New Homes - First Timers

‘Living at Mosaic in Slough is perfect for me as it’s so close to the train station and just a short ride into London to get to work and to meet up with friends in the evenings or on weekends. I also travel abroad often, so being just 20 minutes away from Heathrow airport by car is also convenient,’ comments Sushmita.
As a first time buyer, Sushmita was priced out of the London market, so she looked to up-and-coming Slough as an alternative that matched her budget. ‘I never would have been able to afford an apartment like the one I have at Mosaic if it was in London. I really wanted somewhere I could move into straight away without added expense or hassle. Compared to most other developers, Durkan Estates provides fantastic added value. The kitchen is fully integrated with an oven and fridge/freezer; there is smart walnut veneer flooring in the hall and open plan living, dining and kitchen area with under floor heating throughout the apartment; built in storage space in the hall and the bedroom; the bathroom has ceramic tiled floors and half tiled walls, a shower screen over the bath and an electric heated chrome towel rail.’

Sushmita was also grateful for the consultative customer service she received from the Durkan Estates sales team. Independent financial advisors and solicitors are suggested by the developer to provide a holistic approach to the buying process, ideal for first-time buyers and those who lead busy working lives. ‘I found the sales team at Mosaic incredibly friendly and the fact that the office and show apartment stayed open till 8pm was really helpful,’ continues Sushmita.
Slough itself has a lot to offer in terms of shopping and leisure facilities and Sushmita believes it is the perfect compromise for young people who can’t afford to get into the London property market. ‘Slough is quite a lively, up-and-coming place with plenty of places to go out and socialise. It’s great to be able to get to Central London really easily, but I also enjoy being able to escape the city when the hustle and bustle gets a bit much.’

Working late hours, safety and security was another important consideration for Sushmita: ‘I feel very safe living in the gated environment at Mosaic Apartments. I have a video/entry phone that allows me to see who is entering the building, and an onsite caretaker who provides added peace of mind.’
Prices of the homes at Mosaic Apartments range from £154,995 for a one-bedroom apartment and from £217,995 for a two-bedroom apartment. For further information please contact Mosaic Apartments on 01753 518551 or 01753 518557, email sales@themosaicapartments.com or visit www.themosaicapartments.com

Selling agents for The Mosaic Apartments are Knight Frank who can be contacted on 01483 564 660.
For further press information, please contact Mark Lucas at TTA Public Relations on 020 7886 0326 email: mlucas@ttagroup.co.uk      

Property prices have risen three times faster than salaries in the past 10 years and first time buyers now spend almost five times more than they did a decade ago to get on the housing ladder. University students are among the hardest hit as limited income and accumulating debt adds to the financial pressure of securing their first property after they graduate.

The current housing climate encouraged graduate, Natasha Phipps, 25, from Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, to invest her student loan wisely. Natasha recently graduated from Oxford Brookes University with a BA in Spanish and has just purchased a two bedroom apartment with her boyfriend Craig Bartlett, at Viridian Square, Crest Nicholson’s development in the town where she grew up.
Natasha managed to hold down a part time job throughout her four years of study and rather than spending her student loan, she invested it wisely in a high interest savings account. Natasha comments: ‘It sounds a bit boring but I knew that if I blew my loan on partying I would have to delay getting on the property ladder for another few years. I wanted to buy in an area that I could be confident would increase in value and Viridian Square has great investment potential because it is situated in Aylesbury, which is currently undergoing extensive regeneration.

‘At the moment I am working as a Line Manager for the NHS Trust in Buckinghamshire, but ideally what I really want to do is work in some sort of Civil Service role, so I needed to find a property where I would be able to commute easily into London. Train services from Aylesbury station take you into the capital in under an hour, which is perfect. Although I had saved hard for my first place it was still tough financially. Crest Nicholson helped me out with a fantastic selection of first time buyer incentives. I’m so excited to have finally got a foot on the property ladder and can’t wait to move in.’

Kerry Jones, Sales Manager, Crest Nicholson (Chiltern) Ltd, comments: ‘The dramatic rate at which these apartments have sold is testament to the high specification and location. The apartments at Viridian Square not only make a fantastic first home but they also offer great rental potential, meaning that young purchasers like Natasha will easily be able to lease their property when they are ready to upsize in a couple of years time.’
Viridian Square comprises 214 one and two bedroom apartments. Arranged around a beautifully landscaped communal courtyard garden, the development echoes a traditional London square. Exteriors combine warm red bricks with buttermilk render and elegant pitched roofs. Inside, the stylish apartments offer a high specification with contemporary co-ordinated kitchens and stylish bathrooms featuring designs by Villeroy & Boch and Hansgrohe. Aylesbury has excellent travel links with easy access to the A41 which links to the M40 and M25.

Due to such a fantastic response 90 per cent of this second phase is now sold with just a handful of apartments remaining. Crest Nicholson is currently offering first time buyers 5 per cent deposit paid, £1,000 towards legal and survey fees, stamp duty paid, £900 to cover the first year’s service charges and interior designed carpets, curtains and lighting package.

Prices start from £199,950 for a two bedroom apartment. The one bedroom apartments from this phase are now sold, but look out for more to be released early next year.

For sales information contact the Crest Nicholson sales and marketing suite on telephone: 0870 755 1635 or visit: www.crestnicholson.com        
Case study with pics 13a & 13b. Caption:

Francesca and Robert found buying cheaper than renting    A stylish apartment was just the ticket for a Crawley couple hoping to get one foot on the property ladder.

Air hostess Francesca Stone and sales executive Robert Deacon were delighted to find their rental budget would actually buy them their own new home at Redrow’s Porterhouse development.

The pair first visited the site, situated in the Three Bridges area of the town, when the lease ran out on their rented property

Hoping to find a replacement home to rent, the couple were thrilled to discover that they could actually afford to buy a contemporary property at the development, which is popular with young professionals.

‘We were keen to buy our own home but we thought our budget would only enable us to rent,’ said Robert, 25.

He added: ‘It is a perfect location, two minutes walk from the station and close to the motorway network, with a secure underground car park, so we really wanted to live here. And it was great news to know we could afford to buy.’

The property has also brought the couple one step closer to their ambition of becoming landlords as they hope eventually to buy another home and rent out their existing apartment to staff at nearby Gatwick Airport.

Said Robert: ‘We know there will be a strong rental demand for the apartment from staff at the airport, so when we buy another home we will keep this as an investment.’

Paul Moran, sales director for Redrow Homes (Southern) said: ‘The apartments are very appealing to couples who want to own their own home and compare very favourably to renting.’

Porterhouse is a development of four contemporary buildings, featuring 87 chic one and two bedroom apartments. The homes feature a fully integrated kitchen, a balcony or terrace and a parking space.

Only one property remains for sale so those wishing to join Robert and Francesca on the property ladder should hurry before it’s too late. The final price is £198,000 for a stunning one-bedroom apartment.

Homebuyers can contact the sales consultant on 01293 532165 or visit the development which is open daily from 10am – 5.30pm. Alternatively log on to www.redrow.co.uk/developments/view/5.

General information about Redrow and its properties available at www.redrow.co.uk.

Persimmon goes ‘flat’ out to assist first time buyers

So you know you want to get onto the property ladder, but when exactly is the right time to take that first step?

Now is the time, according to the UK’s most successful homebuilder, Persimmon Homes, who believes the current property market puts first time buyers in a very favourable position.

‘You only need to take a look at the evidence provided by the property experts to see that now is a good time to get onto the property ladder,’ comments Neil Sykes, sales director for Persimmon Homes Essex.

He continues: ‘The predicted price rises although not huge will affect first time househunters and it may be wise to buy sooner rather than later this year.’

Persimmon recognises getting a first foot onto the property ladder is an exciting but often daunting process. As such, expert sales advisers are available at every development across the region to provide first time buyers with advice and support throughout the entire buying process from selecting the right property to finding a solicitor and dedicated new build independent financial adviser.

For example the range of apartments at the company’s Creetings development in Stowmarket is ideal for budding first timers. Prices start from as little as £126,950 for a two bedroom apartment.’

In total Creetings offers no less than 12 different housetypes to choose from with a selection of two, three and four bedroom homes as well as the range of enticing two bedroom apartments.

Helen and Darren Peacock is one such couple fell in love with the development and their three bedroom Barking design within an instant, as Helen explains: ‘We were interested in The Creetings for quite some time as it’s a great location to commute to my job in Ipswich and for Darren who works locally. ‘We looked at four other new housing developments, but nothing really caught our eye, until we saw our home at The Creetings, which suited all our requirements.’

Situated within the popular Cedars Park development, Creetings offers excellent access to the A14 and A140 as well as Stowmarket railway station. Nearby Stowmarket has a range of local amenities including shops, leisure facilities and a conveniently located major supermarket.

Contact the marketing suite, which is open daily from 10am to 5pm on 01449 775285. Alternatively visit Persimmon Homes online at www.persimmonhomes.com.

Subsidised mortgage incentive makes barratt’s hounslow development more affordable

Release time: Immediate

BUYERS looking for a two-bedroom apartment in Hounslow have an opportunity to make substantial savings as a result of a new incentive at Reflexion, Barratt West London’s landmark development in Hounslow town centre.

Barratt is promoting the affordability of the Hounslow development by offering to subsidise a purchaser’s mortgage by £500 per month for two years. The offer is for a limited period only, so it’s a case of first come, first served. The offer is available on two-bedroom apartments only and provides purchasers with the opportunity to move into their new home before Christmas.

Reflexion, the private residential element of Hounslow’s regeneration project, will contain over 334 private apartments. Each will be spacious and airy, offering a well-designed internal space and stylish, contemporary fixtures and fittings, all complemented with either a balcony or a terrace.

Reflexion has proved to be one of Barratt’s most popular developments in West London. Positioned above a 24-hour Asda, Reflexion is the completed part of phase one of the Hounslow regeneration. Investors have seized the opportunity, hoping to benefit from the potential long-term capital growth the completed regeneration will undoubtedly provide.

Located on the Piccadilly line at Hounslow Central and close to the A4 and M4, it is very convenient for Heathrow airport, as well as being ideal for commuters and home buyers looking for somewhere to ‘lock up and leave’ while they spend time abroad.

One, two and three-bedroom apartments at Reflexion are currently priced from £225,000. For more information please contact Barratt’s sales and marketing suite sales office on 020 8572 3668 or visit the website: barratthomes.co.uk.

Vista Apartments, the latest Michael Shanly development, in High Wycombe is selling fast with 25 per cent of the apartments already sold. Vista, which has just 7 one- and two-bedroom apartments remaining in its first phase, is ideal for first-time buyers as a generous help package is in place. Prefect for the buyer, Michael Shanly is also providing laminate flooring or carpets and curtains or blinds on selected apartments. Prices at Vista start at £197,950.

The apartments are set around a central, landscaped square and most have a private balcony. This peaceful and attractive location adjoins professionally landscaped communal open space, yet is located just a short drive or bus ride from High Wycombe’s revitalised town centre
All of the apartments have fully fitted contemporary kitchen units with square edge laminate worktops and matching upstands, stainless steel sinks, ovens and extractor hoods, electric ceramic hobs, integrated fridge freezers, washer/dryers. Bathrooms with white sanitaryware and chrome taps, vinyl flooring, thermostatically controlled showers, chrome heated towel rails and extractor fans

Young Friendly Location:
Known as ‘Eden’ and opening in March 2008, High Wycombe town centre will offer a 12-screen cinema, state-of-the-art bowling alley, a library, restaurants and cafes and over 50 shops, including a new four level House of Fraser department store and a two storey Marks and Spencer. Eden is set to create over 1750 full and part time jobs

High Wycombe offers excellent travel links to London by train (Marylebone 40 minutes) , Reading (approximately 30 miles away) and the City of Oxford (a little over 30 miles away). The M40 (Junction 3 is within 1.5 miles), the M4 and M25 are all within easy reach and Heathrow is approximately 15 miles away
Go online to michealshanly.co.uk to find out more.

Fernham Homes is delighted to be marketing some superb first time buyer/investment properties in the heart of much loved Tonbridge in Kent.

Called ‘The Keys’, they have been so named because this attractive corner property was the former home of a piano tuner and was for many years a well respected, musical shop. Now it has been the subject of superb conversion work to transform this well known building into delightful one bedroom apartments.

The Keys, is in Pembury Road, Tonbridge and comprises six apartments each benefiting from gas central heating plus the benefit of fitted carpets.

‘Already two are sold’, says Mary-Anne Staddon, Sales Director. ‘The convenience of having all new kitchen appliances, sparkling bathrooms and being fully decorated appeals to a great number of people with busy lives which we believe has led to good interest levels. Also to secure a home for well under £150,000, in such a good central position is important for buyers wanting to invest in a new home’.

At The Keys the open plan kitchen/lounge affords a large window providing a very bright and pleasant living area. There is also a well fitted kitchen with a range of units including a fitted gas hob, electric single oven, extractor hood, fridge and washer/dryer.

The shower room has white sanitary ware with contemporary style taps and there are recessed down lights to some areas. There is also a paved area to the rear of the building with a communal bicycle rack.

Tonbridge town centre boasts a number of leisure activities such as the swimming pool and Angle Leisure Centre whilst nearby there are golf courses and numerous outdoor activities to enjoy.

For the commuter, the mainline station, (within walking distance of The Keys), has fast direct links to central London in around 40 minutes. The A21 links with the M25 and Tunbridge Wells is also just a short distance.

Prices: £142,500 for apartments 3 and 4 on the 1st floor. £145,500 for apartments 5 and 6 on the 2nd floor. There is also a show flat which can be viewed by appointment with the selling agents.

Joint Selling Agents-
RPC Land and New Homes Tel- 01732 363633
Ward & Partners Tel- 01732 770755

Also about to be launched onto the market are some brand new apartments also built by Fernham Homes. Consort Place is within a couple of minutes walk of the entrance to Tonbridge main line station, a perfect investment for commuters. Located in an established residential road there are 4, single bedroom apartments and 4 two bedroom duplex apartments which also benefit from a parking space. Two are already sold off plan and anyone interested at this stage should contact RPC Land and New Homes 01732 363633 for further information.

Fernham Homes Ltd.,
www.fernham-homes.co.uk

As would-be first time buyers turn to more creative means to make it onto the property ladder, house builder Redrow is throwing them a lifeline with its ‘Mortgaging with a Mate’ scheme.

The award-winning developer – currently building at Poulton Manor, Spital in Wirral - is among those reporting an increasing trend to buy with a friend simply as a means of getting onto that first rung.

Simon Bennett, Redrow’s marketing director, says: ‘We are seeing more and more examples of friends and siblings joining forces to enable them to buy their first home. Just as young people have been used to renting shared properties for a long time, now it seems they’re willing to buy together too.

‘It makes sense on a lot of fronts – each party has less of a deposit to find, the responsibility of the mortgage and household bills is shared each month, and each owner is investing in their future and hopefully building up some equity, rather than paying out rent.’

Redrow is taking steps to make it as easy as possible for people to buy jointly by making sure the financial advisors and solicitors it works with are all armed with the very latest information to help this type of buyer. It has even agreed special rates for Redrow home buyers with one of Britain’s leading lenders, the Halifax, who will accept mortgage applications from up to four applicants on the same property.

A new information leaflet, ‘Mortgaging with a mate’ is available at Redrow developments and provides useful information and advice on buying a home with friends. A similar section has been added to the developer’s website. Special events and workshops have also been held around the country to promote the concept of buying with a buddy and more of these will follow.

Buying a brand new home can be a good option for joint purchasers as, with little or no maintenance to worry about, there’s less likely to be arguments over any jobs that need doing. Also with many new homes - even apartments - including at least one en-suite as well as the main bathroom, a new home can offer more privacy for friends who are sharing.

It’s little wonder that mortgaging with a mate is getting more popular when you consider some of the latest headlines. According to the Halifax annual first time buyers survey earlier this year, the average house is unaffordable for first time buyers in more than nine out of ten towns; and the number of first time buyers has fallen to its lowest annual total since 1980.

And the Halifax Key Worker Housing Review has revealed that the average house price is unaffordable for all five key worker occupations (nurses, teachers, police officers, fire fighters and paramedics) in 70 per cent of towns across Great Britain.

‘Faced with statistics like these, a lot of people are having to find different ways to get onto the property ladder. Many turn to their parents or another relative for financial assistance or to act as mortgage guarantors, but for those who don’t have this option mortgaging with a mate could be the next best thing,’ says Simon Bennett.

He adds: ‘There are now various mortgage products available from high street lenders allowing up to four people to take out a joint mortgage. The financial advisers we use can recommend an appropriate product to suit the buyers’ circumstances.

‘It’s also important that co-owners protect themselves with things like a joint deed and a cohabitation agreement, which will cover issues like each owner’s share of the final property value and what will happen in the event of death or other changes in living arrangements. These are all things that the solicitors we work with regularly can advise upon.’

Those who fancy stepping onto the ladder with a friend will find the perfect pad to share at Poulton Manor, in Spital.

Elaine Mounsey, area sales manager for Redrow Homes (North West), says: ‘We see the struggle that first time buyers face when they want to take a step onto the property ladder and so we aim to help them as much as possible.

‘Available properties at Poulton Manor include the two-bedroom Avon apartment, which is well suited to busy professionals who want the convenience of a new build. Although designs differ, the property typically offers an open-plan living/dining/ kitchen area, along with two bedrooms – one with en-suite shower room – and the main bathroom. Having two bathrooms means that the Avon is extremely suitable for two friends buying together to get on the property ladder.’

Poulton Manor comprises 62 apartments arranged in three separate buildings with a maximum height of three-and-a-half storeys. Spacious two-bedroom apartments are available from £156,750.

Elaine added: ‘The apartments offer stylish living in a location that suits buyers from across the board, from young professionals commuting to Liverpool, Chester or Manchester, to down-sizers who want to settle in a peaceful location.’

The development is just a stone’s throw from Bebington, and is close to the shops and amenities of Bromborough, offering everything you need for day- to-day life.

The Wirral offers plenty of opportunities for country walks and relaxing days out but Poulton Manor is also not too far from where the action is as Spital has excellent access to the M53 for commuting to Liverpool, Chester and beyond.

Editor’s footnote:
Redrow Homes has been awarded Major Housebuilder of the Year 2006 in the annual Building Awards, for its success in helping first time buyers onto the property ladder with its Debut range, whilst still maintaining a healthy profit margin. Additionally Redrow has been voted Housebuilder of the Year by national consumer property magazine Your New Home, as well as winning the Best Development for First Time Buyers category for its innovative Debut range and Best New Build Village for Buckshaw Village in Chorley, Lancs.

Buying New Could Save First Time Buyers Money

Date of Issue: 25th October 2007

Recent reports suggest that an annual salary of over £45,000 is now needed to afford the average house and that the average deposit required has doubled within the last six years. Spending on furnishing a new home has also risen by 86 per cent in the last ten years, with new research revealing that the total amount spent in 2005 was £13.5 billion*.

For stretched first time buyers, buying a newly built property could be the answer, as they can be lower maintenance and more energy efficient than a second-hand property. New build properties, such as The Quadrant, Crest Nicholson’s development on Archers Road, Southampton, often include white goods and kitchen appliances, which saves first time buyers from the expense of fitting out a kitchen.

The Quadrant comprises one and two bedroom apartments and is proving popular with local first time buyers, who make up 50 per cent of the sales to date.

Mark Vanson, Sales and Marketing Director, Crest Nicholson (South) Ltd, comments: ‘Buying a new build home means that the extra expense of renovation and initial DIY can be avoided. At Crest Nicholson we are keen to help first time buyers in Southampton get on the property ladder and are offering 5 per cent deposit paid, stamp duty paid and £500 towards legal costs.’

Rio Saunders, Sales Advisor, Fox and Sons, the selling agents for The Quadrant, comments: ‘The Quadrant is great for first time buyers looking for a high specification apartment in a fantastic, central location.

The Quadrant’s four smart apartment buildings feature yellow and red brickwork and render, alongside striking dormer windows and gables giving the development a visually diverse appearance. Juliette balconies also add depth and variation.

The properties offer open plan living space and contemporary kitchens with a selection of top of the range appliances from Bosch. The bathrooms feature stylish Roca sanitaryware which is complemented by chrome Hansgrohe taps and fittings.

Southampton is an active city which is home to an array of bars, restaurants and nightclubs. Residents are offered some of the best shopping facilities in the country with a mix of high street brands, shopping centres and designer boutiques.

Southampton Central train station is located approximately less than one mile from The Quadrant. Trains to London Waterloo take approximately 80 minutes and trains to Portsmouth take less than one hour**.

Prices for one and two bedroom apartments start from £144,950. Crest Nicholson is helping first time buyers and investors with a range of incentive packages, for further information please call selling agents Fox and Sons on telephone: 0870 751 3950 or visit www.crestnicholson.com

Barratt helps Daniel onto the property ladder

Release time: Immediate

TECHNICAL manager at QEII Performing Arts Centre Daniel Dar-Nell, has been delighted with the help he received from Barratt West London, which enabled him to get a foot on the property ladder.

Daniel had been renting a period, three bedroom detached house in Kingston, but wanted to own a new modern home of his own; somewhere he could put his individual mark on.

His parents were prepared to help with the deposit, but he believed he still needed help to raise more money and found he was not eligible for schemes such as the Government’s First Time Buyers’ Initiative.

The solution was found when he visited Reflexion, Barratt’s landmark development in Hounslow town centre which is phase one of the planned town centre regeneration. The modern design and location attracted him to the complex and he decided to view the show home. It was much more modern and better equipped than his rented home, suited his lifestyle and he decided it was for him. Barratt offered him the help he needed to buy a one-bedroom apartment and he completed 14 days later.

Now, having been in his new home just over a month Daniel is delighted: ‘The apartment is fantastic value for money, very spacious and I could not have bought it without Barratt’s help. The sales staff were exceptionally good and I’d recommend a Barratt home to anyone. I’m within easy reach of my job in Kingston and also near a lot of my friends, who live in West London. So my social life is fantastic!’

Reflexion, the private residential element of the regeneration, has proved to be one of Barratt’s most popular developments in West London. When completed, the development will contain over 334 private apartments, each offering a well-designed internal space and stylish, contemporary fixtures and fittings. Spacious and airy, all apartments will also have their very own balcony or terrace.

Located on the Piccadilly line at Hounslow Central, it is convenient for Heathrow airport, making these apartments ideal for commuters as well as home buyers looking for somewhere to ‘lock up and leave’ while they spend time abroad.

One, two and three-bedroom apartments at Reflexion are currently priced from £225,000. For more information please contact Barratt’s sales and marketing suite sales office on 020 8572 3668 or visit the website: www.barratthomes.co.uk.

An increasing number of people are investing in buy-to-let properties in order to assist their children when the time comes for them to get on the property ladder.

There are currently two million Britons looking at the buy-to-let market with intentions of investing during the next six months and 22 per cent of these will be doing so as a means of generating enough capital to help provide for their children’s future.*
Paul Brayley, 45, from Aldenham in Hertfordshire, owns local car dealership Brayley Honda and has just invested in his fourth Crest Nicholson property, a two bedroom apartment at Mezza Luna in St Albans, Hertfordshire, as part of his plan to help his children Alice, 19 and Daniel, 21 get on the property ladder when they finish university.

Paul comments: ‘I just don’t know how any young person is expected to buy their first property today without some help from their parents. It made more sense to me to invest in property, rather than putting money into a high interest account until the children have finished university. Although there is a lot of negative hype about the property market at the moment, I firmly believe that prices will never go down and this way Alice and Daniel will have more money to play with when they finally graduate, whether they decide to sell the apartment or live in it themselves. I have been careful to purchase properties in areas with the prospect of strong base growth that have good rental potential so that I can lease them until I am ready to sell.

‘I know St Albans well because I work here and live nearby. It’s a beautiful city with exceptional commuter links into London. Crest Nicholson sells a high quality product and that is why I have returned to them again and again. The apartments at Mezza Luna are thoughtfully laid out and provide a great living space and the quality of the workmanship really shines through. My apartment also boasts a private terrace which provides the perfect area for alfresco dining in the summer months.’

Helen Watts, Sales Manager, Crest Nicholson (Chiltern) Ltd, comments: ‘St Albans has just been voted the 13th Best Place to Live in the UK by Location, Location, Location and it is not surprising. Just 22 miles from the capital, this suburban district is a paradise for commuters. That said, it is a well known fact that house prices here are some of the highest outside of London, but this has not deterred investor buyers like Paul who recognise the investment potential that this city offers.’

Mezza Luna comprises 22 two bedroom apartments located just off Hatfield Road in St Albans, Hertfordshire. With starting prices from £259,950, the high specification apartments, arranged in three buildings, combine timber panelling, render and red brickwork to create stylish and sophisticated contemporary homes. The cascading curve of the roof and the structural recesses’ give the development a modern edge which is balanced by the use of natural and traditional materials. Some apartments benefit from a private terrace and all have access to communal gardens.

Interiors are finished to the highest of standards, with products including De Dietrich kitchen appliances, bathrooms by Hansgrohe and Villeroy & Boch and kitchen flooring from the luxury Amtico range.

Prices are from £259,950. For more information contact Crest Nicholson (Chiltern) at the satellite sales centre: Aitchisons, 2 Holywell Hill, St Albans, Tel: 0870 755 0844 or visit: www.crestnicholson.com.

Parkwest official opening

The Worshipful The Mayor of Hillingdon, Councillor Catherine Dann has officially opened Parkwest, the latest development by St George, which is located in West Drayton, just 2 miles north of Heathrow and 1 mile from Stockley Park.
 
In just under 12 months since the development first launched, all apartments in Arlington and Burlington House have been sold off plan, Lexington House is over 80 per cent sold and the latest phase, Kensington House is performing equally well. When the development is complete, Parkwest will offer 574 new homes, 203 of which will be affordable and for the local community. The new homes enjoy a stylish and contemporary specification and benefit from a 24 hour concierge service residents’ health and fitness suite, and a community room.

Ian Dobie Managing Director of St George West London commented, ‘We were confident when we started building in this Borough that Parkwest would be a success both because of its style and location. I am pleased that the success of the construction and design of the buildings has been matched by the success the sales team has achieved so far. This is a vibrant area, which benefits from excellent employment opportunities and with the addition of Crossrail and the opening of T5 next year, the future for this part of West London is looking very positive.’

The Worshipful The Mayor Councillor Catherine Dann also commented, ‘The importance of safety on this site is evident and is a shining example of what a developer can achieve. You should be proud of what has been achieved here today and what it brings to this community and the Borough of Hillingdon. The square and gardens here are beautiful and I expect that the occupants of Parkwest will be very happy in their new homes. I am proud to unveil this sculpture today as a symbol of the development's international appeal, which will be enjoyed by the residents for years to come.’

St George has won numerous environmental awards over the years for its developments and Parkwest features many elements of sustainability that make life better for everyone…and everything that lives here! Dedicated on site recycling facilities will enable residents to dispose of their household recyclable rubbish in a safe, efficient and environmentally friendly way. There are a number of ways to reduce rubbish in the home and the Parkwest Concierge is on hand to give advice on what can be recycled and where.
All surface water is also drained away using a Sustainable Urban Drainage System, which reduces the pressure put on the sewage systems throughout Hillingdon and makes Parkwest a 100 per cent SUDS system.

St George has also set up some innovative and important travel schemes at Parkwest, which will help to improve traffic flow and congestion in and around the local area. A travel co-ordinator has been employed to manage and provide the residents at Parkwest with essential travel information for the local area, this can include bus routes, train times and even areas of local interest.

In order to encourage the use of green travel at Parkwest, a cycle club and car club has been created. Each resident at Parkwest is entitled to a £150 bike voucher which can be used to purchase a bike or bike accessories, or alternatively the money can be put towards travel costs such as a train season ticket or Oyster card. In addition to this, the cycle club has been supplied with 2 fully equipped mountain bikes that can be booked out for hire via the travel coordinator.

In addition to this, St George has teamed up with City Car Club to provide two Honda Civic Hybrid Cars for use as part of the Parkwest Car Club. Membership is free and bookings can be made on line or over the phone from as little as £4 an hour! The cars come included with insurance, tax, servicing, MOT and valeting bills and make a positive contribution to the environment.

Ian Dobie Managing Director of St George West London said, ‘With the development of Heathrow’s Terminal 5, the announcement of Crossrail and the regeneration taking place in West Drayton, both investment buyers and owner occupiers are looking at this part of West London with a renewed enthusiasm. The benefits of developments such as Parkwest are that they make this area a very attractive investment proposition with great potential for excellent capital growth.’
Parkwest is in a superb location for commuters, students, and international travellers alike. The M4 and M25 are just a couple of miles away, as is Heathrow -The World’s Busiest Airport. Stockley Park, Europe’s largest commercial centre, which houses companies such as Apple UK, BT, Cisco, Marks and Spencer, Sharp and Hasbro is only a few minutes away and benefits from a Virgin Active Gym and an 18 hole golf course.

Prices for an apartment in Kensington House start from just £194,950*
For further information please contact the sales centre and show apartment on T: 01895 449 009 W: www.park-west.co.uk or Text: Parkwest to 60123.

Sean and Oya Blackburn relocate to Felbridge, with a little help from
Rydon Homes!

Just when Sean and Oya Blackburn thought their dream of relocating to East Grinstead in search of a better lifestyle was about to come true, the buyer of their Aylesbury property pulled out at the very last minute. Luckily help was at hand in the form of part-exchange and now, thanks to Rydon Homes, the couple and their two children have settled into a fabulous four-bedroom detached home at Longwall Court in Felbridge.

‘When we decided to move from Aylesbury, our thoughts turned to Surrey. We started to look in the Guildford area but properties of the size we needed were far beyond our budget,’ explains Sean. ‘I used to work around East Grinstead and really like the area which has an attractive town centre, easy access to the Surrey and Sussex countryside, excellent schools and good commuting links to London. When we discovered Rydon Homes’ Longwall Court in Felbridge, just outside East Grinstead, we knew it would be ideal for us.’

With just six detached four and five-bedroom homes in an attractive gated courtyard setting, Longwall Court has proved popular with buyers looking for traditional, spacious family homes with generous gardens and garaging. The Blackburns choose The Gatehouse, a four-bedroom house with a good sized garden.

‘At Longwall Court, we realised we would get a lot of space for a reasonable price and, whilst the area is being regenerated, it isn’t being overdeveloped like Aylesbury,’ adds Sean. ‘We were keen on The Gatehouse from the minute we saw it and knew we wanted to buy it, there and then! At that stage, the walls had only just been plastered but we paid our reservation fee within a few days because we didn’t want to miss out. We found buyers for our house but then they pulled out at the critical stage, which apparently happens quite a lot. Rydon Homes saved the day by stepping in and offering to part exchange our property, which really did make the process easy for us.’

In fact, Sean and Oya found that part exchange was much less trouble than dealing with estate agents and buyers, there was far less uncertainty and they were able to agree a good price for their existing home in a short space of time. ‘The whole part-exchange process was professionally handled. Everything was dealt with promptly and efficiently and Rydon Homes even completed our new house ahead of schedule,’ concludes Sean. ‘Now our children have settled into their new school and we’re all happy here. I work in London and there’s a good train service from East Grinstead to London, which takes about an hour. East Grinstead has a range of shops. Crawley and Tunbridge Wells are both just a short journey away and it’s even easy to get to Brighton.’

Only two properties remain available at Longwall Court; The Grange a four-bedroom home with integral double garage and The Gables, a five-bedroom home with separate double garage. Both houses are ready to move into and come complete with fitted carpets, curtains and window blinds.

The Grange, priced at £595,000 and The Gables, priced at £650,000 offer excellent value for money but buyers moving in before Christmas will also receive £10,000 cash back, which should certainly come in useful for the festive season!

For further details on the development, please contact the Rydon Homes’ sales team on 01342 316405. Information on all developments by Rydon Homes is available on the website at www.rydonhomes.co.uk.

Move in with South Woodford’s ‘in crowd’ at Queen Mary’s Gate

Property hotspots come and go but one area creating a buzz that looks set to last is South Woodford in East London. Perfectly positioned on the edge of Epping Forest, but right on the Central line for easy access into the city, this zone four gem has a ‘villagey’ feel like Highgate or Hampstead as well as a happening bar, restaurant and shopping scene, often frequented by celebrities amongst the locals. Even better, the buoyancy of sales activity at Queen Mary’s Gate suggests prices there are still considered very reasonable so you can snap up great value. Telford Homes’ landmark development is located in the heart of South Woodford and has a great selection of one and two bedroom apartments for those wanting to become part of the local ‘in-crowd’.

Headlining the social scene around South Woodford is the sophisticated Nu Bar in nearby Loughton and Faces in Gants Hill, which has recently undergone a multi-million pound refit. Both bars have long been a favourite with certain TV celebrities as well as footballers from West Ham and Tottenham Hotspur. The latest word on the street is that the Sugar Hut Group is to open a new restaurant and bar in South Woodford and a new venue called Aurora will open soon in Buckhurst Hill.

‘There are so many restaurants and fashionable bars within easy walking distance of the development,’ says Sharon Hudson, Sales Executive at Queen Mary’s Gate. ‘Whether it’s the al fresco eating at Ninos and Sol café, fine dining at VK or the fashionable bar scene at Switch, this place feels really buzzing and cosmopolitan. Better still, it always feels very safe to walk around the town.’ she continues.

Add the area’s lovely designer boutiques and salons, as well as nearby Waitrose and M&S Simply Food into the mix and it’s no wonder that celebrities and those in the know are choosing to live or invest in the area, particularly favouring all the benefits of Queen Mary’s Gate.
                            
There are a number of one and two bedroom apartments currently on sale as part of its latest releases in the Ivory Court and Imperial Heights buildings. All apartments feature high specification kitchens and bathrooms and virtually all include private outdoor space – a balcony or terrace. Many apartments also have the enviable asset of underground parking and all share the beautifully landscaped water gardens, which form a prominent feature in the development.

In addition, Queen Mary’s Gate will feature a 24/seven concierge service to provide residents with added round-the-clock security, to welcome visitors and to take charge of deliveries and other necessities. The service teams will be located in a purpose-built lodge at the gated entrance.

Sheena Ellwood, Sales and Marketing Director at Telford Homes, comments: ‘Queen Mary’s Gate is located right on the doorstep of some of the best bars, restaurants and boutiques in the region, so purchasing a home here will give residents the opportunity to become part of South Woodford’s enviable social scene. With fantastic transport links into central London and the capital’s largest open space of Epping Forest close to hand, we’re confident buying here should prove to be an excellent choice.’

Queen Mary’s Gate, formerly the halls of residence for Queen Mary College, is just a a 10-15 minute walk from South Woodford tube station, with direct connections on the Central line to Stratford in just 10 minutes or London Liverpool Street in only 20 minutes. The development is also a short drive from the M11 and the A406 North Circular, providing quick road links into and around London.

Prices at Imperial Heights and Ivory Court, the latest release at Queen Mary’s Gate, start from £222,500. Please call 020 8506 1955 or click on www.telfordhomes.plc.uk for further information.

Why rent when you can buy?

Most people rent property month to month because they believe they cannot afford to buy. But what if there was an option to own an apartment for the same or less than what it costs to rent a new home? Notting Hill London, the new private sales division of Notting Hill Housing Group, is offering affordable London property to help people get onto the property market – and in a place they will love.

To combat the rapidly decreasing number of first-time buyers, which has fallen from 465,000 in 1996 to 315,000 in 2006, Notting Hill London focuses on design-led urban regeneration schemes in London and the Southeast, typically providing one and two bedroom apartments priced from £205,000. These affordable property prices can equate to lower monthly payments compared to renting.

With the average age of someone buying their home at 34 years and the proportion of those aged 25 and under buying their first homes at just 16 per cent, the opportunities Notting Hill London provides means that owning a home and benefiting from its equity is within reach for younger individuals hoping to lay the foundation for a secure financial future.

Besides providing meticulous, value-for-money homes in good areas near transport, what also sets Notting Hill London apart from other developers is its close association with the housing group, with all profits going into providing more affordable homes and services for those who need it. The company is focused on providing homes for everyday Londoners rather than professional investors or property speculators.

To illustrate Notting Hill London’s commitment to design, the company has also formed an association with Studioilse, the design consultancy founded by Ilse Crawford who was the founding editor of Elle Decoration. Studioilse acts as space designers, specification creators and the design service teams for all Notting Hill London schemes.

Richard Prynne, Development Director at Notting Hill London comments: ‘Notting Hill London is a unique offering to the London market and is helping people find stylish and affordable ways to get onto the property ladder. No longer will Londoners need to squander their money on rent when they can use their funds each month towards a sound property investment.’

Notting Hill London is currently offering a scheme in Isleworth within one mile of Hounslow high street at 661 London Road. The development is a collection of 62 newly built studio, one and two bedroom private and affordable apartments designed by award-winning architects Munkenbeck & Marshall. 661 London Road is arranged as two buildings joined by a glass link surrounding a communal landscaped courtyard.

The scheme is set in an ideal location and will benefit from the proposed Bleinheim Centre, which will bring an array of shops, bars and restaurants to the local area.  
For more information on Notting Hill London please call 020 8357 5000 or visit www.nottinghill-london.co.uk

Barratt is making dreams come true with its new ‘Dream Start’ scheme, which enables first time purchasers and key workers to own a brand new home for just 75 per cent of the asking price, with no deposit necessary.
 
This limited offer is available until the end of December 2007 on selected Barratt developments in Cornwall, Devon and Somerset.
 
The Dream Start scheme works by arranging mortgage finance on 75 per cent of the purchase price, while the other 25 per cent is covered by Barratt and repayable interest free, either within ten years or on the resale of the property.
This means that on selected developments in the region buyers could get a £155,000 one bedroom Clanville Grange apartment on the Dream Start scheme for £116,250 or a two bedroom home at Panorama, priced at £162,250, would be around £121,687.
Caroline Hill, sales director at Barratt Exeter, said: ‘Market evidence continues to highlight the affordability difficulties faced by first time buyers and key workers and Barratt’s Dream Start scheme is tailored exclusively to help these people get on the property ladder.
 
‘By loaning the extra 25 per cent of the asking price, Barratt is enabling its buyers to take on a more manageable mortgage. This flexible loan can be settled in full or in part at any time during the ten year period and is paid back, interest free, as 25 per cent of the property’s market value at the time.
 
‘This fantastic offer runs for a limited amount of time and the scheme always generates a vast amount of interest, so we’re urging people to enquire straight away to avoid disappointment. Each home is ready to move in, furnished with fitted carpets and kitchen appliances. Barratt even pays the stamp duty and up to £1000 of legal fees.
 
‘Dream Start isn’t shared equity and there isn’t rent to pay – it’s a fantastic way for first timers to purchase their starter home.’
 
Barratt’s Dream Start scheme is available on selected plots at Exeter’s King’s Heath development, Broome Park in Okehampton, Rio in Bridgwater, Minehead’s Clanville Grange, Renaissance and Panorama in Plymouth, Torre Marine in Torquay and Calcos Place in Kelly Bray, near Callington.
 
For further information on Barratt’s Dream Start scheme please call 01392 423 014 or visit www.barratthomes.co.uk
 
An easy start with David Wilson homes David Wilson Homes has put affordability at the top of its agenda by launching its Easy Start scheme at its Sandstone Gardens development in Knowsley and its Wentworth Gardens development in Cheshire.

The scheme, which is available on apartments for first time buyers and key workers, means purchasers pay just 75 per cent of the purchase price of their property, with no deposit required.
Sales director for David Wilson Homes North West, Shohreh Bowler, said: ‘It is always a big decision to ‘make a move’ onto the property ladder and concerns about saving for deposits or worries about mortgage payments can make the whole process seem daunting, which is why we have launched the Easy Start scheme.

'This is a win-win situation for home-buyers as they can own their entire home for only 75 per cent of the cost and no deposit, ensuring that they can make the move without stretching their finances too far.’
The new scheme is simple; purchasers take out a mortgage for only 75 per cent of the value of their home, while David Wilson Homes provides an interest free loan to cover the other 25 per cent.
The deferred amount is then paid back as 25 per cent of the property’s open market value, either within 10 years of purchase or at the time of re-sale if this is earlier than 10 years.

In addition, purchasers who take advantage of the Easy Start scheme will also benefit from a host of other incentives from David Wilson Homes including payment of stamp duty, legal fees up to £1,000 and providing complementary kitchen appliances and carpets throughout the home.
Shohreh continues: ‘Our aim was to simplify the home buying process by providing an incentive scheme and a fantastic interior package which will help to ease the financial strain and make moving into a new home as stress free as possible.’

The apartments across both developments are perfect for first time buyers, each packed with little design details including open plan living areas, plenty of storage space and allocated parking, which genuinely make a big difference to people’s lives.

Both the one and two bedroom apartments also offer prospective purchasers a spacious and flexible design, ideal people looking to either live alone or share with a friend or partner.

Sandstone Gardens

Sandstone Garden is ideally located for first-time buyers and young professionals with excellent commuter links to Liverpool and Warrington from the local train station and by road, with the M57 and M62 both close-by.

The development also boasts a good range of amenities within easy reach, including an excellent nursery, primary and secondary schools and great high street shopping in Prescot town centre and the nearby Cable Retail Park. Knowlsey Safari Park, great for a family day out, is also juts a short drive away.
Apartments at Sandstone Gardens are available from just £89,950.
For further information please telephone the marketing suite on 0151 493 1924 open from 10.30am to 5.30m or visit www.dwh.co.uk

Wentworth Gardens

Wentworth Gardens is ideally located for first-time buyers and young professionals, with excellent commuter links to Liverpool via the M62 and with John Lennon airport just a short drive away.
The development also boasts a good range of amenities within walking distance including a selection of schools and a great range of restaurants, bars and high street shops in Widnes town centre.
Prices for a two bedroom apartment start from just £112,500.
For further information please telephone the marketing suite on 0151 424 2889 open from 10.30am to 5.30pm or visit www.dwh.co.uk.