REAL LIFE

real

FOR HELEN LAMBERT, 30, THE STAGGERING DEPOSIT COSTS

MADE IT SEEM THAT HOMEOWNERSHIP WAS OUT OF REACH. HOWEVER, AFTER DISCOVERING SHARED OWNERSHIP, HELEN QUICKLY REALISED THAT SHE COULD BUY HER FIRST HOME. SHE PURCHASED A 25% SHARE WORTH £80,000, WITH A FULL MARKET VALUE OF £320,000, OF A TWO BEDROOM APARTMENT AT SO RESI’S POPULAR WARE DEVELOPMENT IN HERTFORDSHIRE

After finishing university and returning to her mum’s home in Hoddesdon, Hertfordshire,

Helen opted against renting privately and decided that she wanted to save for her own home. With a graduate job secured, Helen opened a Help to Buy ISA in 2015, depositing the maximum initial amount of £1,200, then continuing to pay in £200 a month.

Helen said, “I knew that renting wasn’t for me, so I started being more mindful of my spending. As I was living at home, my outgoings were slightly reduced, meaning that it wasn’t too difficult to put the money aside each month. I paid a £15,000 deposit in July, which was more than required, but meant I could access better lending rates and my outgoings are less. I then had the Help to Buy ISA bonus paid into my account, which has gone towards moving costs. I did a lot of research on buying my first home, talking to friends and family, and seeking mortgage advice. Buying a home on the open market was out of the question, so I was left weighing up using shared ownership or Help to Buy.

They are both great schemes, but shared ownership was the better option to go for in my current position – I liked the fact that I wouldn’t have to pay off an equity loan.” When Helen found out about the launch of SO Resi Ware she put her name down as soon as the books opened. It’s now sold out, but there are shared ownership apartments at nearby SO Resi Times Square in Welwyn Garden City.

“I did a lot of research on buying my first home, talking to friends and family, and seeking mortgage advice”

HOW THE FIGURES STACK UP

• Full market value – two bedroom apartment – £320,000 • Share (25%) – £80,000 • Deposit – £15,000

To find out more call 020 8607 0550 or see soresi.co.uk/find-aproperty/so-resi-welwyn-gardencity. Viewings are by appointment, members of one household only

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ON THE MARKET

SO RESI GREENFORD

From £82,500

SO Resi Greenford is a collection for a 25% share of one, two and three bedroom with a full market apartments just a six-minute walk value of £330,000 to Greenford underground station, giving access to Shepherd’s Bush and Wembley in less than half an hour. Parking is available to some homes and most properties include an en suite bathroom. The development is close to the A40, giving convenient direct routes into central London and to Heathrow airport.

soresi.co.uk/find-a-property/ greenford Greenford, London UB6

Stevenage SG1

From £89,950* for a 35% share with a full market value of £257,000 SO RESI FORSTER OAKS

SO Resi Forster Oaks offers a collection of contemporary, spacious two bedroom apartments nestled in a leafy corner of Hertfordshire, combining the very best elements of town and country. This superb, high-quality development is ideally placed for commuting, with journey times from Stevenage railway station into

London King’s Cross from just 23 minutes. Properties include a spacious balcony and plenty of storage, and there is an excellent selection of shops, cafes and generous green spaces nearby.

soresi.co.uk/find-a-property/ forster-oaks

SO RESI TIMES SQUARE

SO Resi Times Square is an awardwinning, unique building, echoing the elegant art deco style of 1930’s From £53,750 New York. Comprising a choice for a 25% share of a stylish studio, and one, two with a full market and three bedroom apartments value of £215,000 and duplexes, the development in popular Welwyn Garden offers the best of town and country living. Homes offer high-quality fixtures and fittings to suit modern lifestyles. The homes are just a 10-minute walk from the town centre, and the area has great travel routes and links, with trains into central London taking just 30 minutes.

soresi.co.uk/find-a-property/timessquare Welwyn Garden City, Herts AL7

Upton, Northampton NN5

From £285,000 MY RESI UPTON SQUARE

MY Resi Upton Square is a contemporary collection of one, two, three and four bedroom homes nestled in picturesque Northampton, which sits on the river Nene surrounded by beautiful countryside and quaint villages. Castle Street mainline station is a short drive or cycle away, with hourly trains reaching London’s Euston in less than 80 minutes and Birmingham in 65 minutes. The homes all offer spacious interiors, beautiful shared outdoor space and on-site parking.

soresi.co.uk/find-a-property/myresi-upton-square

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ON THE MARKET

SO RESI ARBORFIELD

SO Resi Arborfield is part of a vibrant new neighbourhood located in the leafy Berkshire countryside yet moments away from easy transport links and good schools. This contemporary collection of one and two bedroom homes and two and three bedroom houses offers a great lifestyle where families can flourish. Homes include spacious living areas, contemporary kitchens and sleek bathrooms, plus a private garden and allocated parking.

soresi.co.uk/find-a-property/ arborfield-2

From £62,500* for a 25% share with a full market value of £250,000 Arborfield, Berkshire RG2

Maidenhead & Windsor, SL6

From £85,000* for a 25% share with a full market value of £340,000 SO RESI MAIDENHEAD

So Resi Maidenhead offers one and two bedroom apartments with spacious interiors, communal gardens and parking, all perfectly positioned to enjoy everything this vibrant market town has to offer. Homes include integrated appliances, built-in wardrobes in the main bedroom and a balcony or patio. The development is moments from the railway station, offering services to central London in under 35 minutes and to Reading in as little as 12 minutes. Within strolling distance are Maidenhead’s plentiful shopping, dining and leafy green spaces.

soresi.co.uk/find-a-property/so-resimaidenhead