the Ultimate Guide to... GETTING ON THE LADDER, THE PROPERTY MARKET AND HELP TO BUY June/July 2022 £3.95 firsttimebuyermag.com
AT HOME WITH KWOKLYN WAN
WIN!
A HENRY ALLERGY VACUUM WORTH £199.99
INTEREST RATE RISE – HOW IT AFFECTS FIRST TIME BUYERS
RENTING VS BUYING
CELEBRATE SUMMER OUTDOORS
“Plan ahead and take your time and don't make any knee-jerk decisions” Leah Charles-King
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TV presenter
9 771758 973014
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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, SOPHIE MUNNERY Contributors CHRIS CLARK, ADAM CRAWFORD, 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 We have had a very busy time over the past few weeks. We celebrated our National Home Buying Week and enjoyed very successful Live Shows in London and Manchester. It was great to meet so many first time buyers who were all looking to get on the ladder and find out how the homebuying process works. We are also very excited that after much deliberation our expert panel of judges has decided on the shortlist for our FTB Readers’ Awards 2022. You will find all the shortlisted entries on pages 77-102 but it is now up to you, our readers, to vote – please do go to ftbawards.com and cast your all-important votes – thank you. If you are caught in the rent trap then I am sure you will find our feature on pages 24-28 of great interest. Recent research from Halifax has found that you will save £100 a month by deciding to buy a home rather than renting! The better weather is hopefully around the corner and it’s that time of year to enjoy the great outdoors – whether it’s in the garden, the local park, at the seaside or on your balcony! We have some inspirational accessories on pages 12-13 to help you relish those sunny days. With the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee on the horizon do look at pages 10-11 for some clever ideas to help celebrate this momentous occasion. I hope you enjoy this issue which is packed with information and if you are struggling to understand how it all works then I am sure you will find the answers to all your questions inside. Until next time, happy house hunting
Accounts accounts@ultimateguidecompany.com
@firsttimebuyer
firsttimebuyeronline
Managing Director SARAH GARRETT sarahg@spmgroup.co.uk Public Relations RACHEL COLGAN rachel@building-relations.co.uk SUBSCRIPTIONS 020 3488 7754
EDITOR’S PICKS…
I am so happy that I’m able to afford such a lovely property in such a great spot.
SWITCHBOARD 020 3488 7754 All advertising copy for August/September 2022 must be received before 1 July 2022. 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 2008-2022. 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.
Shared ownership continues to be a fantastic option for those first time buyers it works for. Craig Osborne, 20 Questions, page 134
Buying a property is the safest investment you will ever make so be aware and sensible with your money. Kwoklyn Wan, At home with, page14
Sam Kingston, House Hunter, page 16
I couldn’t believe everything was so perfect – I thought, what is the catch here?
This inflation is acutely alarming... in my opinion, the best choice is to lock your money into an asset as soon as you can. Jonnie Irwin, Jonnie’s World, page 9
Manuel, Real Life, page 70
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CONTENTS
JUNE/JULY 2022 / ISSUE 95 / FIRSTTIMEBUYERMAG.CO.UK
What’s in… 71
For sale – the best FTB properties
70
First time buyer Manuel wanted his first home to have views of London, excellent transport links and be a place he could make his own. After saving for six months for his deposit he bought a one bedroom apartment at Notting Hill Genesis’ Dockside at Millharbour and it ticked all his boxes.
HOMEPAGE
9 Words from Jonnie TV presenter and property expert Jonnie Irwin gives his views on the housing market.
10 FTB loves… Celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee with our round-up of our favourite hot buys.
12 Living With sunny days ahead we show you how to make the best of your
outdoor space to enjoy spending time with family and friends.
14 At home with… Kwoklyn Wan Kwoklyn is a professional chef, author, Kung Fu instructor and has appeared on many TV shows – he is a regular on Steph’s Packed Lunch on Channel 4. He is a thirdgeneration chef and learnt his skills helping out the family business by washing dishes and preparing vegetables. He talks to Lynda Clark about how it all began, his career and his first home.
16 House Hunter We try to find Sam Kingston and her daughter, Tabatha, a two or three bedroom home with a garden in Clitheroe, Lancashire, or the surrounding areas.
18 Developer’s doctor Stuart Hensby, Associate Director Sales and Marketing at Abri answers your property question.
4
24 FEATURED
20 The View: Leah Charles-King For over 30 years Leah Charles-King has been into mainstream media and the entertainment industry as a multi award-winning music artist, presenter and radio host. She has recently joined the team of property experts on Channel 4’s A Place in the Sun. She talks to Lynda Clark about her life and career and gives some advice to first time buyers about keeping calm under pressure.
24 Escape the rent trap A recent report from Halifax found that you can save more than £100 a month when buying your own home instead of renting. Kay Hill finds some good places to start.
30 Are you ready to buy? Urban Moves, the UK’s leading shared ownership service provider and specialist in resales, explains the steps needed to get your first shared ownership property and busts some of the myths about the Government scheme that still exist.
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CONTENTS LEAH CHARLES-KING, PAGE 20
I WAS ASKED TO DO A SCREEN TEST AND ONE MONTH LATER I WAS FILMING ON SPAIN’S COSTA DE LA LUZ – IT WAS A DREAM COME TRUE!
20
Leah Charles-King
REGULARS
110 Ask Emilia Emilia is the Sales Director at Metro Finance. Here she explains what self -employed mortgages are all about.
112 Finance With interest rates going up again. Kay Hill looks at how this affects your housebuying journey.
First Time Buyer Readers’ Awards 2022 A chance to view the shortlist for all the different categories, plus details of how you can cast your allimportant votes.
ftbawards.com
32 Hotspot
114 Market
We look at Croydon as a place to live.
The Government’s “levelling up” policies promise jobs and homes for everyone. But, asks Ginetta Vedrickas, with rising energy costs and property prices spiralling, will the strategy help first time buyers?
108 Keep calm and keep moving
77
Moving to a new house can be a difficult time. Lesley Price FCILEx of CGM Hampshire Limited provides advice on what you can do to keep things moving and to manage delays when they occur.
116 Agony Agent All your property questions answered by our panel of experts.
119 Buyer’s Guide Check out FTB’s Buyer’s Guide, which walks you through the property process.
105 Competition Win a Henry Allergy vacuum cleaner, worth £199.99.
124 The difference between buying a new build property and an existing property 104 NUGS & kisses The latest take on everyone’s favourite – chicken nuggets.
106 First home, first meal Who doesn’t enjoy strawberries, cream and meringue? This delicious recipe for Strawberry Eton Mess Cake with a twist from Lakeland is the perfect summer treat.
107 Inspector Gadget Highlighting some of the best gadgets on the market – all perfect for setting up your first home.
Buying a new build property is slightly different from buying an existing property. Adam Crawford, Partner and Head of New Build Homes at Prince Evans Solicitors LLP, looks at the legal differences.
126 Directory Where and how to contact your Help to Buy Agents or providers.
134 20 Questions We ask 20 quick-fire questions to a property expert and in this issue Craig Osborne, who looks after housing and Build to Rent at Vesta Interior Design, is in the spotlight.
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LETTERS
Mailbox I am hoping to buy my first home in the not too distant future. I want to try to build my credit score before I apply for my first mortgage. Are there any tips on how I can do this? Matilda Alexander
FINANCIAL ADVICE
FTB says: When it comes to improving your credit score, there’s no one solution that fits all. It’s important to remember that every person’s credit journey is unique. There are a few general ways in which someone can build their credit score, however. Firstly, ensure you pay your bills on time. Late payments will seriously damage your score and can have an impact for a number of years. Make sure that you dispute any credit errors you come across as this can damage your score. Errors aren’t common but they do happen. Although it might sound strange, being registered to vote will also boost your credit score, so do this as soon as possible if you haven’t already. Ask your bank if it’s possible to increase your credit limit as this will also have a positive effect on your score. Finally, do all you can to reduce your outstanding debt as this will show the credit agencies that you are tackling any issues and working to improve your score. as I would prefer to spend the money elsewhere? Is this something I could do myself or do I definitely need one? Reya Nelson
lakeland.co.uk
CONVEYANCING FEE It has taken me a long time to save for a deposit and I am trying to cut costs. Is it necessary to use a conveyancer
Please send us your questions, comments and suggestions concerning property, or the articles in First Time Buyer magazine. lynda@firsttimebuyermag.co.uk
CREDIT SCORE
Celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee this summer with this month’s star letter prize from Lakeland. This rainbow-coloured bunting worth £17.99 has cute tassels that will brighten any street party. Re-use for children’s birthday parties or summer barbecues, as this sustainably sourced cotton can be washed and used again to ensure a pop of colour is added to every celebration year after year.
WRITE TO US!
FTB says: We highly recommend using a conveyancer to help you buy your first home and, in most cases, you will legally need to use one. There’s a reason why solicitors achieve qualifications to carry it out, and that’s because there is a lot of specialist legal work involved. Mistakes can be extremely expensive! If you’re taking out a mortgage, you won’t be able to carry out the conveyancing process yourself, because lenders will require a professional legal firm to be involved. Remember, properties are very expensive, so it’s definitely worth getting it right. With that in mind, it’s best to have a professional on board to guide you through the process.
I am very keen to get a foot on the property ladder and I think I am in a position where I can buy my first home. Are there any benefits to using a mortgage broker or am I better off finding a mortgage for myself and cutting out the go-between? Mandeep Devlin FTB says: We always advise first time buyers to use a mortgage broker or a financial adviser. They have contact with a wide variety of lenders, some of whom you may not even know about. Some lenders work exclusively with mortgage brokers so you may not have the option of calling them directly. Brokers may also be able to get special rates from lenders due to the volume of business generated that might be lower than you can get on your own. Several different types of fees can be involved in taking on a new mortgage or working with a new lender, including origination fees, application fees, and appraisal fees. In some cases, mortgage brokers and financial advisers may be able to get lenders to waive some or all of these fees, which could save you hundreds of pounds.
GROUND RENT I am in the process of buying my first home, which is very exciting. I am buying an apartment and I am a little confused. What exactly is ground rent and is this something that I will always need to pay? Esme-Rose Wagner FTB says: Apartments can never be sold with a total freehold title as, by nature, they are built on top of each other and therefore occupy the same area of land. It is therefore usual for the freeholder of the land to attach a ground rent to each apartment. Ground rent is a monetary amount specified within your lease documents,
and sometimes this amount can be reviewed and altered at set, specified periods. If you are being asked to pay ground rent then you are legally obliged to pay this amount in full. Ground rent is a contractual rental payment for the occupation of part of an area of land and anything occupying that space. If you fail to pay your ground rent as required, then the freeholder of the land could reclaim your property as their own for breaching the contractual agreement.
VISIT OUR WEBSITE
For everything you need to know about buying for the first time, go to firsttimebuyermag.com
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OPINION
WORLD
TV presenter and property expert Jonnie Irwin gives his thoughts and views on first time buyers and the housing market
I’m not a natural spender. I think it comes from my experience of being absolutely skint. My dad was against me going to university for reasons beyond comprehension, so I funded myself. Thankfully, those were the days where you didn’t have to pay for the course fees, otherwise my uni career would have been a non-starter. There were, however, a few positives coming from my situation; I got various jobs including working at an estate agent part time which was valuable experience for later in my career. I also learnt how to live on a shoestring while still managing a social life, and because I didn’t rely on handouts from mummy and daddy it gave me a real idea of the value of money early on. It also means that unfortunately I’m not great at spending money, even though I’m a lot more financially comfortable. Before having a family I’d often enjoy a weekend of going out to bars and restaurants, getting taxis and buying clothes, only to find myself doing the weekly shop in a supermarket on Monday and painfully deliberating the pros and cons of two brands of pasta with a potential saving of about nine pence! I’m getting better at spending money on myself, but I’m probably more of a saver than a spender – and many freelance people are the same. My latest bit of fiscal procrastination is property related. Being a property finder I’m pretty good at sifting through the chaff and making objective decisions on behalf of clients. I’m pretty rubbish when it comes to my own life. I recently commenced some renovations to our new home. I plan this to be a house we stay in long term, so ended up paying top money in order to close out the fierce competition. Now I’m in and have lived there for a few months I know I made the right decision. I’m a strong believer in living in a house for a while before making big decisions. There are some things, however, that I don’t need to wait for and that’s the decor. I charged my wife with the task of choosing the colours, my job was the radiators and the
energy calculations, and all seemed to be going well until it came to choosing the light switches and sockets. Everything came to a stop while I visited countless sites comparing style and price. Do I go for fancy switches but buy standard sockets? How much can I save if I do? After all, I thought, half the sockets will be hidden by furniture. I won’t bore you with the detail but I ended up selecting the posh ones even though most will be hidden – ultimately, I’ll know they are there! You see I can spend money, but it takes a bit of hand wringing to get there. Next came selecting the trades people. Gone are the days when you’d obtain multiple quotes – its hard enough to get one to answer the phone. I remember it was only a couple of years back that plumbers and builders would suck air through their teeth and announce that whatever you were asking for, “it won’t be cheap”. Now they do the same when you merely ask when they might be free. The cost of materials postlockdown has gone up to such an extent that when you eventually get a price for something substantial, the quote has a shelf life of a month and then will need to be adjusted according to the rise in prices. This inflation is acutely alarming. The big housebuilders and developers will also be feeling the pinch and ultimately the rising price to build will have to be passed along to the consumer. The problem is compounded by our national rate of inflation at 7% which is the highest for 30 years (since March 1992). With banks paying little or no interest on bank accounts, our savings are effectively going backwards at a rate of 7% each year. First time buyers will really have to save hard to get ahead of this, but in my opinion the best choice is to lock your money into an asset as soon as you can. While, strictly speaking, a home with a mortgage is classed as a liability, the portion of bricks and mortar that you do own is an asset and I for one, am a lot happier with my eggs in that basket rather than with those bankers!
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FTB LOVES
Raise a toast to Her Majesty this summer to celebrate her Platinum Jubilee. This month’s FTB Loves has our top picks to honour The Queen as she becomes the first British monarch to reign for 70 years. From patriotic decorations to marking the festivities with sustainable memories, we have it covered!
e now m p o t s Don’t a a Jubilee game. Put your trivi Enjoy some family fun with ging llen cha by test the British to knowledge about all things ily quiz game. the relatives to this Royal Fam Tables talkingtables.co.uk ing Talk £6, e, gam Jubilee quiz
I want it all
Party like a true Bridgerton this Jubilee with this wonderful party provisions from Ginger Ray. Serve your street party sandwiches and cakes on board a London bus and make Mary Berry proud with these cute cake decorations.The range also includes paper plates, cups and balloons. Queen’s Jubilee Party like Royalty bunting, £6.99, Queen’s Jubilee street party cupcake decorations, £3.99, London bus cupcake and sandwich stand, £18.99 Ginger Ray gingerray.co.uk
Somebody to love
There’s no better way of celebrating the Jubilee (or anything else for that matter) than with chocolate! Whether you’re throwing a street party or a tea party, these patriotic and delicious salted caramel filled milk chocolates will be an added treat to your celebrations. 6 House of Dorchester milk chocolate Jubilee salted caramel crowns, £6.99, Lakeland lakeland.co.uk
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FTB LOVES
The show must go on
There are many ways you can get involved in Her Majesty The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations in 2022. The UK has a long history of organised street parties to celebrate national events. Why not organise one for your neighbours for the Platinum Jubilee? Visit the Government’s dedicated website to get your party started. platinumjubilee.gov.uk/get-involved-with-the-platinum-jubilee
Crazy little thing called love
Snuggle up for your Jubilee tea over the festive weekend on this patriotic picnic rug. One to re-use for years to come. Union Jack travel blanket, £12.99, The Range therange.co.uk
We wil l rock you The Platinum Jubilee Collection design is hand drawn and was inspired by the beautiful dress worn by The Queen during her Coronation in 1952. The wonderful design is printed on products from tea towels to aprons and features flowers from all around the Commonwealth. Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Collection, from £8.50, Victoria Eggs victoriaeggs.com
A kind of magic
I want to break free
Invite your family over and plant your very own little outdoor kingdom. Containing nature-inspired activities that include decorating a woven willow crown and sowing native tree seeds, this is a creative, planet-friendly way for everyone to celebrate The Queen’s special celebrations. Plant a tree for the Jubilee kit, £24.50, The Den Kit Company thedenkitco.com
Ensure your home smells good enough for any Queen to pay a visit this summer with this delicious home fragrance from Janet Reger. The floral and sophisticated room scent will turn any home into a palace. Room fragrance reed diffuser 100ml, £19.99, Janet Reger janetregerbeauty.com
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Homepage LIVING
f o h t a e r Ab ! r i a h s e fr
Everyone in the UK knows all too well that the months between May and August can sometimes loosely be described as "British Summer Time". So, we love to make full use of any square inch of sunshine with visits to pub gardens, walks with friends and entertaining at home. FTB has taken interiors outdoors to help you decorate your space so that you can enjoy spending time with family and friends – whether you have a garden or a balcony, there is something for everyone
Eastern delight bunting, £10, Wilko
Elysian scatter cushion, £22.99; scatter cushion by Mack+Milo, £20.99; Mettler Casablanca throw, £19.99; set of 2 carafes, £51.98, wayfair.co.uk
Kisiria leaf cushion, £18, B&Q
Remarkable round outdoor cushion, £35, joebrowns.co.uk
Outdoor rug, £149, Furniture Village
Groovy floral 12-piece picnic set, £15, George Home
ven basket bag, Outdoor cushion, £9; wo ; picnic tiffin £6 ss, gla £16; plastic soda nic bag, £16; pic ay aw k pac ; .50 box, £5 and dip tray, chip 0; bamboo tray, £12.5 ; picnic rug, .25 £3 ls, bow ll sma ; £7.50 hion, £9, Wilko £16; outdoor scatter cus
Boho floor cushion, £135, joebrowns.co.uk
Indoor/outdoor beanbag, £42.99, beanbagbazaar.co.uk
Eastern delight bamboo nibble bowls, £12, Wilko
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Homepage LIVING Hazy Days melamine tableware; 4 bowls, £15.50; salad servers, £4.9 9; side plate, £3.99; dinner plate £4.99; tumbler, £3.49; platter, £9.99; salad bowl, £9.99, Lakeland
Scrunch Old Rose watering can, £12.99, Dobbies
Almute hanging chair, £82.99, wayfair.co.uk
Acrylic candy pitcher, £18.99, Dobbies
Sun lounger, £38, B&Q
Acrylic candy wine glass, £5.99, Dobbies
Beach parasol, £103.99, wayfair.co.uk
Metal foldable beach chair, £18, B&Q
Keter Mia blue rattan-effect stool, £40, B&Q
Jazzy gnome ornament, £25, joebrowns.co.uk
Tropical fruit lolly moulds, £14.99, Lakeland
SH S P L AT ! U O
Nassau recycled plastic furniture set, £273, lifestylegarden.co.uk
CONTACTS » B&Q diy.com » Bean Bag Bazaar beanbagbazaar.co.uk » Dobbies dobbies.com » Furniture Village furniturevillage.co.uk » George Home direct.asda.com » Joe Browns joebrowns.co.uk » Lakeland lakeland.co.uk » Lifestyle Garden lifestylegarden.co.uk »Wayfair wayfair.co.uk » Wilko wilko.com
Bring the spa lifestyle to your garden and enjoy summer parties or crisp winter evenings with family and friends in style. Simply plug in, inflate and fill. A fantastic way to unwind! CleverSpa hot tub, £390, B&Q
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Homepage LIVING
At home with:
Kwoklyn Wan
“I HAPPILY HAVE A BOWL OF RICE FOR BREAKFAST AND AT THE MOMENT I AM THINKING ABOUT DIM SUM AND ROAST DUCK AND RICE – IT’S MAKING ME HUNGRY!” Kwoklyn is a professional chef, author, Kung Fu instructor and has appeared on many TV shows – he is a regular on Steph’s Packed Lunch on Channel 4. In the 1950s, his grandfather emigrated to England and settled in Leicester where he opened the first Chinese restaurant. Then in 1978, his father opened his own restaurant, The Bamboo House, which was Leicester’s first Cantonese restaurant. Kwoklyn is a third-generation chef and learnt his skills by helping out the family business by washing dishes or chopping onions. He talks to Lynda Clark about how it all began, his career and his first home Photos: Sarah Carter FTB: Tell us about your first step on the property ladder? KW: I was in my late 20s and wanted to buy my first home. It was quite a struggle as I have always been self-employed and it was difficult to get a mortgage. Luckily, I have a very good friend who was a broker and he helped and managed to get me a good deal. I had about £10,000 saved for the deposit and I bought a three-bedroom dormer bungalow in the village my parents lived in. I still own it today, so it was a very good long-term investment. FTB: Where do you live now? KW: I have recently bought a beautiful three-storey Victorian property. It needs a lot of renovation but I know a good
handyman who is doing all the work. We are living there, but as the house is absolutely massive we manage to keep out of the way of the builders most of the time. The ceilings are about 11ft high and the space is perfect – I wanted a house that we could live in but also use for work as I do a great deal of filming from home for my show on Amazon Prime, Kwoklyn’s Chinese Takeaway Kitchen, so it ticked every box. FTB: How did you career start? KW: My grandfather and then my parents had restaurants and takeaways in Leicester and it was quite normal for me to help out. It was rather like an apprenticeship as I worked as a member of staff, and although I was only about 13 and I really had no
choice, I loved it and learnt so many skills. I never wanted to be front of house so I ended up in the kitchen washing dishes or peeling vegetables. When I was older I went off and had a different career, but cooking is in my DNA and it was quite natural that I ended up being a chef. FTB: You are also really into martial arts – can you tell us about that? KW: I have studied Kung Fu for 45 years and over the years I’ve run a full-time Kung Fu school, put on a huge Martial Arts and Fitness Show at the NEC, written for just about every martial arts magazine there is and I am a recognised teacher in America. I really enjoy it and I am a second-generation Bruce Lee student, so it’s pretty special!
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Homepage LIVING
FTB: Tell us about your TV career, books you have written and your Amazon Prime show. KW: I have written four cookery books, Chinese Takeaway Cookbook, Chinese Takeaway in 5, The Veggie Chinese Takeaway Cookbook and 10 Minute Chinese Takeaway. I have a new book launching in September called Complete Chinese which I am very excited about. I am hoping to film another series for my own TV show on Amazon Prime TV called Kwoklyn’s Chinese Takeaway Kitchen. The first series was a great success, so I am really looking forward to filming a new one. I am a regular chef on Steph’s Packed Lunch on Channel 4 and I have also appeared on ITV’s This Morning, BBC1’s Inside Out and Takeaway Secrets on Channel 5. I really enjoy presenting and spend most of my time either writing or preparing recipes for the shows. I have some exciting new projects in the pipeline so it’s a question of watch this space! FTB: What do you think the latest food trends are? KW: Anything East Asian-inspired is massive at the moment, and there is a big selection of restaurants on the high street to choose from which all serve great dishes. Things like Korean rice noodles are perfect if you suffer from any allergies and they are not only delicious but are very comforting food too. Growing up we always had a bowl of noodles on the go. Years ago, everyone bought Pot Noodles but we had fresh ones which are far superior – they are my “go-to” snack. FTB: What is your favourite food? KW: It depends on the time of year but I adore rice and happily eat it with everything. I like a typical English roast dinner but always have rice and gravy with it – there’s nothing like it! I happily have a bowl of rice for breakfast and at the moment I am thinking about Dim Sum and roast duck and rice – it’s making me hungry! FTB: What advice do you have for first time buyers? KW: Buying a property is the safest investment you will ever make so be aware and sensible with your money and save as much as you can for a deposit. If you buy a property now, say for £120,000, property prices are pretty much sure to go up so you might sell at £220,000 and that’s a very good profit.
“I HAD ABOUT £10,000 SAVED FOR THE DEPOSIT AND I BOUGHT A THREEBEDROOM DORMER BUNGALOW IN THE VILLAGE MY PARENTS LIVED IN. I STILL OWN IT TODAY, SO IT WAS A VERY GOOD LONG-TERM INVESTMENT” First Time Buyer June/July 2022 15
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“W PR BY CU W CU FE
Homepage FIRST RUNG
The
HOUSE HUNTER
What we found… THE FAMILY LIFESTYLE The Brooks Clitheroe, Lancashire
FROM £65,625*
THE CANALSIDE VIEWS Spring Gardens Rishton, Lancashire
FROM £70,000*
This month FTB goes on the hunt with Sam Kingston who is looking for a two or three bedroom home for herself and her young daughter in Clitheroe, Lancashire, or the surrounding areas
PROFILE
Name Sam Kingston Occupation Social media manager Maximum budget £200,000 Requirements I’m looking for a family home for myself and my young daughter Tabatha
What she wanted… We currently rent a small house close to Clitheroe, Lancashire. The landlord recently put the rent up, and I’m really keen to find a place we can call home and stop wasting money on rent. Most of my family are in and around Clitheroe or Blackburn, so I’d like us to be a short drive from them. I work mainly from home and just have to travel into Manchester twice a month, so when it comes to commuting, I’m really quite flexible. We need at least two bedrooms, though more would be a great bonus, as a dedicated office space would be fantastic. We do also need a garden – Tabatha just loves being outside, and I love entertaining, especially in the summer. A strong community, as well as schools and family activities nearby, are a must. I have been sitting on a small savings pot for a number of years, and have been slowly adding to it. I have a deposit of just over £20,000 and a budget of up to approximately £200,000. “
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There are far-reaching views over the picturesque Ribble Valley at this development, home to a range of two and three bedroom houses. The contemporary properties have a thoughtful design with 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 supermarket and primary and secondary school. From nearby Whalley, trains run to Manchester and Blackburn on an hourly basis.
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 landscaped green spaces, and plenty of open countryside on the doorstep. The homes have been created to a high standard, with flexible living spaces, stylish kitchens and bathrooms, allocated parking and private gardens. There are plenty 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.
plumlife.co.uk
onward-living.co.uk
*Based on a 35% share of the full market value of £187,500
*Based on a 40% share of the full market value of £175,000
What she thought… These houses are in a good position – close to both Clitheroe and Whalley. It’s so easy to get around by car, and you can be in town in a few minutes. The surrounding area is beautiful and the views at this development are really fantastic – I’d be so happy to have this outlook on the doorstep. The houses are really impressive! There are separate living and dining rooms downstairs, which would make such a difference – I could have a play space for Tabatha and still have plenty of room, unlike our current set up!”
I love the look of these homes – they have more of a rural style. The interiors have plenty of natural light, which is really important to me seeing as I’m at home such a lot. It’s a good location, too – very close to Rishton high street, but with the canal running past, and open fields in view. This really appeals to me as there’s a mix of things to do right on the doorstep and plenty of places to get out and explore the area. Blackburn is an easy drive away, and there’s plenty going on there, too.”
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Homepage FIRST RUNG
THE TOWN VIBE The Ridings Longridge, Lancashire
THE WELL CONNECTED FROM £210,000
Oak Leigh Gardens Whalley, Lancashire
FROM £222,995
First choice! THE BEST OF BOTH
FROM £77,000*
Montague Place Clitheroe, Lancashire
The market town of Longridge is regarded as the gateway to the Ribble Valley and Forest of Bowland, so you can expect an abundance of beauty here. These new three and four bedroom homes are perfect for family life, with a spacious living/dining room that opens to a rear garden, a downstairs WC and an en suite from the master bedroom upstairs. All homes feature private parking in form of a driveway or garage. The nearby town has a good mix of local shops, while Preston is just a short drive away.
Located between Whalley and Clitheroe, these new two and three bedroom properties enjoy a rural location with great access to towns and travel links. The houses have been created in a range of classic styles, with some featuring an integral garage. Inside, the houses are bright and contemporary, with open-plan living areas, utility room, and en suite from the main bedroom. Getting around is easy, with direct road access to local towns and, further afield, Preston. Manchester can be reached in around an hour by car or train.
prospecthomes.co.uk
redrow.co.uk
collection heroe is home to this new The market town of Clit h the wit g pin m houses, in kee of two and three bedroo are e her ngs ndi rou utiful sur historic location. The bea g UK’s areas of outstandin the of one as ised recogn family a as perfect for exploring natural beauty and are ht and brig are ties de, the proper whatever the weather. Insi om hro bat tiled s, hen rt fitted kitc contemporary, with sma cated allo e hav es hom All . and downstairs cloakroom to Manchester k gardens. Equidistant parking and turfed bac ation for loc al ide Place is in an and Lancaster, Montague away. far er nev ure ent urban adv enjoying rural life, with plumlife.co.uk *Based on a 35% share of the full market value of £220,000
THE NEXT STEP
“I think this is the ideal location for us, and I am so happy that I’m able to afford such a lovely property in such a great spot. I will not hesitate to take a look around and initiate the application and mortgage process to secure my dream home!”
I have a friend in Longridge and she and her family love it there. They are a real outdoors family, but also love going out for meals and celebrations, and they’re able to find a good balance here. The town is accessible, which makes life easier. The properties are very attractive – with bright living areas and lovely French doors leading out to the all-important garden. I just love the idea of having an en suite – so when Tabatha is older and hogging the bathroom, I’ll have my very own bathroom – perfect.”
Wow, I really love these houses – they’ve been so beautifully designed and remind me of classic 1920s properties. The interiors are great, too, and I really like the idea of a utility room – perfect for keeping the washing and household chores out of sight. The development is in a good position, with good road links. I would be very close to my mum’s side of the family here, so perfect for help with childcare and just staying in touch. And of course, the surrounding Ribble Valley is just beautiful.”
This is a dream spot for us! Clitheroe is only a fiveminute drive, which is excellent for me – for seeing my family and just doing everyday things with Tabatha very easily. You could also walk into town on a nice day. Edisford is close by, which has an amazing country pub, swimming pool and other amenities. It’s nice that the river and brook are so near and that our stunning countryside is on tap in every direction. It’s such a perfect area for exploring, walking, canoeing and general outdoor fun. I will love showing Tabatha the same gorgeous places I explored as a kid growing up in these parts.”
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ADVICE
Stuart Hensby, Associate Director Sales and Marketing at Abri, is passionate about helping customers find their first home and getting on to the property ladder. He has a wealth of sales and marketing experience in the new homes industry helping to match people to the property that’s right for them. Stuart’s experience comes from working in property across the South of England and London, helping guide buyers across different tenures including shared ownership, resales and open market sale
Q A
I am looking to buy my first home but is now still a good time to buy?
Buying a home is one of the most emotional purchases you’ll ever make and with house prices continuing to rise, the recurring questions in your mind could well be: “Is now the right time or should I wait?” and “Can I even afford to buy right now and what are my options?” The average house price reached an all-time high in March 2022, at £265,312 according to figures from Nationwide Building Society, an increase of 14% in just 12 months. Although prices have risen, mortgage rates still remain relatively low, although the base rate has risen from 0.1% to 0.75% and so it’s worth taking into consideration if rate changes are expected to rise and taking advantage of fixed or tracker mortgage rates to see which best matches your needs. Timing any market is going to be difficult, that’s why it’s better to always take the long-term view. At Abri we understand that rising prices can make the thought of buying a home even more daunting, but the dream of owning your own home can still be within reach. The Government-backed scheme of shared ownership makes buying your first home more affordable and can help overcome some of the financial barriers. Shared ownership allows you to buy a share of your home and increase this percentage share when and if you’re able to. Your mortgage is based on the share you’ve bought and then you pay rent on the remaining share. For example, at Abri’s The Orchards development in Southbourne, it’s possible to buy a 40% share of a two bedroom house for £118,000 instead of the full market value of £295,000. This makes the deposit just £5,900. It’s a great first step on to the property ladder and you can also work up to owning your home outright by purchasing further shares in your home known as staircasing. As one of the South’s largest housing
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providers, Abri has a range of new homes that are available through shared ownership. Buying a new home comes with benefits including better levels of energy efficiency and everything ready to go as soon as you move in. No renovation, just a blank canvas to make your own. Not only are the running costs lower, an important factor with increasing energy prices, but new homes are also better for the planet with lower carbon emissions. Our new homes at Castle Park View in Bristol are a great example of this. The homes are connected to the largest water source heat pump in the country that draws heat from the nearby floating harbour, and the solar panels on the roof take advantage of renewable energy from the sun. The pandemic has also placed more emphasis on the need
Stuart Hensby, Associate Director Sales and Marketing at Abri
for space, so many of our developments are designed specifically to make best use of their surroundings – built in great locations with amazing public spaces emphasising health, happiness and well-being. Abri is dedicated to helping potential buyers find the property that best suits their needs. Abri means shelter, and providing shelter is our purpose. So, it’s not just a word, but a driver for achieving great things and providing quality homes for as many people as possible. We build, own, look after and sell homes that people can afford and we want to help you at every stage to find the best home that’s right for you. To find out more about our wide range of homes across the South and South West of England visit abrihomes.co.uk.
Discover The Orchards, FROM a new collection of two, three and four bedroom homes located in the village of Southbourne. With several marinas, beaches, and nature reserves to explore, adventure is right on your doorstep. Plus, Chichester is less than 20 minutes’ drive away with a range of shops, restaurants and bars to enjoy. These new homes, built by Abri’s in-house construction team, are fitted with a wealth of professionally designed, high-quality features that Southbourne, make your new home even more special. All homes The Orchards benefit from Symphony kitchen units with a Zanussi stainless-steel oven and hob, en suites and turfed back gardens. Built with modern life in mind, selected homes feature garages, utility rooms and space for home working. Prices for a two bedroom semi-detached home start from £118,000 for a 40% share. So, stepping on to the property ladder could be more affordable than you might think.
£119,000*
abrihomes.co.uk
*Based on a 40% share with a full market value of £297,500
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THE VIEW
Follow your dreams! From pop star to TV presenter, Leah Charles-King has contributed for over 30 years to mainstream media and the entertainment industry as a multi award-winning music artist, presenter and radio host. She has recently joined the team of property experts on Channel 4’s A Place in the Sun, where she is helping house hunters find their dream holiday homes. She talks to Lynda Clark about her fascinating life and career and gives some sound advice to first time buyers
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THE VIEW
"IT IS REALLY OVERWHELMING AND AS YOU HAVE NEVER BOUGHT BEFORE IT IS QUITE DAUNTING"
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THE VIEW
I
spoke to Leah on a rather dull Wednesday afternoon and after a few minutes getting to know each other I was hooked! Her love of life, her experiences and her enthusiasm for her new role as a presenter on A Place in the Sun are infectious. Her story has been a journey of ups and downs and twists and turns, yet through it all one thing stands out that defines Leah as a person and what her story teaches us all – to follow your dreams and never give up! Leah had quite an unconventional childhood. From a very early age she went to stage school and was acting, singing and dancing, but she also attended mainstream school as well and she said,“I really lived two lives, which was sometimes quite confusing.” She had always thought she would become a lawyer as she was passionate about standing up for people’s rights, but as a teenager in the 90s things changed quite dramatically and Leah’s world was turned upside down. Together with her two cousins, she formed an R&B pop girl band, Kleshay, which was signed by Sony and enjoyed two UK chart singles as well as a successful arena tour as a supporting act for Lionel Richie. “It was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity but we were so young it was pretty overwhelming to see advertising billboards all across the UK promoting us. We lived the dream though, and I have wonderful memories of those days. I also sang on the backing vocals for George Michael, Mary J Blige and Andreas Bocelli, so it was really full-on.” Eventually, though, her life took another turn and at the age of 19 the group had disbanded and Leah became depressed and really struggled with what her future might hold. “We had lost our record deal and I struggled with my mental health, but in those days nobody really spoke about depression and despair. I knew I was in a bad way but it was never ever diagnosed and I never got any proper help. "I felt embarrassed and ashamed of my condition so I could never speak about it and led a rather secret life. I then hit an all-time low and wrote to my GP saying I just couldn’t go on. Thankfully he took it very seriously and I was diagnosed as being bipolar. It was a relief to know what was wrong with me but there was still a stigma attached to it and I still didn’t feel able to tell anyone. Then about three years ago I woke up one day and decided to tell the world via social media – it was quite a moment and unbelievably it went viral and I have never looked back.” Leah is a very accomplished presenter and has racked up well over 100,000 hours of live, unscripted, non-autocued TV presenting and has produced and presented programmes transmitted across Europe, US
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"WE LIVED THE DREAM THOUGH, AND I HAVE WONDERFUL MEMORIES OF THOSE DAYS. I ALSO SANG ON THE BACKING VOCALS FOR GEORGE MICHAEL, MARY J BLIGE AND ANDREAS BOCELLI, SO IT WAS REALLY FULL-ON" and African mainstream television. She has worked with a host of major broadcasters including the BBC, CITV, Channel 5, Disney Channel and Sky1. “It hasn’t always been an easy ride though, as in the late 90s there was no internet and getting work was very difficult. Then in 2001 I heard CITV (Children’s ITV) was looking for a new presenter. It wasn’t until the last possible day that I decided to send my showreel in and I pretty much forgot all about it. I heard nothing for months but then I was asked to come in and do a test along with about 1,000 other people. I didn’t think I stood a chance but they then asked me to audition and the children voted for me and I got the job! I was the first black female continuity presenter on CITV in its 40-year history. I was also the host and producer for the flagship radio show, Leah CK Drive Time, on The Beat London. It was the station’s most listened-to broadcast and won many coveted industry awards. “I have such a fun career and A Place in the Sun is the very best job as I love travelling and property. Before I got the job, my agent asked me if I knew anything about property. My uncle is a property developer and I have always helped him as I am passionate about buying a home and also my family have bought land in the Caribbean and built their own homes out there so I feel I really understand what it is like to want to move to your dream destination. I was asked to send a 20-second video in and I really wanted to show my personality and also how serious I was about the role. I had a beautiful picture of the Maldives on the screen as a backdrop and it must have worked as I was asked to do a screen test and one month later I was filming in the town of Islantilla on Spain’s Costa de la Luz – it was a dream come true! “The couple I helped were amazing and we are still in touch now. They are retired teachers, and had a budget of £110,000 and wanted a two bedroom apartment near to the beach so they could spend the winter there. I showed them five different places and they decided to buy one, which was incredible for my first show. They have called their home Casa Leah, which I was bowled over by. I have also been to Cyprus and sold three houses in the same road and
they are hoping to rename the street after me too!” Leah was brought up in Maida Vale and then her parents eventually moved to Wembley so she spent her teenage years there. She said, ”I now live in south London but I am really fed-up with renting and want to buy a home of my own as soon as I can. I expect I am like a lot of buyers as I don’t really quite know where I want to settle and buy, and it’s hard in London with prices being so high. But, in the meantime, I am continuing to save for a deposit – my plan is to save, save, save.” She has some very good advice for first time buyers and recommends, “It is really overwhelming and as you have never bought before it is quite daunting. Plan ahead and take your time and don’t have any knee-jerk reactions as sometimes pressure makes you make some bad decisions. It is a very big commitment and the most expensive thing you will ever buy so it is important to decide on exactly the right location. Make a list of what amenities are important to you like transport links, schools or shops and this will help you to focus when you are searching for a property. There is nothing worse than buying a home and then finding you don’t like it and you are unhappy or feel isolated, as it is very costly to move again.” As we finish, Leah is about to start packing for her next trip with A Place in the Sun, “I am off to Spain and it has been really cold there which is unusual for this time of the year. It’s so hard to know what to wear but I love my work so much I don’t mind what the weather does. Looking back to when I was so low, I can’t believe how my life has changed so much for the better. I filmed a report for BBC’s The One Show called Bipolar and Me, where I discuss my experiences and it was watched by 8.8 million viewers. I am the Ambassador for the charity Bipolar UK and I want to help as much as I can. I am now so positive and I honestly feel I am the luckiest person ever!”
Follow Leah on Instagram @leahcharlesking A Place in the Sun broadcasts daily at 4pm on Channel 4 starting 20 June 2022
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THE VIEW
"I EXPECT I AM LIKE A LOT OF BUYERS AS I DON’T REALLY QUITE KNOW WHERE I WANT TO SETTLE AND BUY AND IT’S HARD IN LONDON WITH PRICES BEING SO HIGH. BUT, IN THE MEANTIME, I AM CONTINUING TO SAVE FOR A DEPOSIT – MY PLAN IS TO SAVE, SAVE, SAVE"
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RENTING VS BUYING
ESCAPE THE RENT TRAP
Buying your own home rather than renting can save you more than £100 a month, reveals a new report Each year, Halifax releases its Buying vs Renting Review, which aims to discover which is the most cost-effective option – renting a home or paying a mortgage and all the associated costs of owning a home. This year’s report shows that those who choose to buy will be better off by the largest amount since 2017, saving £114 a month on average. The report found that across the UK as a whole, annual homeownership costs were £1,378 cheaper than renting in 2021, although this varied depending on area. The smallest difference was found in Northern Ireland, where buyers were just £205 better off at the end of the year than renters, while Londoners were a massive £4,181 (20%) better off buying than renting. In the South East, the saving was £3,146 (20%), followed by £2,081 in the North West (22%) and £2,034 (17%) in the South West. For buyers in Scotland, the saving was also a massive 22%, although in monetary terms it was slightly lower at £1,817 thanks to lower house prices. The figures are based on the housing costs associated with buying a three bedroom home, compared to the average monthly rent for the same property. For
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buyers, it takes into account mortgage payments, household maintenance, repairs and insurance costs, as well as the income lost by putting your savings down as a deposit (although it doesn’t factor in any capital gains in the value of the home). The resulting difference can vary widely from year to year, depending on how these costs, and average rents, change. Having narrowed in each of the past three years, the gap is now at its widest since 2017, and is over £1,200 greater than its historical low in 2019 (when buying meant a tiny £116 annual saving). However, the current difference (£1,378) is not as great as in 2015, when annual ownership costs were £1,476 less than those for renting. The study also looked at deposit costs, and found that, as a proportion of house price, deposits rose only marginally from 24% in 2020 to 25% in 2021. In cash terms, however, thanks to rising house prices, that meant buyers finding £5,334 extra, with the average deposit reaching £62,415. This too varies vastly by region – Londoners put down an average 33% deposit of £173,021, while in the North, the average is a 21% deposit of £31,995. Esther Djikstra, Mortgages Director at
Halifax, said, “Over the past year, we have seen record numbers of buyers entering the market, moving to bigger properties and taking advantage of the Stamp Duty holiday. However, historic lows for interest rates have kept mortgage costs down, compared to rents. For the second year running, buyers in Scotland see the greatest proportional difference in costs compared to renters and are joined this year by those in the North West of England, where rents are over a fifth more than buying costs. “Still, before homebuyers can benefit from lower monthly costs, a deposit needs to be put together, still the greatest challenge for many first time buyers. The £62,000 average deposit we see in our data may be an unimaginable sum to potential first time buyers, but it’s much higher than many need to get a foot on the housing ladder. Deposits from 5% are available and, based on the average house price, mean putting down a £12,500 deposit – significantly less than the average.” Take a look at the following properties we have selected, where you can get on to the housing ladder with a lower-thanaverage deposit, and save money every month over renting.
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RENTING VS BUYING Table 1: UK average monthly buying costs and rental payments (Source: Halifax, Birmingham Midshires and ONS) Average monthly buying costs
Average monthly rental payment
Dec-09
£578
£561
3%
£17
£206
Dec-10
£576
£605
-5%
-£29
-£354
Dec-11
£573
£653
-12%
-£80
-£960
Dec-12
£588
£661
-11%
-£73
-£877
Dec-13
£582
£692
-16%
-£110
-£1,321
Dec-14
£614
£720
-15%
-£106
-£1,278
% Difference
£ Difference monthly
CASE STUDY
£ Annual savings
Station Road is a new development by settle of one and two bedroom apartments moments from Harlington station in Central Bedfordshire. Most apartments come with a balcony or terrace, and all have allocated parking – one space for the smaller apartments and two spaces for the larger ones. Traditionally built and finished with care, the apartments are available through shared ownership and feature light, spacious open-plan interiors. The kitchens come with appliances including a fridge-freezer and washer-dryer, and the bathrooms are contemporary and elegant, with white sanitaryware. Harlington has everything you’ll need day to day, including a general store with post office, a hairdressing salon, medical centre and two traditional pubs serving home-cooked food.
The source of most sibling arguments is that one keeps copying the other – but it all ended happily ever after for two sisters from Tamworth. When Beth Taylor visited her sister Shannon’s new home at Redrow Midland’s King’s Park in Worcester, she was immediately filled with new-home envy. Being a low-maintenance new build, yet full of characterful charm, high ceilings and wider doorways, it seemed like the perfect property – and in true sibling style, Beth wanted the same. Beth said, “When I first went to visit Shannon’s home, The Kenilworth, I could see why she’d fallen in love. I couldn’t believe the quality of the home – I had huge sibling jealously!” Beth began saving for a deposit and in 2017, she’d brought her first Redrow home, an apartment, at Pennine Grange in Tamworth. “I was so happy when I moved into my apartment, it was perfect for my first home,” she said. In true sibling fashion, not long after Beth moved in, competition set in. With a growing family, Shannon was keen to upgrade to a larger property, and purchased her second Redrow home, the four bedroom Marlow, at Amington Garden Village on Mercian Way. Shannon said, “Of course – I had to one-up Beth! We loved living at Kings Park but needed a larger home.” In February 2020, Beth moved on to the very same development, a few minutes’ walk away from her sister. A few years later, Beth met her partner Sam, from Long Eaton, and they started to think about moving in together. Living 30 minutes apart, they were keen to meet in the middle and find a home near to their families. Beth said, “I knew my dream home was a Ludlow, and so I started looking at the Redrow developments in the East Midlands. Foxbridge Manor, in Castle Donington, felt like home the second we arrived, and the location was perfect. “Although we don’t live just down the road from each other anymore, Shannon and I still see each other all the time. She’s even thinking about moving here and purchasing her third Redrow property – that would be six Redrow’s between us!” Amington Fairway, Amington Green and now Eagle Gate at Amington offer a choice of two, three, four and five bedroom properties in Amington Garden Village.
settlesales.co.uk/stationroad
redrow.co.uk
Dec-15
£621
£744
-17%
-£123
-£1,476
Dec-16
£646
£759
-15%
-£113
-£1,358
Dec-17
£640
£754
-15%
-£114
-£1,369
Dec-18
£679
£759
-11%
-£80
-£959
Dec-19
£737
£747
-1%
-£10
-£116
Dec-20
£745
£821
-9%
-£77
-£922
Dec-21
£759
£874
-13%
-£115
-£1,378
Table 2: Average monthly buying and rental costs by region, December 2021 Average monthly buying costs
Average monthly rental costs
% Difference
£ Monthly difference
£ Annual savings
North
£494
£576
-14%
-£83
-£993
Yorkshire & the Humber
£561
£617
-9%
-£56
-£675
North West
£617
£791
-22%
-£173
-£2,081
East Midlands
£660
£731
-10%
-£71
-£850
West Midlands
£654
£778
-16%
-£124
-£1,490
East Anglia
£758
£858
-12%
-£100
-£1,198
Wales
£596
£703
-15%
-£108
-£1,292
South West
£804
£973
-17%
-£169
-£2,034
South East
£1,025
£1,287
-20%
-£262
-£3,146
Greater London
£1,355
£1,703
-20%
-£348
-£4,181
Northern Ireland
£476
£493
-3%
-£17
-£205
Scotland
£548
£699
-22%
-£151
-£1,817
UK
£759
£874
-13%
-£115
-£1,378
HARLINGTON, BEDS Station Road
FROM £89,000*
*Based on a 40% share of the full market value of £222,500
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RENTING VS BUYING
CASE STUDY
FROM £62,500*
EAST LONDON Beam Park
A Gloucestershire couple have taken their first steps on to the property ladder at a development in Twigworth, called Twigworth Green, with the help of Bromford’s shared ownership scheme, enabling them to secure a better future for their daughter. After previously renting in Cirencester and Gloucester, Ryan Featherstone, 34, and his fiancé Fern Goddard, 36, made the move to their first home to provide their two-year-old daughter, Darcie, with a safe and secure future, after she was diagnosed with a life-limiting condition. Ryan, who works at City Plumbing, said, “Darcie was born with HLHS, which is a heart defect meaning only one side of her heart grew in the womb. Buying our first home is all about her, and securing a future for her. We quickly came to the decision we wanted a new build property, as this enabled us to get on the property ladder via shared ownership.” Ryan added: “We plan to continue to save and buy more shares as and when we can, to ultimately own the property fully in the future. “I would definitely recommend shared ownership to anyone in similar circumstances as ourselves. Coming home to our own property and seeing what we have accomplished to get to this point is such a great feeling. We love the area and the fact we can come home and relax, knowing a future is secured for us.” The quiet village of Twigworth proved to be a perfect location for Ryan and Fern, as Darcie’s nursery and a handful of primary schools are nearby, plus it has easy access to Gloucester, Tewkesbury and the motorway. The young family purchased a semi-detached, three bedroom Bromford home off-plan. Ryan said, “Darcie now has her own space as she grows up, and the downstairs bathroom is a real bonus with potty training. The enclosed garden gives us security when she is playing outside too, so the whole house and layout really suits our needs. I work from home so the ability to have an office has been more than ideal. The lounge is our favourite room, as it already has a cosy, warm feeling.” Fern, who works at Tesco, added, “After reading a story on Facebook about the area and prospects at Twigworth Green, we were hooked and knew this would be the right place for us. The development is still in its early stages, but there is already a residents’ Facebook group that brings us all together! The purchase has been smooth, seamless and a good experience from start to finish and we would definitely recommend Bromford to friends and family.” bromford.co.uk/sharedownership
Beam Park is a purpose-built, modern community being shaped near the banks of the Thames, where Rainham and Dagenham meet, offering eco-friendly one, two and three bedroom homes through shared ownership. Designed to meet the GLA’s London Sustainable Design & Construction policy and achieve a 35% reduction in CO2 emissions, L&Q’s homes help residents to lower their eco-footprints and reduce their energy bills. The properties are fitted with a highly efficient water system that prevents water loss, while greater levels of insulation are achieved through double glazing and doors that meet high insulation standards. All apartment blocks are fitted with solar PV panels, and brown roofs will be positioned across the development, creating an environment for local ecology to thrive. Beam Park also has 17 acres of open space. lqhomes.com/beampark *Based on a 25% share of the full market value of £250,000
BECKENHAM, BROMLEY
FROM £475,000
The Gables
Over the past 12 months, prices in the London Borough of Bromley have risen by 10.9%, the highest increase of any London borough. With this in mind, Shanly Homes is delighted to announce the launch of The Gables, in Beckenham. Set along a leafy avenue, The Gables is a collection of 24 one and two bedroom apartments with exterior designs that reflect the large Victorian townhouses nearby, and contemporary open-plan interior layouts. Modern kitchens come complete with stone worktops and a range of appliances including an integrated microwave and fridge-freezer, while main bedrooms have fitted wardrobes. Three railway stations and a tram stop are all within a 12-minute walk. Also nearby are the 93 hectares of picturesque parkland at Beckenham Place Park and the amenities of Beckenham high street, including an Odeon Cinema and a range of restaurants. shanlyhomes.com
EALING
Ealing Bond
FROM £113,750*
Ealing Bond by Octavia is a collection of contemporary one, two and three bedroom apartments in leafy West Ealing, each benefiting from a spacious open-plan living area, modern fully fitted kitchen and quality internal specifications. Most have a private balcony. Externally, podium gardens create an oasis of relaxation in the capital. The apartments are within a short walking distance of West Ealing station, and the area has underground, Crossrail and National Rail connections that put the whole of the capital within easy reach. Once the Elizabeth Line is completed, Bond Street will be just a 13-minute tube journey away. This shared ownership development is only available to applicants who live or work in the borough of Ealing. sharetobuy.com/properties/165486 *Based on a 25% share of the full market value of £455,000
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RENTING VS BUYING
FROM £86,875*
HARROW The Elms
The Elms is a development of one and two bedroom shared ownership apartments by Octavia located on Elmgrove Road. The apartments have well-proportioned living areas and contemporary kitchens with integrated appliances, including a dishwasher. The modern and stylish bathrooms have a mirrored wall cabinet for handy storage and the main bedroom comes with a fitted wardrobe. All homes have private outdoor space in the form of a balcony or terrace. Conveniently located just a short walk from the shopping centres, cafes and restaurants of Harrow on the Hill, the development is also within walking distance of both Harrow-on-the-Hill and Harrow & Wealdstone stations, offering quick connections into London Euston, Baker Street or Marylebone stations. Priority will be given to applicants who live or work in the London Borough of Harrow. sharetobuy.com/properties/156106 *Based on a 25% share of the full market value of £347,500
WARWICK
Beauchamp Park
FROM £127,500*
L&Q has launched a range of new shared ownership homes in the heart of the idyllic Warwickshire countryside at Beauchamp Park, a major new residential neighbourhood at Gallows Hill in Warwick. Set across a 20.9-hectare site, Beauchamp Park will deliver 450 homes, new public open space, footpaths, cycleways and children’s play areas. Apartments, terraced and semi-detached houses are available in a variety of layouts, with a high-quality specification and a choice of three colour palettes. Beauchamp Park features views over Warwick Castle from Gallows Hill and there’s a wide selection of parks and open spaces nearby, while Warwick station is less than a mile away with services to Birmingham Moor Street in 30 minutes and London Marylebone in 90 minutes. Birmingham airport is a half-hour drive.
SLOUGH Aspire
FROM £300,000
Those looking for a high-specification, energy-efficient home with exceptional growth potential will find they don’t need to compromise at Aspire, Click Living’s new development of one, two and three bedroom apartments in Slough, Berkshire. According to SevenCapital, property prices in Slough are expected to rise by 19% by 2025, while current prices there are around 61% per cent lower on average. Every apartment has private outdoor space with a terrace, balcony or garden, and a spectacular roof terrace provides panoramic views of Windsor Castle. Every apartment has an air source heat pump and is EPC A/B. It’s a nine-minute walk to Slough station, from where trains take 14 minutes to London Paddington, while Heathrow is 13 minutes by car. Slough is benefiting from a £3.5bn town centre investment, including a stadium and ice arena, and Crossrail is set to arrive this year. clickaspire.co.uk
lqhomes.com/beauchamppark *Based on a 35% share of the full market value of £365,000
THAMESMEAD, SE2 Southmere
FROM £305,000*
BURNHAM, BUCKS
Peabody is offering a collection of spacious one, two and three bedroom apartments at its flagship site at Southmere in Thamesmead, south London, overlooking the iconic Southmere Lake. Part of the first major phase in Peabody’s ambitious regeneration scheme, delivering over 500 new homes, the properties in Thamesmead will benefit from access to a new public square, a civic building including library, a fitness studio and cafe, with more commercial buildings and community spaces to follow. The nearby station, Abbey Wood, is served by Southeastern and Thameslink, but when Crossrail arrives, the commute into London will be even quicker, with Canary Wharf just 11 minutes away. The collection, which launched in February, includes market sale homes (with all those under £600,000 available using London Help to Buy), as well as shared ownership.
Burnham Court
peabodysales.co.uk/developments/southmere
chanceryhomes.co.uk
FROM £277,500
Burnham Court, by Chancery Homes, comprises 58 new contemporary homes in one of Buckinghamshire’s best-connected villages. Situated in the village of Burnham, Burnham Court is already 75% sold, with the last few one and two bedroom apartments still available to purchase through the Help to Buy scheme. The apartments, with open-plan living spaces, high-quality finishes and off-street parking, are a short walk from the village high street and Burnham station, which runs a 36-minute service into London Paddington. National Nature Reserve Burnham Beeches, an area of outstanding beauty, is easily accessed by foot.
*Shared ownership also available from £91,500 for a 30% share of the full market value of £305,000
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RESALES
ARE YOU READY TO BUY?
Monthly NET pay £1,994.66 Based on average UK salary
14%
With shared ownership more and more people are discovering that they can afford to buy, and the idea of finally getting on the property ladder is very exciting – but are you ready? We asked the country’s largest resales specialist Urban Moves The first step to getting your shared ownership property is to make sure you’re eligible for the scheme. Tick all that apply: I don’t own another property in the UK or any other country or have agreed a sale by the time I apply and will sell the property I own on or before the completion date of the shared ownership property I wish to purchase I have a household income that is less than £90,000 or £80,000 threshold outside the M25. (Every property will have a minimum income level too, determined by its value, rent and service charge costs. In most cases you will need to meet or exceed the given minimum income) I have access to a minimum deposit of 5% of the share being purchased I am in full-time permanent employment I am a British, EU or EEA Citizen or have indefinite leave to remain in the UK I have a good credit history If you ticked all the boxes then congratulations, you meet the general eligibility criteria! This is great news as AFFORDABILITY A
55%
20%
6%
• Mortgage
6%
• Rent • Service Charge
• Monthly payments (loan, pension etc) • Remainder
it means you’re eligible for the scheme – although you may not pass affordability for every property. Each property will have a required minimum income level which is calculated by its value, rent and service charge costs. In most cases you will need to meet the guideline minimum income to pass affordability, but don’t worry, every Urban Moves property will have this figure listed clearly on the property marketing details.
UNDERSTANDING AFFORDABILITY Affordability is a term used to explain if your monthly income is enough to cover your potential outgoings. The monthly cost of a shared ownership property (rent, service charge and mortgage) along with any other financial commitments you may have (phone plan, car loan, pension contributions etc) must be less than 45% of your NET monthly income (after tax), see chart above. When staff at the Presales Team at AFFORDABILITY B
Urban Moves are assessing your application form they will enter your information into the affordability calculator to see if you are under the 45% maximum. If you’re not, they’ll look to see if there is any way you could be (ie raising your deposit or reducing a loan payment) and they’ll let you know if it’s possible. Some may think that if they were to buy a larger share the monthly cost would be cheaper because the rent would go down, but you have to consider that the mortgage costs will increase unless your deposit is increased to cover the additional shares purchased – this is very rarely the case as you can see in the table below.
TOO AFFORDABLE? In some cases, a property is too affordable for an applicant, this is when the monthly cost of rent, service charge and mortgage along with any other financial commitments would be under 25% of their NET monthly income, which is deemed the minimum monthly household payment to net income AFFORDABILITY C
Full Market Value £200,000
Full Market Value £200,000
Full Market Value £200,000
25% Share £50,000
50% Share £100,000
75% Share £150,000
Deposit required (10%) £5,000
Deposit required (10%) £10,000
Deposit required (10%) £15,000
Rent on unsold Equity (2.77%) = £346.25 PCM
Rent on unsold Equity (2.77%) = £230.83 PCM
Rent on unsold Equity (2.77%) = £115.42 PCM
Service Charge £100 PCM
Service Charge £100 PCM
Service Charge £100 PCM
Mortgage £238* PCM
Mortgage £475* PCM
Mortgage £713* PCM
Monthly Total: £683.78
Monthly Total: £805.89
Monthly Total: £928.00
Guideline Minimum Income: £21,600
Guideline Minimum Income: £26,400
Guideline Minimum Income: £31,200
*Approx figure subject to mortgage rates 30
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RESALES
DEPOSIT £29,750
DEPOSIT £17,250
FMV £850,000
FMV £230,000
ELGIN GARDENS
Guildford, Surrey GU1 1UB
DARWIN HOUSE
This first floor, two bedroom flat is spacious, well presented and in a recently constructed building surrounded by greenery. The property features a reception room with a south/south west-facing balcony and sleek, open-plan kitchen. The bedrooms are similar sized doubles with Juliet balconies and there is a large storage cupboard in the entrance hallway. The energy efficiency rating is very good, thanks to modern insulation standards, double glazing and gas central heating. A parking space is included in the sale, plus London Road station is only a short walk or even shorter bus ride away. The wideopen spaces of Stoke Park are also nearby and Guildford town centre is within easy reach.
A well-presented, top-floor apartment which features a reception room with a Juliet balcony and a stylish, partially open-plan kitchen. There is a convenient fitted wardrobe in the bedroom and additional useful storage space situated in the hallway. The bathroom has a mix of large format tiles and pencil mosaics and the energy efficiency rating is good, thanks to modern insulation standards, double glazing and gas central heating. The property comes with use of a parking space and is also just a short walk from Enfield Lock station which provides services to a number of destinations, including London Liverpool Street.
urbanmoves.com/property-details/4821494
urbanmoves.com/property-details/4802279
MATILDA APARTMENTS
4 Earnshaw Street, London WC2H 8AJ
77 Magnetic Crescent, Enfield EN3 7FP
DEPOSIT £13,600 FMV £340,000
A rare chance to buy a shared ownership apartment in such a desirable and central location. The stylishly presented property is on the 12th floor and has a 23ft long main room with an open-plan kitchen featuring sleek, handle-less units and attractive honeycomb-effect splashbacks. The bedroom is dual aspect with large windows, a Juliet balcony and space for a bank of wardrobes. Matilda Apartments is part of the Renzo Piano/Fletcher Priest-designed Central St Giles, a mixed-use development built around a courtyard, just a couple of minutes’ walk from Tottenham Court Road station. There are a number of other transport connections available, along with nearby places of interest including Covent Garden, Carnaby Street, the British Museum, Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club, the film-premiere-favoured cinemas of Leicester Square and the numerous theatres or restaurants that the area is so well known for. urbanmoves.com/property-details/4942999
ratio. In this instance we’ll do the maths to see if purchasing a larger share would work for you.
NEXT STEPS Now that it all makes sense, the next steps are to search for a property and apply! You can do this via the Urban Moves website, or our Share to Buy developer page. To ensure you are absolutely in the right position to buy, make sure you have your
documents ready; this would typically include: Three months of pay slips Three months of bank statements Proof of savings/deposit (eg savings account statement. If you’re using a gifted deposit, you may also be required to provide evidence of the deposit on a benefactor’s bank statement) Passport/photo ID (full colour copies) Your credit report Two years of company accounts and/or SA302 Returns (if self-employed).
MYTHBUSTING
Myth: Shared ownership means that I’ll be living with the person I’m sharing with. Truth: Nope! You are “sharing ownership” of the property with the housing association, paying a mortgage on the share you own and rent on the share you don’t own. Myth: You’re only eligible if you’re a first time buyer! Truth: Nope! It is true that to be eligible you cannot own another property at the time of purchase in the UK or abroad – but if you have previously owned a property and don’t now, or have a sale agreed on the property you own which will complete on or before the completion date of the shared ownership property you want, then you’re good to go! Myth: You’re not allowed to redecorate a shared ownership home! Truth: Nope! It’s your home, paint that statement wall! Change those granny tiles! Just be aware that your lease will be specific about more involved structural changes or, for example, installing wood flooring without prior permission from the housing association. Myth: Paying rent AND a mortgage? Surely that is way more expensive than just renting? Truth: Nope! In most cases it is cheaper because the rent is usually less than private rent would be, and your mortgage would be smaller! Myth: Shared ownership is really just a London thing. Truth: Nope! There are shared ownership homes up and down the country, from one bed apartments to large family homes. Myth: When you buy shared ownership, you’ll never own all of it. Truth: Nope! Check out “staircasing”. With most shared ownership properties, you can “staircase” up to 100% ownership over time, as and when you can afford to. Myth: Mortgage providers will not lend on a shared ownership mortgage! Truth: Nope! There are some providers that won’t lend on a shared ownership but there are still many options out there. Myth: You’ll never be able to sell a shared ownership home Truth: Nope! In fact, that’s what we do! We help you sell your shared ownership home! The only difference is that you’ll have to notify your housing association and give them time to find you a new shared ownership buyer. This way more properties stay as shared ownership homes, so that more people like you can get on the property ladder… That’s kind of our whole thing!
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LOCATION
HOTspot Croydon
5 RC RE AOSYODNOSN W E
LOVE…
1 Food from around the world at Boxpark 2 One of the UK’s biggest IKEA stores 3 The newly restored Fairfield Halls venue 4 Pretty Wandle Park and its play area 5 Historic Croydon Minster, visited by monarchs
Croydon, soon to be the London Borough of Culture, is incredibly well connected, with three Zone 5 railway stations, Overground and a tram system. Just 16 minutes from London Bridge, it is one of the cheapest London boroughs in which to buy a first home UNDER THE SPOTLIGHT
OUT AND ABOUT
The large south London town of Croydon has a long history. It takes its name from the Anglo Saxon “Croh Denu” which means Crocus Valley – as the Romans used to farm the flowers to produce costly saffron. By 1086, the Domesday Book recorded that Croydon had a population of about 365, a church and a mill. The world’s first public railway, the Surrey Iron Railway from Croydon to Wandsworth, opened in 1803 and was followed by more railway building in the area, which started Croydon’s transformation into a commuter town. Now with a population of 380,000, Croydon is still perfectly located for those who travel to London for work, thanks to its excellent transport links, including three stations. In 2000, the town’s new tram system opened, the first London trams since 1952, connecting Croydon’s outlying areas with East and West Croydon stations and also to Wimbledon, giving access to the underground. From East Croydon station, trains take 16 minutes to London Bridge, 21 minutes to Victoria and 30 minutes to St Pancras (a few minutes more from South Croydon). Trains from East Croydon reach Gatwick in 15 minutes. From West Croydon it's 18 minutes to London Bridge and 33 minutes to Victoria. West Croydon is also on the Overground, with trains to Shoreditch High Street and Canada Water.
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Croydon has great employment opportunities locally as well – Purley Way is an industrial and retail area with big businesses including IKEA, while insurance and finance companies such as American Express, Zurich, Liverpool Victoria and Goldman Sachs all have offices in Croydon. There’s also the new university – Croydon is home to a campus of London South Bank University (LSBU) at Electric House, which specialising in nursing and business and houses state-of-the-art laboratories. A wide range of housing is available. At the upper end are big detached houses in Shirley, south of the centre, and Victorian villas in The Waldrons conservation area. More affordable are 1960s and 1970s homes around East Croydon station and heading out towards Addington to the south east. There's plenty of new builds in the heart of Croydon. The purple Saffron Tower, for example, reaches 43 stories and is 134m tall. Older leasehold apartments and maisonettes can still be found on the market for less than £180,000 in some areas.
Croydon was appointed the London Borough of Culture 2023 thanks to its eclectic musical legacy, which will be celebrated in a new Music Heritage Trail and a sequence of events that will involve 20,000 participants, every school, 300 volunteers, audiences of over 250,000 and 1,500 artists – so it’s a fantastic time to be moving there. From bass to blues, Indian to indie, the music trail will showcase Croydon's varied music genres. Musicians and singers with links to the town will be celebrated too – such as Kirsty MacColl of The Pogues who sang Fairytale of New York and Jamaican ska and reggae singer Desmond Dekker, famous for his 1968 song Israelites. Culture is alive and well in Croydon – the 1960s arts venue Fairfield Halls was reopened to great fanfare in 2019 by Dame Judi Dench and London Mayor Sadiq Khan after a £42m refurbishment, and is back in action after Covid. You can also find pubs with live music, such as Whelan’s, comedy nights at the Spread Eagle and jazz and cocktails at King of the South. For eating out there’s Boxpark, with nearly 40 different food stalls from around the world, or if you want a more leisurely evening, two Italian restaurants have top ratings – Ponte Nuovo and Basil & Grape.
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LOCATION
FA C T F I L E
Average property price in Croydon (February 2022) – £404, 696 Property breakdown* Detached – £881,111 Semi-detached – £557,035 Terraced – £399,946 Flat – £283,199
HOMES ON THE MARKET... FROM £91,250*
*According to the Land Registry House Price Index
FA M O U S R E S I D E N T S • Model Kate Moss • Illusionist Derren Brown • Author Sir Arthur Conan Doyle • Turner Prize winning artist Tracey Emin • Legendary actor Peter Cushing
Little Bay Restaurant also comes highly recommended, both for its lavishly theatrical decor and its varied Mediterranean cuisine, while the unpretentious Thanhs Bistro is famous for serving fresh Vietnamese food. Croydon boasts the oldest street market in Britain, founded in 1236. Today, Surrey Street Market is open daily, selling fresh fruit and vegetables along with Caribbean and Asian foodstuffs. On Sundays you will find entertainment, crafts and artisan foods. The town’s shopping mall, Centrale & Whitgift Centre, was recently dealt a blow when plans to transform it into a Westfield were scrapped after endless delays. It still has a good selection of shops, including Superdry, Marks & Spencer, River Island and Boots. The Valley Retail Park not only boasts IKEA, with its iconic old chimneys that were once part of a power station, it also has a selection of entertainment options including Vue Cinema, bowling, a gym and places to eat. Elsewhere in Croydon you can find both indoor and outdoor things to do. Don’t miss the chance to look around the Shirley Windmill, one of only four windmills open to the public in Greater London, or discover the history of Croydon Minster and the archbishops and monarchs who visited it. For something completely different, Pinball Republic, London’s only pinball club, offers you the chance to play all evening for a fixed fee, while the more energetic might enjoy Oxygen Freejumping, a trampoline park with 150 interconnected trampolines. Littleheath Woods offers peaceful walks, while huge Lloyd Park is a favourite with families. Further afield, Surrey Hills has miles of cycling and walking to enjoy.
CROYDON
Aspect Croydon Launching this summer is Aspect Croydon by Notting Hill Genesis, situated in the heart of Croydon with fantastic transport connections and local amenities on the doorstep. Boxpark Croydon and Croydon High Street are within a five-minute walk offering a selection of restaurants, bars and shops. Wellesley Road tram stop is just a minute’s walk away and East Croydon station is a five-minute walk away and offers connections to fast transport links into central London in under 20 minutes. The 26-storey development will offer a selection of one, two and three bedroom apartments through shared ownership. The homes are inspired by Scandinavian design and each apartment will have its own private winter garden and access to the concierge service and mezzanine play area. To register your interest visit nhgsales.com or call on 020 3811 0719 *Based on a 25% share of a one bedroom apartment with a full market value of £365,000
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HELP TO BUY
WELL-CONNECTED HOMES SURROUNDED BY OPEN SPACE AT THE GREEN QUARTER Berkeley is creating a new residential community perfect for modern lifestyles. The Green Quarter is a place at one with nature, delivering or opening up access to more green space than St James’ and Green Parks combined. Southall Crossrail station, situated adjacent to the development, offers a direct service to Bond Street in 17 minutes and Canary Wharf in half an hour*, making The Green Quarter the ideal location for those who want easy access to central London as well as plenty of green space on their doorstep.
Set to be one of the UK’s most biodiverse developments, The Green Quarter in Ealing offers high-quality homes amid an abundance of parkland, with quick transport links into the centre of London
COMMUNITY ATMOSPHERE A thriving community is already emerging as this 88-acre site is transformed into an area overflowing with life. There’s already a great atmosphere at The Green Quarter which is only set to grow. Central Gardens, The Green Quarter’s first park, opened last August. Designed in partnership with biodiversity expert the London Wildlife Trust, it will be extended in phases to create a 4.5-acre park including rich grassland and woodland. Alongside it will be eight acres of wetland, a place where wildlife can thrive and people can explore, promoting mental and physical wellbeing. The Green Quarter is located next to the historic Grand Union Canal and Berkeley has already improved the waterside paths, allowing for people to easily walk or cycle. New bridges across the canal will be built, providing a link for residents to 90-acre Minet Country Park. There will be a new commercial neighbourhood, featuring a variety of shops, restaurants, cafes and bars to be enjoyed by residents and local people alike.
HOMES READY NOW Homes at The Green Quarter are ready to move into now, with one, two, and three bedroom properties on sale currently or in the near future. Perfect for those seeking to step on to the property ladder, many can be purchased using the Help to Buy scheme, including spacious two bedroom homes.
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All properties have access to their own private outdoor balconies, some of which have direct views over Central Gardens, as well as private courtyards within their apartment blocks. Residents’ facilities including a gym, lounge, co-working space and concierge service will open this summer, making The Green Quarter perfect for people seeking healthy, flexible lifestyles. “We were blown away from our very first visit to the development,” say Adrian and Shali, who bought a one bedroom home at The Green Quarter with Help to Buy last year. “Our apartment is fitted to such a high standard with real attention to detail, and we’re constantly finding new perks and gadgets within our home.”
RETURN ON INVESTMENT At an early stage in its 25-year process and adjacent to Southall Crossrail station, each home represents a significant opportunity for investment returns. Prices for properties within a mile of Crossrail stations have
already increased by 66% according to Hamptons International, and are continuing to rise. Berkeley developments of a similar scale, including Royal Arsenal Riverside and Kidbrooke Village, have seen capital appreciation of up to 100% over 10 years, significantly outperforming the wider property market. The average apartment price increase in Southall is also higher than the wider Ealing area, increasing by nearly 19% between 2015 and 2020 compared to 4% across Ealing. Prices start at £480,000 for a two bedroom home, with Help to Buy also available. There’s now less than one year left to make the most of the scheme, which allows first time buyers to purchase a home with just a 5% deposit. For more information, contact the Berkeley sales team on 020 4579 2655 or visit the-green-quarter.com *Source: crossrail.co.uk
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SHARED OWNERSHIP
STUNNING SHARED OWNERSHIP LAUNCH AT LAZENBY SQUARE
Located in Bermondsey’s sought-after SE1 postcode, Peabody’s Lazenby Square development offers first time buyers luxurious London living at an affordable price through shared ownership. With the first phase of the development now 90% reserved, Peabody has launched the second phase, The Tannery, offering a chic and contemporary collection of one, two and three bedroom apartments that enjoy spacious, stylish interiors and private balconies, with some positioned to take in enviable views across the iconic London skyline Enjoying a well-connected Zone 2 location, minutes from London Bridge, Bermondsey is one of London’s most vibrant and exciting areas. Combining creativity, commutability and comfort, buyers who choose to make Lazenby Square their home will be spoilt for choice. All of the shared ownership homes have been thoughtfully designed to deliver the usual meticulous attention to detail and high specification found in a Peabody home. Providing all the benefits of open-plan living, spacious kitchen/dining/ living areas form the hub of the home. Contemporary kitchens boast Silestone worktops, and a range of integrated Siemens appliances. Bedrooms enjoy soft carpeting and master bedrooms benefit from fitted wardrobes. Sleek bathrooms feature floor and wall tiling and beautiful baths, while en suites come complete with spacious showers. Buyers will also be able to reap the rewards of having access to a selection of first-class amenities including a friendly 24-hour concierge service, on-site residents’ gym and car club membership. Alan Crookham, 52, and John Whelan, 49, have recently purchased a stunning one bedroom apartment at Lazenby Square. Commenting on the development, Alan says, “Real thought and effort has been put into the design and layout, we are so impressed with the specification too. The kitchen is really stylish and comes with integrated appliances, there is a utility cupboard in the hallway where the washing machine is so you don’t get the noise in the living room. One of our favourite features is our fantastic winter garden/balcony that overlooks the beautiful courtyard gardens; the balcony is so big that we can fit a whole banquette seating design out there, it’s like having another room to use! We also have underfloor heating throughout and integrated speakers in every room that we can control with our phones – it’s great, we
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Lazenby Square show apartment
Buyers at Lazenby Square
love listening to Radio 4 in the mornings. These are such great features that not all new build homes have as standard. It really feels like we are living in a luxury hotel, we have to keep pinching ourselves that it’s ours and we live here!” Residents can head out in any direction from Lazenby Square and be met with a dynamic and diverse selection of Insta-friendly cafes, galleries, bars and restaurants, and Maltby Street Market hosts a range of artisan delicacies around Bermondsey’s iconic railway arches. For commuters, this central location provides fast connections to Canary Wharf, which is just two stops away on the Jubilee Line. Those seeking tranquil green spaces will enjoy Bermondsey Spa Gardens, located opposite the development and for residents who enjoy relaxing by the water, the dramatic riverside views along the River
Thames is within a mile of Lazenby Square. Talking about how both he and Alan love living in Bermondsey, John explains, “Locally we have so many different places nearby; Bermondsey Street is a 10-minute walk away, it’s a really trendy place with tapas bars, cafes and restaurants. The Queen Victoria is a nice pub to go to for a drink and just down the road is The Blue Market which is a really funky street market with loads of different stalls and places to eat. Mercato Metropolitano is nearby, London’s first sustainable community market with lots of food stalls and bars, and we are also only 10 minutes from the river – there is a great mix of everything.” Prices for a one bedroom apartment in The Tannery at Lazenby Square currently start from £137,500 for a 25% share of a property with a full market value of £550,000. For more information or to arrange a viewing please visit peabodysales.co.uk/LazenbySquare, email enquiries@Peabodysales.co.uk or call 020 7021 4842
First Time Buyer June/July 2022
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HELP TO BUY
LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION
Surrounded by beautiful countryside with an easy commute to central London and offering a great quality of life – does this sound like it ticks all the boxes when searching for your first dream home? Lynda Clark took a trip to Kent to discover two new developments from Countryside and it certainly made an impression!
I had left London on my trip to Kent not quite knowing what to expect as I don’t know the area very well. Then less than 40 minutes later I was approaching Rochester station and was amazed! The sun was glinting on the little boats bobbing about on the River Medway with the perfect backdrop of the imposing Rochester Castle on the hill and the spire of Rochester Cathedral peeking out behind it – what a wonderful introduction!
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TOP CH R ’ S O ★ ★ ★ ICE O
ROCHESTER RIVERSIDE The first development I went to look at was Rochester Riverside, which is just a threeminute walk from the station. Many of the homes overlook the Medway, the cathedral and castle and offer the best of waterside living, which has become increasingly popular with first time buyers who are now keen to create the perfect work-life balance following the pandemic. This flagship £419m regeneration scheme from Countryside will eventually include 1,400 new homes across a variety of tenures. A number of new amenities are already planned, including a large waterfront park with a play area and outdoor gym equipment and a river walkway which will total 2.5km when complete. A new school, Rochester Riverside Church of England Primary School, is set to open on the development later this year. For residents who have already moved in, Co-op and Costa Coffee shops are now open. Walking along the dockside I was fascinated to see a large blue crane that stands proudly dominating the skyline. It dates back to 1957 and has been refurbished as part of the regeneration project and is definitely one of the area’s most iconic landmarks. With everyone looking closely at eco credentials I was very pleased to know that Rochester Riverside is a low carbon and energy-efficient development, with a high standard of fabric and energy efficiency to reduce energy demands, CO2 emissions and running costs for residents. Homes at Rochester Riverside range from one, two and three bedroom apartments to one, two, three and four bedroom houses. The two bedroom
apartments and four bedroom houses are currently available for sale and those reserving a home can move in by the summer. Every home at Rochester Riverside comes with its own private outdoor space. Prices at Parkside Quarter, the latest phase of Rochester Riverside, start from £240,000 for a two bedroom apartment, with Help to Buy available, while four bedroom houses are priced from £525,000. countrysidepartnerships.com/all-developments/ kent/parkside-quarter
ASHMERE The second development I visited, Ashmere, was equally as exciting. Ashmere is located in the heart of Ebbsfleet Garden City and is due to complete in 2033 when there will be 2,600 homes available through private sale, shared ownership and affordable rent, as well as a primary school and a village centre. The development is located a short drive from Ebbsfleet International railway station, with links into London St Pancras taking just 17 minutes, which is perfect for commuters. It will feature numerous walking and cycling routes to promote healthier living and residents have access to electric car charging points, promoting a
more sustainable means of transportation. Ashmere is part of a growing and thriving community, and will also feature a country park and expansive open green spaces as well as cycle paths. Bluewater shopping centre is just a five-minute drive away, home to over 300 stores alongside 50 bars and restaurants. Ashmere offers a range of two bedroom apartments and two, three and four bedroom houses. Prices at Ashmere start from £325,000 for a two bedroom apartment with Help to Buy available, while house prices start from £495,000. countrysidepartnerships.com/all-developments/ kent/ashmere This area of Kent is a little gem and offers a perfect lifestyle – it’s definitely a first time buyer hotspot!
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SHARED OWNERSHIP
GO! GO! WITH SHARED OWNERSHIP
There is a seemingly never-ending stream of bad news to contend with currently; not least thanks to a trilogy of rising costs unfolding in the form of a cost of living crisis combined with interest rate rises and continued house price growth. Yet there is reason to be optimistic and stand on the parapet to say that now is, in fact, a good time to buy SO Resi Solihull
MY Resi Upton Square
SO Resi Greenford
There is a tonne of mortgage availability across the board with greater access to lending, and while rates are rising, they are still extremely low compared to prepandemic levels. I suspect this will only continue to improve. For first time buyers in particular, there are plenty of long-term fixed deals available, improving accessibility to homeownership and allowing buyers to spread the costs of loan repayments.* Demand for new homes is through the roof, and at SO Resi we are busier than ever. Over the past six months we have seen a sustained increased interest in homes across the country, whether for existing schemes in London or buyers keen to snap up the first homes available at our latest development in Solihull. We are seeing time and time again that young people are fed up with renting and are making that decision to get on to the property ladder. As products such as Help to Buy are pulled from the shelves, many first time buyers are turning to shared ownership thanks to its attractive low deposit requirement and a more accessible price point. At SO Resi, the average income of our shared ownership purchasers nationally is £36,000, demonstrating the achievable salary required to become a homeowner. While shared ownership currently
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only accounts for around 2% of housing stock, new Government funding will see up to 90,000 additional shared ownership properties delivered over the next five years.¹ Its popularity is expected to continue on an upwards trajectory, particularly in London and the South East, which is unsurprising given that the average property in the capital costs 12.3 times local average full-time earnings.² Our most popular sites in Ealing and Greenford have seen exceptional demand from first time buyers over the past few months, as aspirational buyers seek more accessible routes to homeownership. Yet the product is not only for southerners, and we are seeing the pulling power of shared ownership in the Midlands, particularly with our family homes. At MY Resi Upton Square in Northampton, we have a diverse product ranging from one and two bedroom apartments to three and four bedroom houses. We have seen numerous families buy a spacious home at the development, with one family purchasing a 55% share in a three bedroom house worth £136,875 (full market value of £252,500). The family in question paid a 10% deposit of just £13,887.50 and now own their own home. Without shared ownership, they would
have continued to be stuck in the rental trap with no other viable alternative. We recently launched our SO Resi Solihull scheme on the outskirts of Birmingham. With excellent public transport into the city, not to mention every amenity close at hand, it offers all the benefits of proximity to Birmingham combined with small-town friendliness. With homes ranging from two bedroom apartments to three-storey, four bedroom houses, the development caters for every type of buyer. There is certainly reason to be positive in the current climate, with ample opportunity for first time buyers to get on the property ladder thanks to the availability of shared ownership. And for many of our buyers, if they can afford to rent in an area then they can afford to become a shared owner there too – so why rent when you can buy? sharedownership.co.uk *We would always advise that buyers take their own independent advice around mortgages and lending 1 financialreporter.co.uk/house-price-surges-spark-rise-inshared-ownership-across-uk.html 2 telegraph.co.uk/property/uk/four-charts-prove-southshouse-price-boom/
First Time Buyer June/July 2022
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SHARED OWNERSHIP
MAKE A HOME BY THE RIVER WITH NOTTING HILL GENESIS’ WATERSIDE DEVELOPMENTS
For first time buyers looking for a new home with amazing views of the Thames, Notting Hill Genesis has a selection of apartments beside one of London’s most iconic landmarks… As we balance the busyness of modern life, having your own home to retreat back to at the end of a working day is all the more important – and where better than a calming oasis by the water? Riverside living is becoming all the more attainable for first time buyers in London seeking the best of city living alongside open space. For those looking for a home with views of the water, three such developments by Notting Hill Genesis could be the perfect match. On the banks of the river, a traditional setting is united with a contemporary vision at Royal Albert Wharf in the Royal Docks – one of the capital’s most innovative and atmospheric waterside neighbourhoods. The rich maritime heritage of the location is captured in the design of the development, while the area has been developed for the modern-day Londoner with a range of restaurants, lively bars, quirky cafes and an emerging eclectic cultural scene. First time buyers can find the perfect home with Notting Hill Genesis at Parkside at Royal Albert Wharf, where two bedroom apartments are available to purchase through shared ownership, with prices starting at £108,750 for a 25% share. Open plan, bright layouts are complemented by large, private balconies – some overlooking the green open space of the area’s newest park, Northern Square, which offers buyers
the perfect spot to relax and unwind. Nearby, newly launched one, two and three bedroom homes at Gallions Place at Royal Albert Wharf are fitted to the highest specification, with a neutral design for first time buyers to make their home their own. A central courtyard is the perfect setting to catch up with friends and enjoy the landscaped gardens, while balconies offer views of the river and the bright lights of the city. A collection of homes is available through shared ownership, with prices at £78,750 for a 25% share of a one bedroom home and £130,000 for a 25% share of a three bedroom home with parking. Residents at Royal Albert Wharf can enjoy the best of the great outdoors, with a walk, run or cycle along the Thames to explore their waterside surroundings. Just half an hour by bike, a pedal down the river leads you to Canary Wharf where you can take a stroll around the attractive gardens and riverside boardwalks. Nearby, locals can enjoy the scenery of the Thames Barrier Park or the Royal Victoria Gardens, or get closer to the action with sailing, paddleboarding and open water swimming at the Docklands Sailing and Watersports Centre. Around the river, Notting Hill Genesis’ Woolwich Reach offers secluded riverside living within easy reach of everything
London has to offer. The high-quality homes have extensive dual aspect windows offering panoramic views of the river and local park, while private balconies give first time buyers sought-after outdoor space, perfect for relaxing on evenings and at weekends. Prices start at £93,750 for a one bedroom home and range to £132,500 for a three bedroom, both with a 25% share. For those commuting into work, these riverside developments are ideally located – with nearby DLR stations providing fast trips into Canary Wharf and the City. Both Woolwich Reach and Royal Albert Wharf are short walks from King George V and Gallions Reach DLR stations respectively, where trains can be taken to Bank and Canary Wharf in under 30 minutes. Lauren Nicholson, Head of Marketing and Digital at Notting Hill Genesis, said, “The River Thames is one of London’s most iconic features. We’re proud to offer homes that capitalise on waterside living and give our customers the best of city living and open space with calming views of the river. For buyers looking to get on to the property ladder in a unique urban setting, Royal Albert Wharf, Gallions Place and Woolwich Reach are hard to beat.” For more information contact the Notting Hill Genesis sales team on 020 3813 5175 or visit nhgsales.com
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NEW HOMES
WHY WELLINGBOROUGH COULD BE THE PLACE FOR YOUR NEXT BIG MOVE Northants LLP, the developer behind Wellingborough’s Glenvale Park development, tells us why the Northamptonshire town is the perfect choice for those seeking a spacious and affordable first home
The rise of flexible working has changed the approach of buyers to where they put down roots. With spare rooms and dining tables increasingly becoming the office of choice, those seeking a place to call home are no longer constrained to just living in major cities. In short, buyers now have more choice. Choice of where they work from and choice of where to base themselves. This increase in choice comes with the option to purchase a home with more space for less money, that is also ultimately not too far away from those major cities. Set within Northamptonshire, the town of Wellingborough offers an historic place for first time buyers to call home. With a wealth of amenities and green space, everything you could need is nearby. What’s more – Wellingborough is just a one-hour train journey away from the heart of London.
A CAREFUL BALANCE Moving from a major city does not need to mean that a small, disconnected village is the next step. Wellingborough carefully balances culture, history, and high street shopping facilities with the chance to live in a spacious, relaxed town with plenty of green space.
Wellingborough is home to Rushden Lakes Shopping Centre, providing all your shopping needs – from high street stores to luxury brands – at a stone’s throw from the town. Wellingborough also has a selection of museums and theatres. The Castle Theatre brings live comedy, plays and music to the town, meanwhile, the nearby Chester House Estate offers a glimpse into 10,000 years of Northamptonshire’s history with its archaeological sites, as well as locally sourced food and outdoor play areas. Alongside this, Wellingborough is surrounded by stunning green spaces, including Irchester Country Park and Stanwick Lakes, which are both a short drive away, allowing for weekend walks and summer evenings in nature.
AN HOUR FROM LONDON Wellingborough railway station benefits from direct links to London St Pancras, reaching the capital city in less than an hour – making this a perfect choice for those commuting into the capital once or twice a week. Looking north, the railway station also provides direct access to key cities in the Midlands such as Leicester, Nottingham and Sheffield. For those who prefer to drive, local road networks connect the town to nearby
places such as Northampton as well as Milton Keynes, Birmingham, Peterborough and Cambridge.
A PLACE TO CALL HOME Glenvale Park brings quality homes, convenient amenities and exceptional green spaces to the northern edge of Wellingborough. For first time buyers looking to benefit from the Governmentbacked Help to Buy: Equity Loan and shared ownership schemes, Glenvale Park is a great choice for those who want to call Wellingborough home. The community has already welcomed over 150 residents, and 52.6% of new sales have come from first time buyers. By 2023, the development is set to have a new primary school, an exciting new local centre with shopping and dining facilities, and a new country park open on the development to be enjoyed by both residents and visitors. Above all, Glenvale Park offers balance; bringing high-quality, affordable properties to this well-connected town gives first time buyers the chance to settle in a spacious home… while never being too far away from city life. For more information about Glenvale Park, please visit: glenvalepark.co.uk
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AFFORDABLE HOMES
YOUR HOMEOWNERSHIP JOURNEY WITH CATALYST Every homeownership journey looks different to each individual buyer, whether you’re purchasing your first apartment as a single professional or are looking to purchase your dream family home The Switch
The Folium
Mark purchased a one bedroom apartment at ARRO
From the moment you discover that perfect plot, to moving into your own home and creating memories long into your future, your home is one of the most important purchases you’ll make. The team at Catalyst knows how important it is to support buyers through every step of the homebuying process. When its customers experience lasting memorable moments in their new home, the leading housing association is proud to say that it all started with a Catalyst home. Dorota, who purchased a 25% share of a studio apartment at Catalyst’s ARRO development, says of her experience with Catalyst, “The whole process only took eight weeks, from my first viewing to getting my keys! Catalyst was excellent with communicating, keeping me updated with the process, and connecting me with different professionals so that all the necessary legal and mortgage work was in order. It was so helpful to have a team of experts available to guide me every step of the way.” Mark, who purchased a 25% share of a one bedroom apartment at ARRO, details the exceptional customer care from the Catalyst team, “Catalyst was really on the ball in helping me to complete, despite challenges which nobody could have foreseen. Staff were in touch with
me constantly in the weeks before my completion. They really went above and beyond to ensure that I could move into my apartment.” From one bedroom apartments in north London, to four bedroom houses in Hertfordshire, Catalyst has a home to suit every buyer. Providing a green escape in north west London, The Folium in Muswell Hill offers a collection of one and two bedroom shared ownership apartments, putting this affluent neighbourhood within reach of first time buyers. Ideal for those searching for the sought-after mix of city and village living, Coppetts Wood, Highgate Woods and Alexandra Palace are all close by, giving residents tonnes 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 three and four bedroom homes, available in multiple different house layouts to suit individual buyer’s needs. These range from two-storey, three bedroom properties with open-plan living and dining areas, to three-storey, four bedroom homes complete with two en suite bedrooms and luscious gardens. So, whether you need a dedicated home office or your children want a play room,
you can find the home that fits your family at Midsummer Vale. A new community in Oxfordshire, Newman Place is a development of one to four bedroom homes, available through shared ownership. The homes are moments from the rolling Oxfordshire countryside, yet conveniently positioned close to Littlemore’s range 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. Finally, for south west London living, The Switch offers one to three bedroom shared ownership apartments. Equidistant between Earlsfield and Wimbledon, the development is part of a landmark joint venture with Galliard Homes delivering 633 homes alongside new retail and leisure space set around a new 9,000-seat stadium for AFC Wimbledon. Residents have green spaces, cultural and entertainment opportunities and great transport connections all on the doorstep, helping to establish this as an exciting new south west London district. All homes feature open-plan living spaces with high-quality appliances and private outdoor space. For more information on Catalyst’s latest developments, visit catalyst.homes
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AFFORDABLE HOMES
LEASIDE LOCK: SUMMER ESSENTIALS ON YOUR DOORSTEP With the summer months come sunny mornings to sip coffee overlooking the city, afternoons to relax outdoors and evenings to spend enjoying al fresco dining with friends. So, living in a light-filled home with outdoor space is a must-have for the warmer season Providing fantastic opportunities to enjoy summer in the capital, Leaside Lock offers a collection of stylish studios and one and two bedroom apartments in Bromley-by-Bow, E3. Promoting a holistic lifestyle day-to-day, this sought-after new development comes with unbeatable indoor and outdoor amenities, perfect for the summer months. Accessible for first time buyers, all properties are available to purchase through shared ownership or London Help to Buy, and there has been unprecedented demand since the launch. A major placemaking project, Leaside Lock will ultimately comprise 965 homes delivered by Guinness Homes. The neighbourhood has been designed with modern
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convenience in mind, so everything residents need is right on their doorsteps. Creating a lively new community-focused neighbourhood, there will be a broad range of unbeatable on-site amenities, including a health and fitness studio, a cafe, a gym, a convenience store and co-working space. Vital for sun-filled days, residents can enjoy the partially enclosed roof terrace, offering panoramic views of the London cityscape from all angles, as well as access to a podium garden, providing a communal space for entertaining and socialising with neighbours. Inside, the apartments are finished to a high specification throughout. Perfect for whipping up a delicious feast, the contemporary kitchens are complete with integrated Bosch appliances. Bathrooms and en
suites are finished with sleek sanitaryware, and comfortable underfloor electric heating is fitted in all apartments. Recognising the importance of outdoor space in London, the apartments have private balconies offering spectacular London views, and this space allows residents to create their own outdoor oasis as an extension of their living space. As well as the outdoor space within the community itself, Leaside Lock is close to some of London’s best parks. Victoria Park is close by and is ideal for outdoor sports with its running trails, tennis courts and sports ground. Also nearby, Three Mills Island hosts local events and has plenty of green space to enjoy, including an outdoor children’s play area, ideal for the summer holidays. In addition to green spaces, Leaside Lock has an unrivalled waterside location, with the development set on the banks of the River Lea. A rarity in London, residents are within easy reach of east London’s bustling canal network. Stratford and the Olympic Park can be reached by walking east along the towpath where you’ll find stretches of outdoor space alongside the worldfamous London Aquatics Centre and Westfield Stratford. Alternatively, hop on your bike to travel along the Cycle
Superhighway or use the towpath where you can make it all the way along the water’s edge to Canary Wharf. For shops, restaurants and bars, there are plenty of nearby options in Bow. Roman Road is a local hotspot and has an array of independent stalls and eateries serving up a variety of different cuisines. Whether it’s commuting into work or exploring the city during the weekend, you’re brilliantly connected to all that London has to offer. Bromleyby-Bow (Zone 2) underground station is just a three-minute walk away, connecting residents to central London. For those travelling further afield, nearby road links offer direct journeys to London City airport, as well as roads out of the capital. Private sale prices start from £310,000 for a studio apartment and £560,000 for a two bedroom apartment. Shared ownership prices start from £83,125 for a 25% share of a one bedroom apartment (full market value of £332,500) and £121,250 for a 25% share of a two bedroom apartment (full market value of £485,000). leasidelock.com Shared ownership terms and conditions apply. London Help to Buy: Equity Loan is available subject to eligibility, terms and conditions
First Time Buyer June/July 2022
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NEW HOMES
FIRST APARTMENTS FOR PRIVATE SALE COMING SOON TO CHESHUNT LAKESIDE Inland Homes is proud to announce the highlyanticipated first collection of homes at its flagship site, Cheshunt Lakeside, in Hertfordshire. Due to launch in the summer, the one and two bedroom Elan Apartments will be the first properties available for private sale at Cheshunt Lakeside
Set in an area undergoing extensive regeneration, Cheshunt Lakeside will provide over 1,700 new homes for private sale, rent and affordable housing options. The first to launch on to the private market, Elan Apartments will comprise 22 one and two bedroom apartments situated on Windmill Lane, just a five-minute walk from Cheshunt railway station, with Help to Buy available on a selection of properties for first time buyers. The upcoming phase will also deliver 350 sq m of commercial space on the ground floor of the building, the first commercial offering at the site. Vicki Noon, Sales and Marketing Director at Inland Homes, comments, “We are really excited to be bringing our first collection of private sale homes at Cheshunt Lakeside to the market this summer. This development is creating a hub of regeneration in Cheshunt, delivering a vast number of new homes for local house hunters, along with many new community facilities including commercial space and a primary school. Purchasers interested in finding out more about the first apartments available should register their interest now.” Alongside 1,725 new homes, Cheshunt Lakeside will provide 19,000 sq m of commercial space, which could be used to accommodate numerous retail options such as independent and well-known shops and supermarket stores, restaurants and an on-site gym. Families will also be catered
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for, with a new two-form entry nursery and primary school due to be built on the site, as well as pocket parks, upgraded transport links and safe pedestrian and cycle routes. Demonstrating the superior specification and attention to detail for which Inland Homes is renowned, the Elan Apartments will enjoy open-plan layouts to suit the modern homebuyer. Kitchens will come complete with a number of integrated appliances, while master bedrooms will have the added luxury of an en suite bathroom. Residents at Cheshunt Lakeside will have access to a plethora of leisure and retail facilities, all on their doorstep. Cheshunt High Street itself is home to two village shops, a Co-op, post office, veterinary surgery and a selection of coffee shops. A 10-minute drive down the road will take residents to Brookfield Shopping Centre, where they will find larger supermarkets and coffee shops, including Tesco Extra, Marks & Spencer and a Starbucks. For a bit of retail therapy, Cheshunt Lakeside is also a 10-minute drive from Pavilions shopping centre in Waltham Cross, which is home to a selection of popular stores including Boots, Argos and WH Smith. For buyers who enjoy getting out into nature, there is plenty of green and blue space surrounding Cheshunt Lakeside. On the doorstep is Lee Valley Regional
Park which stretches for 1,000 acres, and offers plenty of cycle trails, walking routes, meadows, a mosaic of wetlands and a dragonfly sanctuary to explore. If relaxing riverside walks are preferred, there are plenty of routes available just a 10-minute walk from home, with access to Friday Lake, Bowyer’s Water Nature Reserve and the River Lea canal path. The regeneration of the Cheshunt Lakeside site will also provide £250,000 worth of improvements to Cheshunt railway station as well as a new bus route to and from the station, providing an ideal base for commuters. The railway line into central London is quick and convenient, with direct services to London Liverpool Street in 24 minutes, from where four tube lines can be picked up for travel around the city. Cheshunt railway station will also be on the line for the proposed Crossrail 2 service, further improving inner city connections. By road, the nearby A10 connects residents to the M25 and wider motorway network, while international travel is made easy with Stansted airport just over a 30-minute drive from Cheshunt. Prices at Cheshunt Lakeside are to be confirmed. For further information on the properties and to register your interest, please visit inlandhomes. co.uk/developments/cheshunt-lakeside
First Time Buyer June/July 2022
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AFFORDABLE HOMES
SKY HIGH SHOW HOME AT HARROW AND WEALDSTONE HEIGHTS
Giving buyers a flavour of how they can personalise their first property, the brand new show home captures the liveliness of the exciting new neighbourhood. Featuring a range of sumptuous and lush fabrics, and a wealth of items that have been sourced locally, the spirit of the space is fun and playful, showcasing how first time buyers can reflect their style in their first home. All homes deliver Origin’s exceptional standard of finish, with every apartment also providing access to a private balcony. Sleek contemporary kitchens are complete with integrated appliances including an oven, ceramic hob, fridge-freezer and dishwasher, enabling first time buyers to move straight in and start cooking up a feast with visiting friends. A unique component of Harrow and Wealdstone Heights is the development’s eco-credentials, which include a ground source heat pump and solar panels used to power communal lighting. An impressive new architectural gateway for Harrow, Harrow and Wealdstone Heights features two dramatic towers, finished in high-end Portuguese limestone.
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Reaching 18 stories at its tallest, the development’s modern, open-plan apartments will give residents sweeping panoramic views across London. The communal roof terrace provides first time buyers with a further taste of the high life – the perfect place for socialising with neighbours while taking in views of the capital’s iconic skyline. Creating a new community hub, a central public realm will accompany the new homes at Harrow and Wealdstone Heights. Prioritising outdoor living amid the urban environment, residents will enjoy access to landscaped green spaces, including play parks and mature planting peppered throughout the development. For buyers who choose to call Harrow and Wealdstone Heights home, Origin’s new shared ownership apartments offer an exciting opportunity for new residents to benefit from vast investment in a rapidly changing region. The local area will soon be home to a wealth of new cultural facilities, shopping outlets and green spaces, being delivered as part of a multi-million regeneration scheme
Elevating opportunities for first time buyers in one of London’s most exciting regeneration areas, Origin Housing has just launched a new show home at Harrow and Wealdstone Heights, a flagship new development for Harrow. The development offers 81 contemporary one and two bedroom shared ownership homes, ideally located in the heart of this rapidly transforming neighbourhood that’s set to transform Harrow over the next 10 years. Already a vibrant community, Harrow’s buzzing high street is located a few minutes’ walk from Harrow and Wealdstone Heights, with all the conveniences buyers could need right on their doorstep. Plentiful green spaces match an array of international eateries, independent boutiques and coffee shops. Perfect for families, local Ofsted Outstanding schools include Marlborough Primary School and Vaughan Primary School, and the renowned secondary school, Harrow School. Homes are ideally situated to offer swift connections across the capital. The development is just a few minutes’ walk from Harrow & Wealdstone station, serviced by the underground, Overground and mainline trains. The station provides easy connections into central London for commuters, with journeys to Euston taking just 12 minutes. Nearby Kenton station provides direct links into the West End and Oxford Circus, meaning Marylebone is accessible in just 17 minutes. The M1, M25, M40 and North Circular routes can be accessed in around 30 minutes by car. New residents can also take advantage of an exclusive car club offer, in partnership with Enterprise Cars. With all homes available to purchase through shared ownership, buyers will purchase a percentage share of an apartment, with the opportunity to buy more of the property in the future. The flexibility of this part-buy, part-rent scheme allows buyers to secure a home with a much lower deposit in neighbourhoods that would otherwise be out of reach. Shared ownership prices start from £80,625 for a 25% share of a one bedroom apartment (full market value of £322,500). For more information, please visit originhousingsales.co.uk
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AFFORDABLE HOMES
SHARED OWNERSHIP AT CENTRAL SQUARE, EALING:
LIVE IN A WEST LONDON HOTSPOT WITH A DEPOSIT OF JUST £4,188
With the average apartment in Ealing costing £472,802 in March 2022*, purchasing your first home in this west London hotspot might feel like an unlikely reality. However, at Central Square – Broadway Living’s flagship regeneration development in leafy Hanwell – first time buyers have an exciting opportunity to climb on to the property ladder without sacrificing location or style. A deposit of just £4,188 is required to purchase a 25% share (priced at £83,750) of a sleek and contemporary new one bedroom apartment 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, as well as a service charge. Anyone with a joint household income of less than £90,000 can apply. Eloise Robins, Director of Help to Buy and shared ownership at JLL, which is managing the sale of homes at Central Square for Broadway Living, said, “Shared ownership at Central Square creates a fantastic opportunity for first time buyers who may think purchasing a home in London is out of reach. “However, shared ownership is not just for people taking the first step on to the property ladder – it is also suited to those who don’t currently own a home but have in the past. The combination of modern homes, fantastic transport links and access to green space makes Central Square a
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great choice for buyers; these properties are proving to be very popular.” The apartments feature an open-plan layout with vast windows that create bright living spaces and offer impressive views of Ealing 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 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 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. Within easy reach of central London, its extensive green space adds a village charm to the bustling high street, while a range of shops, bars and restaurants, together with a new urban quarter which offers lifestyle brands, leisure activities and an artisan market, are located in the centre of Ealing just two miles away. Central Square, which is the latest phase at Copley W7, is only a few minute’s walk from Castle Bar Park railway station, 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 Line and Central Line train services. 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 * rightmove.co.uk/house-prices/ealing.html
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AFFORDABLE HOMES
PLENTY OF GREEN SPACE ON OFFER WITH OPTIVO’S SHARED OWNERSHIP HOMES
As things heat up, buyers will be looking for a home with plenty of outdoor space this summer. In fact, 85% of first time buyers say that having a garden is important to them, according to the findings of a survey by The Cumberland Building Society It is also well known that having access to outdoor space is great for wellbeing too. First time buyers looking for homes in London with green space will not have to look far. Leading housing provider Optivo has many new shared ownership homes launching this summer, all with balconies or terraces, landscaped communal gardens and close to leafy parks. With an enormous 220 acres of green space, Clapham Common is one of London’s oldest and largest parks. Imagine being able to afford a home so close to this huge outdoor space, where anything from picnics to park runs are popular, and in a place that also offers cool night spots and plenty of bustle? Well, first time buyers can now afford to live in Clapham with Optivo’s shared ownership apartments at The Uncommon, where homeowners will be literally only a few steps away from the park. Inside, the selection of one, two and three bedroom apartments offers a variety of space-maximising layouts and each comes with either a cosy balcony or wraparound terrace to take in the views and provide further essential outdoor space. At Dockley Apartments in the leafy neighbourhood of Bermondsey, Optivo is offering one, two or three bedroom apartments at the Matching Green development. Each apartment is located on the first or second floor and comes with its own private outdoor space. The Zone 2 development is within walking distance of green parks and river paths great for exploring while taking in some fresh air. Further south, homebuyers can own a home in the lush green belt of Beckenham. Beck Gardens at Langley Court sits among an abundance of parkland including
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The Uncommon
Beck Gardens
Harvington Park offering a mixture of woodland walks, sports facilities and the River Beck. For walking fans, the south east London green chain walk crosses through the area, and Beckenham Park Place, with one of the few remaining areas of ancient woodland left in the capital, is also close by. Launching this summer, Greenside offers 54 apartments, east of Richmond Park, that will suit young professionals or local families. The development will include large, communal gardens for taking in the sun while Wimbledon and Putney Commons are within walking distance for a leisurely picnic or exercise away from the home. Optivo shared ownership apartments come with a high level of finish and functionality, including integrated appliances in the kitchens, fitted carpets
Dockley Apartments
and flooring, fitted wardrobes in master bedrooms and modern bathroom fittings. They also benefit from being close to transport links and bustling shopping destinations, so first time buyers will feel at home in the heart of their new community. Shared ownership with Optivo allows buyers to purchase between 25% and 75% of their chosen home with, depending on the mortgage product secured, a deposit from just 5% of the share value. Apartments are available from £88,750 for a 25% minimum share at Beck Gardens, from £132,500 for a 25% minimum share at The Uncommon, and from £153,000 for a 30% minimum share at Dockley Apartments. Prices for Greenside are to be announced. To find out more, please visit optivosales.co.uk or call 0800 012 1442
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SHARED OWNERSHIP
THE ARC, WEMBLEY, SCORES HIGH ON THE LIST FOR FIRST TIME BUYERS
With a prime location beside Wembley Park, Network Homes’ new development The Arc will offer a selection of 75 new and affordable one and two bedroom apartments. These apartments will provide the very best of London living through shared ownership, enabling first time buyers a more accessible way to climb the property ladder. Set to launch this summer, The Arc is an exciting opportunity for those who are seeking quality urban living at a more achievable price. The apartments boast open-plan living/ dining space and private balconies, which certainly add cosmopolitan charm alongside practicality, meeting the requirement of private outside space for savvy buyers to enjoy. A selection of these homes will be wheelchair adaptable, and the development
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also benefits from a communal residentsonly podium garden. The Arc, by award-winning Network Homes, could not be better suited for the first time buyer looking to live within a vibrant community with amenities on tap. With direct links to central London from Wembley Stadium Overground and Wembley Park tube, residents will have rapid access to the centre of the city, while also benefiting from the serenity of green spaces which include the roof top terraces and Wembley’s Barham Park nearby. There is a vast array of leisure activities ready to enjoy, including shopping at London Designer Outlet, restaurants to satisfy all taste buds, and of course sporting events held on the hallowed turf of Wembley Stadium. Boxpark offers The Arc’s residents a diverse selection of street food traders and
The Arc at Wembley is an exciting and vibrant addition to this corner of north west London, offering stylish urban living within a neighbourhood that has been the focus of substantial regeneration over the past 15 years
cultural events to enjoy on their doorstep, alongside a dedicated space boasting a range of fun activities such as axe throwing, virtual reality experience, and a “PlayBox” area which is home to shuffleboard, table tennis, pool and table football. Sports enthusiasts will be living on the doorstep of the world-famous Wembley Stadium, while fitness fans will benefit from the choice of three gyms in the Wembley vicinity. Alternatively, The Yellow Centre nearby is the perfect place to connect with the community while embracing a vast range of activities ranging from cooking classes to yoga workshops. To register your interest to view, call 0300 373 3000 to book an appointment or visit networkhomessales.co.uk/find-your-new-home/ arc-wembley for more details
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HELP TO BUY
FINAL OPPORTUNITY FOR FIRST TIME BUYERS TO USE HELP TO BUY AT THE GADE Since its introduction in April 2013, the Help to Buy scheme has helped thousands of first time buyers on to the property ladder. With the latest Government figures showing that Help to Buy has helped to secure 346,656 homes with a combined property value of £96.4bn¹, the contribution of this scheme is clearly evident. Perfect for aspiring homeowners keen to utilise the Help to Buy: Equity Loan before it draws to a close in 2023, award-winning housebuilder The Hill Group has a superb selection of apartments available at its popular Hemel Hempstead development, The Gade Enjoying a prominent position in Hemel Hempstead, adjacent to the tranquil waters of the River Gade, these homes provide a peaceful retreat for London commuters. Ideal for those looking to purchase their first home, the apartments at The Gade can be secured using a 5% deposit of just £13,497! With a limited number of one bedroom apartments remaining and limited time left to benefit from the Help to Buy scheme, prospective purchasers should act quickly to avoid disappointment. Rebecca Littler, Group Sales and Marketing Director, comments, “Our homes at The Gade have been a popular choice for first time buyers – being in a great location and featuring a first class specification, it is no surprise that we now only have a few homes remaining. The availability of Help to Buy has also been a great source of financial support to first time buyers who want to be able to afford a stylish home without compromising on the location, size or interior features.” The final selection of apartments at The Gade demonstrates the same carefully considered layout, impressive attention to detail and high-quality finish expected from every Hill home. Maximising on light and space, the open-plan kitchen/living/dining areas open out on to a private balcony or terrace, ideal for hosting friends and family in the warmer days ahead. Perfect for budding chefs, kitchens boast sleek gloss units and laminate work surfaces alongside a range of high-quality integrated appliances. Spacious bedrooms provide a tranquil haven at the end of the day, complete with soft carpeting and large fitted wardrobes. Contemporary bathrooms showcase dark wood-effect vanity tops and large format tiling, while underfloor heating extends throughout the property. Each home also
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has access to secure on-site cycle storage and allocated parking. Centred amid the £30m Hemel Evolution regeneration programme, buyers at The Gade have a fantastic opportunity to invest in a community set to see a transformation aimed at making this area a more attractive place to work, live and shop. Just a few minutes away, the regeneration of the Old Town is already complete, creating a beautiful setting that meets the needs of the modern visitor while preserving the area’s charming historic character. Perfect on a summer’s day, the cobbled Tudor streets and half-timbered buildings host independent cafes, boutiques, restaurants and bars. For those looking to make the most of the forthcoming warmer months, Gadesbridge Park is just a 10-minute walk away. With 32 hectares of land to explore, the park features an outdoor exercise area as well as a gently winding footpath along the banks of the river. A little further away, The Chilterns offers vast areas of unspoiled country views, perfect for exploring at the weekend. For those looking to reduce their handicap, The Gade is located within a 10-minute drive of three golf courses –
Berkhamstead Golf Club, Little Hay Golf Complex and Centurium Club – offering a diverse collection of holes to master. Commuters can travel with ease from The Gade. Hemel Hempstead railway station is only an eight-minute cycle away and offers direct services to London Euston in just 30 minutes. The nearby M1 motorway provides links northwards as far as Nottingham and Sheffield, while also connecting on to the M25, perfect for trips in and around the capital. Ideal for holidaymakers or business trips, The Gade is well connected to a range of international destinations, with London Luton and London Heathrow airports only 19 and 29 minutes away respectively. Prices at The Gade start from £269,950 for a one bedroom apartment, with Help to Buy: Equity Loan available. For more information about the homes available at The Gade, or to register your interest search “The Gade Hemel Hempstead” on your browser 1 gov.uk/government/statistics/help-to-buy-equity-loanscheme-data-to-30-september-2021/help-to-buy-equity-loanscheme-data-to-30-september-2021
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SHARED OWNERSHIP
PICTURE PERFECT HOMES AT DOMINION APARTMENTS E17 Standing in the heart of the creative and sociable neighbourhood of Walthamstow, Dominion Apartments offers an exclusive collection of one, two and three bedroom contemporary homes designed by award-winning architects Built on the site of the 1930s art deco cinema that gives this new development its name, homes at Dominion Apartments are now being offered for shared ownership sale by Newlon Living. They form a stylish addition to this historic corner of east London and are the perfect place for you to call home. You can now picture yourself living in one of London’s coolest neighbourhoods, known affectionately by residents as “The Stow” and fuse the buzz of urban living with unparalleled access to some of the capital’s finest green spaces. Dominion Apartments is approximately five minutes’ walk* from St James Street Overground station and 15 minutes’ walk* from Walthamstow Central underground station (Overground and Victoria Line services) and less than a minute from the High Street. Dominion is central to all that Walthamstow has to offer. A short stroll will bring you to a wealth of eateries from artisan delis to friendly cafes, homely restaurants and proper East End pubs. Browse around the quirky boutiques, artists’ studios and carpenters’ workshops to get a real feel of the creativity that flows through this quarter of culture. For the real old East End, head to Walthamstow Market, Europe’s longest street market dating back to 1885, where locals stock up on fruit and veg while E17’s arts crowd browse for materials. Night owls can venture slightly east of Walthamstow Village to enjoy evenings in chic cocktail bars with live music events, DJs and bands. Sample the street food from pop-up food vans and taste the local ale and cider from the “The Stow’s” very own burgeoning breweries. To recharge your batteries, head to the Walthamstow Wetlands, a cluster of 10 reservoirs and canal inlets. As Europe’s largest urban wetland nature reserve, why not spend time exploring its 200 acres of picturesque walking and cycle trails? It’s the ideal place to relax and reconnect with nature. Keeping fit is easy in the many local gyms or find your inner Zen at popular pilates and yoga classes. From a quick commute by train into the city or a leisurely bike ride to pick up your weekend provisions, you are perfectly
placed to make the best of London. Living here brings you close to the energetic hubs of Tottenham Hale, Hackney, Leyton, Dalston and Stratford. So, if you are looking for new build contemporary designed homes, look no further than Dominion Apartments from Newlon Living. Each apartment has been carefully designed to provide a light and airy openplan living area that mixes 21st century style with the best of home comforts. You will find stylish fitted kitchens with integrated appliances, plush bathroom suites and luxurious carpet fitted to each
bedroom. All homes benefit from some private outside space, either a garden, balcony or terrace; isn’t it time you started enjoying your new home in “The Stow”? Prices at Dominion Apartments start from just £102,000 for a 30% share of £340,000 for a one bedroom shared ownership home. Prices are correct at the time of publishing. For more information about the range of homes and services available from Newlon Living go to newlonliving.co.uk *Travel times from google.co.uk/maps
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ONLINE
THE PROPERTY PORTAL
After years of working in the legal sector/property industry, Joe, Sam, Louise, and Anthony came together with a shared drive and desire to streamline the property journey for clients OUR STORY Our knowledge and experience from previous businesses paved the way to build an innovative platform for clients and key partners to work collaboratively, to improve the experience for the client. Having been at the heart of property transactions for a number of years, we have an invaluable understanding of the process and have dealt with, first hand, the pitfalls and frustrations that are often seen in property related matters. We wanted to create a one-stop destination for clients so that they could find a single place for everything they would need to buy or sell a property. We have established a dedicated team of property consultants who offer support and guidance to take away any stress or worries by building a better process and a network of partners to eradicate those pitfalls and frustrations. We also wanted to build a platform for solicitors, estate agents and mortgage brokers to work together with ease and simplicity, aiming to take away some of the processes that often overburden the system unnecessarily. Fast forward to today and here we are! The Property Portal offers an array of different services covering everything that is necessary to assist with a client’s property journey. We provide a quicker, easier and smarter way to buy or sell a home, with easy access to every professional service home-movers will need; all in one place. Clients are allocated their own designated Property Consultant to guide them through their property transaction, advising on next steps and providing additional recommendations to make sure that they are making informed decisions and getting the best service every step of the way. Our clients can rest assured that their transaction will be dealt with by an experienced legal professional, governed by the relevant professional body, including RICS, CeMAP, SRA or CLC to ensure that they receive expert advice while upholding excellent standards. The Property Portal also has a completely free and easy-to-use online platform, which brings together all parties involved in a property conveyance. The
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portal facilitates effective communication between all parties to streamline the conveyancing process. Clients have 24/7 access to the Portal so that they can track their case and stay up to date with the progress of their property journey.
SERVICES WE OFFER • • • • • • • •
Mortgages Surveys Conveyancing Home valuations EPCs and floorplans Listings and auctions Removals Japanese knotweed surveys and treatment plans
From mortgages to surveys, EPCs to floorplans, we are partnered with some of the best providers in the business, giving our clients access to a range of great value deals, all designed with one thing in mind, to make life easier for them!
WHY USE THE PROPERTY PORTAL? • Fixed, competitive fees • Access to all of our services in one place • Expert consultants to help guide customers through their property journey • Personalised recommendations • Choose from a wide range of property and moving-related services • Login from anywhere to help keep customers on track • Guides, advice and property news • It’s completely free to use We started with a vision and turned it into a reality. We are passionate about helping and guiding everybody embarking on their property journey. We love what we do and the feedback we receive from our clients is testament to that. We will continue to find the best solutions to take care of all of our clients’ property needs. thepropertyportal.co.uk or call 0330 912 2220 or email enquiries@thepropertyportal.co.uk
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AFFORDABLE HOMES
HELP TO OWN YOUR OWN HOME AT BURGESS HILL Places for People is making it easier than ever to get the home you’ve always wanted. As a leading placemaker in the UK, we don’t just build homes. We invest in places and create communities where everyone can thrive, including you
With over 50 years’ experience creating affordable places to live, we design homes that work for everyone, whatever their circumstances. That’s why we offer shared ownership, so if you can’t pay the full price immediately, you can pay a part of it and rent the rest. If you want to make your dream home a reality, look no further…
DISTINCTIVE HOMES WITH CHARACTER For a high-quality home in a winning location, Abbeville Park at Burgess Hill, West Sussex, offers everything you need and more. Choose from thoughtfully designed apartments and houses, generously sized and built to exacting standards – beautiful homes that offer real value for money. Whether you choose a one, two, three or four bedroom home, you can expect a distinctive property offering real character that’s a pleasure to spend time in. And the exterior surroundings are just as appealing, with private gardens, parking areas and landscaping all carefully planned to enhance your environment. You’ll also be delighted to know these new modular homes are incredibly energy efficient – taking around 20% less energy to heat than a typical new build.
is making it a growing centre for jobs and businesses, while a good choice of schools together with excellent sporting facilities – among them the spectacular Triangle Leisure Centre – means it’s a popular location for families as well. And you’re just a stone’s throw from the beautiful South Downs National Park, a huge expanse of hills, woods and rivers, home to globally important habitats and rare species, all spottable from the enchanting South Downs Way.
PERFECTLY LOCATED Perfect for commuters, Abbeville Park benefits from excellent road links and two railway stations. London – 39 miles to the north – is a 90-minute drive or a 50-minute rail journey away, while Brighton – 10 miles south – can be reached in around 30 minutes by car or 12 minutes by train.
EVERYTHING YOU NEED ON YOUR DOORSTEP
GET ON TO THE PROPERTY LADDER WITH SHARED OWNERSHIP
With significant investment transforming Burgess Hill into one of West Sussex’s most sought-after destinations, you’ll have everything you need on your doorstep to enjoy life – and your new home – to the full. Burgess Hill is not only delivering a wealth of new amenities, such as shops and restaurants, but the transformation
Thanks to shared ownership, it’s easier than you think to make Abbeville Park your home. With the scheme, 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
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“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 owning your 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 towards moving to your first home at Burgess Hill by visiting homestobuy. placesforpeople.co.uk/find-a-home/ abbeville-park-burgess-hill *Shared ownership available. Terms and conditions apply. See website for details
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REAL LIFE
Shared ownership: Canary Wharf Manuel moved into Notting Hill Genesis’ Dockside at Millharbour where he bought his one bedroom apartment for £123,750 through shared ownership, after spending six months saving for a deposit. As a first time buyer, he wanted to put down roots somewhere that offered views of London, a space he could make his own, and transport links throughout the capital and beyond
FA C T F I L E
Property: One bedroom apartment Price paid: £123,750 for a 25% share of the full market value of £495,000 Deposit: £6,187 Service charge: £164 per month Monthly costs: Mortgage – £594; rent – £670; service charge – £164
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aving rented in various parts of London since his move from Spain in 2001, Manuel put a lot of time into finding the perfect home to buy in the city. It wasn’t an easy process, and in the end, it was a good friend that pointed him in the direction of Dockside at Millharbour. He said, “A friend of mine bought a property in the apartments opposite. He mentioned this building, and through him I came to see the place. I was actually quite demotivated at that stage – I was so stressed with the process of searching for a home.” But, the moment Manuel saw the apartment at Dockside, he knew it was a perfect match. A Londoner for over 20 years, views of the city he calls home was a priority for Manuel. “I couldn’t believe everything was so perfect – I thought, what is the catch here? I have a view of London, from Nine Elms to the City, a spacious apartment with a huge bedroom and a walk-in wardrobe, and a west-facing balcony which is perfect for enjoying the sunset. Other, more expensive flats are smaller and on lower floors – it’s rare to find a shared ownership property with views like this.” As a teacher, Manuel has dealt with many of the challenges of Covid-19 over the past two years, including periods of teaching pupils virtually from home. Having a space to call his own became even more important. He commented, “Lockdown taught me that I needed a place where I’m able to relax. When I come home from work, I can just forget about the world outside. It’s very peaceful; I have neighbours upstairs, downstairs and either side, and I never hear them – no music, no footsteps, nothing.” Manuel also wanted to find an apartment with a luxurious feel, and he was attracted to Dockside because of the high-quality features and amenities. “I’m very house proud and I love interior design, so I wanted this to be my little nest. When I viewed the apartment, I thought it was incredible, with all the built-in conveniences like comfort cooling and underfloor heating, and Smeg appliances. It’s affordable luxury. Buying with Notting Hill Genesis is the best thing I’ve done in London in the past 21 years.”
“I HAVE A VIEW OF LONDON, FROM NINE ELMS TO THE CITY, A SPACIOUS APARTMENT WITH A HUGE BEDROOM AND A WALK-IN WARDROBE, AND A WESTFACING BALCONY WHICH IS PERFECT FOR ENJOYING THE SUNSET” An easy commute was also one of Dockside’s biggest draws. Manuel’s journey to his school in South Kensington takes under 45 minutes. “The Jubilee Line at Canary Wharf is less than a 10-minute walk, and I can cross from east to west London in 20 minutes. My commute is very simple. I would encourage anyone who works in central London to consider Canary Wharf when buying – the transport connections are great! South Quay DLR is also only a three-minute walk away.” He added, “At the weekends I’m always busy. I go to the gym, socialise with friends, and like to travel when I can. I have a really active lifestyle.” With his family spread far and wide, the international links to Canary Wharf also offered an incentive for Manuel. “Dockside is the perfect spot for anyone who likes travelling, especially Europe, because you have London City airport nearby – flying to Granada, where my mum lives, is very convenient. If not London City, you have the tube, the DLR and, soon, Crossrail to get you to other airports.
“Canary Wharf has everything on offer – if you like shopping, the shopping centres offer literally every single brand, luxury and high street. There’s lots of bars, pubs and restaurants so you don’t really have to go into central London; it’s all within walking distance of Dockside. There’s also lots of green space, including Jubilee Park and Greenwich which is only a 20-minute walk away.” Manuel has also enjoyed the community feel of Dockside at Millharbour. “London is a place where people want their own independence, but it’s nice to have neighbours there when you need them. There’s always someone to collect a parcel for you, and when I first moved in, one of my neighbours lent me her Wi-Fi, and another helped me with my furniture! It can’t get better than that!” Homes at Dockside at Millharbour are available through shared ownership, with prices for a two bedroom starting from £166,250 for a 25% share. For more information visit nhgsales.com or speak to the sales team on 020 3815 2222
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FOR SALE
FOR SALE THE CREAM OF THE CROP Each month, FTB scours the market to find the best starter homes for first time buyers. So, whether you’re looking to make an affordable step on to the housing ladder or for a city pad ripe for urban adventure, we hope you will enjoy our selection.
REAL LIFE
Shared ownership p70 WITCHFORD, CAMBRIDGESHIRE
HOIC FIRST C
E
PEACEFUL
S SURR★O★U★ ND Affordable homes p72-73
WHITECHAPEL, EAST LONDON
HOIC FIRST C
E
FTER SOUGHT-A
LO★C★A★LE
City life p74-75
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FOR SALE
AFFORDABLE HOMES WITCHFORD, CAMBRIDGESHIRE
HOIC FIRST C
FROM £92,750*
E
PEACEFULDS SURR★O★U★N
Strawberry Field With peaceful, rural surrounds and village amenities close by, these new two bedroom homes are in an ideal spot for growing families and lovers of laid-back country life. The properties lie just outside the pretty Cambridgeshire village of Witchford, with the city of Ely just a 10-minute drive, and Cambridge accessed in around 40 minutes. The houses feature open-plan living areas opening to the rear gardens plus a separate kitchen and downstairs WC. There’s also dedicated parking for two cars. Homes are selling quickly, with a new phase launching in early 2023. Latimer Homes 0300 100 0309 latimerhomes.co.uk *Based on a 35% share of the full market value of £265,000
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FOR SALE ALTRINCHAM, GREATER MANCHESTER
FROM £58,738* WA L T H A M F O R E S T, E A S T L O N D O N
FROM £113,750*
Brown Street This attractive collection of one and two bedroom apartments is superbly located in the heart of Hale village, 10 miles south west of Manchester city centre. The properties have been designed to maximise space and light, with large windows, generous proportions and handy storage space. This area is regarded as
one of the most desirable in the UK and has a great range of shops, outstanding schools and a strong community feel. Hale railway station is less than a minute’s walk, with trains into Manchester taking around 30 minutes. Laurus Homes 0161 968 0591 laurushomes.co.uk
*Based on a 25% share of the full market value of £234,950
R O YA L T U N B R I D G E W E L L S
FROM £310,000
Motion With views over east London’s Lea Valley and towards the capital, these new apartments are in an excellent position for making the most of London life. The two and three bedroom properties form part of a landmark development in Lea Bridge, home to a vast array of local amenities, shops, parks and great Zone 3 transport links.
A sought-after area, residents can reach Stratford in moments via the Overground, or head into central London in around 30 minutes. Cycle commuting is also made easier with a number of new cycle paths planned in the area. Peabody 020 7021 4842 peabodysales.co.uk
*Based on a 30% share of the full market value of £455,000
S H I R L E Y, W E S T M I D L A N D S
FROM £105,000*
The Retreat Originally used as a hotel, developer Kentish Projects, has transformed the existing building into a range of 19 homes. The apartments feature bespoke kitchens with integrated appliances, engineered oak wooden flooring, fibre broadband, a video entry system, a communal landscaped rear garden and BBQ area.
Lower ground homes benefit from private patio areas. Perfect for commuting, the mainline train station is just around the corner from the development, where you can reach central London in around 45 minutes. Hamptons 01892 640 316 hamptons.co.uk
SO Resi Solihull There are fast links to Birmingham from these new homes near Solihull. The two bedroom apartments and three and four bedroom houses are in the town of Shirley, with a high street, green spaces and transport links close by. Homes are bright and contemporary, with well thoughtout living spaces that lead to a
balcony or garden, stylish fitted kitchens and tiled bathrooms. There’s a lot of buzz in this property hotspot with the 2022 Commonwealth Games, the anticipated arrival of HS2 and big businesses relocating to the region. SO Resi 020 8607 0550 soresi.co.uk
*Based on a 30% share of the full market value of £350,000
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FOR SALE
CITY LIFE WHITECHAPEL, EAST LONDON
HOIC FIRST C
FROM £124,375*
E
FTER SOUGHT-A
LO★C★A★LE
The Silk District Whitechapel is a London locale with a lot to offer its residents: a vibrant high road, excellent tube and bus links, and all walking distance from Tower Bridge, the City and bustling Brick Lane. The one and two bedroom apartments sit around landscaped gardens and feature open-plan living areas, separate utility room, and fitted wardrobes. All homes include private outdoor space. Created as part of a huge £300m regeneration project in the area, the new homes will be joined by commercial buildings and public spaces. A perfect position for lovers of all things London – some of the capital’s most famous and historic sights are visible or walkable from the front door. L&Q 020 8189 7504 lqhomes.com *Based on a 25% share of the full market value of £497,500
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FOR SALE WIMBLEDON, SOUTH WEST LONDON
FROM £105,000* PA R K R O YA L , W E S T L O N D O N
FROM £83,125*
The Switch The popular south west London town of Wimbledon is home to this new collection of one, two and three bedroom apartments. Earlsfield and Tooting are nearby, giving residents access to a wealth of shops, amenities, entertainment and restaurants. There are beautiful open spaces close by, including Wandle Meadow
Nature Park. The contemporary properties have been beautifully designed, with spacious open-plan living areas that lead to a large private terrace or balcony. The larger homes also have an en suite from the main bedroom. Catalyst 020 8131 9544 catalyst.homes
*Based on a 25% share of the full market value of £420,000
S A L F O R D , G R E AT E R M A N C H E S T E R
FROM £TBC*
Acton Works With communal central and rooftop gardens, parking and local amenities, Acton Works has everything you need. The one to three bedroom apartments feature bright, open-plan living areas and private balconies or terraces. There’s a supermarket, restaurants and hospital moments from the door, while a short walk will take
you to Harlesden, North Acton or Park Royal tube stations. This is an area destined for great things; the Old Oak regeneration project will see the canalside transformed, along with a new HS2 station connecting the area to the North. Network Homes 0344 748 0054 networkhomesales.co.uk
*Based on a 25% share of the full market value of £332,500
WA L T H A M S T O W, E A S T L O N D O N
FROM £173,250*
Neighbour-Hood This exciting new development in Salford has sustainability at its heart. The 157 homes, which will include a range of three bedroom terraced houses, will be filled with natural light, and provide ample storage and space for home workers. Residents will also have access to electric car charging points, low-energy
outdoor lighting and bike storage. The development will include landscaped green spaces and roof terraces. Local amenities are within a short walking distance, while buses connect residents to Manchester in 20 minutes. Salix Homes/Step Places 0161 537 3123 neighbourhoodsalford.com *Shared ownership will be available
Cordage Works There are just 28 new homes available at this boutique development in Walthamstow. The one, two and three bedroom apartments feature open-plan living areas with dedicated home working areas, south-facing balcony or terrace, and a private communal green space with play area. The town centre is a
15-minute walk (or two-minute train ride), while travel around the city is easy from nearby Blackhorse Road Overground station or from Walthamstow’s Victoria Line tube station. Great open spaces are a stroll away. NU Living 010 3151 0175 nuliving.co.uk
*Based on a 35% share of the full market value of £495,000
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HEADLINE SPONSOR
VOTE NOW! We take our readers very seriously and want to know your views as first time buyers. That’s why we need you to vote for your favourite developments, housing providers and other categories, listed on the following pages, in our First Time Buyer Readers’ Awards 2022. You could win £250 in IKEA vouchers! For more details, see page 102
SHORTLIST REVEALED Vote at ftbawards.com FTB 76-103 FTB-Awards June-July22.indd 77
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BEST SMALL DEVELOPMENT AFFORDABLE HOMES
THIS AWARD WILL BE GIVEN TO SMALL DEVELOPMENTS THAT HAVE USED THE BEST DESIGN AND QUALITY TO CREATE DESIRABLE, AFFORDABLE AND INSPIRING ENVIRONMENTS IN WHICH PEOPLE WISH TO SET UP THEIR FIRST HOME. THE AWARD IS FOR SCHEMES OF FEWER THAN 30 HOMES.
ABRI | HILLTOP VIEW Hilltop View, built and developed by Abri, is a development of 29 one, two and three bedroom shared ownership and affordable rent homes in the attractive village of Clanfield, East Hampshire. With a focus on build quality, sustainability and locally sympathetic design, Hilltop View offers first time buyers affordable living in a highly desirable rural location, just a stone’s throw from local amenities and excellent transport links. The development has not only provided appealing homes designed with first time buyers in mind, it has also helped to ensure that younger generations are not priced out of the local area, allowing this Hampshire rural community to flourish. Testament to the development’s popularity, all 12 shared ownership properties were reserved off-plan at the initial launch event, with buyers moving in as soon as the properties completed.
ONWARD LIVING | EGERTON RISE Egerton Rise is a small but perfectly formed development of seven three bedroom terraced homes in the popular seaside town of New Brighton, Wirral. Perfect for first time buyers, these unique three-storey homes were offered on a shared ownership basis, which allowed residents to buy a percentage (between 40% and 75%) and pay rent on the rest, meaning a smaller mortgage and smaller deposit. The development sits in the heart of New Brighton’s flourishing Victoria Quarter, a major regeneration project that includes independent bars, restaurants and shops that are set back from the main drag of New Brighton’s more commercialised seafront. The homes at Egerton Rise were finished to a high standard throughout, with fully integrated contemporary kitchens and modern bathroom suites, as well as other modern conveniences such as a dedicated office space to meet the needs of buyers whose priorities had shifted towards homeworking during Covid-19.
HIGGINS HOMES | ALPHABET Alphabet is a striking development of 30 new one, two and three bedroom apartments for market sale in NW6, forming part of the South Kilburn Regeneration Programme. All apartments feature a terrace, balcony or wintergarden, and are set in three interlinked blocks from four to six storeys, with a central courtyard. Just six weeks after the launch off-plan in November, the development was 60% sold, including all the one bedroom homes, available using Help to Buy. Set in an extremely well-connected Zone 2 location, with four tube stations nearby and eight bus routes on the doorstep, the homes proved especially popular with first time buyers. Outside, the architect-designed building improves the street scene with design cues from the area’s Victorian heritage, while on the inside, apartments ooze contemporary style, with indigo and white two-tone kitchens with matt black taps and quartz worktops, fitted wardrobes and frameless opaque glass balcony screens.
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BEST USE OF ONLINE TOOLS
FINANCE
THIS AWARD CATEGORY CELEBRATES THE INTEGRATION OF TECHNOLOGY WITHIN THE HOUSING MARKET. THIS AWARD LOOKS AT HOW A SCHEME OR DEVELOPMENT HAS ENGAGED WITH TECHNOLOGY, MAKING ACCESS OF INFORMATION EASIER FOR FIRST TIME BUYERS. THIS INCLUDES THE USE OF ONLINE VIEWING TOOLS, VIDEO FOOTAGE, AS WELL AS WEBSITES, DIGITAL MARKETING AND DIGITAL BROCHURES.
BE WEST Offering stylish new homes in some of West London’s coolest neighbourhoods, BE WEST, the sales arm of Shepherds Bush Housing Association, is fast becoming a go-to brand for first time buyers. The forward-thinking organisation has launched a plethora of digital tools in 2021, including a bespoke shared ownership calculator, which has already helped hundreds assess if they can afford their dream shared ownership property. Empowering first time buyers to be fully informed, BE WEST also created a series of easily-digestible digital guides – all in its distinctive black and white branding – offering buyers bite-sized information on everything from resales to staircasing. The company launched a number of its developments digitally, offering online tours and events (most recently a virtual staircasing event), to help buyers secure their dream home. Offering further digital innovation, BE WEST also provides a ‘Live Chat’ function on its website – instantly connecting buyers to members of the sales team.
PEABODY Peabody has always been at the forefront of innovation, proudly flying the flag for creative and forward-thinking solutions that support the homebuying journey for first time buyers. We’ve opted to reap the benefits that digitalisation offers and integrate it seamlessly into our customer experience. As a result, we’ve been able to fully utilise online tools to enhance and simplify our sales process, offering a meaningful and informative experience at the buyer’s fingertips. With over 100,000 visits to our development interactive apps, digital walk-throughs and online brochures in the last year, we’ve successfully reserved nearly half our homes offplan, through digital viewings alone. We’ve given first time buyers the confidence to reserve homes without physically seeing them and can only see this improving through the continued use our digital interactive tools.
SHARE TO BUY The nation’s no.1 shared ownership property portal, Share to Buy is a brand synonymous with affordable homeownership. Receiving over five million visits a year from prospective buyers, innovation and user experience are central to Share to Buy’s services to its website users and clients. Understanding that the costs involved with buying a home can seem complex, the portal includes three ground-breaking research tools to make the homebuying process as straightforward as possible: • Monthly Cost Calculator: gives a breakdown of monthly fees likely for each property • Mortgage Calculator: helps buyers understand how much they can borrow • Staircasing Calculator: helps existing shared owners plan for their next steps. The calculators have been used over two million times in the past year alone, helping tens of thousands of prospective buyers understand their options and generating hundreds of thousands of quality leads for housing providers.
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BEST FIRST TIME BUYER APARTMENT
THIS AWARD IS FOR AN APARTMENT SUITABLE FOR A FIRST TIME BUYER, WHICH IS AFFORDABLE AND ALSO OFFERS EXCELLENT DESIGN FLAIR, BOTH INSIDE AND OUT.
ABRI | THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY The Chocolate Factory is a new collection of one and two bedroom apartments in the heart of Greenbank, Bristol. The exciting redevelopment of the former Elizabeth Shaw Factory, that made confectionery in Greenbank for over 100 years, is now welcoming its first residents. Rich in history and heritage, the much-anticipated regeneration of this iconic Bristol site offers a blend of well-designed newly built homes and converted apartments, offering the best of modern living. As well as a community hub, and landscaped central square, the development also includes direct access to the popular Bristol to Bath Railway Path, providing an easy commute to Bristol Temple Meads railway station and the city centre. Built with the first time buyer in mind, homes aren’t all that you’ll find at The Chocolate Factory. The regeneration of this historic factory site promotes a vibrant and bustling community, for all to enjoy.
BARRATT DAVID WILSON HOMES SOUTH WEST & SWINDON BOROUGH COUNCIL | CANALSIDE @ WICHELSTOWE Built in partnership with Swindon Borough Council, David Wilson Homes’ Canalside @ Wichelstowe development on the outskirts of Swindon features 91 new properties. The two bedroom Chichester apartment boasts a wharf-style design influenced by traditional waterside architecture, with views over the newly restored Wilts & Berks canal. It has an impressive main entrance, a stylish open-plan kitchen, dining area and lounge, with a Juliet balcony to first and second floor apartments. There are two double bedrooms, with an en suite shower room to the main bedroom, a full-sized bathroom and a handy utility cupboard. All apartments come with an allocated parking space. All apartments were eligible for Help to Buy – 75% of Chichester purchasers were first time buyers and 90% of those used the Government’s Help to Buy scheme to make the move. Priced from £185,000, first time buyers could move with a deposit of just £9,250.
BOKLOK | BOKLOK ON THE BROOK BoKlok on the Brook is BoKlok’s flagship UK scheme, offering a collection of sustainable, great value one and two bedroom apartments and two and three bedroom family houses, close to Bristol’s vibrant city centre. An established partnership between leading names Skanska and IKEA, BoKlok draws on 25 years of experience across the Nordics. In 2019, BoKlok launched its first scheme in the UK, driven by an ambition to deliver high-quality, sustainable new modular homes, while making homeownership more accessible to everyday people. Built using MMC, BoKlok’s homes can be built faster and more efficiently than traditional homes. Inside, its homes include a series of energy-saving measures to assist homeowners to live more sustainably and as a result more cost effectively too. BoKlok on the Brook has been specifically designed with first time buyers in mind. Now all reserved, 97% of purchasers here were first time buyers.
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BROADWAY LIVING | CENTRAL SQUARE
READERS’ AWARDS
The two bedroom show home at Central Square, the latest phase of apartments at Copley W7 by Broadway Living, represents a rare opportunity for a first time buyer in expensive London. Here, buyers don’t have to compromise to get on to the ladder – the two bedroom apartment comprises two bathrooms, a superb specification (including a comprehensive suite of Zanussi appliances within the price), a location in the heart of leafy Ealing yet with a railway station metres from the development, all at a price of just £490,000 with Help to Buy available (5% deposit of £24,500). Designed to impeccable standards, the modern apartment – complete with a balcony – features light-filled, open-plan living spaces and bedrooms with a dedicated working area to give homeowners the flexibility to work comfortably from home. On-site amenities include a large landscaped courtyard, a community centre, playground and a shop.
CATALYST | THE SWITCH Equidistant between Earlsfield and Wimbledon, The Switch is a remarkable development of 181 one to three bedroom shared ownership apartments in south west London. Meeting the needs of London’s first time buyers, apartments have versatility at their core, designed to maximise on space so that every square metre is best utilised. Two show homes demonstrate the possibilities within the apartments. Each is centred around a spacious open-plan living area, with ample space to work from home, and accompanied by private terraces, providing room for lounging and dining outdoors, with direct access to the communal podium garden. Properties encircle the AFC Wimbledon stadium, with externally facing podium gardens that provide tranquillity, while a new public pedestrianised and cycle route runs through the site, creating a picturesque walkway for residents. Truly accessible for south west London, through shared ownership, purchasers can get on the property ladder at The Switch with deposits from just £3,875 for a studio apartment.
COUNTRYSIDE | FRESH WHARF Fresh Wharf in Barking is an ideal first step on to the property ladder for those seeking a luxury specification in a thriving location at an affordable price. With Help to Buy available, these impressive apartments by Countryside are highly sought-after by those looking to be part of the regeneration success story in Barking & Dagenham, which continues to outperform the wider London housing market. Offering views over the River Roding, homes at Fresh Wharf are conveniently located, with a plethora of amenities on the doorstep and Barking town centre within walking distance. Residents enjoy 16,000 sq m of open space and outdoor amenities, including a beautifully landscaped central park and enhanced river walkway. The two bedroom apartment at Fresh Wharf offers modern design, generous spaces, open-plan living, and a balcony. Boasting a faultless internal specification, with luxury flooring and fully integrated appliances, this is the perfect, hassle-free first home.
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BEST FIRST TIME BUYER APARTMENT AFFORDABLE HOMES
THIS AWARD IS FOR AN APARTMENT SUITABLE FOR A FIRST TIME BUYER, WHICH IS AFFORDABLE AND ALSO OFFERS EXCELLENT DESIGN FLAIR, BOTH INSIDE AND OUT.
GUINNESS HOMES | LEASIDE LOCK Providing buyers the opportunity to purchase a chic apartment in a desirable Zone 2 London location, Guinness Homes’ Leaside Lock is a major placemaking project that will ultimately deliver 965 homes. A unique opportunity to get on to the property ladder in east London’s exciting new neighbourhood in Bromley-By-Bow, Leaside Lock is designed for community living, with contemporary apartments wrapping around a central piazza. The stylish open-plan apartments are set in the vibrant new neighbourhood, offering a range of amenities on-site, including a health and fitness studio, a cafe, a gym, a convenience store and co-working space. Available for use all year round, residents can also enjoy the partially enclosed roof terrace, offering panoramic views of the London cityscape, as well as access to a podium garden. Perfect for first time buyers looking for an affordable city pad, prices for the stylish, contemporary apartments start from just £310,000.
LATIMER | EVERGREEN Plot 503 on the fifth floor at Tarragon House is a stunning one bedroom apartment at Evergreen by Latimer, available through Help to Buy. Situated in Harringay, first time buyers here benefit from living in the heart of one of north London’s most exciting and creative neighbourhoods and enjoy the connectivity of a Zone 3 location. Homes at Evergreen are centred around tranquil green space in the form of a central communal garden, which hosts a wide range of indigenous trees and shrubs that will provide stunning greenery all year round and rich seasonal colour. Buyers will benefit from a wide choice of amenities, stunning green spaces and speedy transport connections in this exciting central London location. Internally, the large open-plan kitchen/living/dining area is ideal for entertaining and extends on to a spectacular balcony. The bedroom benefits from fitted wardrobes and the kitchen comes complete with Bosch appliances. With a market value of £460,000, first time buyers can secure this home with a 5% deposit, from £23,000.
LONDON SQUARE | TADWORTH GARDENS Situated on the North Downs, London Square’s Tadworth Gardens showcases everything desired by today’s first time buyers. The leafy location of Epsom offers residents an abundance of green space in which to explore as well as the worldfamous racecourse, which will be host to this year’s Jubilee celebrations. This stunning development includes an exclusive collection of contemporary one and two bedroom apartments available with Help to Buy. Designed to appeal to first time buyer lifestyles, plot 145 is a spacious two bedroom apartment on the second floor of Arundel Place, a three-storey apartment building architecturally designed to blend seamlessly with the village ambience of the overall development. Featuring a light-filled, dual aspect kitchen/living/dining space with a private balcony overlooking the landscaped central green, the apartment has been completed to an excellent specification. Features include ample storage, modern Amtico flooring, secure video entry system and parking.
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ONE HOUSING PART OF RIVERSIDE | FARRINGDON WALKS
READERS’ AWARDS
Farringdon Walks offers an incredible opportunity for aspirational first time buyers to ditch the commute, and purchase a premium apartment in one of London’s most exciting new developments in the heart of the capital. The exceptional six-acre flagship site at historic Royal Mail Mount Pleasant sorting office, comprising 681 new homes, over 20,000 sq ft of retail space, and an oasis of beautifully landscaped public and private open spaces, boasts design flair from celebrated architectural studios Feilden Clegg Bradley Studio, Wilkinson Eyre, and Allies and Morrison. One Housing launched Phase 1 through S106 with 16 exclusive one and two bedroom shared ownership apartments in September 2021. Larger than average city pads around this ultra-central London location by Chancery Lane and Farringdon station, first time buyers are presented with outstanding value for the supreme quality and size of the apartments, and the sensational site proposition.
PEABODY | ARDEN Arden is an ideal choice for first time buyers to make their first steps on to the ladder. Ideally located to take advantage of Lewisham, Greenwich and Deptford, the development sits within a tranquil landscaped setting, with plenty of outdoor space for residents to enjoy. Bordering travel Zone 2 and 3, Arden benefits from a convenient, well-connected location with excellent transport links to Canary Wharf and the City, making it an ideal place to call home. Residents benefit from a range of on-site amenities, including a concierge service, co-working hub, snug cinema room and a well-equipped fitness suite. The apartments are designed with first time buyers in mind. Sleek and modern kitchens are perfect for foodies, while sea-green tiled bathrooms give the sensation of an at-home spa experience. Energy-efficient LED fittings throughout help keep energy costs low, and hyperoptic internet connections are perfect for working from home or streaming the latest binge-worthy series.
PLACES FOR PEOPLE AND BALFOUR BEATTY INVESTMENTS | EW+S East Wick and Sweetwater (EW+S) is a Joint Venture between Balfour Beatty Investments and Places for People, in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in east London. Over its lifetime, EW+S will bring new schools, nurseries and community spaces to the area, as well as creating a strong residential community with over 1,850 new homes. The ambition is to create an eclectic and thriving neighbourhood with people at its heart. The first phase of development is complete, providing 302 new homes, a nursery, and a local Co-op branch, while Clarnico Club, a multi-purpose marketing and social hub with a cafe and flexible event space, serves as the beating heart of the new neighbourhood. Many of these homes were provided as shared ownership, creating genuine opportunities for first time buyers to get on to the property ladder. Planning approval for the next five phases of development was granted in December 2021 and January 2022.
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BEST MEDIUM DEVELOPMENT
Sponsored by
AFFORDABLE HOMES
THIS AWARD IS FOR DEVELOPMENTS OF 31-80 HOMES THAT HAVE USED THE BEST DESIGN AND QUALITY TO CREATE AN AFFORDABLE, DESIRABLE AND INSPIRATIONAL ENVIRONMENT AND THAT HAS PROVIDED ADDITIONAL FACILITIES TO BENEFIT THE LOCAL COMMUNITY AND SURROUNDING NEIGHBOURHOODS. THESE HOMES ARE ON LARGE DEVELOPMENTS IN A MIXED-TENURE ENVIRONMENT OR STAND-ALONE DEVELOPMENTS.
INLAND HOMES | RANDALLS Randalls is a unique, individually designed collection of 58 studio, one and two bedroom apartments and duplexes in the centre of Uxbridge. Combining a fusion of both existing and new architecture to create an exclusive address, the development includes a conversion of the Grade II listed Randalls department store and the old fire station on Cricket Field Road, as well as three newly built apartment blocks. Specifically appealing to the first time buyer market, all properties were available to purchase through the London Help to Buy scheme (2021-2023), while nine apartments were offered through shared ownership. These two opportunities have offered aspiring Uxbridge homeowners an affordable route into homeownership in a thriving town centre location, with all amenities within walking distance. The overall effect of the development is a desirable, inspiring set of homes that is perfectly suited to the modern first time buyer lifestyle.
LIFE LESS ORDINARY | MALT WORKS Life Less Ordinary is committed to creating exceptional new homes, predominantly for first time buyers, which make contemporary luxury affordable. Its mission is to push the boundaries of functional design and apply an unparalleled level of attention to detail to each new home that is built. Working alongside leading consultants, architects, interior designers and suppliers, every development is approached with creativity and exacting detail to achieve homes of both excellence and innovation. By taking a personal approach to each step of the build, the company prides itself on creating new homes that are functional and practical, yet luxurious. Life Less Ordinary is committed to delivering the highest levels of service from origination to aftercare and continues to acquire exciting sites and develop properties that are provide buyers with beautiful homes in desirable locations.
NOTTING HILL GENESIS | OAKLANDS RISE The first major regeneration project at Old Oak Common, Oaklands Rise is one of north west London’s most exciting new developments for first time buyers. Notting Hill Genesis’ collection of 60 shared ownership apartments is set within the 605-home development and has been designed with first time buyers in mind. Open-plan kitchen and living areas, along with spacious balconies and terraces, create flexible spaces, while residents enjoy exclusive access to sought-after amenities including a concierge, residents’ lounge, work hub and green spaces. With a community developing on site already, Oaklands Rise is an important piece of the growing neighbourhood, providing vital new amenities including a nursery, medical centre and community hub, and active transport routes to strengthen the area’s increasing connectivity.
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BEST PARTNERSHIP
FINANCE
THIS AWARD CATEGORY CELEBRATES A COLLABORATION OF TWO OR MORE COMPANIES WHICH HAVE WORKED TOGETHER TO DELIVER BOTH QUALITY AND AFFORDABLE HOMES FOR FIRST TIME BUYERS. IT WILL HIGHLIGHT BEST PRACTICE OF PARTNERSHIP WORKING WITHIN THE HOUSING SECTOR AND CHAMPIONS THE ETHOS OF WORKING TOGETHER TO DELIVER MORE.
COUNTRYSIDE AND TAYLOR WIMPEY | GREENWICH MILLENNIUM VILLAGE Greenwich Millennium Village is a joint venture between Countryside and Taylor Wimpey Central London, in association with the Mayor of London. Over the past 22 years, the partnership has been transforming a 300-acre brownfield site into a sustainable district at the heart of the capital which, once complete, will deliver over 2,800 new homes. Born from a shared vision between the partners, their aspiration sought to provide a range of high-quality, innovative homes that facilitate a sustainable lifestyle. Comprising one, two and three bedroom apartments, these new homes suit a plethora of lifestyles and, with Help to Buy available on selected properties, homes here successfully cater for first time buyers. Aiming to reconnect the local community to the outdoors, residents enjoy 50 acres of parkland on the doorstep, adjacent to the River Thames, alongside a wealth of community facilities including a yacht club, an established Village Square and an ecology park.
L&Q AND MOUNT ANVIL | SILK DISTRICT L&Q and Mount Anvil have formed a joint venture partnership to deliver the Silk District, a brand new development transforming the former site of a warehouse into an impressive new district offering a mix of shared ownership and private sale homes, located moments from Whitechapel station. The partnership has delivered a scheme that offers first time buyers the opportunity to buy into a development that not only offers first-class design in a central location but also comes with exceptional communal facilities rarely available to shared ownership purchasers, exclusively for residents’ use.
PLACES FOR PEOPLE AND URBAN SPLASH | PARK HILL It’s almost a decade since Urban Splash and Places for People formed a joint venture to deliver new affordable homes and a quality amenity-filled community, in what was a very challenging project in Sheffield. Park Hill is an iconic, Grade II listed brutalist architecture, and together, the partnership is sensitively renovating the ageing building, bringing existing homes up to modern living standards and expectations by making Park Hill a more attractive and diverse place. Sharing values and combining strategy, the partnership embraced its joint expertise for providing quality, functional and affordable properties for those individuals, couples and families looking to find a first home that offers more than bricks and mortar. The JV has passionately worked together to bring love, life and pride back to this iconic community by making it a genuinely vibrant and sustainable place for first time buyers to settle and enjoy life.
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BEST PROVIDER TO THE FTB MARKET AFFORDABLE HOMES
THIS AWARD GOES TO A SERVICE, COMPANY OR AGENCY THAT SUPPORTS THE FIRST TIME BUYER INDUSTRY. THIS COULD BE A PRODUCT OR SERVICE THAT HELPS TO SUPPORT AND PROMOTE THE MESSAGE OF HOMEOWNERSHIP.
EMBRACE FINANCIAL SERVICES Embrace Financial Services offers a helping hand, every step of the way, to first time buyers who are looking for a mortgage and support that’s needed to purchase a first home. We provide comprehensive advice on our website, mortgage appointments designed to offer everything a first time buyer could need (including time, understanding and innovation that really helps) and ongoing help and support up to, and beyond, the move-in day. It’s led to exceptional customer reviews, 97.77% of our first time buyers rate our services as Excellent or Good and 97.73% state they would recommend us to friends and family. And that growing reputation for great service has led to nearly a third of our mortgage applications being from first time buyers. We believe we’re a great provider to first time buyers, support homeownership and, with results to show it, are delighted to be taking part in these awards.
METRO FINANCE We just love shared ownership! Every month we help around 2,500 potential buyers. We establish what’s affordable and help achieve the right mortgage. Simultaneously, we help ensure regulatory requirements are met for our partner Housing Associations – nearly 100 across the UK. Supporting the sector, we developed affordability chatbots, staircasing chatbots and a series of portals for buyers and housing associations. All of which track and streamline the shared ownership journey. Constantly improving service levels, last year we introduced facial recognition ID checks and Open Banking software to our portals, focused on making it even easier for buyers and HAs. We constantly evaluate ourselves as a business, striving to achieve best in class service for both shared ownership buyers and our HA partners. Our dedicated team of around 60 have helped drive our Trustpilot rating to the highest in our field. Can we do more? Always....working with lenders, regulators, and stakeholders to give shared ownership the positioning it deserves.
FULL COMMS - NATIONAL SHARED OWNERSHIP CAMPAIGN Established in 2003, Full Comms is a creative, digital marketing agency specialising in property marketing and the affordable homeownership sector. Providing a range of creative services including branding, campaigns, media, marketing and web design and build, our approach to all projects, whether it be development branding or broader awareness campaigns, is instilled in our own mantra and set of values; “Made You Look”. Our commitment to the sector and its buyers, alongside our track record of high performing sales and marketing campaigns for our clients, positioned Full Comms as the perfect campaign partner for the second year of the National Shared Ownership Campaign, achieving almost 5.3 million impressions on social media, reaching over 130,000 accounts on TikTok, saw over 24,000 article reads and a 75% increase in followers on the campaign’s social channels.
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READERS’ AWARDS
REDLOFT Celebrating 20 years of service to the property industry in 2022, Red Loft is a name that has become increasingly synonymous with the affordable homeownership sector. Passionate about property, the company is helping more first time buyers than ever via its sales team, which markets some of the UK’s most prestigious developments, and as a consultant to developers, housing associations and local authorities. In 2021/22, Red Loft helped over 200 households on to the ladder and 70 households into London Living Rent Homes. For 2022/23, it already has a pipeline of over 500 homes for sale and let, so expect to more than double those numbers. Already having a 50-strong team of consultants and sales staff, in the next five years, Red Loft will expand by 50% to meet growing demands in the sector and further support the interests of first time buyers across the market.
SHARE TO BUY A brand synonymous with alternative homeownership, Share to Buy is the UK’s leading property portal for affordable homes. Partnering with over 150 of the UK’s biggest names in housing, Share to Buy offers its users unprecedented access to a wealth of affordable properties and shared ownership resources. Not only providing an unparalleled service for their many clients across the housing industry – generating thousands of high quality leads – Share to Buy has also guided millions of hopeful first time buyers through their homebuying journey, offering a growing collection of informative “how-to” guides, insightful webinars, and jargon-busting videos. Not stopping there, Share to Buy also hosts the London Home Show – the capital’s largest first time buyer event. The show is an exceptional resource for budding buyers, allowing them to learn about currently available affordable homes, speak face-to-face with housing experts, mortgage advisers and solicitors, and attend expert Q&A sessions.
SO RESI PARTNERSHIPS SO Resi, the award-winning shared ownership brand of Metropolitan Thames Valley Housing, has been at the forefront of helping first time buyers on to the property ladder since it was founded in 2017. Constantly innovating, the brand launched a new initiative last year, SO Resi Partnerships, which makes it far easier for buyers to find their dream home and is helping to accelerate the delivery of more much-needed shared ownership properties on to the market. The aim of SO Resi Partnerships is to develop teamwork and collaboration with other housing providers, to help match would-be shared owners with properties around the country. Since its launch, dozens of partnerships have been established and the team has assisted with selling hundreds of shared ownership homes across London and the South East, including selling out of two schemes before handover, demonstrating its commitment to offer greater choice to first time buyers.
buyer
READERS’ AWARDS
FTB 76-103 FTB-Awards June-July22.indd 87
First Time Buyer June/July 2022 87
17/05/2022 15:12
BEST SHOW HOME AFFORDABLE HOMES
THIS AWARD GOES TO THE COMPANY WITH THE BEST SHOW HOME ALLOWING BUYERS TO SEE THE PROPERTY TO ITS MAXIMUM POTENTIAL, GIVING THEM A REALISTIC INSIGHT INTO THEIR NEW HOME.
CATALYST | THE FOLIUM Capturing the essence of life in the leafy urban neighbourhood of Muswell Hill, Catalyst’s show home at The Folium demonstrates modern living in one of London’s chicest villages. The show home at The Folium reveals the versatility of the space, tailored to meet the needs of modern life, without compromising on a stylish interior scheme. With zoning techniques throughout, the space reflects the versatility of the apartment through clever furniture placement, providing a space to work, socialise, dine and live. Inspired by nearby Coppett’s Wood, the interior scheme integrates a diverse mix of natural materials, textured elements and bold statement paintings, including a commissioned artwork by local artist Jess Albert. Reprising the importance of connecting with the area’s surrounding greenery, each home is complete with a private balcony, terrace or garden, allowing residents to create their own outdoor oasis as an extension of their living space.
GATEWAY HOUSING | EARLHAM SQUARE At Earlham Square, Gateway Housing’s shared ownership development in trendy Forest Gate, London’s first time buyers don’t need to compromise on location or high quality to get on to the housing ladder; the contemporary two bedroom show apartment – designed by Think BDW’s interiors team – is an outstanding first time buyer home that beautifully showcases the lifestyle on offer and inspires buyers on a budget. The high specification includes integrated Zanussi appliances, included in the price, while the contemporary show apartment has been designed with a meticulous eye for detail inside as well as out; first time buyers won’t have to sacrifice on style. Designer Think BDW has paired earthy tones with youthful, fun accents which appeal to the target buyer and create a playful yet elegant space; the decor, furnishings and accessories are on-trend and easy for buyers to replicate by picking up similar items at any homeware store which suits their budget.
INLAND HOMES | RANDALLS Randalls is a unique, individually designed collection of 58 studio, one and two bedroom apartments and duplexes in the centre of Uxbridge. Combining a fusion of new and existing architecture, the development includes a conversion of the Grade II listed Randalls department store and the old fire station on Cricket Field Road, as well as three newly built apartment blocks. Within the converted building, Gatsby House, buyers can view the sizable studio show apartment to gain a tangible idea of what they can expect from a home within this characterful scheme. Designed by Phoenix Interior Designers, the sizable studio blends the art deco heritage of the department store with the contemporary urbanity of the surrounding area, while using a range of materials that utilise a typical first time buyer budget. Residents at Randalls are well-situated for shopping, leisure and travel, with Uxbridge town centre and underground station within a five minute walk.
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88
First Time Buyer June/July 2022
FTB 76-103 FTB-Awards June-July22.indd 88
READERS’ AWARDS
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Sponsored by
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OPTIVO WITH FOCUS EXPERIENTIA | HOME X
READERS’ AWARDS
A stylish space with immaculate interior design, top-range integrated appliances and comfortable furnishings, Optivo’s Home X show apartments went above and beyond the standard example of a show home. Focus Experiential supported the Home X project by designing, fitting, and decorating the state-of-the-art show homes and on-site marketing suite, completed as a set for a seamless, engaging, immersive experience and customer journey. Working in conjunction with the team at Optivo to design and furnish the one and two bedroom apartments, a unique concept came to life. Home X from Optivo brings one, two, and three bedroom apartments, and triplexes to the market, supporting first time buyers with the availability of Help to Buy and shared ownership, on a large scale development that forms part of the Preston Barracks regeneration, one of Brighton’s biggest ever regeneration projects, that will deliver 369 new homes, public squares, shops, cafes and play spaces.
ORIGIN HOUSING | HARROW AND WEALDSTONE HEIGHTS Origin Housing commissioned a stunning, deco-inspired show home to help market Harrow and Wealdstone Heights, a landmark new development of 81 shared ownership homes in Harrow, north west London. The second show home for independent designer Tara Larkin, the space captures the liveliness of the exciting surrounding neighbourhood. Featuring a range of sumptuous and lush fabrics, as well as a wealth of items that have been sourced locally, the spirit of the space is fun and playful, showcasing how first time buyers can reflect their own individual style in their first home. The designer drew inspiration from the history of the surrounding area, once known as “metro-land”, and the 1930s-designed Harrow and Wealdstone station, moments from the development. With this in mind, the designer envisaged a modern twist on deco, which would capture fast-moving style and the excitement of owning one’s own home.
PEABODY | LAZENBY SQUARE Homebuyers’ priorities have vastly altered in recent years, and the requirement for more personal space in and out the home is now one of the most sought-after features among house-hunters. Offering an ideal solution to first time buyers keen to stay in the capital, Apartment One at Lazenby Square, minutes from London Bridge station, offers the ultimate in luxury and style. Our interior design-led two bedroom show apartment showcases “must-haves” for the first time buyer including fibre optic broadband, built-in SONOS sound system and a large wintergarden to gain a sense of peace in “one of London’s best places to live” (The Times – Best Places to Live List 2015-2021). Beautifully conceived in partnership with leading interior design studio Suna, we created a space that can be easily replicated, creating a home a first time buyer would be proud of. We achieved an aspirational yet accessible look, to excite and inspire homeowners to create a space just as stylish, no matter how small the budget.
First Time Buyer June/July 2022 89
FTB 76-103 FTB-Awards June-July22.indd 89
17/05/2022 17:21
BEST FIRST TIME BUYER FAMILY HOME AFFORDABLE HOMES
THIS AWARD IS FOR A FAMILY STARTER HOME WHICH IS AFFORDABLE FOR A FIRST TIME BUYER. IT SHOULD OFFER A COMFORTABLE ENVIRONMENT, AT A REALISTIC PRICE WHICH IS IDEAL FOR FAMILY LIVING.
CATALYST | THE BRAXTON: THE LANES AT THORN FIELDS The Lanes at Thorn Fields offers truly extraordinary properties for a first time buyer family looking to find their forever home. A collection of 137 two, three and four bedroom shared ownership homes by Catalyst in the family friendly town of Houghton Regis, the development is part of the family oriented Bidwell West development project, an ambitious scheme delivering up to 1,850 homes, new commercial space, a primary and secondary school, local centre and recreational and landscaped spaces. The Braxton at The Lanes at Houghton Regis is a highspecification semi-detached three bedroom house with a luscious private garden, dedicated parking space and a host of generous storage spaces, available to purchase through shared ownership with Catalyst. The Braxton offers the opportunity for a first time buyer family to secure their own slice of this thriving community, while providing the highest quality of living, and represents outstanding value for money for a family home in South East England.
CHANCERY HOMES | BURNHAM COURT Situated in one of Buckinghamshire’s best-connected villages is Burnham Court, a collection of 58 properties built by Chancery Homes, a new arrival on the housebuilding scene with a vision of meeting industry demand for more high-quality, accessibly priced housing in attractive locations within commuting distance of London. Comprising 36 three and four bedroom family townhouses and 22 apartments, purchasers of Chancery homes will have the assurance of an impressive 40-year track record, backed by a solid organisation of in-house building and design professionals. To help make these quality homes even more accessible to families, Chancery Homes formed a partnership with trusted professional landlord Thrive Homes, known within the industry as a provider and manager of housing for first time buyers.
GUINNESS HOMES | AUGUST FIELDS One of the South Coast’s premium developments for first time buyer families, August Fields by Guinness Homes is a spectacular collection of 85 homes in the historic port town of Newhaven. Offering 70 three and four bedroom houses, the development is ideal for families looking to put down roots in a seaside location. It is set in attractive landscaped grounds, offering a great location, excellent nearby schools and plenty of space for busy family life. August Fields offers a pocket of affordability in an area where sold prices have risen by 5% in the last year alone, with starting prices over half the price of an average semi-detached in the area. Ensuring families don’t have to compromise on quality, homes at August Fields are finished to a high specification throughout and have been designed with family living in mind. Homes offer spacious open-plan layouts throughout, much-needed outdoor space and generously sized rooms.
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90
First Time Buyer June/July 2022
FTB 76-103 FTB-Awards June-July22.indd 90
READERS’ AWARDS
17/05/2022 15:12
Sponsored by
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L&Q | SAXON REACH
READERS’ AWARDS
Saxon Reach is a green, family oriented development by L&Q, delivering 255 highquality, one to five bedroom homes for Milton Keynes. Putting community living at the heart of a brand new neighbourhood, Saxon Reach has been designed with families in mind, with plentiful green spaces, play parks and tree-lined avenues, plus an all-through school opening in September 2022. A stunning four bedroom detached house, The Bamburgh at Saxon Reach epitomises the ultimate family home. Offering a generous 1,459 sq ft of internal living space, The Bamburgh is designed to cater for the hustle and bustle of everyday life. The flexible lateral kitchen/dining room provides a central family hub, while the private, fenced garden is perfect for children. Upstairs, a dedicated main bedroom suite offers a sanctuary for parents. The Bamburgh is priced accessibly for first time buyers, offering a fantastic opportunity for families to step on to the property ladder in a prosperous new neighbourhood.
NOTTING HILL GENESIS | WOOLWICH REACH Situated on the banks of the Thames with sought-after views of the river, the three bedroom mews houses at Notting Hill Genesis’ Woolwich Reach have proved popular with young families looking to put down roots in east London. Blending affordability, space, quality and location, the home has been designed with modern family life in mind. It benefits from open-plan living on three floors with plenty of built-in storage, private outside space and secure parking – perfect for those exploring London and beyond by car. Families can enjoy the green, open space of the neighbouring Royal Victoria Gardens, with children’s play areas and sports facilities, or hop over the river to explore the educational and creative attractions of Woolwich and the nearby Royal Docks. The development is perfect for parents who commute into central London, with travel into Bank in under 30 minutes by the DLR, a seven-minute walk from Woolwich Reach.
PLACES FOR PEOPLE | PORT LOOP Port Loop is Birmingham’s first island neighbourhood. When complete, it will deliver more than 1,150 new homes, commercial workspaces, parks, green spaces and community facilities, all within a 15-minute walk along the canal from Brindley Place. A mix of tenure has been provided including outright ownership, Help to Buy, shared ownership and various rental options. Described as “Birmingham’s most successful residential development during the pandemic”, Port Loop purchasers have comprised a mix of first time buyers and other purchasers, each attracted by the vast green and blue space available, as well as the flexibility in property design.
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READERS’ AWARDS
FTB 76-103 FTB-Awards June-July22.indd 91
First Time Buyer June/July 2022 91
17/05/2022 15:12
BEST LARGE DEVELOPMENT AFFORDABLE HOMES
THIS AWARD IS FOR DEVELOPMENTS OF 81 OR MORE HOMES THAT HAVE USED THE BEST DESIGN AND QUALITY TO CREATE AN AFFORDABLE, DESIRABLE AND INSPIRATIONAL ENVIRONMENT AND THAT HAS PROVIDED ADDITIONAL FACILITIES TO BENEFIT THE LOCAL COMMUNITY AND SURROUNDING NEIGHBOURHOODS. THESE HOMES ARE ON LARGE DEVELOPMENTS IN A MIXED-TENURE ENVIRONMENT OR STAND-ALONE DEVELOPMENTS.
ANDERSON DESIGN & BUILD IN CONJUCTION WITH L&Q | THE QUARRY The Quarry is one of the largest single-scheme regeneration programmes in the South East and will deliver 849 homes on a site previously considered undevelopable. This joint venture partnership between Anderson and L&Q involved a wealth of community engagement to enhance facilities in the local area. With this has come the provision of a school which will take the form of an award-winning design, colloquially named “the doughnut” where every classroom looks out on to the landscape. Commitment to ecology has also played a significant role and the site’s redevelopment has brought several environmental benefits including creation of a dedicated public open space and six acres of existing woodland belt with hundreds of new trees planted. In short, this project has drastically enhanced and regenerated a neglected and dangerous plot which will become a true asset to the community.
BARRATT DAVID WILSON HOMES SOUTH WEST | DELAMARE PARK Barratt Homes’ Delamare Park development in Nunney includes 82, two, three, four and five bedroom homes. The development has been carefully designed to fit in with the local area in terms of layout, mix of materials and housetypes available. The development is just a 10-minute drive from the popular town of Frome, which was named as the best place to live in the South West. It’s the first gas-free development for Barratt Developments, with all properties fitted with air source heat pumps as standard. Help to Buy is available and eligible on more than 50% of homes. More than 33% of purchasers at the site are first time buyers, and 64% of those have used the Help to Buy scheme. Barratt has contributed more than £285,000 to the local community; £272,577 towards education and £14,097 towards healthcare. It has also donated to Nunney Village Hall.
ONE HOUSING | GRANVILLE GARDENS Launching in July 2022, Granville Gardens is an impressive collection of 132 newly built luxury homes, arranged across a 3.7-hectare site, providing greater variety of housing to an established neighbourhood in north west London. A mix of 86 private and 46 shared ownership properties are available across the scheme (composed of three new blocks of apartments and 58 houses), attracting a wider range of professionals and families seeking contemporary and dynamic living spaces, with stunning specification, in a popular Zone 3 location in London. The design creates aesthetic cohesion with existing social housing blocks to progressively develop the character of the existing estate, successfully blending old and new, and creating a stylish, co-ordinated public realm for residents. The new streetscape and landscaping with beautiful planting and play areas knit together the community, creating a series of safe and elegant streets and squares, with definition of public and private spaces.
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92
First Time Buyer June/July 2022
FTB 76-103 FTB-Awards June-July22.indd 92
READERS’ AWARDS
17/05/2022 15:12
Sponsored by
FINANCE
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ORIGIN | HARROW AND WEALDSTONE HEIGHTS
READERS’ AWARDS
A dramatic new landmark on Harrow’s skyline, Origin Housing’s flagship development, Harrow and Wealdstone Heights, is a development of 81 shared ownership apartments, having a huge impact on the north London property market. Located a short walk from a major transport hub – Harrow & Wealdstone station – the development offers high quality living for first time buyers, in an enviable location. Eighteen stories at its tallest, Harrow and Wealdstone Heights’ modern, open-plan apartments will give residents sweeping panoramic views across London, with every apartment also providing access to a private balcony. A further communal roof terrace offers a unique vantage point from which residents can enjoy views of London’s skyline. To maximise the contribution to the wider community, Origin’s ambition has allowed it to increase the amount of affordable housing on site, and radically improve the public realm.
PLACES FOR PEOPLE | PARK HILL Park Hill is one of the UK’s most significant regeneration projects. Originally built in 1961 as part of the slum clearance project, it was an emblem for social change, yet by the 1990s it suffered dwindling occupancy and anti-social behaviour. English Heritage bestowed the Grade II listing upon Park Hill in 1998, paving the way for JV partners Urban Splash and Places for People to transform its fortunes. Today, Park Hill is an affordable, desirable and inspirational place for first time buyers to live. Innovative new designs have ensured the homes meet the needs of modern occupiers – with Park Hill now boasting desirable, affordable homes. With an impressive focus on placemaking, the JV has also created a more diverse, cultural quarter and successfully provided additional facilities to benefit the local community and surrounding neighbourhoods. Park Hill is steeped in colourful history and has secured a bright future for its community.
PLACES FOR PEOPLE AND BALFOUR BEATTY INVESTMENTS | EW+S East Wick and Sweetwater (EW+S) is a Joint Venture between Balfour Beatty Investments and Places for People, in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in east London. Over its lifetime, EW+S will bring new schools, nurseries, and community spaces to the area, as well as creating a strong residential community with over 1,850 new homes. The ambition is to create an eclectic and thriving neighbourhood with people at its heart. The first phase of development is complete, providing 302 new homes, a nursery, and a local Co-op branch, while Clarnico Club, a multi-purpose marketing and social hub with a cafe and flexible event space, serves as the beating heart of the new neighbourhood. Planning approval for the next five phases of development was granted in December 2021 and January 2022. These phases will provide 1,557 new homes, of which 502 will be affordable.
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READERS’ AWARDS
FTB 76-103 FTB-Awards June-July22.indd 93
First Time Buyer June/July 2022 93
17/05/2022 15:12
BEST OFF-PLAN DEVELOPMENT AFFORDABLE HOMES
THIS AWARD WILL BE LOOKING TO RECOGNISE A DEVELOPMENT THAT HAS NOT YET BEEN BUILT/COMPLETED BUT OFFERS GREAT POTENTIAL TO FIRST TIME BUYERS.
BOKLOK | BOKLOK ON THE LAKE Specifically designed with first time buyers in mind, BoKlok on the Lake comprises a collection of sustainable, one and two bedroom apartments in the seaside town of Worthing. Situated alongside Somerset Lake and set within its own, landscaped grounds, the development aims to offer local buyers an opportunity to secure a spacious, well-planned and sustainable new home, while delivering value for money. Launched off-plan in November 2020 via a ballot, BoKlok on the Lake is the second UK residential development to be delivered by BoKlok, an established partnership between leading names Skanska and IKEA. BoKlok draws on 25 years of experience across the Nordics. In 2019 it launched in the UK, with its flagship scheme, BoKlok on the Brook in Bristol. It is Boklok’s aim to deliver high-quality, sustainable new modular homes, while making homeownership more accessible to everyday people.
DAVID WILSON NORTH THAMES | SAWBRIDGE PARK Sawbridge Park in Sawbridgeworth, Hertfordshire, is a development by David Wilson North Thames of 200 two, three and four bedroom houses for open market sale. Designed to appeal to eco-conscious first time buyers, Sawbridge Park has 10 acres of green space, parks and wildflower meadows, new ponds, 3,500 newly planted trees, a play area and allotments. Every home has an electric vehicle charging point, with additional chargers for visitors, saving installation costs and making electric car usage convenient and easy. In addition, homes have energyefficient boilers and appliances, and excellent insulation, keeping energy bills to a minimum. The Built for Life accredited development features a wide range of house types and layouts, all with turfed gardens and allocated parking, giving buyers a huge amount of choice, while David Wilson Homes’ excellent level of customer service, incentives and aftercare means they will be looked after at every step of their homebuying journey.
GECKO HOMES | BARLOW MOOR ROAD Gecko Homes’ Barlow Moor Road development brings a choice of stunning yet affordable shared ownership apartments to a highly desirable and sought-after location, in a neighbourhood usually considered inaccessible to first time buyers due to high property prices. Two buildings include 39 one and two bedroom open-plan homes, fitted out to the highest specification as standard. There are two landscaped communal gardens, secure cycle storage and off-street parking, including accessible bays. Perfectly located in the vibrant district of Chorlton, an array of restaurants, bars, cafes, delicatessens and independent shops are a short walk away. Adjacent bus, tram and protected cycle route links can take purchasers to the city centre and airport within minutes. The development overlooks Chorlton Park and is a few minutes’ walk from the River Mersey, water parks, nature reserves and trails. As part of registered provider Southway Housing Trust, Gecko’s experienced housing professionals can support purchasers at every stage.
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94
First Time Buyer June/July 2022
FTB 76-103 FTB-Awards June-July22.indd 94
READERS’ AWARDS
17/05/2022 15:12
Sponsored by
buyer
LOVE LIVING HOMES | WESTWOOD ACRES
READERS’ AWARDS
Westwood Acres, Love Living Homes’ pioneering new shared ownership development in the seaside town of Broadstairs in Kent, is a truly exemplary and innovative offering for first time buyers. On-site completion in early 2023, Westwood Acres will comprise 86 two and three bedroom modular homes and 10 four bedroom traditionally built homes; first time buyers on a budget will not only benefit from a woodland setting, modern living spaces and a high specification included as standard, but exceptional sustainability credentials seldom found in an affordable home. Priced from £88,850 for a 30% share of a two bedroom house with a 10% deposit of just £8,850, every home has achieved a rare Energy Performance Certificate rating of A; this superb development is delivering affordability not only at the point of purchase but in the day-to-day running of every home, especially crucial when energy bills and the cost of living is soaring.
NOTTING HILL GENESIS | KIDBROOKE SQUARE Kidbrooke Square is an exciting new development in the Royal Borough of Greenwich, set to become a vibrant new piece of south east London. Located in the wider scheme is a stunning collection of one and two bedroom apartments available to purchase off-plan through shared ownership with Notting Hill Genesis. These homes are ideally suited to first time buyers looking for modern living and affordability balanced with space, style, quality and convenience in contemporary surroundings. Buyers will be part of a flourishing new community at Kidbrooke, and with a short commute to central London, will get the best of city living while enjoying nearby green, open space. Kidbrooke Square has sustainability at its heart, with active travel routes, green rooftops, and renewable energy embraced throughout. These stunning shared ownership apartments are available to purchase off-plan, with Notting Hill Genesis’ expert sales team, first-class show homes and innovative marketing suite technology taking buyers through the process smoothly.
WESTON HOMES | EDINBURGH WAY Edinburgh Way by Weston Homes is a development of 361 one to three bedroom apartments in Harlow, starting from just £229,000 and available using Help to Buy and Weston Homes First-Time SecureBuy, allowing buyers to secure their first home at today’s prices while saving more deposit. The development, with striking contemporary brick and glass facades, offers superbly equipped homes at sensible prices. Perfectly located two minutes’ walk from the station, the apartments at Edinburgh Way have a wide selection of layouts for every preference. Set in five blocks around a landscaped garden, homes have spacious, open-plan living/kitchen/ dining areas, with almost all enjoying a balcony or terrace. Their specification far surpasses most starter homes; kitchens have quartz stone worksurfaces and are equipped with a boiling water tap, fridge-freezer, washer-dryer and dishwasher, while principal bedrooms have fitted mirrored wardrobes. Buyers can personalise their apartment with a range of kitchens, vanity units and flooring.
buyer
READERS’ AWARDS
FTB 76-103 FTB-Awards June-July22.indd 95
First Time Buyer June/July 2022 95
17/05/2022 15:12
Sponsored by
BEST LAW FIRM FOR CONVEYANCING
THIS AWARD CELEBRATES LAW FIRMS WITH OUTSTANDING CONVEYANCING PACKAGES FOR FIRST TIME BUYERS.
CGM SOLICITORS CGM Solicitors is an established Southampton firm with a national reach. We work throughout the UK with first time buyers of shared ownership and new build homes. Our commitment to providing clear, jargon-free, specialist legal advice to first time buyers has led to us being recommended by many housing associations, developers, and mortgage brokers both locally and on a nationwide basis. We offer expert advice in all matters including shared ownership and new homes. Our dedicated teams are driven by a passion to demystify the homebuying process and to provide a bespoke service which is tailored to each client and development. Our core belief is the client should feel they are at the heart of each transaction. We offer: • Fixed fee packages • Experienced lawyers • Secure online ID checks and payments • Law Society Conveyancing Quality Scheme Accredited.
DIRECTION LAW Direction Law is one of the most established and largest specialist affordable housing solicitors in the country. In 2021-22 alone, we completed almost 4,800 new build purchases. Prospective clients can obtain an instant quotation online or speak to our dedicated new business team who will guide them through the initial stages. While other firms may have conveyancers who deal with a variety of affordable housing cases, we have individual dedicated teams specialising in either new build shared ownership, resale sales and purchases, or new build/Help to Buy respectively; thus ensuring greater expertise. Our aim is to progress cases to exchange and completion as swiftly as possible, not only resulting in a satisfied client, but also ensuring our strong relationships with the many housing associations, developers and specialist financial advisers we are recommended by. Many clients come back time and time again which is testament to the quality of service we provide.
PRINCE EVANS SOLICITORS Prince Evans Solicitors LLP is a full-service law firm operating throughout London and the South East; we benefit from a number of specialist teams covering the majority of legal requirements a private individual may have during their life. Our teams include Conveyancing, Family & Matrimonial, Wills Trust and Probate, Personal Injury, Landlord & Tenant, Employment and Litigation. Whether you are moving house, dealing with a relationship breakdown, the victim of a personal injury or wishing to ensure your personal affairs are in order for your loved ones, we can offer all of these services under one roof. Our conveyancing team has vast experience and understanding of acting for first time buyers and we were proud to be voted the Best Law Firm for Conveyancing at the First Time Buyer Readers Awards in both 2020 and 2021.
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96
First Time Buyer June/July 2022
FTB 76-103 FTB-Awards June-July22.indd 96
READERS’ AWARDS
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BEST NEW DEVELOPMENT IN THE SOUTH
Sponsored by
FINANCE
THIS AWARD IS FOR THE BEST DEVELOPMENT OF ANY SIZE IN THE SOUTH OF ENGLAND (FOR THE PURPOSES OF THIS CATEGORY – BELOW BIRMINGHAM). A HIGHLY COMPETITIVE MARKET PLACE WHERE THE CONSTRUCTION OF NEW HOMES IS INCREASING, THIS AWARD RECOGNISES AN EXCEPTIONAL RANGE OF NEW HOMES THAT STANDS OUT FROM THE CROWD WHILE REMAINING ACCESSIBLE TO FIRST TIME BUYERS
BARRATT DAVID WILSON HOMES | LINMERE Linmere is a blueprint for future developments, with an exceptional variety of new homes that appeal to a range of first time buyers, many of which are available through homebuying schemes. Barratt David Wilson will initially deliver 275 private homes and 31 affordable homes to the wider consortium that hosts vast community facilities, including several new schools, a co-working office, supermarket and a community hub. The homes sit against a backdrop of 90 acres of parkland space, ensuring residents are never more than a five-minute walk from nature. With new infrastructure to accommodate travel locally and beyond including bus routes, footpaths and cycle ways, residents are well connected and perfectly placed for all needs. Linmere truly has it all, and perfectly demonstrates how careful planning can deliver a mixed-used scheme where buyers can enjoy a balanced and healthy lifestyle.
BOKLOK | BOKLOK ON THE BROOK BoKlok is an established partnership between leading names Skanska and IKEA. Having operated successfully in the Nordics for over 25 years, in 2019 it launched BoKlok on the Brook, its flagship UK scheme in Bristol. BoKlok’s aim: to deliver high-quality, modular, sustainable new homes that offer great value for money, while making homeownership more accessible to more people. Built using MMC, BoKlok’s homes can be built faster and more efficiently than traditional homes. Inside, the homes take inspiration from Scandinavia, with a spacious, light-filled open-plan feel, while a series of additional, energy-saving measures are included as standard, all designed to assist future homeowners to live more sustainably, over the longer-term. Launched for sale via BoKlok’s unique ballot system, BoKlok on the Brook, which is located just a few miles from Bristol’s vibrant city centre, is now all reserved, with 97% of purchasers here being first time buyers.
CATALYST | NEWMAN PLACE Newman Place is a collection of 270 affordable homes, ranging from one bedroom apartments to four bedroom houses, four miles south of Oxford City Centre. Delivering a remarkable breadth of properties, the development will welcome a brand new community of residents. Offering exceptional choice for first time buyers, Newman Place is a 100% affordable scheme, providing a large number of homes for shared ownership, meeting the demand for housing in the area. Homes are available in an impressive 23 different layouts. These range from one bedroom apartments which offer a viable route on to the property ladder for a single buyer, to three-storey, four bedroom houses that make idyllic family homes. Located on the site of the former Littlemore Park hospital, Newman Place is designed to respect and reflect the site’s heritage, biodiversity and natural landscape, featuring a variety of wildlife areas, including an accessible waterway, walkway, cycle route, play park and allotments.
buyer
READERS’ AWARDS
FTB 76-103 FTB-Awards June-July22.indd 97
First Time Buyer June/July 2022 97
17/05/2022 15:12
Sponsored by
BEST NEW DEVELOPMENT IN THE NORTH THIS AWARD IS FOR THE BEST DEVELOPMENT OF ANY SIZE IN THE NORTH OF ENGLAND (BIRMINGHAM AND ABOVE), AN AREA OF THE COUNTRY WHERE HOUSEBUILDING IS INCREASING AND OFFERS A HIGHLY COMPETITIVE MARKET PLACE. THIS AWARD RECOGNISES AN EXCEPTIONAL RANGE OF NEW HOMES THAT STAND OUT FROM THE CROWD, WHILE REMAINING ACCESSIBLE TO FIRST TIME BUYERS.
GLEESON HOMES | RAINSBOROUGH PARK We are pleased to propose Rainsborough Park in Knottingley, West Yorkshire, as the best development in the North. This development boasts an exceptional range of affordable new homes perfect for the first time buyer market, as well as fantastic links to surrounding cities, having an overall positive impact on the neighbouring community. We provide our customers; predominantly young first time buyers, families and key workers, with the opportunity for wealth creation through homeownership, offering a wide range of house types to choose from. We have four show homes at Rainsborough Park, which are all styled by our interior designers to give our potential customers a real feel of what living in a Gleeson home is like. We truly believe that this development stands out from the crowd of developments in the North due to its affordability, range of buying schemes and overall fantastic design and layout.
VIADUCT HOUSING PARTNERSHIP | BATTERSBY HAT FACTORY Viaduct Housing Partnership is creating a new neighbourhood in Offerton, Stockport, while preserving an iconic, locally listed building that once housed the world famous Battersby Hat Works. The new mixed-tenure development consists of 144 houses and apartments and includes the refurbishment of the retained mill buildings. With multiple house types and various sizes, the development caters for the needs of both first time buyers and households looking to move. The mixed tenure consists of affordable rent, shared ownership and outright sales. All units, regardless of tenure, have the same excellent specification, with quality range kitchens included with integrated appliances and quality vinyl flooring, modern bathrooms and en suites with tiled floors and walls. The new neighbourhood has excellent transport links, and is close to excellent schools and large parks. All the shared ownership units in the first phase were reserved within minutes of being released for sale.
GECKO HOMES | ALLINGHAM PLACE The Allingham Place development by Gecko Homes brings luxury living in a vibrant and fashionable market town centre within the budget of first time buyers through our shared ownership model. Located in a quiet street, just a short walk from Altrincham’s plethora of lifestyle and transport options, the development features 15 contemporary and luxurious two bedroom apartments, all finished to an extremely high standard of specification. Such a perfect location normally comes at a premium, but Gecko Homes is part of the non-profit provider Southway Housing Trust, with a long and demonstrable commitment to providing suitable homes for people whatever their background. Our shared ownership model is part of that commitment, providing full support at every stage of the process from our experienced and skilled housing professionals. First time buyers can access the housing market through an initial 40% share purchase, with the option to increase that in future.
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Sponsored by
JUDGES UNSUNG STAR
FINANCE
THIS AWARD WILL RECOGNISE THE OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION MADE BY ONE INDIVIDUAL TO THE FIRST TIME BUYER MARKET. THE AWARD WILL CELEBRATE THE WORK OF AN INDIVIDUAL WHO THROUGH THEIR INNOVATIVE APPROACH TO THE MARKET HAS CONTINUALLY HELPED FIRST TIME BUYERS OVERCOME THE USUAL CHALLENGES FACED IN THIS SECTOR. THIS AWARD WILL BE JUDGED BY THE JUDGES ONLY.
NIALL CLEGHORN | SO RESI Niall Cleghorn began his property career as an estate agent for a large corporate agency eight years ago, where he progressed from a trainee negotiator to a senior sales negotiator, before moving on to an independent agent in London. In 2016, he was inspired to focus his efforts on the shared ownership sector and joined the SO Resi team in north London. Niall is a quick learner and has consistently made an outstanding contribution to the first time buyer market. He is a hardworking and diligent sales consultant, bringing a positive attitude to the workplace, motivating his colleagues and acting as a role model. Niall goes above and beyond to help first time buyers, ensuring he is always available to provide help, advice or reassurance. Purchaser reviews unequivocally support this, often crediting Niall’s support as being the main reason for their home purchase. Niall has proven to be an excellent ambassador for SO Resi over the past five years, advocating for first time buyers and the power of shared ownership at every industry event he attends, something which is recognised by everyone around him. Niall’s sales success will remain the bedrock of his future career, but his natural people skills mean that his management career in the future will be something to look out for. He has huge potential for leadership and has the makings of a property industry leader – he is nothing short of a rising star.
SCOTT WALKER | DIRECTION LAW Scott joined Direction Law in 2017 as a member of our New Business Team. From interview, it was clear Scott was going to bring such positive energy to the team. He built instant rapport with colleagues, clients and referrers, so when an opportunity arose for Scott to take a role within Business Development it was a perfect fit. Scott dedicated a number of years spending weekends travelling across the breadth of the country to both market Direction Law’s services and also to show support for housing associations, financial advisers and sector events, which is where he has made so many connections. His career has now gone a stage further where he has progressed to Business Development Executive within the BD and marketing team, looking after accounts that refer work to the firm, seeking to deliver on customer service which encompasses Scott’s conscientious nature. Scott genuinely cares about people. The connections he makes through work he invests fully in. He’ll remember people’s football teams, the names of their kids and he’ll reach out in a human way. Scott’s enthusiasm and energy is unrivalled. He is supportive, kind, bright, caring for his colleagues, proud of his work. He has a heart of gold. He’s an absolute credit to Direction Law and he would never consider himself a nominee, which is why he deserves it so very much.
CRAIG OSBORNE | VESTA LONDON Craig’s passion to help people own their own home is second to none. A true Londoner, he is fully aware of the challenges faced by young people trying to get on the property ladder and he goes above and beyond to assist first time buyers. Craig is one of the most highly respected and hard-working individuals in the housing sector. He is known for his passion and integrity, and believes in creating opportunities for first time buyers and young people. His passion to support youngsters continues outside work where he has been heavily involved in football coaching at his local team. He started his housing career at SiteSales, where he was soon securing work from a vast range of housing providers and delivered positive impact to everyone he worked with. His career started as Head of Communications, which was a natural role for Craig who is a broadcaster and fundraiser for Radio Northwick Park – a local hospital radio. A person who cares about people and the housing industry, he was soon putting his communication skills to use by building relationships and developing business opportunities. A true gentleman, he is always willing to support those in the industry, giving a professional and friendly shoulder to anyone needing help – a trusted, loyal mentor for many. Craig is an unsung and much-loved person who has built a successful career supporting housing providers. He has never forgotten his childhood housing arrangements which puts fire into his belly to make positive changes for those who, without the help of affordable homeownership, may never achieve the opportunity to buy a property to call home.
JANE WILLIAMS | OPTIVO With a lifelong career in affordable housing Jane has helped hundreds of first time buyers become homeowners. She has climbed the career ladder predominantly in sales and marketing roles and has gained a reputation for her hard work and consistent level of truthful and honest marketing. With more than 20 years’ experience in the affordable homeownership market, for Southern Housing Group, Galleons Housing Association, Clarion, Redloft and Optivo, Jane is one of the people in the industry who have pushed for improvements in the delivery of shared ownership. Jane has been quietly involved in improving the experience of buying a first home. Her work involved working in repairs and defects so she understands that the success of a home is not just the sale but also the way that repairs are undertaken – a wider customer experience that providers must appreciate being the landlord and having a long-term commitment. Her passion for the industry is second to none. Over the years she has developed and nurtured many staff. Currently Head of Sales and Marketing at Optivo, she is delivering a range of exciting projects across London and the South. She is a very well-known and highly regarded person who has gained a respect from her teams. She is isn’t a person who shouts about her achievements, but now is the time she should be recognised for her work, done with humility and enjoyment.
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Sponsored by
PRIVATE DEVELOPER OF THE YEAR AFFORDABLE HOMES
THIS AWARD WILL FOCUS NOT ONLY ON THE DESIGN AND QUALITY OF THE PROPERTIES BUILT, BUT ALSO ON ALL ASPECTS OF THE DEVELOPER’S PERFORMANCE.
GLEESON HOMES Gleeson builds high-quality, low-cost homes in areas where there is a strong need for affordable housing and where first time buyers, young families and key workers want to live. We believe that not only does the design and quality of a Gleeson home exceed expectations, but the overall performance of the company as a whole does too. From excellent customer satisfaction results, to our number one priority at Gleeson, health and safety, which is supported by our own health and safety subbrand HomeSafe. We are proud to put our customers at the front of everything we do, which is illustrated through our Customer First initiative, which aims to ensure that the customer journey is as exciting and enjoyable as buying a first home should be. We strongly believe that Gleeson is worthy of winning the private developer of the year category.
HIGGINS HOMES Higgins Homes is a family run business with 60 years’ experience in designing and building quality homes across London and the South East. No two of its developments are alike, with homes ranging from compact “Citipad” London micro flats to help first time buyers on to the housing ladder, up to five bedroom detached country homes. What all have in common is attention to detail, with carefully planned exteriors and internal layouts, high-quality fittings and appliances and a focus on fantastic customer service. From its helpful sales staff, detailed brochures and user-friendly website, to the time spent welcoming owners into their new homes, nothing is too much trouble. Higgins Homes has received numerous awards for both the quality of its homes and its care and investment in staff training, and the company prides itself on listening to and acting upon customer feedback to maintain the highest standards throughout the business.
WESTON HOMES Weston Homes, whose motto is “Built with Passion, Delivered with Pride”, delivers quality properties in London and the Home Counties and has won numerous awards. Its in-house architectural team combines traditional craft skills with modern methods of construction to create beautiful, energy-efficient homes, such as Abbey Quay in Barking, praised by planners for its design quality. The company’s off-site construction complex fabricates components including wardrobes, bathrooms and wall panels, ensuring flawless finishes, customer choice and savings that enable higher quality fixtures and fittings. All Weston Homes properties have a boiling water tap, fridgefreezer, dishwasher and washer-dryer, and buyers can substantially personalise their home, choosing the worktop, cupboards, vanity unit and flooring. Stunning marketing suites, with furnished apartments and scale models, help buyers choose; and initiatives for first time buyers and dedicated customer service ensures they are cared for.
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AFFORDABLE HOUSING PROVIDER OF THE YEAR
Sponsored by
THIS AWARD WILL GO TO AN ORGANISATION THAT HAS SHOWN INNOVATION IN THE WAY IT DESIGNS, BUILDS AND MARKETS ITS PROPERTIES AS WELL AS OFFERING A VARIETY OF SERVICES WHICH CAN HELP FIRST TIME BUYERS ON TO THE PROPERTY LADDER.
THE HYDE GROUP Established over 50 years ago, Hyde is one of the leading housing associations working in England, owning or managing around 50,000 homes in London, Kent, Surrey, Sussex, Hampshire, the East of England and East Midlands. We share how successful the in-house sales and marketing team has been in supporting innovation in design and marketing homes for first time buyers. They have delivered abovetarget sales receipts and a high volume of off-plan sales, averaging 77% across shared ownership, outright sale and JVs, while also collaborating with construction teams to inform design and customer aspirations, ensuring we build the right homes in the right places, and at the right price. The excellent service delivered by Hyde’s sales and marketing team to our first time buyers has been independently endorsed by In-house Research which has recently accredited Hyde with the Gold award for customer satisfaction, based on feedback across our varied product range.
METROPOLITAN THAMES VALLEY HOUSING Metropolitan Thames Valley Housing (MTVH) formed in 2018 when Metropolitan and Thames Valley Housing joined forces. It owns or manages 57,000 homes across London, the South East, East Midlands and East of England and is a member of the National Housing Federation and the g15, which represents London’s largest housing associations. MTVH creates homes for shared ownership via its SO Resi brand, alongside offering affordable rent and open market sales. Constantly innovating, the group has conducted numerous research pieces to understand the needs of future homeowners and help shape its offering, presents crystalclear marketing materials to demystify the tenure and creates a wide range of new homes from starter apartments to spacious family houses. It forms strategic, dynamic partnerships to promote shared ownership, with the established SO Resi Partnerships helping buyers find a home while supporting the market and working with housebuilders to bring homes into use more quickly.
ORBIT HOMES Part of the Orbit Group, Orbit Homes is one of the largest builders of affordable homes in the UK, delivering over 1,000 new build homes per annum, 65% of which are affordable homes, with plans to build 6,500 new homes by 2025. Our developments range from small schemes in rural villages, through to large urban regeneration projects. By offering a choice of either market dale, Help to Buy or shared ownership, we aim to make homeownership more achievable. Our homes are tenure blind, sharing the same commitment to sector-leading design, specification and safety, coupled with outstanding customer service. Our vision is to lead in building thriving communities, and we believe everyone is entitled to a good quality home that they can afford in a place that they are proud to live.
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AFFORDABLE HOMES
buyer
HOW TO VOTE
READERS’ AWARDS
VOTE NOW FOR YOUR FAVOURITE IN EACH CATEGORY AT FTBAWARDS.COM Voting closes at midnight on 5 August 2022. FTB Award winners will be announced during the Awards Lunch at the London Marriott Hotel, Grosvenor Square on 2 September 2022. A full list of winners will be published in the October/November issue of First Time Buyer.
TERMS & CONDITIONS • • •
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Voting closes on 5 August 2022 The winner of the vouchers will be notified by email Voting is open to First Time Buyer readers, aged 18 and over, with the exception of employees of shortlisted nominees, their immediate families, agents, or anyone else associated with the administration or production of these awards Random authenticity checks will be made
SPECIAL THANKS TO ALL OF OUR SPONSORS HEADLINE SPONSOR
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CAST YOUR ALL-IMPORTANT VOTES TODAY! ftbawards.com FTB 76-103 FTB-Awards June-July22.indd 103
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FAST FOOD
NUGS & KISSES
The humble chicken nugget. Once just an everyday staple for kids' tea all over the country; today, chicken nugget mania has hit us all with everything from food challenges to a social media sensation and everything in between. But where do you get your chicken nuggets from? Your local supermarket? The popular fast food chains? Well now there is a new option - introducing NUGS, the UK’s first ever nugget shop NUGS was founded in May 2020 by Reis Esiroglu and Charley Fairbrother. Due to the lockdown, Reis became furloughed and eventually was made redundant, but the couple had always had the idea of taking the humble chicken nugget and developing it to another level with a myriad of flavours and homemade sauces and sides. With restaurants closed, the journey started by utilising Reis’ mum’s kitchen. Starting an Instagram page, they established a small following and began to see orders flocking in. They reached out to friends, family and celebrities who lived in the local area. These celebrities endorsed and loved NUGS and its Instagram popularity began to grow. Very quickly NUGS outgrew the home kitchen, and they took up their first residency in The Rising Sun in Hornchurch, east London. The team are proud of their roots and NUGS still operates from there. Using 100% chicken breast, all the NUGS are cut, breaded and fried by hand, and the sauces are varied and homemade. All food is reliably sourced, made from the finest quality and is all served in bio-degradable packaging. NUGS are gluten free, made from Halal meat and there are even vegetarian and vegan options so that everyone can join in the nugget craze. NUGS was recently voted The London Borough of Havering’s Best Takeaway 2022 and Charley and Reis have just opened a second location in Wapping, east London, at Love, Pub & Grub every Saturday. They are also doing deliveries and takeaways from Wednesday to Friday and on Sundays as well. New locations are being sought, so NUGS could well be coming to a location near you.
Some of FTB’s favourites are the Korean Tings, a sweet, sticky and slightly spicy nugget covered in Gochujang sauce, and the Cheesy Does It, a stunning deep fried halloumi nugget. If you like your spice cranked up to the extreme then try The Grim Reaper, but you have been warned, it’s seriously hot! Willing participants enter the hall of fame. We also really liked the Badboy Buffalo Wrap, a chicken fillet drenched in buffalo sauce on a bed of lettuce topped with blue cheese dip and chives. To find out more and to see the full menu, check out the website at seriousnugs.com
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COMPETITION
Clean away those allergens with Henry
WIN ! A HE
N VAC RY ALLE UUM RG WO Y £19 RTH 9.99
We have teamed up with Henry, one of the UK’s most reliable vacuum brands, to give one lucky reader the chance to win a Henry Allergy vacuum worth £199.99 HOW TO ENTER Answer the following question:
Henry won the Seal of Approval, who was it from? Send your answer with your full name, address and telephone number to:
As any allergy sufferers knows, allergies can make life a misery both for adults and children, which is why Henry has used its well-known expertise to create a high-performance vacuum that helps improve air quality for everyday living. Awarded the Seal of Approval from the British Allergy Foundation, Henry Allergy is scientifically proven to reduce exposure to dust and allergens throughout the home compared to the filtration of a standard vacuum. Pet hair can also exacerbate the problem for those who suffer with allergies like asthma and hayfever.
Henry Allergy’s advanced three-stage HEPA filtration system helps combat this by trapping miniscule particles that are virtually undetectable, reducing the amount of allergens in the home to ease symptoms for allergy sufferers. Best of all, the bags inside Henry Allergy offer a hygienic, mess-free alternative by locking all the dust safely inside the bags, allowing you to empty the machine without the risk of any dirt, dust, hair or allergens escaping. myhenry.com
lynda@firsttimebuyermag.co.uk Closing date: 4 July 2022
THE PRIZE… ONE LUCKY WINNER WILL WIN A HENRY ALLERGY VACUUM WORTH £199.99. T&Cs • The prize is non-transferable and no cash alternatives will be given. • The competition is open to UK residents only
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FIRST MEAL
FIRST HOME, FIRST MEAL
INGREDIENTS For the cake 9 200g butter, at room
Eton Mess is said to have originated from an after-match treat at Eton college in the 1920s. Lakeland’s tasty twist on a well-known classic of delicious strawberries, cream, and meringue is a perfect summer treat to follow your BBQ or summer's evening dinner party in your first home
STRAWBERRY ETON MESS CAKE
temperature, plus a little extra for greasing 9 200g caster sugar 9 5 large eggs 9 1/2 tsp vanilla extract 9 100g ground almonds 9 225g self-raising flour 9 Pinch of salt 9 3 tbsp double cream 9 250g strawberries, chopped 9 3 meringue shells (approx. 30g), lightly crushed To decorate 9 150ml double cream 9 3 meringue shells (approx. 30g), lightly crushed 9 200g strawberries, sliced 9 Mint leaves (optional)
METHOD 1
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Grease your baking tin lightly with a little butter and line with baking parchment, leaving enough on the long sides to help remove the cake once baked. Preheat the oven to 180°C/fan 160°C/Gas 4. In a large bowl, beat the butter and sugar together with a handheld electric mixer or wooden spoon until light and fluffy. Beat the eggs and vanilla extract together, then gradually add to the creamed mixture, beating well between each addition. Stir in the ground almonds. Sift in the flour and salt and fold in gently using a large metal spoon. Gently stir in the cream and strawberries and fold through the crushed meringues. Tip into the prepared tin and spread evenly over the base. Bake for 35-40 minutes until risen, golden and firm to the touch. Cool in the tin and then lift out with the help of the parchment. Once fully cooled, cut into slices. To decorate, whip the cream in a chilled bowl until it holds its shape, then either spoon a dollop or pipe a swirl of cream on to each slice. Sprinkle with crushed meringue and finish off with sliced strawberries and mint leaves. Serve and enjoy!
blog.lakeland.co.uk
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TECH
INSPECTOR GADGET "Don't let your guard down"
Ring Alarm Pro, £159, Currys currys.co.uk Give yourself piece of mind with the Ring Alarm 5 Piece Security Kit. Everything you need comes in the box and takes only minutes to set up. You’ll get notifications on your phone whenever an alarm is triggered – great for worry-free holidays.
Technology and the internet has made it easier than ever to set up a smart home where you can remotely control your door locks, lights, thermostats, vacuums, and even pet feeders, using the apps on your phone! We have come a long way since the days of the simple alarm. It’s also made it simple (and relatively affordable) to monitor your home from pretty much anywhere in the world. FTB has found some of the best security gadgets to help protect yourself and your home
FireAngel CO-9B Carbon Monoxide Alarm, £14.99, Screwfix screwfix.com Many appliances in your home can produce potentially very dangerous carbon monoxide. This alarm continuously checks for the presence of deadly carbon monoxide, providing an early warning against its effects and ensuring you are keeping yourself and your loved ones safe.
HOW FIRST TIME BUYERS CAN SECURE THEIR NEW HOME, WITH HELP FROM THE HOME SECURITY EXPERTS AT YALE Picking paint samples, selecting the perfect furniture and making home improvements can often take precedence over more important things, such as your new home’s security, when you first move into a new property. However, with Home Office statistics showing that you’re nearly twice as likely to be burgled in the first 12 months after moving into a new home1, first time buyers should consider the importance of updating their home security measures when they get their keys. Moving into a new home is stressful, with a long list of tasks to complete when you finally move in. However, securing your home doesn’t need to be difficult. The home security experts at Yale are here to help, sharing their top tips to improving your new home’s security. 1. A home security "audit" Despite statistics showing that 58% of burglaries occur when someone is inside the property2, a recent survey commissioned by the experts at Yale showed that nearly half (42%) of Brits don’t lock their doors and windows when they’re home, putting their homes at avoidable risk. As well as locking your doors, consider doing a home security "audit" when you first move in, checking for any "weak spots" to ensure your new home is secure. From broken fence panels to a rusty lock on your side gate, these weak spots could offer easy entry into your home, so it’s important to do all you can to ensure you’re not an easy target. 2. Change the locks When you first get the keys to your new home, there’s no way of knowing how many people have had access to these, or a spare set, in the past. And with recent statistics revealing that almost a third (32%) of Brits still have a key to one of their previous homes from the last 10 years3, our experts recommend
prioritising changing the locks when you first move in. As a cost-effective home security upgrade, when changing the locks, our experts would recommend opting for a 3-star cylinder, such as Yale’s Platinum 3 Star Cylinder. Homeowners should ideally opt for a cylinder with a BSI Kitemark, a sign of safety and quality that can give you peace of mind that your lock, and therefore home, is secured with the highest level of protection. For those who are interested in having the latest technology in their new home, while also conscious of style, a smart lock such as Yale’s Conexis L1, lets you control your front door via your smartphone, conveniently monitoring who comes in and out of your home, all from a handy app. And being the first smart lock to be awarded the BSI’s IoT [Internet of Things] Kitemark, the Conexis L1 also provides a high level of security protection. 3. Smarter accessories Once you’ve upgraded your locks, other smart upgrades will allow you to check in on your home security anytime, anywhere. A smart alarm is a great investment, being simple to install, convenient to use, and an effective deterrent for unwanted visitors. Yale’s Sync Smart Home Alarm has a range of alarm kits to suit the size of your new home, letting you arm, disarm and monitor your home security from anywhere via your smartphone. And don’t forget, smart security cameras, such as Yale’s All-in-One Camera, are another effective deterrent to opportunists, allowing you to keep an eye on your home from anywhere. For more security advice, please visit yalehome.co.uk 1 Home Office, 2018 2 Eco Experts, 2022 3 A poll of 2,000 UK Adults (nationally representative) run by OnePoll, commissioned by Yale UK, 2022
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LEGAL
Keep Calm and Keep Moving Moving to a new house can be a difficult time. Lesley Price FCILEx of CGM Hampshire Limited provides advice on what you can do to keep things moving and to manage delays when they occur BE REALISTIC ABOUT TIMESCALES One of the questions we get asked most in the conveyancing industry is, “How long will my transaction take?” And it’s the one question that is impossible to answer. Each property and chain of transactions is unique and there are all sorts of things that can take time to investigate. What is important to remember is that your purchase is a major investment for you, and while we know you will want it done quickly, it is also vital it is done well.
FACTOR IN SOME CONTINGENCY Delays are often made worse in the conveyancing process when you, or another party, have circumstances which mean they don’t have flexibility to react to changing situations. This could be a personal deadline such as limited leave or pre-booked holidays, or it could be in respect of one of the parties having a fixed date to leave their current accommodation. It is always better to go into the process with as much flexibility as possible, but circumstances may arise which are beyond you or your legal adviser’s control. If you do have deadlines or fixed timescales, then let your legal adviser know straight away. You need to have contingency plans in place should the worst happen, and these timescales cannot be met.
CHASING DOES NOT ALWAYS HELP It is frustrating for everyone when delays occur, and often there may be things you can do to assist your legal adviser in moving things forward. However, there are often delays which cannot be helped and your legal advisers will do everything they can to move things forward. Keep in contact with your legal advisers, and you should be updated regularly, but if your adviser is receiving multiple chasers on the same issue it can slow down rather than speed up the process. Trust your
legal advisers, as they will contact you as soon as they have news, and if you are still concerned, set timescales for updates which both you and they are happy with.
USE YOUR HEAD AS WELL AS YOUR HEART Often legal issues will arise during the course of a transaction which can be dealt with but can take time to resolve. There are often two ways of dealing with an issue which will involve a shortcut option such as an indemnity insurance policy or a longer process of varying documents or hunting down missing documents. While the use of indemnity policies is very common these days, and they perform a useful function, they are not always able to be obtained. Also, it may be that the better option for the longer term for you is to correct the problem at the point you buy so it does not come up again when you come to sell in
the future. Your solicitors should provide you with all the options and even if you are coming under time pressure, remember it’s your purchase and you will want to go with the best option for your circumstances – not always the quickest fix.
FOCUS ON THE POSITIVE Remember that the end goal of your transaction is to be living for the long term in your new home. Even if the process is delayed or bumpy you will be able to get your move through, and it is important to remember it’s a huge investment for you, which is worth investing time and patience in to get a home you can both enjoy and that represents a safe investment for you in the future. For more information regarding buying or selling your property and a no obligation quotation please email us on enquiries@c-g-m.co.uk
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FINANCE
Ask Emilia... Emilia is the Sales Director at Metro Finance,, the largest shared ownership mortgage provider. Metro Finance helps around 2,400 shared ownership buyers each month, working with more than 90 housing associations to make the process for the buyer as simple as possible, and helping to innovate the shared ownership product. Emilia has worked with Metro Finance for over 10 years, specialising in shared ownership I’m self-employed – is it harder to get a mortgage? If you put a self-employed plumber side by side with an employed plumber, both doing their trade for five years and both with provable income, it should make no difference in respect of mortgages. So, the short answer in that scenario is “No, it isn’t harder to get a mortgage.” However, the complexities of the selfemployed structure can sometimes create challenges, albeit most can be overcome. So... let’s start with the bare minimum requirements. Whether you are a limited company, sole trader or in a partnership, there must be one full year’s accounts available (most lenders require more, but some will use just one). The income from those accounts must be enough to support the mortgage. For the employed person we’d use gross annual salary to work this out, for the selfemployed it would be: • Sole trader – net profit figure • Partnership – net profit figure, split as per the partnership split • Limited company – director’s salary and dividend taken. These figures, would be proven by way of HMRC tax calculations and overviews. Or sometimes a reference by a suitably qualified accountant. The difference between a self-employed person and an employed one is that even if a self-employed person has started paying themselves a higher salary, this would need to be evidenced via the tax overviews/ calculations or the accounts. Until this can be evidenced via one of these, the higher income cannot be used. I’m an employee of my company, paid via PAYE, so I shouldn’t be treated as self-employed. This is a common misconception. Even if you are employed via your company, if you own shares in the company then lenders may treat you as self-employed. Normally if you own 25% or more you will be treated as self-employed, however this is dependent on individual
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lenders’ criteria so it’s important to always disclose your shareholding.
best to provide all the relevant information to your mortgage broker.
I earn more than the business accounts actually show. This is quite a common scenario whereby the self-employed person feels their income and their take home pay is higher than the net profit figure. It could well be; however, the business accounts are very tax efficient. This doesn’t aid the mortgage application, however. Mortgage lenders look at the bottom line, ie total sales for business, minus the costs, equals profit.
If I’m self-employed, what should I prepare for my income? • Tax overviews and calculations or business accounts. If available, have the last three years prepared • Last three months of your business bank statements • If your business has had fluctuating income, an explanation for why this has happened and how this looks going forward • If your business has seen an increase in income, an explanation for why this has happened and how it will be sustainable going forward.
My profits have gone up and down over the past few years. This is especially relevant considering the pandemic. Generally speaking, mortgage lenders would take an average of the past three years’ figures, which doesn’t help if there are large fluctuations. However, several lenders appreciate the negative impact of covid on some businesses which were unable to operate, and as a result will consider on a case-by-case basis. They would review previous years, along with business bank statements showing current levels of income. A case would need to be put together for the underwriter evidencing sustainability, so
In short, mortgages for the self-employed should be no harder than a comparable employed person, provided the complexities of self-employment are properly handled and the correct mortgage lender is targeted. Make sure you give your mortgage adviser all the necessary information so they can properly assess, and place you with a suitable lender. metrofinance.co.uk
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FINANCE
EXPERT COMMENT While banks are very quick to pass on any Base Rate increases to their mortgage customers, savers have to wait longer and many won’t see any increase at all. Lots of people’s savings are just sitting in their current account or old savings account, earning 0.01%. And these people likely won’t see an increase in the interest rate they’re
Upwardly mobile Interest rates are going up. Kay Hill looks at how the news affects your housebuying journey
being paid, instead banks will pocket the difference. However, the best buy rates will improve, which means that savers can finally get a bit more money on their cash, but they’ll need to put in some legwork. However, savers are still losing a large amount thanks to inflation. Inflation is expected to rise to 8%, which means that with a savings rate of 1% savers are making a 7% loss
After more than a decade of interest rates sitting at rock bottom, there is no doubt now that they are on the rise. At the February meeting of The Bank of England’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC), the Bank Rate (also known as the base rate) was increased from 0.5% to 0.75%, and at the May meeting it was increased yet again from 0.75% to 1%, bringing it to the highest level it has been for 13 years. The Bank Rate is the rate of interest that the Bank of England pays on balances held by commercial banks and building societies, so any changes influence the rates that those institutions offer their customers in return. The increases in the base rate means, in essence, that borrowers will pay more while savers will receive more in interest, although the changes are seldom passed on fairly!
JOY FOR SAVERS? If you were hoping for an immediate boost to your deposit savings then you will be sadly disappointed. A survey by Defaqto after the February rate rise found that less than half of
banks and building societies put their savings interest rates up at all, and only one in 10 passed on the full 0.25% increase. Many of the biggest banking names are still paying derisory 0.01% rates on easy access and current accounts. However, overall rates have been creeping up – at the time of writing it was possible to get an easy access account paying 1.5% through the Chase app, 2.25% on a one-year fix with Investec and 2.55% with PCF Bank on a two-year fix. Nonetheless, when inflation is taken into account, even the best interest rate means you are still losing money. “On the face of it a rate rise looks good for savers, but high inflation spoils the party,” explains Becky O’Connor, Head of Pensions and Savings at interactive investor. “Savers and investors are damned if they do and damned if they don’t. Every option seems to have a downside. Decisions on where to keep money may ultimately come down to what looks like the least bad option. “People can either leave their money at the mercy of inflation in savings or in investments at the mercy of global stock market volatility, caused
on their money’s spending power – someone with £20,000 of savings is losing £1,400 a year. Some might be tempted to fix their money to get a higher rate. For example, the top two-year fix pays almost double the interest of an easy-access account. But savers need to seriously consider what interest rates will do and if that deal will look attractive in a year or two’s time. Markets are expecting more increases and for rates to be sitting at 1.75% by the end of 2022. If that’s the case, anyone who has fixed won’t be able to benefit. Laura Suter, Head of Personal Finance, AJ Bell
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FINANCE among other things by rising inflation and interest rates coming together. Neither seems particularly appealing if you are trying to preserve and grow the value of your hard-earned money. But leaving spare cash in a current account rather than in savings or investments isn’t an answer – it will be eroded by inflation there too.”
SAVVY SAVING The best advice is to review your savings and shop around. First of all, make the most of your LISA – as well as the interest being tax free, it gives you a 25% bonus on top of what you save. If you’re between 18 and 39 you can save £4,000 each tax year and claim an extra £1,000 from the Government, but you can only use it for a first home costing under £450,000 or a pension. The current best buy LISA is from Moneybox, paying 0.85%. You can combine a LISA with other ISAs, but the total put into all of them is limited to £20,000 a year. Best buy cash ISAs include Marcus (1%, instant access), Shawbrook Bank (1.6% fixed for a year) and Hampshire Trust Bank (2.05% fixed for two years). Bear in mind, however, that basic rate taxpayers can earn up to £1,000 interest a year and 40% rate taxpayers up to £500 without needing to pay tax on it anyway, so unless you have substantial savings the ISA may not be your best bet. Investing (anything where your original capital is at risk, such as shares, bonds and cryptocurrencies, for example) may promise higher rewards, but also carries the very real risk that you may lose what you have already saved.
MORTGAGE BLUES With the uncertainty of rising rates, many mortgage providers have pulled their best deals from the market, with Moneyfacts reporting that at the beginning of March there were 518 fewer products for borrowers to choose from now than there were at the start of February. Rates for all types of mortgage are rising, particularly standard variable rates which jumped by 0.15% to 4.61% in March, the largest single monthly rise on Moneyfacts’ records. Fixed rate mortgages, which don’t increase if there’s a base rate rise during the term, had also risen to an average of 2.65% for a twoyear fix and 2.88% for a five-year fix. Adrian Anderson, Director of property finance specialist Anderson Harris, comments, “During this anxious time when the cost of goods and services are increasing, and outgoings are being squeezed, taking a medium to longer term mortgage fixed rate can help with budgeting and provide peace of mind.” He warned however, “There can be a cost to
the peace of mind associated with longer term fixed rates and these are the early repayment penalties that may be incurred if the mortgage is redeemed during the fixed rate period.” You may want to talk to a financial adviser or mortgage broker to help you make the right choice. Historically, interest rates are still low (the base rate hit 17% in 1979), and Nathan Emerson, CEO for Propertymark, stresses, “It’s important to remember it remains relatively cheap to borrow money, and we expect that to continue to feed the appetite that there is for property as a good longterm investment.” Undoubtedly lenders will be cautious when it comes to affordability, and will want to know that borrowers can withstand future increases, so it is vital to make sure that your finances look squeaky clean and healthy before you make the first approach. Cutting down unnecessary expenditure now will make you look more appealing to lenders as well as boosting your savings.
risk that in order to do so they will take on mortgages that put their finances under even more strain. “There’s nothing wrong with buying right now. If you have the money to do so, and plenty of room in your budget for rising mortgage costs, then as long as you’re in it for the long haul, it doesn’t make much difference what happens to house prices in the short term. However, if you’re stretching your finances to breaking point in a panic over rising prices, this is a good time to consider your options.”
EXPERT COMMENT While house prices have been continuing to grow month-on-month, a slowdown and subsequent fall in house prices still seems inevitable, particularly given the challenging
WILL PRICES FALL?
circumstances we are facing. CPI
Now we are into crystal ball territory. UK average house prices increased by 10.9% over the year to February 2022, bringing the average home to £277,000 – £27,000 higher than the previous year. Sarah Coles, Senior Personal Finance Analyst at Hargreaves Lansdown says, “The property market continues to defy gravity. Despite rising rates and runaway inflation putting the squeeze on affordability, February saw another record average price. However, change may be on the way. “We already know that mortgage companies are increasing the assumed costs in their affordability calculations, which will make it harder for people to get a mortgage. Meanwhile, rising prices and higher rates are feeding into the cost of new mortgages. “If the Bank of England continues raising rates along with market expectations, we could see the average two-year fixed rate mortgage top 4% this year. The imbalance between supply and demand is likely to put a floor under prices, so we’re far more likely to see a slowing in price rises rather than falls.” That seems to be the general consensus among experts, with most predicting a much more modest annual rise of around 3% in the coming year.
reached a staggering 7%. The Bank
data shows inflation has now of England has hiked interest rates multiple times already, and a further hike in the coming months in an attempt to combat soaring inflation is widely anticipated. Rising interest rates have already been costly for prospective homebuyers and those looking to remortgage, as the more affordable mortgage rates have been removed from lenders’ shelves. Many people are feeling the squeeze financially. With wages failing to keep up, the increased costs of moving home will likely put off prospective buyers and as a result, we could see house prices dip over the coming months. How the housing market truly reacts to the current circumstances is yet to be seen. However, it is unlikely that house prices will be able to continue rising at the same rate seen in recent times. If a slowdown does begin to materialise, a gradual fall in house prices is expected as opposed to a sudden drop. At present, there remains too much demand and too little stock, so house prices will likely remain high for some time yet.
IS IT A GOOD TIME TO BUY?
Karen
Buying is usually cheaper than renting, so in that sense it’s definitely a good time, but be cautious of overstretching, warns Sarah. “First time buyers feel the pressure to get on to the property ladder before prices rise even further out of reach, and there’s a real
Mortgage
Noye, Expert, Quilter
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MARKET
Levelling Up – what does it mean for first time buyers? Headlines have been full of the Government’s “levelling up” policies to ensure jobs and homes for all. But, with rising energy costs and property prices spiralling, Ginetta Vedrickas asks whether the strategy will help first time buyers WHAT IS LEVELLING UP? The term “levelling up” was originally part of the Conservative Party’s 2019 election manifesto. The Rt Hon Michael Gove was appointed Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities on 15 September 2021, tasked with the job of improving opportunities right across the country in a bid to end regional disparities. On being appointed, Gove said that the new strategy would ensure that people and communities who feel that they are being left behind can catch up with more job opportunities and better housing and that the levelling up plans would “shift both money and power into the hands of working people”. Contained within the strategy was the idea of devolving power out of London and the South East to areas which have traditionally struggled economically, with the intention, the Government says, of “spreading opportunity”, “backing community life” and “restoring local pride” to cities, towns, coastal areas and villages that may have been left behind. The Government promised £4bn of grant investment into its levelling up fund, with money earmarked for new infrastructure such as roads, ports and cycling lanes, as well as regenerating town centres. Michael Gove recently unveiled specific new measures to help improve the lives of people in Blackpool – which has eight of the 10 most deprived neighbourhoods in the country. The levelling up package includes a crackdown on rogue landlords by scaling up the local enforcement team to deliver more action on those not meeting current standards, plus a regeneration programme to create new homes and boost tourism. Longstanding neglect by some local landlords has led to Blackpool experiencing some of the UK’s worst housing conditions, with at least one in three properties classified as “non-decent”. Blackpool is also among 20 areas in
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England set to receive a “King’s Crossstyle” transformation through what the Government is calling “an ambitious regeneration programme”. Homes England will work with local leaders to find new opportunities for regeneration, delivering new homes and jobs for the community. Levelling Up Minister Neil O’Brien MP is on record as saying that a key part of levelling up is creating “a fair and just housing system that works for everyone”, which includes supporting more first time buyers to move on to the housing ladder: “Far too often when buying and selling properties, deals fall through, costing young people thousands of pounds in wasted expense. By providing all the necessary information up front, this can be avoided, and it will make the process of buying a first home much easier and more cost-effective.” By the end of May 2022, all property listings must contain a
property’s council tax band or rate and the property price and tenure information.
COST OF LIVING RISES The levelling up programme comes at a time when many of us are feeling poorer, with a major concern being the threat of rising energy prices. With a record increase in global gas prices, Ofgem recently announced a 54% increase to the energy price cap from 1 April highlighting the fact that more needs to be done to quickly reduce the reliance on fossil fuels. Transport costs invariably impact upon everything, from food to costs of building materials which makes renovating a home more expensive.
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MARKET EXPERT COMMENT Greater transparency and clarity when purchasing property, especially for the FTB market, is long overdue
NEW HOMES ARE MORE ENERGY EFFICIENT
announced details of a £9bn plan to support people with rising energy costs.
Buying an energy-efficient home where bills are not dependent on gas prices is becoming more attractive, say housebuilders such as Hayfield Homes. Since 2020, all homes built at Hayfield’s developments have featured air source heat pumps, electric vehicle fast charging points, energyefficient underfloor heating, enhanced insulation and fibre optic broadband. “With the source of energy coming into each Hayfield site being from a fossilfuel-free source, all homes at our new developments will be zero carbon ready,” explains Sales and Marketing Director Kelly Sharman, who also warns that the number of homes the UK is building annually is still way below Government targets, which accounts for what she calls “sky-high demand”. Buying an energy-efficient home may also qualify a buyer for a “green mortgage” where – as an incentive for the borrower to either buy a green building or renovate an existing one to make it greener – the bank typically offers either a lower interest rate or an increased loan amount.
PROPERTY PRICE RISES HIT NEW RECORD
injection of legislation will make a huge
Figures for March from property portal Rightmove show yet another new price record as the average price of property coming to market jumped by 1.7% (+£5,760) to £354,564, breaking through the £350,000 barrier for the first time. The average monthly rise is the largest seen at this time of year since March 2004, pushing the annual rate of increase to 10.4%, with all regions and countries except London and Scotland now up over 10% annually. Rightmove calls this “the best ever spring sellers’ market” but not just because of record price levels. “We enter the spring selling season with the biggest mismatch between supply and demand for this time of year ever measured by Rightmove, with more than twice as many buyers as sellers.” Rightmove believes that it is too early to know how the market will be affected by the longer-term economic impact of the devastating war in Ukraine. The portal forecasts “a less frothy market” in the second half of the year, although it believes that demand will continue to outstrip supply.
and time-consuming process when
BUYERS ARE LOOKING FOR SUSTAINABLE HOMES Sustainability is now a key driver in people’s homebuying choices, according to research carried out by the Home Builders Federation. A recent survey showed that 73% of around 2,000 respondents are worried about the energy performance of their current home and 24% say energy efficiency is “crucial” to their next home move. HBF conducted the survey to test sentiment among the British public towards more sustainable living, in the context of the recent energy crisis and growing general awareness of people’s individual carbon footprints. It said the results placed UK housebuilders “at the forefront of meeting public demand for more energy-efficient living” and shows that when it comes to selecting a new home, sustainability is now at the top of our criteria.
TAX CUTS FOR GREEN HOMES In his recent Spring Statement, Chancellor Rishi Sunak revealed that for the next five years homeowners who “retrofit” their homes to make them greener will no longer pay 5% VAT on materials like solar panels, heat pumps, or insulation. He also
and I welcome the “levelling up” legislation. With about a third of all property transactions falling through, this difference to the industry and to first time buyers who often experience a stressful finally getting on the property ladder. Henry Davis Property expert, mentor and author of The Truth About Property
EXPERT COMMENT The Levelling Up paper outlines plans to increase output of genuinely affordable social housing, but these homes must be delivered in areas where people genuinely want to live – not simply where land is cheap and planning regulations are lax. It is also necessary that the right type of affordable housing is delivered. We know the value of shared ownership in allowing young people access to homeownership, and stock levels cannot be depleted in favour of other stop-gap schemes such as First Homes
HOUSE PRICES ARE RISING FASTER THAN EARNINGS The Office for National Statistics, ONS, recently published its annual release looking at housing affordability in England and Wales for 2021.The release brings together data on house prices and annual earnings to calculate affordability ratios. In England in 2021, full-time employees could typically expect to spend around 9.1 times their annual earnings on buying a home; an increase since 2020, when it was 7.9 times annual earnings. In Wales last year, full-time employees could typically expect to spend around 6.4 times their annual earnings on buying a home; up since 2020, when it was 5.8 times their annual earnings. House prices grew faster than earnings in 91% of local authority districts, leading to a reduction in housing affordability. Copeland in the North West remained the most affordable local authority where average house prices were 2.7 times the average workplace-based annual earnings. Kensington and Chelsea remained the least affordable local authority in 2021, with average house prices being 36.5 times average earnings.
that ultimately do not help the people that really need the support.” Kush Rawal Director of Residential Investment, SO Resi
EXPERT COMMENT In terms of cost of living, unfortunately, we ain’t seen nothing yet. After April, increased fuel costs will affect almost every aspect of our lives. Lenders are looking more closely at income/ expenditure of potential borrowers meaning multiples are likely to drop. FTBs may be shocked by the increased cost of renovations and essential repairs – something they have been insulated from when renting previously. Jonathan Rolande National Association of Property Buyers
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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 Rupi Hunjan, MD, Censeo Financial
Marilyn DiCara, Independent Housing Consultant
Mortgage application Andrew Theoff, Managing Partner, Direction Law
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
Q
I am a teacher and I’m looking for a shared ownership property at the moment, for which I will need a mortgage – how should I prepare for a mortgage application? Felicity Wilson, Rochester
A
Buying a property is a big decision, so it’s vital that you do your homework. A mortgage is likely to be one of the largest financial commitments that you make in your life, so you want to get it right, having spent years to save for the deposit, legal costs, and household furnishings – often costing more than you think. Lenders will need to see evidence of your income to check regular overtime and bonuses, they will review your bank statements to help establish your lifestyle and to check that your outgoings, such as credit/store cards and loans, including buy-now-pay-later arrangements, are accurate. Generally, a lender will need to see three months of payslips, six months of bank statements, proof of residency, and copies of your passport. You must make sure you have them to hand. Many lenders offer mortgages up to 95% of the share, so you may only need a 5% deposit, but this could still be several thousand pounds. Much will then depend on two key factors – your employment status and your credit score. Most lenders will require a credit check to make sure your credit score is sufficiently high
for them to lend to you. Therefore, make sure that you don’t miss any payments, you aren’t carrying too much debt (unsecured loans and credit cards) and you have a good credit history. It’s easy to check your score – just go online and register on a website such as Experian. Censeo-financial.com has lots of useful information to help you on your homebuying journey, including our easy-to-use online portal (portal.censeo-financial.com) which will assess your shared ownership eligibility and your ability to afford and sustain the mortgage, rent and service charge alongside your existing financial commitments. Once you have been offered a home, you will usually have 28 days to gain a mortgage offer. The best way is through a specialist mortgage broker such as Censeo, as you need sound financial advice. Censeo has access to all the different lenders, and its experience saves you time and money as it knows the lenders’ criteria. The process of securing a mortgage is in two stages, first an agreement in principle and then the full mortgage application. While you are waiting, many people make the mistake of buying furniture for their home using credit. Although this is natural, taking out loans or maximising credit cards can invalidate mortgage offers, so be careful. Finally, when buying a home, you will need to protect you and your property with insurance. Rupi Hunjan
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EXPERTS
Changes to shared ownership
Q
I am a first time buyer and I am now in the position to start house hunting. I’ve heard of some recent changes to shared ownership. What are they and are they better for first timers like me? Rosie Blackthorne, Streatham
A
Yes, some new features were introduced last year into a new model of shared ownership and some of these features have started to filter through into some new build homes. The core shared ownership model itself isn’t changing. It remains the part-buy, part-rent option for people, mainly first time buyers, to get their foot on to the homeownership ladder. The new features are positive and present an improved offer to people like you. Extra clarity within the providers’ key information documents for customers should also help you understand up front what’s included. One of the main changes to the scheme is that your provider will contribute up to £500 each year towards certain essential repair costs during the first 10 years of a new home’s life. Another key change is an option to increase your ownership by 1% each year over 15 years from your purchase date, adding an extra 15% to the amount that you own and bringing you a little closer to owning 100%. Other changes include a reduction in the minimum share percentage that providers are able to offer to buyers; this was 25% and, on the new model, changes to 10%; however, homes for sale with 10% shares aren’t expected to be widely available. In any case, when you buy your home using shared ownership your initial affordability assessment determines the share
percentage that you can sustainably afford to buy, and this may well be higher than 10% or 25%. Specialist advice from an experienced and qualified independent mortgage adviser will guide you here. New homes and resales will continue to be available on the market with the previous shared ownership model and also, increasingly, with the new model. As often is the case, the devil’s in the detail, so make sure you do your research to understand the terms and conditions attached to these changes. If you’re house hunting and see a property that you really like, find out exactly which model of shared ownership is on offer before you finally decide to reserve and buy that home to make it your own. Marilyn DiCara
Conveyancing costs
Q
I am in the process of getting quotes from conveyancers – they list a number of searches in the overall fee, but what are they and how much should they cost? Jonnie Pickering, Maidstone
A
There are several searches that a solicitor may need to do as part of the conveyancing process, such as a local authority search, flood search, water and drainage search, environmental search and chancel repair search. Depending on the area, more bespoke searches such a coal and mining or HS2 searches may also be necessary. The local authority search is an essential part of the homebuying process. Not only is it required by mortgage lenders, but the information it provides could be used to renegotiate your offer or may make you consider whether to commit to the purchase. There are two parts to a local authority search. One is the Local Land Charge
Register search which looks at any charges or restrictions on the property or land, such as whether it is a listed building or is located in a conservation area. It also looks at whether there are any planning agreements or planning permissions on the property. The second part of the search provides information relating to public highways, proposals for new roads, rail development or other planning decisions that could affect the property. It also looks into whether the house
stands on contaminated land or in an area affected by Radon gas. As mentioned above, there are some additional reports that are not covered by the standard local authority search, including environmental searches to check flooding and pollution risks; water authority searches to establish where public sewers are within the property boundaries; and a chancel repair search which establishes if your property is liable for church repair contributions. The need for these other searches will be decided by your conveyancing solicitor or mortgage lender. In terms of cost, unfortunately it is difficult to give you a definitive price as this can vary depending on which provider a solicitor uses, and which searches they choose to do; therefore, the amount isn’t standard from firm to firm. A firm may have an agreement with a search providing company and therefore can negotiate a flat rate which brings the cost down. Searches are also sometimes supplied by the housing association’s solicitors, wherein you are charged a small proportion, if buying a new build property. Andrew Theoff
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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 TIPS
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
F
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.
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.
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 SET A BUDGET
FINANCE
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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
T
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.
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.
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
Register with local estate agents, and use the internet to search for properties. Set up alerts.
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.
VIEWINGS
Look at several properties, and visit ones you like more than once and with someone else. Take a checklist.
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.
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
B
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.
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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
The difference between buying a new build property and an existing property Purchasing a new build property is slightly different to purchasing an existing property. Here Adam Crawford, Partner at Prince Evans Solicitors LLP, looks at some of the key differences from a legal view
RESERVATION Generally, once you have an offer accepted for a new build property you will be asked to pay a reservation fee to the developer. Typically this is anything from £500 to £2,000 but can vary depending on the developer. This reservation fee will be taken as a contribution to the deposit payable on exchange of contracts. The reservation fee will often be stipulated to be non-refundable if you withdraw, or if you do not meet the exchange deadline set by the developer. The reservation form will set out the terms of your purchase of the property together with the address or plot number, the purchase price and any incentives you have agreed with the developer. The reservation form does not legally bind you to buy the property or the developer to sell the property.
INCENTIVES When you buy a new build property the developer may offer you certain incentives (for example, there may be a contribution towards your Stamp Duty or legal fees). These incentives will be stated on the reservation form and included in the contract. The incentives must also be disclosed to your mortgage lender and this is achieved by the developer completing a Disclosure of Incentives Form.
EXCHANGE DEADLINE When you buy a new build property the developer will set you a deadline to exchange contracts; this is generally 28 days (but does vary by developer) from the date it issues the contract papers required by
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your solicitor to progress the conveyancing for your purchase. If you do not meet this deadline to exchange then you may lose your reservation fee or part of your reservation fee and any incentives you have agreed. The developer may also cancel the sale to you.
CONVEYANCING When a new property is sold for the first time, whether it is a flat or a house, rights have to be granted for and reserved over the property (such as rights to use the roads, footpaths, service pipes etc), covenants/ obligations that must be observed are set (such as not to alter the property without consent) and management arrangements must be set up (such as who maintains the roads and landscaped areas). As this is the first sale of the property and these arrangements remain with the property permanently, it is especially crucial that your
solicitor ensures these are accurate and adequate for the benefit of the property, not just for you but for all future owners. Your solicitor will also check the planning permission and any planning obligations for the development and how these may affect your use of the property (for example, it is common in London for there to be a restriction preventing you from applying for a parking permit from the local council). They will also check that the appropriate building regulations and new build warranty are in place, which ensures that the new property is structurally sound when constructed. Searches will be carried out; standard searches include a Local Authority search, a drainage search, an environmental search and a chancel check, although others may be required depending on the location of the property. These will reveal important matters such as any planning entries/
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LEGAL
restrictions which affect the property, whether roads are publicly maintained, whether there are any orders you must observe (such as a smoke control order or tree preservation order) and will identify any potential contaminated land issues. Your solicitor will ensure there are adequate arrangements in place for the management of any estate and any service charges you will incur. It is standard these days, even when buying a house, for service charges to be payable for the maintenance of the estate where the property is located. If you are buying with a mortgage then your solicitor will ensure any mortgage conditions can be complied with and will report to you on the legal aspects. As you can tell from the above, there is much work for your solicitor to undertake to ensure you can achieve the deadline to exchange set by the developer. Therefore you are strongly recommended to use a solicitor with considerable expertise in new build properties. The developer may recommend a solicitor to you. You are not obliged to use this solicitor but it may be wise to do so as they will likely have the necessary experience/expertise and may have already carried out due diligence on the legal aspects of the development.
EXCHANGE AND COMPLETION Once all of the above steps have been completed and you have signed your contract and paid a deposit (usually 10% of the purchase price) then you will be ready to exchange contracts (which is when your new purchase will become legally binding). When you are buying an existing property a completion date (moving date) would normally be fixed on exchange of contracts on a date agreed between the seller and the buyer. However, if you are buying a new build property then often this will be “off-plan” meaning that completion will take place on a future date once the property is constructed and ready for occupation. You will normally be given 10 working days notice that the property has been constructed and you are required to complete on the date
prescribed by the notice (ie you will not get to choose your completion date). It is worth noting that delays can sometimes occur to the build of your property, often outside of the developer’s control, and therefore you may find that completion takes place several weeks/ months later than you expected, so you must plan for this accordingly. In this situation, any mortgage offer you have obtained may expire before completion. You may be able to arrange an extension, or you may have to obtain a new mortgage offer adding more expense to you. There is a risk that your personal circumstances and/or the mortgage market may have changed and you cannot secure a new mortgage in time for completion. This would put you at risk of breach of contract and result in the loss of your 10% deposit and potentially other costs/damages. The searches which were carried out may also have expired and you may have to obtain new searches or a search insurance policy adding more cost to your purchase. Hopefully none of the above points will apply to or affect you and you will complete as scheduled. On the day of completion, most developers will arrange for a formal handover where you are not just given the keys but are also given a demonstration of how the utilities work and provided with any user manuals and guarantees.
AFTER COMPLETION Once completion has taken place, most developers will offer a “snagging” or “defects” service. This means they will repair any items of disrepair you find for a certain period. You are best advised to inspect and prepare a list of the snagging/ defects on or before completion and to enquire before completion what the developer’s snagging procedures are. Please bear in mind when buying a new build property that you are part of a new development and some of the shared facilities such as landscaped areas may not be completed for some time after you move in. You may also have to accept that works may be ongoing on the development for some time creating noise and inconvenience to you.
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
Your solicitor will register your ownership of the property at Land Registry after completion but you should be aware that the registration process can often take months for Land Registry to complete. This is nothing to worry about as you are the owner of the property from the date of completion and your interest will be protected until the land registration has been completed.
OTHER POINTS TO CONSIDER Help to Buy – If you are buying a new property you may be eligible to take advantage of the Government’s Help to Buy scheme. This is where you can borrow 20% (or up to 40% in London) of the purchase price from the Government and pay no interest on this for the first five years. When you sell the property you will have to repay the loan at the same rate as the value of the property at the time you sell. More details can be found at: helptobuy.gov.uk/ equity-loan/equity-loans/ New Build Warranty – The vast majority of new build homes are sold with the benefit of a new build warranty. The most popular warranty provider is NHBC (although there are other providers such as Premier Guarantee and LABC). This warranty will provide a 10-year guarantee against structural defects to the property. Consumer Code – If you are buying with a new build warranty then most developers are obliged to subscribe to a Consumer Code. This is a code of conduct and practice developers are required to observe to ensure the home buying process is fair and transparent to the buyer. More details can be found at: consumercode.co.uk/
CONCLUSION While buying a new build property broadly follows the process of buying an existing property there are notable differences. Some are positive (such as the benefit of a new build warranty) but some are less positive (such as the potential uncertainty over completion dates). It is important to ensure you use a solicitor who is experienced with dealing with new build properties so they can explain these points to you clearly. One thing that cannot be in doubt if you buy a new build property (and the author can speak from personal experience) is the joy you will feel at being the first owner of a brand new property which you can make into your own home.
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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
SOUTH
Cheshire 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
Lincolnshire
Somerset
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
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
01235 515 900
Octavia Housing
0300 555 2171
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/
Southern Home Ownership shosales.co.uk
0300 123 2250 Origin Housing
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
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
SOUTH EAST
newlonliving.co.uk 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
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 0300 111 1133
0800 042 1800
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 Craig Osborne looks after housing and Build to Rent at Vesta Interior Design. You will see Vesta’s work in show homes all over the UK. Alongside interior design, Vesta provides a range of fully curated furniture packages, perfect for first time buyers, providing a full inventory of pieces to furnish your new home
20 QUESTIONS th Wi
Craig Osborne
What room at home is your favourite? I would say the kitchen. I love to cook and am always trying out new recipes. I think kitchens are a great place to unwind after a busy day. They are the heart of the home. What’s your favourite gadget or technology that at home? I recently got a Peloton bike. It was an absolute bonus when the gyms were shut and I love competing against my friends! What colour do you think everyone should have in their home? Whatever colour makes you happy! Your home should be an extension of your personality and it’s important that you create a space that makes you smile. If you’re wanting to play it semi-safe, white is easy and you can bring out your personality using prints, soft furnishings and statement pieces. Which three people would you invite over for a housewarming party if you could have any guests? My close pals, every time. No one makes me laugh more! What’s your favourite memory from your childhood home? I remember when I was growing up and my dad didn’t have a car and used to walk home from work. I used to wait at the gate and when I saw him turn the corner of our road I’d run down and meet him and hold his hand proudly back to our house. What is your favourite song and why? Impossible question! Today it’s Where is Home by Bloc Party. Would you rather have a garden or a balcony? A garden. During lockdown we started to grow our own vegetables and it’s something we really enjoy. The garden was an absolute saviour during those first few months of lockdown, and we really enjoy cooking outside – we do it all year round. Do you prefer modern homes or period properties? I love modern homes, but I also really enjoy period features! My ideal home would be a beautiful Victorian or Edwardian property in north London. On Instagram I follow an account by two chaps who have renovated their Edwardian property and it’s stunning – you can see them @LittleEdwardian. Would you rather have a library room or media room at home? My absolute dream would be my own home office. It would have a large desk where I could work but also a TV, a reading corner and
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a state-of-the-art music system. Somewhere I could close the door on the outside world, pour a nice glass of wine and just relax in a comfy chair. Would you prefer to have a luxurious bathtub or a sumptuous shower at home? I always say shower and will say it again, even though as I get older, I do miss a good soak in the bath especially on a cold and wet winter's day. But for ease, a shower is so convenient. Would you rather live in the bustling city or in the country? City, every time. I’m lucky enough to live and work just outside north London and it’s always really suited me in terms of what I want. There are so many great green spaces in London too, so you can feel like you’re in the country while being slap bang in the middle of it all. If you were buying a property overseas, in what country would you buy a home? I would move to New York tomorrow. My happy place. I love absolutely everything about it. Would you rather have a bigger property or a better location? Always a tricky one. Storage and extra space is something I lack and I’d love that office I mentioned earlier. But to get that sort of space we would have to move a bit further out, and for me I don’t particularly enjoy driving so I’d need to live somewhere with good transport links. What is one thing you couldn’t live without at home? Willow my cat. She follows me everywhere; she is my shadow and sat on my lap now while I answer these questions! What’s your favourite way to unwind at home after work? I struggle to unwind, and I think a lot of people who work in our sector will say the same, there is always so much news, information and conversations to be hand, you really do live it 24/7. That being said, we’re a close bunch and we all enjoy what we do! What’s your favourite thing about your home? My little front garden. It has a lovely seating area where we like to sit, enjoy a barbecue and a drink on a warm summer's evening. Where did you buy your first home? My wife bought her first home in her home town of Borehamwood and I have lived here for the last 11 years. What advice would you give a first time buyer? Think furniture. A lot of first time buyers put all their money into their deposits. At Vesta we offer a range of design-led furniture packs meaning you get that interior design offering, and the furniture at a price point that works for you. What are your views on shared ownership and the property market? Shared ownership continues to be a fantastic option for those first time buyers it works for. Prices keep going up so it’s important to have an option to get on the ladder with a cheaper deposit than the open market. What are your top tips for furnishing your first home? Sounds obvious, but measure the space and make sure things work alongside each other. Try to only buy things that serve a purpose, don’t buy an eight-seater dining room table if you’ll only use it once a year! Most importantly, make it your own! vesta-london.co.uk
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