

Fabrica

Peabody

020 7378 5638

0345 606 1221

0300 123 2221

swan.org.uk

fabrica.co.uk

peabodysales.co.uk

0800 783 2159

020 7021 4842

Crown Simmons

L&Q

Paradigm Housing

crownsimmons.org.uk

lqhomes.com

paradigmhousing.co.uk

Thames Valley Housing

Gateway Housing

Places for People

01372 461 440

0300 456 9997

0300 303 1010

Association

placesforpeople.co.uk

gatewayhousing.org.uk

01772 667 049

Estuary Housing

Metropolitan

Peabody

Association

metropolitansales.org.uk

peabodysales.co.uk

020 3535 2555

020 7021 4842

Moat

Places for People

Fabrica

moat.co.uk

placesforpeople.co.uk

0300 323 0011

01772 667 049

Notting Hill Genesis

Rosebery Housing

Flagship Homes

nhgsales.com

Association

0333 000 4000

rosebery.org.uk

020 8709 4300

0300 303 2500

tvha.co.uk

Sanctuary London

estuary.co.uk

Guinness Partnership

sanctuary-homes.co.uk

0300 304 5000

guinnesspartnership.com

0800 916 1444

0303 123 1890 Site Sales

fabrica.co.uk

Hexagon

site-sales.co.uk

0800 783 2159

hexagon.org.uk

020 8502 5758

020 8778 6699 Shepherd’s Bush Housing

flagship-homes.co.uk

Home Group

sbhg.co.uk

0808 168 4555

homegroup.org.uk

020 8996 4200

020 8607 0550 Town and Country Housing tchg.org.uk 01892 501 480 Worthing Homes worthing-homes.org.uk 01903 703 108

SOUTH WEST

01372 814 000 Aster Group

Nu Living Guinness Partnership

nuliving.co.uk

Sanctuary South East

buyanasterhome.co.uk

Southern Home

(South)

0800 819 9390

sanctuary-housing.co.uk

01380 735 480

Hyde New Homes

Ownership

guinnesspartnership.com

hydenewhomes.co.uk

shosales.co.uk

0303 123 1890

0345 606 1221

0300 555 2171

0345 141 4663

Islington and Shoreditch

Swan Housing Association

Housing Association

swan.org.uk

isha.co.uk

0300 303 2500

0800 131 3348 Cornerstone Housing

One Housing Group onehousing.co.uk

Soha Housing

cornerstonehousing.net

0300 123 9966

Soha.co.uk

01392 273 462

0300 131 7300 Thames Valley Housing L&Q

Association

lqhomes.com

tvha.co.uk

0300 456 9997

020 8607 0550

Metropolitan

Wandle Housing

metropolitansales.org.uk

Association

020 3535 2555

wandle.com 0300 200 0120

Newlon Living newlonliving.co.uk

SOUTH EAST

0800 058 2544 Accent Group Notting Hill Genesis

accentgroup.org

nhgsales.com

0345 678 0555

0333 000 4000 Aster Group Nu Living

buyanasterhome.co.uk

nuliving.co.uk

01380 735 480

0800 819 9390

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USEFUL CONTACTS HELP TO BUY PROVIDERS CURO

Rooftop Housing Group

Accord

Friendship Care & Housing

Nottingham Community

South Staffordshire

curo-group.co.uk

rooftopgroup.org

accordgroup.org.uk

fch.org.uk

Housing Association

01225 366 000

0800 042 1800

0300 111 7000

0300 123 1745

ncha.org.uk

ssha.co.uk

0800 013 8555

01785 312 000

Elim Housing

Sanctuary Southwest

Acis Group

Home Group

elimhousing.co.uk

sanctuary-housing.co.uk

acisgroup.co.uk

homegroup.org.uk

Orbit

Waterloo Housing

01454 411 172

0800 131 3348

0800 027 2057

0345 141 4663

orbit.org.uk

Association

0800 678 1221

waterloo.org.uk 0800 435 016

Green Square

Severn Vale Housing

Bromford Group

Guinness Partnership

greensquaregroup.com

svhs.org.uk

bromford.co.uk

(Northern Counties)

PA Housing

01249 465 465

01684 272 727

0330 123 4034

guinnesspartnership.com

pahousing.org.uk

WM Housing Group

0303 123 1890

0116 257 6716

wmhousing.co.uk 0300 790 6531

Guinness Partnership

Sovereign Housing

Caldmore Accord

(Hermitage)

sovereign.org.uk

caldmoreaccord.org.uk

L & H Homes

Places for People

guinnesspartnership.com

0300 500 0926

0300 111 7000

landh.org.uk

placesforpeople.co.uk

0345 309 0700

01772 667 002

0303 123 1890

NORTH WEST Accent Group

Stonewater

Clarion Housing

Hastoe Housing

stonewater.org

myclarionhousing.com/

Metropolitan

Riverside Housing

accentgroup.org

Association

01202 319 119

sharedownership

metropolitansales.org.uk

Association

0345 678 0555

020 7378 5638

020 3535 2555

riverside.org.uk

hastoe.com 0300 123 2250

Westward Housing

Liverty

westwardhousing.org.uk

Derwent Living Housing

Midland Heart

dchliverty.com

0300 100 1010

Association

midlandheart.org.uk

Rooftop Group

derwentliving.com

0345 602 0540

rooftopgroup.org

0300 123 8080

MIDLANDS

0345 155 9029

01332 346 477

Places for People

Adactus Housing Group adactushousing.co.uk

0800 042 1800

0300 111 1133 Arcon Housing Association

Muir Group

placesforpeople.co.uk

Accent Group

East Midlands Housing

muir.org.uk

Sanctuary Midlands

arcon.org.uk

01772 667 049

accentgroup.org

Association

0300 123 1222

sanctuary-housing.co.uk

0161 214 4120

0345 678 0555

emhhomes.org.uk

0800 131 3348

0300 123 6000

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USEFUL CONTACTS HELP TO BUY PROVIDERS CDS Co-operatives

0117 407 2415

0345 678 0555

cds.coop 0333 321 3030 Eden Housing Association

Equity Housing

Guinness Partnership

Acis Group

manninghamhousing.co.uk

Accent Group

muir.org.uk

acisgroup.co.uk

01274 771 144

accentgroup.org

0300 123 1222

0800 027 2057

0345 678 0555

Places for People

Broadacres

muir.org.uk

Bernicia

placesforpeople.co.uk

broadacres.org.uk

0300 123 1222

bernicia.com

01772 667 002

01609 767 900

Progress Housing Group

Crucible Homes

placesforpeople.co.uk

Castles and Coasts

progressgroup.org.uk

cruciblesalesandlettings.co.uk

01772 667 002

castlesandcoasts.co.uk

0333 320 4555

0114 241 3430

0800 085 1171 Together Housing

Regenda Homes

Equity Housing

togetherhousing.co.uk

Erimus Housing Ltd

regenda.org.uk

equityhousing.co.uk

0845 077 0027

erimushousing.co.uk

0344 736 0066

0300 123 4460

Home Group

0300 111 1000 Sanctuary North

homegroup.org.uk

Riverside Housing

Guinness Partnership

sanctuary-housing.co.uk

Guinness Partnership

0345 141 4663

Association

(Northern Counties)

0800 131 3348

(Northern Counties)

riverside.org.uk

guinnesspartnership.com

0345 155 9029

0303 123 1890

impacthousing.org.uk

guinnesspartnership.com Stonewater

0303 123 1890

stonewater.org Sanctuary North

Home Group

sanctuary-housing.co.uk

homegroup.org.uk

0800 131 3348

0345 141 1663

Association

01202 319 119

Home Group homegroup.org.uk

Wakefield and District

0345 141 1663

Housing

irwellvalleyha.co.uk

Your Housing Group

Leeds Federated Housing

wdh.co.uk

Karbon Homes

0161 610 1000

yhghomes.co.uk

Association

0345 850 7507

karbonhomes.co.uk

0845 618 5008

lfha.co.uk 0113 386 1000

Knowsley Housing Trust k-h-t.org 0151 290 7000

0300 111 1000

0344 800 3800

0303 123 1890

Irwell Valley Housing

Thirteen

Places for People

guinnesspartnership.com

0344 873 6290

0800 131 3348

thirteengroup.co.uk

Muir Group

(Northern Counties)

Impact Housing

Sanctuary North sanctuary-housing.co.uk

Muir Group

equityhousing.co.uk 0300 123 4460

NORTH EAST

Association

edenha.org.uk 01768 861 400

Manningham Housing

YORKS/ HUMBER

L&H Homes

0808 164 0111 Your Housing Group yhghomes.co.uk

Places for People

0845 618 5008

placesforpeople.co.uk

landh.org.uk Liverpool Housing Trust

Accent Group

lht.co.uk

accentgroup.org

01772 667 002

0345 309 0700

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20 QUESTIONS Adrian is a driven, determined, target-oriented property professional with residential experience gained over 34 years in London, the Thames Valley and overseas, in countries including China, Hong Kong, Singapore and Taiwan. Adrian joined LRG in July 2018, bringing with him extensive knowledge of the London and South East new homes market. He now runs the company’s shared ownership division, which works to provide a full sales and marketing service on behalf of many wellappointed housing associations across the UK. As a natural, personable leader, Adrian is passionate about growing his shared ownership team at Leaders Romans Group, who will in turn nurture the first time buyers in today’s market, finding them the most suitable route to a home. Besides his busy career, Adrian is a keen walker and enjoys staying active by looking after his brood of animals, which includes donkeys, goats, chickens, ducks, dogs and (just the one!) cat

20 QUESTIONS th Wi

Adrian Plant

What room at home is your favourite? The kitchen is my favourite room, it is the heart of the house and the AGA emits a warmth that radiators cannot match! What’s your favourite gadget or technology at home? My coffee machine – I love coffee, and the machine delivers from bean to beaker. What colour do you think everyone should have in their home? Everyone should have some red in their home – it is a colour that brings a vibrancy to a room. Which three people would you invite over for a housewarming party if you could have any guests? Whoopi Goldberg – a funny lady to bring her enigmatic personality; Freddie Mercury – to sing Bohemian Rhapsody; and my mum – as she always loved my passion for houses. What’s your favourite memory from your childhood home? We lived in a period cottage when I was growing up. One of my favourite memories is sitting with the family in front of an open fire. What is your favourite song and why? Bohemian Rhapsody – a fantastic song that brings back lots of memories from that time. Would you rather have a garden or a balcony? At the moment I would rather have a garden as it suits my current lifestyle. However, later on in life I suspect my answer would be a balcony so you can lock up and leave!! Do you prefer modern homes or period properties? I do prefer period homes with lots of features; however, modern homes are more convenient and easier to maintain. Would you rather have a library room or media room at home? Definitely a media room for me! I love technology and having information that is easily accessible. Would you prefer to have a luxurious bathtub or a sumptuous shower? I would prefer a sumptuous shower, even though a luxurious

bathtub is appealing, I doubt I would find the time to luxuriate in it. Would you rather live in the bustling city or in the country? The country every time. The city has many advantages, with everything on your doorstep; however, there is no substitute for waking up to peace and the sounds of the countryside. If you were buying a property overseas, in what country would you buy a home? Spain would be my country of choice as I like the culture, the food and the climate. Would you rather have a bigger property or a better location? Location, Location, Location. I would always buy a property in the right location as you can always make a home work for you, but where it is, cannot be changed. What is one thing you couldn’t live without at home? My sound system, it makes ironing and cleaning more pleasurable. What’s your favourite way to unwind at home after work? Walking my dogs is a great way to let the stresses of the day ebb away. Dogs are great listeners to what you are not saying. What’s your favourite thing about your home? I love the cosy character of my home; the beams, open fires and the wobbly walls. Where did you buy your first home? I purchased my first property in Buckingham with my cousin, as this was the only way I could afford to buy. What advice would you give a first time buyer? Start saving for a deposit as early as possible and set a goal for what you want to achieve and stick to it. Do lots of research on the area you want to live in, set up alerts on web portals so you are constantly updated on what comes on to the market. What are your views on shared ownership? In my opinion, shared ownership is a fantastic way of buying a property, it makes purchasing more accessible for buyers with low incomes and deposits. What are your views on the property market? The property market always goes through cycles and there is never a good or a bad time to buy a property if it is going to be your home. The market currently is very strong and driven by a shortage of property and favourable mortgage interest rates. lrg.co.uk

106 First Time Buyer December 2021/January 2022

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FTB 106-108 20Qs December21-January22.indd 107

16/11/2021 15:16

FTB 106-108 20Qs December21-January22.indd 108

16/11/2021 15:16

First Time Buyer - December 2021/January 2022

Articles inside

20 Questions

Who can legally help me buy my first home

Finance

Agony Agent

Buying a shared ownership home

Fast food

Hotspot

First home, first meal

At home with Dee Gibson

Developer’s doctor

FTB loves

Words from Jonnie

The View: Lynsey Crombie

Top tips for moving into your first home