First Time Buyer – April/May 2020

the Ultimate Guide to... GETTING ON THE LADDER, THE PROPERTY MARKET AND HELP TO BUY April/ May 2020 £3.95 firsttimebuyermag.com

SAVVY SAVING TIPS A LEGAL GUIDE TO SHARED OWNERSHIP

WIN!

A DENBY ELEMENTS TABLEWARE SET WORTH £200 LOCATION! LOCATION! FAMILY FRIENDLY TOWNS AND CITIES

“Buying a property is a massive decision, so it's well worth investing the time to look at different areas and see what you can realistically afford” Nicki Chapman and Jonnie Irwin TV presenters

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EDITOR’S LETTER

E D I T O R I A L – 020 7258 0036

Editor-in-Chief SARAH GARRETT sarahg@spmgroup.co.uk Editor LYNDA CLARK lynda@firsttimebuyermag.co.uk Editorial Assistant DAWN HARKER Creative Director RYAN BEAL Sub Editor KAY HILL Social Media DAWN HARKER Contributors CHRIS CLARK, DEBBIE CLARK, ADAM CRAWFORD, DAWN HARKER, KAY HILL, JONNIE IRWIN, NICK MORREY, LAURA DEAN-OSGOOD, DONNA PILCHER, GINETTA VEDRICKAS A D V E RT I S I N G – 020 7258 0036

Director of Advertising/Exhibition Sales LYNDA CLARK

lynda@firsttimebuyermag.co.uk Special Events EILIDH MACLEOD – First Time Buyer Home Show – First Time Buyer Readers’ Awards boom@squarepegmedia.com Accounts accounts@ultimateguidecompany.com Managing Director SARAH GARRETT sarahg@spmgroup.co.uk

Welcome I am hoping that spring is just around the corner; we certainly need to see some sun and warmer weather. I am sure that many of you are keen to start searching for your first home and this is certainly the right time of year to begin looking.

This is a real bumper issue and packed full of information and advice. If saving for that allimportant deposit is proving to be very hard then turn to page 34 where we give some excellent ways to save for that all-important deposit. If you are searching for a home and are looking for the perfect lifestyle to raise a family then turn to page 24 where we highlight the top family friendly towns and cities.

Our recent FTB Home Show is Stratford Town Hall was a huge success and it was great to see so many first time buyers who were all eager to find how they can get on the property ladder come along on the day to talk to the property experts. For any prospective first time buyers living in the North West we have another Home Show on 3 October at the Lancashire Cricket Club in Manchester, so do go to ftbhomeshow.com for more details and to register.

Our FTB Readers’ Awards 2020 are now in full swing and thank you to everyone who has taken the time to vote. There is still lots of time left to cast your vote, so please go to ftbawards.com. Our Awards are a real celebration of the very best in the property market and your votes mean so much.

We are delighted that celebrities Nicki Chapman and Jonnie Irwin found time in their busy diaries to meet up with us – do turn to page 20 to read their stories and see the pictures from our fun-filled photoshoot!

Until next time, happy house hunting

Public Relations RACHEL COLGAN rachel@building-relations.co.uk SUBSCRIPTIONS 020 7258 0036 SWITCHBOARD 020 7258 1777 FAX: 020 7258 1787

firsttimebuyeronline EDITOR’S PICKS…

I do have some good friends in the area, so this would be a great move for me.

THE ULTIMATE GUIDE COMPANY LTD, 37 IVOR PLACE, LONDON NW1 6EA All advertising copy for June/July 2020 must be received before 8 May 2020.

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 2008-2020. 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.

@firsttimebuyer

Shared ownership is a great way to buy a home in places you would have thought unaffordable.

Hopkin Man, Agony Agent, page 116

Ben Tattersall, page 16

Saving for a deposit is hard but get your head down and be sensible.

Sian Gabbidon At home with, page 14

We found that three quarters of 18-24 and 63% of 25-34 year olds were cutting down on spending in order to save.

Jill Waters,

It was never going Finance, page 112 to be a forever home, but it worked well with my needs at the time.

Lynne Smith, page 134

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CONTENTS

Cover Photo © Mike Prior

APRIL/MAY 2020 / ISSUE 82 / FIRSTTIMEBUYERMAG.CO.UK

What’s in…

65

For sale

64

Chris Johnson, 29, and his partner, fashion buyer Lauren Mountford, 28, expected to wait years to be able to buy their first home in London. Then they discovered Acton Gardens and Help to Buy and their dreams came true!

HOMEPAGE

FEATURED

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

10 FTB Loves…

A round up of our favourite hot buys.

12 Living Create your own exotic oasis with these eye-catching globally inspired accessories.

12

14 At home with…Sian Gabbidon Entrepreneur Sian Gabbidon was the 2018 winner of BBC’s The Apprentice. She is founder of swimwear brand Sian Marie Fashion and has recently moved into a converted water mill. She talks to Lynda Clark about her business career, finding her first home and gives some sound advice for first time buyers.

16 House hunter We try to find Ben Tattersall a home in south London.

18 Developer’s doctor Stuart Hensby, Head of Sales and Marketing at Radian Homes, answers your property questions.

4

20 The View: Nicki Chapman and Jonnie Irwin Celebrities Nicki Chapman and Jonnie Irwin have both had fascinating careers. Lynda Clark caught up with them to find out what they had been doing since we last featured them, plus as real property experts they give some great advice for first time buyers looking to step on the ladder.

first home can be tricky as there are so many different things to consider.

Debbie Clark looks at some research from PlayLikeMum and highlights the best towns and cities for family living.

24 Family friendly living

34 Seven big ways to save

Finding the best location to settle down with a family and buy your

Our clever, savvy tips to help you save for that all-important deposit.

First Time Buyer April/May 2020

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CONTENTS NICKI CHAPMAN, PAGE 20

I HAD A VERY SMALL ROOM BUT I MANAGED TO SAVE UP FOR A DEPOSIT.

20

Nicki Chapman and Jonnie Irwin REGULARS

buyer

READERS’ AWARDS 2020 First Time Buyer Readers’ Awards 2020 A chance to view the shortlist of all the different categories, plus details of how to cast your allimportant votes.

30 Hotspot Southall

what the property market in 2020 will be like for first timers.

We look at the benefits of Southall as a place to live.

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

119 Buyer’s guide

ftbawards.com

107

73

Competition Win a beautiful Elements 12-piece tableware set from Denby worth over £200.

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

108 First home, first meal Ioannis Grammenos, Executive Chef at Heliot Steak House, creates a delicious Mediterranean-inspired dish of meatballs with tomato and basil sauce with feta cheese. We also get in the mood for spring and test out the best Easter eggs from the UK’s leading supermarkets.

110 Mortgage Clinic

124 Guide to the legal aspects of shared ownership Adam Crawford from Prince Evans Solicitors LLP explains from a legal point of view what the differences are when buying a shared ownership property.

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

Nick Morrey, Mortgage Technical Manager at John Charcol, answers your finance-related questions.

112 Finance With low interest rates, it’s not a good time for savers at the moment.

Kay Hill looks at the options available to try to build up a deposit and the new legislation that could change the savings landscape.

114 Market Following on from Brexit and the election, Ginetta Vedrickas considers

134 20 questions We ask 20 quick-fire questions to a property expert and in this issue Lynne Smith, Head of Sales and Marketing for Fernham Homes, steps into the spotlight.

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LETTERS

Mailbox LOCATION, LOCATION I recently decided to start looking for a property to purchase for the first time. I’m really excited but I’m not sure where to start and want to make sure that I’m choosing the right area. Can you advise any particular things to look out for or avoid?

Claire Browne FTB: One of the most important things to consider when looking for a property is location. A good first step when picking an area is considering how long your commute to work will be. Once you find the areas you like you can narrow down which you prefer. Everyone has a different list of important criteria when looking at an area so decide what is important to you. For example; are there nearby amenities? Are there good transport links? Is the area safe? Does it fit into your price range? Once you consider all these aspects you’ll have a much clearer idea and be well on the way to finding your new home.

This issue’s star letter prize wins an Addis in-cupboard bin worth £29.99. This new system features two 10L bins, which can be easily placed on a retractable base for discreet storage in a cupboard or utility space. Designed to fit standard 600mm depth units, users can create an entire hub, fitting two units side by side for various recycling materials. Primarily used to adapt a cupboard space to create an in-cupboard bin, the retractable base is simply screwed into the cupboard base to secure into place.

Available from amazon.co.uk

IS HELP TO BUY THE ANSWER? My partner and I are looking at taking our first steps on to the property ladder, but have concerns about the affordability of this.

We’ve both done some research and are wondering if a Help to Buy: Equity Loan would be a good option for us?

Connor Devlin FTB: The first hurdle for many first time buyers is saving for

the deposit. Help to Buy is a Government-backed scheme that provides an equity loan to first time buyers. This is a great option as it offers a loan of up to 20% of the price of the property (or 40% if in London), meaning that you’ll only need to provide a deposit of 5% with the remaining 75% covered by your mortgage.

A massive benefit of this option is that for the first five years of owning your home, you won’t pay interest on the Help to Buy loan.

WRITE TO US! Please send us your questions, comments and suggestions concerning property, or the articles in First Time Buyer magazine.

First Time Buyer Letters, 37 Ivor Place, London NW1 6EA lynda@firsttimebuyermag.co.uk

HELP WITH INSURANCE I am buying my first home and I know I need to get insurance before I move in, however I don’t know very much about it and what needs to be covered, could you please tell me which type of insurance I should get?

Evie Bedford FTB: You are correct in saying you need insurance before you move in, as it is essential to protect your home and all your belongings. There are two types of insurance you should look at. Firstly, buildings insurance, which protects the building from damage such as fire, water and bad weather and, secondly contents insurance. Contents insurance protects your possessions inside the home if they are damaged, destroyed or stolen. It is important that you look at all your items and make sure you aren’t underinsured. Insurance can give you piece of mind and provides reassurance if something does go wrong.

THE PROS AND CONS OF SHARED OWNERSHIP I’m not sure I’m financially ready to buy my first home on the open market but would like to move on from renting. I’ve been looking into shared ownership properties as an option but need some more information before taking the plunge. Do the pros outweigh the potential cons?

Elsie Welsh FTB: In essence, shared ownership allows you to own a share of your property while renting the remaining share at a subsidised rate. You can also staircase over time which means you have the

option to buy more shares until you eventually own it entirely. A benefit of shared ownership is that you will need a smaller deposit as it will only be for the share you intend to buy, and you won’t need as large a mortgage as you are only buying what is within your budget.

This is a great option for starting out and transitioning from renting as it gradually eases you into the process, rather than being thrown in at the deep end.

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

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OPINION

Photo © Mike Prior

WORLD

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

If, like me, you’re partial to a bit of Monty Python, you might recall the scene in their film The Life of Brian where Brian, in a desperate attempt to hide from the Roman guards, attempts to buy a fake beard from a trader. When he offered the asking price of 20 shackles the trader is incredulous and demands instead to barter – eventually taking less in order for him to feel like it was a good deal.

I often think of this whenever I’m asked by a buyer what they should offer for their target property. There seems to be an obsession with the deal that casts a shadow over achieving the original main aim of buying their first home. If I’m honest, it’s not just first time buyers who are guilty of it – we all are!

I’ll always remember a couple of buyers who, after viewing a stunning property, burst into tears of joy when I told them the price, some £20,000 UNDER their budget. They then, against my advice, submitted an offer way below the asking price. The owner duly declined and someone else who had obviously been keeping tabs on the property, and probably got tipped off from the agent that a low offer had gone in, then swooped and bought it from under my punters’ noses. If I’m honest, it served them right. This obsession with the deal stood in the way of them getting their dream property and it will no doubt always be the one that got away.

There’s a myth that strong or hard negotiators get the best deal. In my experience, the best deal is where both parties feel that what has been agreed is fair. Sure, one side may well come out slightly better and you’d hope that’s you, but it’s rarely a good way to start a transaction if a party feels like they’ve been robbed.

The agreeing of a price is only the start of what can be a rather drawn-out process – the conveyancing can take up to two months. In this period there may well be a time when you ask for something from the vendor, eg access to measure up, extra surveys or even extended time to complete. There’s also the added bartering of what the owner might leave in the property or sell on to you in terms of carpets, curtains etc.

When you enter into a deal with an owner, you enter into a relationship with them.

Owners can be very helpful to a first time buyer; offering recommendations on the area, and keeping the property in good condition during the conveyancing period.

I’ve also seen deals where the owners (feeling slightly put out over the price agreed) have left the property in an awful state – they’ve even been known to take the lightbulbs with them!

I’m not asking you to become best pals with the vendors – after all you are sitting at opposite ends of the table when it comes to the deal – but it is worth remembering that you both have something in common, you want the deal to be done and as smoothly as possible.

The chances are that you might be competing with other buyers who are interested and may even be shaping up to make an offer on the property. I always recommend to my buyers that they put the best version of themselves to the agent and the vendor. I’ve written in this column before that the agent, while acting for the vendor, will be making recommendations about each buyer’s ability to perform in any potential deal. Vendors will be influenced by this, but they also like to sell to people they like. While an estate agent might argue that a developer or investor might offer a quicker or smoother deal, many owners like the idea of selling to someone who will move into the property as a home – especially a young couple or family – they were in the same position once and you’d be amazed how that can influence the decision.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m not suggesting that everyone should submit asking price offers, far from it. I’m just a little tired of buyers obsessing over putting in “a cheeky offer”.

If you think it’s cheeky, the owner might think it rude and that’s not the best opening gambit. There needs to be a reason for your suggested discount. Residential property is valued on comparable evidence so if a 450 sq ft flat in good condition sold recently for say £200,000 then one a similar size just nearby, but in worse condition, is probably worth maybe £190,000. Over-simplified, I grant you, but you get the point.

The chances are you’ve been trawling the internet and keeping an eye on prices as you’ve been saving. so you should have at least an idea of ball park values. If your objective is to buy a bargain then be prepared to walk away. If you’re focused on buying your first home, then be prepared to spend all of your budget or you might be the person driving past the property lamenting the one that got away.

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FTB LOVES

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

Egg’cellent posters These bright and colourful vintage Easter-themed posters will make a cracking addition to your home. Each of the posters was originally displayed across the London Underground to remind busy commuters to take a break and explore the hidden treasures of the capital.

Available either framed or unframed, they are perfect for adding vintage style to any room of the house.

London Underground vintage Easter Posters, from £20, London Transport Museum ltmuseumshop.co.uk Every purchase supports London Transport Museum’s charitable work

d Salt ran n i u g n e P e er S h a k Pepp and this perfect We love playful tableware, at addition to your gre a e mak will duo penguin ck up and season p-pi p-pdining table. Perfect to ceramic shaker set re ewa ston this , with l your mea , it is the perfect Plus e. tabl will stand out on your guests. ty par er dinn r you for icebreaker £23, Red Candy , kers sha Penguin salt and pepper .uk redcandy.co

Super Swyft

We all know that flatpack furniture can be a nightmare! Especially negotiating all the different parts and having to find the right tools. The Swyft sofa features a unique Swyft-Lock mechanism, that enables you to assemble the sofa without using any tools, making this the flatpack furniture of the future. The sofa is delivered in 48 hours and whether you order the armchair or the three-seater sofa it comes in boxes that can be easily lifted by one person. The boxes are also coded so you know what order to open them in.

The sofa is available in six different splash-guard fabrics and has triple layered memory foam cushions, so not only is it easy to assemble, but it looks stylish and is super comfortable. It comes with a 100-day trial and a 15-year frame guarantee.

Swyft three-seater sofa, £995 swyfthome.com

Biophilia Buzz

Inspired by the natural world, Biophlia: You + Nature + Home by Sally Coulthard, explores ways in which you can adapt your living and working spaces so you can be more in touch with nature. Using organic materials, eco fabrics and the colours and patterns of nature, you can lift your mood and improve both your physical and mental wellbeing. This beautifully illustrated guidebook has eight chapters with practical and creative ideas for embracing the natural world in your home.

Biophilia: You + Nature + Home, £14.99, Octopus Books

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Homepage LIVING

Crewel work geo cushion, £8; rattan table lamp, £30; terracotta succulent, £4; cow print duvet set, from £10; jute striped cushion, £10; embroidered cushion, £7; African border duvet set, from £10, George Home

Global Essence

Metal easy fit shade, £14.99, Studio.co.uk

Taking inspiration from all the corners of the globe, create a home that feels like an exotic oasis by combining rich warms colours like golds and reds with interesting rugged textures

Set of two hammered vases, £30, Very.co.uk

Monkey tealight holder, £18, Very.co.uk

Monochrome enamel bowls, £14, JD Williams Home Basket weave throw, from £18, JD Williams Home Scarf print satin cushion, £15, JD Williams Home

Sahara faux rattan mirror, £18, Sainsbury’s Home Tufted pouffe, £80; lam p, £70; velvet tassel cushion, £12; pom pom cushion, £14; Darwin sofa, from £875, Next

Black stitch cushion, £8, George Home

C ONTACTS » George Home asda.com » Homesense homesense.com » JD Williams Home jdwilliams.co.uk » Marks and Spencer marksandspencer.com » Next next.co.uk » Sainsbury’s Home sainsburyshome.co.uk » Studio studio.co.uk » TK Maxx tkmaxx.com » Very very.co.uk

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Homepage LIVING

Terracotta succulent, £4; sunflower tumbler, £2; diamond tumbler, £2; dots tumbler, £2; rattan shade, £30; brushed gold cutlery set, £15; Black Dash dinner set, £20; spiky succulent, £5, George Home

Constantine Acacia wooden cabinet, £229, JD Williams Home

Round gold lantern, £12, JD Williams Home

New Population wood block side table, £59.99, TK Maxx Metallic Elephant side table, £109, JD Williams Home

Natural flat weave rug, from £35, George Home

woven armchair, £599; round Velvet terracotta Aiden ne gbo rrin He t rus n, £15; rug, £100; Skylar cushio e, £15; pink vas ent em stat ry eca throw, £19.50; Apoth rks and Spencer Faye cushion, £25, Ma

Ikat printed cushion, £12, JD Williams Home

Magnolia embroidered bench, £149.99, Homesense

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Homepage LIVING

At home with:

Sian Gabbidon

Sian Gabbidon was the 2018 winner of the BBC’s The Apprentice. She is a true entrepreneur and founder of swimwear brand Sian Marie Fashion.

Always very creative, Sian started making clothes when her parents bought her a sewing machine when she was 16. She bought her first apartment four years ago and has recently sold it. She made a good profit which has helped finance her new home, a converted water mill. She talks to Lynda Clark about her passion for business and fashion and gives some good advice for first time buyers FTB: Tell us about your first step on the property ladder SG: I had always been careful with money and savings and about four years ago I decided to invest in a property, as saving in the bank with little interest was going nowhere. I had always been very business minded and it seemed exactly the right thing to do. I bought an apartment in Leeds which was a new build and rented it out. I recently sold it and made a profit, which was brilliant, so I decided to buy a bigger home.

FTB: What is your new home like?

SG: It is just outside Leeds but it is very easy to get into the city centre and my office as well. I have bought an apartment in a converted mill which is beautiful and has really big windows, which let in lots of natural light, and it overlooks a river as well.

It is very exciting and I am looking forward to moving in soon. I am also moving to a bigger office as we need more space, so there is a lot going on at the moment.

“I WON £250,000 AND LORD SUGAR STILL TAKES A GREAT PERSONAL INTEREST IN MY COMPANY. HE IS VERY BUSY BUT WE HAVE A CALL EVERY MONTH AND HE IS INVOLVED IN THE BUSINESS AND OFFERS GREAT ADVICE”

FTB: Tell us how your career began SG: I come from a very humble background and my parents worked so hard to give me a good life. I am an only child and I spent a great deal of time with my grandparents when I was growing up. My Nana was my best friend and we loved making things together – I was always very creative. I have a passion for fashion and when I was about 16 my parents bought me a sewing machine.

It opened up a whole new world for me and I spent hours in my bedroom designing and making clothes. It was then that I knew it was something I really wanted to do, so I went to college to study textiles and then on to university where I got a degree in Fashion Design, Marketing and Production.

It was an all-round degree, which really suited me and gave me a taste of many different aspects of what I wanted to do.

One of my tutors told me that I would have to move to London in order to further my

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Homepage LIVING career but I am proud to be from Leeds and wanted to prove them wrong – that I could stay in the North and still run a successful business. It was the time that social media was really on the up and I started designing a fashion range plus some swimwear and put them up on Instagram. I started to get an amazing response from stylists, influencers, models and celebrities. Kate Wright wore one of my bikinis when she was in Dubai and it got into the press and everything started to progress from there.

I then had to create a website, which I had never done before so it was all self-taught, and as I had no money I just had to learn and work it out for myself. So, it just grew and grew and became really successful. My designs are now loved by celebrities ranging from Love Island and TOWIE to MTV stars.

FTB: How did you get on The Apprentice?

SG: I have always been a huge fan of the show and watched it every week with my parents. I saw an ad to apply to go on it and I couldn’t believe it when I got through the auditions and was actually asked to take part. It was much harder than it looks on the television and we all lived in the house together so we had to form personal, professional and business relationships, which wasn’t always easy as you had to get the balance just right. When I got to the final I was actually up against one of the girls who had become a good friend, but I was in luck as the last task was one of my favourites. I won £250,000 and Lord Sugar still takes a great personal interest in my company. He is very busy but we have a call every month and he is involved in the business and offers some great advice. Winning changed everything and I now get orders from major retailers, the international market and through ASOS. FTB: What are your plans for the future?

SG: I am growing the business and we are launching a new loungewear range later in the year, and of course my swimwear is always very popular. I like to relate to my customers and I am always discovering new things about what they want. The loungewear is a super comfortable range of track suits which are perfect for travelling too, as girls want to look just as good at the airport as they do by the pool! My range is perfect for all shapes and sizes as I know my customers are often struggling to find swimwear which is a good fit. I am passionate about the business and my partner is a wonderful sounding board for ideas as well as being my rock.

FTB: What advice do you have for first time buyers?

SG: Be savvy first and foremost. Saving for a deposit is hard but get your head down

“SAVING FOR A DEPOSIT IS HARD BUT GET YOUR HEAD DOWN AND BE SENSIBLE AND DON’T GO OUT FOR DRINKS AND MEALS AS YOU CAN’T DO EVERYTHING” and be sensible and don’t go out for drinks and meals as you can’t do everything and you will have to make some sacrifices. I have always been savvy with money and as I lived at home I was able to put a little away every month. Also, the bigger deposit you can save then the smaller the mortgage

you will need which means you will probably get a better interest rate too. You just have to have a level of responsibility but it can be done if you really want it badly enough. sianmarie.com

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FIRST RUNG

The

HOUSE HUNTER

What we found…

THE ON-TREND TOWN Peckham Place Peckham

FROM £107,500*

THE BEST OF BOTH Quinn Lodge Sutton

FROM £345,000

This month FTB goes on the hunt with Ben Tattersall who is searching for a one bedroom home in south London

PROFILE

Name Ben Tattersall, 42 Occupations Physiotherapist Maximum budget £410,000 Requirements A one bedroom home in south London with a balcony or terrace, close to a town centre, gym, shops and transport links to central London

What he wanted…

I have lived in south London all my life and am looking to get on to the property ladder in the part of the city that I love. I’ve moved around a little bit, renting with friends and an ex-girlfriend, and have seen certain areas bloom. I’m interested at looking at places such as Peckham and Croydon, but am quite flexible about exactly where I live. Now I have spent a good few years saving properly, I feel it’s time to finally buy my own place. I have a job I love, based at Clapham Junction, so as long as there are good transport connections, as well as local facilities close by, I’ll be very happy.

I’d prefer to cycle to work, but if it’s too far, then good train or bus links will suffice! I do tend to eat out a lot, so some decent places to grab dinner would be great, as well as a local gym. I have topped up my savings over the past 18 months by living with my sister, and have managed to save for a budget of around £410,000.”

16

Named as one of the coolest neighbourhoods on the planet, Peckham is increasingly popular.

With restaurants, bars, venues, cafes and a burgeoning arts and entertainment scene, it’s a huge draw for Londoners and visitors. Peckham Place, a new development of one, two and three bedroom homes, lies right at the heart, on Queen’s Road.

The apartments match the cool surroundings, with stylish interiors featuring open-plan living areas, oak-effect flooring, fitted kitchens and low-energy lighting. All include a private balcony or terrace.

On a leafy residential street, yet close to local amenities, this collection of homes offers a best-of-both-worlds setting. There are just 16 one, two and three bedroom apartments at Quinn Lodge, which has been designed sympathetically, in keeping with the local architecture. The homes feature bright, spacious living areas and generously proportioned bedrooms. Sutton High Street is just a five-minute walk away, for Sutton station, shops, restaurants, pubs and cafes. A gym, cinema and shopping malls are also nearby.

nhgsales.com

shanlyhomes.com *Based on a 25% share of the full market value of £430,000

What he thought…

As far as I’m concerned, Peckham has always been cool! I went to art college in nearby Camberwell and I still have a few friends who live in the area.

The area has changed a great deal – there is so much more on offer now; with many new places to eat and drink, and plenty of vibrant life. These apartments look great, and they’re in a really central location, so getting to work, whether it’s into central London or even out of the city, would be very easy.”

I’ve visited Sutton a few times, but don’t know it well. It looks like a lovely and leafy part of the world and I like the setting of these apartments.

It seems like a nice place to retreat to, while the town centre is only a short walk away – a really attractive set-up. I think the building looks great, too; it’s different from many of the new builds that I’ve seen. You can get into London on the train in under 30 minutes, which is pretty good – and there’s even private parking!”

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FIRST RUNG

THE LOCAL ICON Leon House Croydon

THE TALE OF TWO TOWNS FROM £88,125*

SO Resi Clapham Park Clapham

FROM £116,750*

First choice!

G

THE CONVENIENCE KIN

Road Verde House, Cairo New Croydon

Leon House is an iconic part of Croydon’s landscape, close to the town centre. The 20-storey former office block has been regenerated into a contemporary collection of one and two bedroom apartments, with several available through shared ownership. Excellent on-site facilities include a communal rooftop garden and co-working space. As well as great local bus routes on the doorstep, transport links to further afield are fantastic.

From East Croydon, London Victoria can be reached in 20 minutes, and the south coast in as little as 45 minutes.

This new collection of homes sits between two popular towns, Clapham and Brixton, with pretty parks, busy neighbourhoods and great facilities. The one and two bedroom apartments feature clean, contemporary interiors with open-plan living areas, storage cupboards and a private balcony or terrace. From Clapham South tube station, trains run quickly to central London, while 24-hour bus routes are close by. The area has a great deal to offer by way of fantastic local pubs, music venues, cafes, shops and gyms, which are all easily reached by foot.

leonhouse-sharedownership.co.uk

soresi.co.uk

*Based on a 25% share of the full market value of £352,500

I grew up close to Croydon and remember Leon House well. It’s really interesting that it’s been regenerated to become homes and I bet the views out over the area and beyond are really great. This is a good location, too – there’s loads to do in south Croydon, with the Restaurant Quarter practically on the doorstep. The town centre isn’t far, either, plus there are loads of bus routes to take you all over London. It’s so easy to get around from here, so this really does seem like a great option!”

*Based on a 25% share the full market value of £467,000

These apartments are in a great spot!

I love Brixton and Clapham; it would be fun to be close to both. With so much in the local area, I wouldn’t really need to go anywhere else! The apartments are really impressive, too – the design is clean and modern, and there’s plenty of natural light, which is really important. I also love the idea of having a private balcony, which would be perfect for having people over for dinner and just enjoying the sunshine when you don’t want to leave the house.”

FROM £TBC*

heart of a prime location in the Verde House occupies this bustling all of within easy reach Croydon’s Old Town – 113 new of ent pm elo dmark dev town has to offer. The lan rooms – is bed e thre to io stud apartments – ranging from ge of n centre, with its huge ran a short walk from the tow Corner ves Ree . ues cinema and ven shops, restaurants, bars, n ydo Cro ugh thro s vice ay for ser tram stop is moments aw are s ion st and East Croydon stat and beyond, while We nd services. rou erg Ov and n trai within easy reach for optivo.org.uk lable *Shared ownership avai

THE NEXT STEP

“This development is due to complete in July, so I have registered my interest with Optivo and also spoken with a mortgage adviser to get a mortgage offer in principle ready. My parents are delighted at the idea of me moving to Croydon, and I do have some good friends in the area, so this would be a great move for me.”

I know Croydon really well – I think it has a lot to offer and would certainly enjoy living here. These apartments are in a really good area, with everything so close by.

I’d never be short for places to eat out, things to do or places to meet up with friends. Getting around is super easy, too, and it’s cool that the tram stop is almost on the doorstep, as it’s a nice way to travel and would be ultra-convenient. There are also some great parks and places to visit nearby, which will be handy for weekends and summer evenings – Wandle Park isn’t far, plus the tram runs directly up to Lloyd Park, which I always loved as a kid!”

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ADVICE

Stuart Hensby is Head of Sales and Marketing at Radian Homes.

With over 15 years of experience in the property industry, he has developed significant expertise in the development and sale of new homes. He is passionate about providing high-quality, affordable places to live in a range of tenures, including shared ownership

Q

My boyfriend and I are looking to buy our first home together. Having done our research, shared ownership seems like the best way to do so, and we’ve found a property that we like, but have no idea how to start the process of buying. What should we do first?

A

Firstly, congratulations on taking the first step into homeownership!

Starting the journey can seem daunting, no matter how much research you’ve done, but every housing provider will endeavour to make the process as simple as possible.

If you’re viewing properties, I assume you’ve been saving and have enough for a deposit. The benefit of shared ownership is being able to purchase with a much smaller deposit than on the open market, usually as little as 5% of the share value of the home you’re buying. Speaking to an independent financial adviser will help you work out how much you can afford.

Firstly, you need to register with your local Help to Buy agent, who will give you an application number and check your eligibility, which you’ll need to begin the process of buying your home.

In order to reserve your dream home, the housing provider will need to conduct identity and affordability checks, after which an independent mortgage adviser will do their own checks and agree the percentage share you can afford to purchase. This is based on your income, savings and outstanding credit commitments.

They will also provide you with information on choosing a suitable mortgage.

To take the property off the market, you will then need to put down a reservation fee. This fee varies, but it’s usually between £200 and £500.

Next you’ll need to appoint a solicitor.

This is very important, as the solicitor works on your behalf throughout the rest of the homebuying process, doing conveyancing and completing the necessary legal paperwork. Your housing provider can usually recommend a solicitor with experience in shared ownership purchases.

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After you have everything in place, you will be issued a Memorandum of Sale (MOS). This summarises the details of your purchase, and a date by which you are required to exchange contracts, usually within four weeks. This agreement makes everything legally binding.

When you’ve paid your deposit and exchanged contracts, you’ll be given an estimated completion date. In the lead up to this, your mortgage lender will

Stuart Hensby, Head of Sales and Marketing, Radian Homes

give your solicitor the money to buy your home, and the solicitor will complete the purchase with the provider’s solicitor. Once this is done, you’re officially a homeowner and will be given the keys!

On moving day, the team will meet you at the property to go through a short handover, explaining the particulars of your property, after which you can start enjoying life in your new home.

Launching soon, the brand new phase of properties at Fen Fen Meado Meadow from Radian Homes will comprises one and two Southamp w bedroom apartments, available to purchase through shared ton ownership. Every home features a modern specification with spacious open-plan living areas, as well as two allocated parking spaces. Kitchens are fully fitted with Symphony Koncept units and Indesit stainless steel appliances. Bathrooms are designed with crisp, white Roca sanitaryware.

The development is nestled in the charming village of Nursling, just 20 minutes’ drive from Southampton town centre. Residents can enjoy the proximity to the town’s plentiful restaurants, bars, high street and independent shops, but escape to the New Forest National Park when looking for a quiet retreat away from the hustle and bustle. Local commuters will find the town convenient thanks to good road and bus connections, as well as being less than six miles from Southampton Airport.

Previous homes at Fen Meadow were priced from £104,000 for a 40% share of a two bedroom property and £90,000 for a 30% share of a three bedroom home.

For more information please visit radianhomes.co.uk/fenmeadow or call 0800 145 6663 to register your interest

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THE VIEW

The A team!

Celebrities Nicki Chapman and Jonnie Irwin are both highly successful presenters, who work together on Escape to the Perfect Town, and are both passionate about property. Lynda Clark caught up with them to have a chat about their work, their first steps on the property ladder and hear their excellent advice to first time buyers Photos: Mike Prior

N

icki Chapman is one of the country’s bestknown TV presenters and broadcasters, who has hosted numerous factual and entertainment programmes including Escape to the Country, Wanted Down Under and Escape to the Perfect Town for BBC 1. She is also a regular presenter for RHS Chelsea Flower Show and features on BBC Radio 2 as a guest presenter on The Zoe Ball Breakfast Show, sitting in for Vanessa Feltz on The Early Breakfast Show and for Claudia Winkleman on the Claudia on Sunday show. In 2019 viewers also saw Nicki at the helm of a very exciting new Channel 5 gardening show The Great Garden Challenge plus two documentary series.

Jonnie Irwin has a very busy schedule and continues to film for A Place in the Sun in locations across Europe. He was also part of the new spin off series working alongside Nicki on Escape to the Perfect Town. Apart from his television work, he is a

"MAKE A CHECKLIST AND FOLLOW IT. EDUCATE YOURSELF ON WHAT IS AVAILABLE AND DO PLENTY OF HOMEWORK AND RESEARCH BEFORE YOU START. SO MANY PEOPLE MAKE DECISIONS BASED ON NO FACTUAL EVIDENCE AT ALL" 20

partner in a law firm which has recently expanded and taken on a lot more staff. Jonnie is now trying to strike a balance between work and being a new dad, as he has just announced the imminent arrival of twin boys in the early summer. With his family growing he is having to build an extension to his home and said, “So, now I have another plate I’ve got spinning and if I manage to juggle all these things this year I’ll probably join the circus!”

Nicki first hit our TV screens when she appeared as a judge on Popstars and Pop Idol back in 2001.

She worked hard at school but was not very academic so she decided to do a business course at college.

After stuyding for three years she upped sticks and travelled to Australia for eight months on her own.

She loved the lifestyle there and decided to emigrate.

While waiting for her visa to be processed she applied for three jobs in the music industry back in London and was offered all three! She said, “Suffice to say, the lure of the music world stopped me from moving down under and I decided to accept the job that best suited me and work my way up through the industry.” Her first job was as a promotional assistant at MCA records, moving to RCA as head of TV promotions. She then became a joint partner in the Brilliant PR Company and represented the Spice Girls, Kylie Minogue, David Bowie, the Brit Awards and The Big Breakfast to a name a few. She added, “I had worked with Simon Fuller who represented the Spice Girls and I decided to join his management company, 19 Entertainment, in 2001 as Creative Director. I suppose my real rise to fame was when I became a judge for the ITV series Popstars and Pop Idol. In fact, Pop Idol was the top-rated TV show in the UK in both 2001 and 2003. It was the most

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THE VIEW

"SO, NOW I HAVE ANOTHER PLATE I’VE GOT SPINNING AND IF I MANAGE TO JUGGLE ALL THESE THINGS THIS YEAR I’LL PROBABLY JOIN THE CIRCUS!"

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THE VIEW

amazing experience and something I will never forget. It really did change my life...”

Jonnie left university and worked as a commercial surveyor, which was very grounding for his eventual work on TV property programmes. “I was working at a commercial business transfer agency and I got an email from a friend saying they had been approached by a production company who were looking for property experts for a new programme they were making.

I thought it was a complete wind-up, but I decided to give them a call. I was told they had already looked at lots of people and they were down to the last 10, but I persisted and they agreed that if I got something to them after the Christmas break there still might be time for them to look at it.

"I went back to my parents for Christmas and borrowed my mum’s camcorder and went with a friend to the local shopping centre, and we filmed me interviewing some of the shoppers. I sent the tape and was called for a screen test and before long I was flying to South Africa to make a pilot for a series, A Place in the Sun – Home or Away. It was pretty much a whirlwind and I ended up making a series of 24 programmes. My motto is 'if the door is slightly ajar, kick it open'."

Nicki has always been passionate about property and she bought her first one bedroom apartment in Putney for £69,000 in her early 20s. She said, “It has been my biggest regret that I sold it, as now I’m sure it would be worth a small fortune. At the time, I had just started in the music business and lived in really cheap digs with seven other people. I had a very small room but I managed to save up for a deposit and decided to get a repayment mortgage. Every time I had some spare cash, I’d try to pay off a little of the mortgage, chipping away at what I owed. The apartment was a brand new conversion and I bought it in a real dip in the property market. I loved the fact that everything was new and I started

with a blank canvas. There was no building work to be done and so no financial outlay, which suited me and my budget very well.

"I would buy a new build again if I was starting out, as if you have no experience of DIY, or, like most first time buyers, are on a limited budget with little experience, it removes the stress and won’t end up costing a fortune. I sold it a couple of years later for £79,000 so I think I did quite well.

"I decided to sell it in order to get enough for a deposit on a four bedroom house in west London, which I was buying with my husband-to-be. At that time prices in London were booming. The surveyor that we used said that as we were buying at the top of the market, the house wouldn’t be an investment. I told him we were buying a home, not an investment!

"After a few years we decided to move, and even though we are still very near central London, the area we live in now is like living in a village, with plenty of restaurants and independent shops. We found our current property through a high-end developer who had just bought it. It was divided into two flats and was basically a ruin. He had planned to do it up and sell it six months down the line but we fell in love with it even though it was wreck.

We decided to buy it there and then and asked him to continue with the renovation.

We had a vision of how it would look and working together with the developer, the project was a real labour of love."

Jonnie was living in a split-level basement flat with a garden in Highgate.

He said, “It was a big job and I made lots of changes to create a new reception room and also built a utility room in the cellar with access to the garden. I did a lot of the work myself and used many of the skills I have learnt along the way. I lived there on my own and then with my wife after I got married, but eventually we decided we were ready to have a change and move a little way out of central London. We started looking in Berkhamsted but we decided to rent somewhere before we committed to

"I WOULD BUY A NEW BUILD AGAIN IF I WAS STARTING OUT, AS IF YOU HAVE NO EXPERIENCE OF DIY, OR, LIKE MOST FIRST TIME BUYERS, ARE ON A LIMITED BUDGET WITH LITTLE EXPERIENCE, IT REMOVES THE STRESS AND WON’T END UP COSTING A FORTUNE" 22

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THE VIEW

buying. It’s such a good idea as you need to know every aspect of the area before you commit and buy, and by renting it gives you the opportunity to really make the right decision." They decided that Berkhamsted was the right location for them and have bought a house which needs a lot of work and renovation. Jonnie is project managing the work and the extension they are building and said, “Eventually it will be amazing but it’s hard work, especially with my toddler son and twins on the way. It will be a beautiful place though and a lovely family home, which is what we want.”

Both Nicki and Jonnie have some excellent advice for first time buyers.

Nicki said, “Make a checklist and follow it. Educate yourself on what is available and do plenty of homework and research before you start. So many people make decisions based on no factual evidence at all. Buying a property is a massive decision, so it’s well worth investing the time to look around different areas and see what you can realistically afford. It is important to work out your finances, and when saving you might have to curtail certain things like holidays and buying a car, or postpone going to festivals. You have to be truthful with yourself and save what you can afford as it will be well worth the sacrifice in the long run.”

Jonnie added, “First time buyers should learn more about the area they are planning to buy in – look at about a fivemile radius of the area and if you can rent like I was doing, which is a slight sacrifice, then it will help to make a much better decision. You might not be able to afford your exact favourite road so you may need to compromise. But do your research and find out which places are best to avoid.

"If you have a family, what is the school run like? Where is the local bus stop and would you feel comfortable walking home?

If you are commuting then what are the transport links like? It is just a question of doing the leg work and visit at all times of the day and night. The quiet road might be like a rat-run first thing in the morning and in the evening! Also look at your savings and see how much cash you really have. When budgeting you need to then take some off for moving expenses, solicitor’s fees and Stamp Duty. Only after you have done all this should you speak to a mortgage adviser. It is better to be honest and up-front than pretend you live like a church mouse and over-commit – just get all your ducks in a row before you start.”

Nicki and Jonnie pack a great deal into life but they both do jobs they love and are truly passionate about everything they take on and the wonderful world of property.

"FIRST TIME BUYERS SHOULD LEARN MORE ABOUT THE AREA THEY ARE PLANNING TO BUY IN, LOOK AT ABOUT A FIVE MILE RADIUS OF THE AREA. YOU MIGHT NOT BE ABLE TO AFFORD YOUR EXACT FAVOURITE ROAD SO YOU MAY NEED TO COMPROMISE" First Time Buyer April/May 2020 23

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LOCATION

FAMILY FRIENDLY LIVING

"Location, location, location" is a mantra used widely by property experts, and any parent will tell you this is even more imperative when deciding where to settle as a family. Crucial factors including education and safety can make or break a purchase, so we are delighted that children’s brand PlayLikeMum has done the leg work for us and rated England’s 25 most populated towns and cities on eight family-friendly factors to reveal the best places to raise a family. Unlike other location league tables, this comprehensive study has taken into account eight variables that were deemed important to parents. These were private childcare monthly cost (according to Numbeo), percentage of "Outstanding" schools (according to gov.uk), recorded crimes per person and median fulltime salary (according to the Office for National Statistics), average house price (according to Zoopla), "Good for Kids" attractions per 100,000 people and child-friendly restaurants per 100,000 people (according to TripAdvisor) and percentage of households with dependent children (according to Nomis). Debbie Clark looks at what’s on offer The top ten towns and cities were found to be…

1. Liverpool 2. Plymouth 3. Newcastle upon Tyne 4. Bournemouth 5. Bolton 6. Birmingham 7. Manchester 8. Sheffield 9. Luton 10. Brighton and Hove The research also broke the findings down by variable to allow families to look more closely at what was particularly important to them.

Best towns and cities for… (as rated on the eight variables) Overall – Liverpool (score: 70.84/100) Schools – Liverpool (22.92% of schools deemed "Outstanding") Cost of childcare – Plymouth (£525 per month) Things to do – Plymouth (approximately 21 kids’ attractions per 100,000 people) Young families – Luton (36.1% of households have

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dependent children here) Eating out – Brighton and Hove (approximately 219 child-friendly restaurants per 100,000 people) Affordable housing – Leicester (£238,553 average house price) Safety – Reading (0.07 crimes per person) Earnings/salary – London (highest median full-time salary of £35,716) Liverpudlian parents will no doubt be delighted to see how highly their city has rated, while those in Plymouth can enjoy taking their children for fun days out with all the money they have saved on childcare! Parents in the capital may not be surprised to learn that while they are the highest earners, they are also paying the most for both childcare and houses; factors which no doubt contributed to their ranking number 25.

The full breakdown of results can be found at playlikemum. com/englands-most-familyfriendly-towns-cities/.

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LOCATION

WHEREVER YOU DECIDE TO SETTLE WITH YOUR FAMILY, THERE ARE PLENTY OF AFFORDABLE HOMES ON OFFER. HERE WE EXPLORE SOME OF THE BEST OFFERINGS IN THE TOP 10 TOWNS AND CITIES FROM £58,000*

LIVERPOOL

Pavilion Point, Aigburth This exclusive development of just 14 two bedroom apartments by Redwing, available through shared ownership, have been built with modern living in mind. Close to the city but in a leafy, suburban setting, they combine the best of both worlds. There are four apartment types available and all are finished to a high specification, from technology to efficiency and security. The apartments boast two generously sized bedrooms, most with an en suite to the master, and also benefit from balconies, allocated car parking and secure bike storage. The development is well connected by both rail and road so it is ideally suited to commuters. pavilionpoint.co.uk 0151 703 3703

PLYMOUTH Lucerne Fields, Ivybridge

*Based on a 40% share of the full market value of £145,000

FROM £199,995

Lucerne Fields is a collection of 2, 3 and 4 bedroom homes on the outskirts of Ivybridge, an area with excellent schools, leisure centres and transport links.

The development is within walking distance of local shops and facilities and just a stone’s throw from the Devon Expressway, giving easy access to Plymouth and Exeter. Residents can enjoy countryside on the doorstep with local parks and beautiful moorland walks that are just a short drive away. barratthomes.co.uk 0330 127 1456

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LOCATION

FROM £194,995

BRIGHTON AND HOVE Chalkers Rise, Peacehaven

Currently available at Chalkers Rise is a collection of one bedroom apartments and three and four bedroom houses. Less than eight miles from Brighton, Peacehaven offers a more affordable alternative for first time buyers, with a traditional town centre and seafront for residents to enjoy.

The development is adjacent to Centenary Park, and the South Downs National Park is just minutes away. Residents at Chalkers Rise benefit from a number of eco-friendly incentives; many properties in the current phase have car charging points and residents have the option to claim a free bus pass for six months and free car club membership for a year. For commuters, Brighton is easily accessible via bus or car. barratthomes.co.uk 0333 355 8498

FROM £55,000*

NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE Rosetta Gardens, Swarland

Three bedroom houses are available for shared ownership at this development from Riverside Home Ownership. The homes benefit from excellent quality finishes with brushed steel oven, hob and cooker hood, well-designed living spaces and floor coverings throughout, all as standard. Rosetta Gardens is surrounded by the magnificent Northumberland countryside and is around a 15-minute drive from Alnwick, home of Harry Potter’s Hogwarts. The homes have easy access to the A1 and lovely North East coast. riversidehomeownership.org.uk 0345 112 8800

CASE STUDY

Rachel, 31, and Thomas Dickson, 33, were desperate to buy their own family home and have finally taken the plunge. After visiting friends in Cheshire, the couple knew it was the perfect place for them to call home.

They initially moved in with their parents to cut costs and enable them to save for a deposit, and were eventually in a position to take advantage of the popular Help to Buy scheme.

The couple found the perfect home for them and their two young children at Barratt Homes’ Imperial Park II development in Northwich.

The development has a range of two, three and four bedroom homes and the couple decided on the three bedroom detached Ennerdale style property featuring a modern open-plan kitchen/ dining room, a separate spacious lounge, two large double bedrooms, a single bedroom and a luxurious family bathroom. They were instantly drawn to the south-facing garden, which will provide the perfect space for their two children to play.

With a young family, the convenience of a new home was particularly appealing. Rachel, an Advertising Sales Manager, said, “With two young children, we wanted to move into a property and not have to do any of the work ourselves and that’s exactly what we got with Barratt Homes!” They are now settled in their new home, which continues to impress. Thomas, a University Sports Lecturer and Community Coach for Bolton Wanders Community Trust, commented, “The boiler switch for the heating, the washing machine, dishwasher and hob switches help us save a huge amount of energy, making the home very efficient!” barratthomes.co.uk

GRAVEN HILL

While the historic market town of Bicester doesn’t appear in the rankings, a tour of family friendly homes would be incomplete without a visit to Graven Hill.

The UK’s largest self-build and custom build community is set to revolutionise the way in which properties are designed and built and is just perfect for families who dream of owning a home that is out of the ordinary.

The impressive development spans 188 hectares of former Ministry of Defence land and, when complete, will house up to 1,900 beautiful and unique homes.

The plots will be surrounded by open, green spaces including woodland, allotments and a network of cycle and footpaths connecting to the town centre and local transport links. Situated halfway between Birmingham and London, with Oxford and Milton Keynes nearby, Bicester is an unbeatable commuter hotspot. The village will also have a primary school and retail space.

Graven Hill’s custom build properties provide buyers with the opportunity to customise the internal layouts and finishes of their home from a menu of options. The result is a flexible, high-quality, movein-ready home, tailored to suit individual needs. These new build homes are available under the Government’s Help to Buy scheme, meaning they’re accessible to first time buyers. gravenhill.co.uk

*Based on a 25% share of the full market value of £220,000

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LOCATION

FROM £206,950

BOLTON

Rivington Grange Located in the vibrant town of Horwich, the scene of major urban regeneration, Rivington Grange is ideal for first time buyers. There are three and four bedroom homes available, with 15 different house types each offering a unique take on the concept of modern living. These high specification homes are perfectly located for commuters, with excellent connections to the M60, M61 and M6.

The development is situated close to the award-winning Middlebrook retail park, which boasts a cinema, food outlets, bars, restaurants, supermarket and a selection of sports facilities, including the Macron Stadium, home of Bolton Wanderers FC. Residents will be perfectly placed to enjoy everything the local area has to offer. jones-homes.co.uk 01204 699 986

FROM 00 £580,0

TICKING ALL THE BOXES

Its "Delivering Extraordinary Homes" motto has driven family owned Martin Grant Homes to gain the reputation for building quality, affordable, highspecification homes.

Its Buckton Fields development in Northampton is just one example, providing a superb opportunity for first time buyers to purchase an affordable three bedroom home. The company provides on-site help and support, and can offer advice about mortgages as well as about the Government-backed Help to Buy scheme. Residents at Buckton Fields can commute to London in just over an hour. Prices start from £284,950 Incentives such as a 5% “gift” deposit are currently on offer at the developer's Kingsfield Court homes in Aylesbury, where two bedroom apartments have just been released for sale. Homes have been designed to suit the lifestyles of busy, tech-savvy, young first time buyers and feature flexible living spaces, integrated appliances and living rooms pre-wired with media plates ready for Sky Q installation. They are also designed to maximise energy efficiency and promote greener living for the eco-conscious. Prices start from £240,950. martingranthomes.co.uk

FROM 00 £127,5

BIRMINGHAM B5 Central

B5 Central is located right in the heart of this rapidly changing city, just a short walk from New Street and The Bullring. There are a limited number of one and two bedroom apartments remaining at Cadbury House, with a low service charge and an impressive 999-year lease. You can also register your interest now for Phase 2 of the development, which will include apartments and houses. B5 Central benefits from commuter links to the A38 and M6, and Birmingham Airport is just 10 minutes by train. barratthomes.co.uk 033 3355 8478

LONDON

One West Point, Acton One West Point is a due for completion in 2021 and will house 578 one, two and three bedroom apartments over four buildings. This unique development offers top of the range amenities including a 24-hour concierge, on-site valet parking, a fully equipped gym, a yoga, meditation and holistic suite, a private screening room, creche, doggy daycare centre and roof garden. Physical and mental wellbeing are at the heart of this development and multi-functional spaces have been designed to host fitness classes and community clubs. Environmental wellbeing has been a big consideration too, with a fresh flower service, optimal lighting and green plants in common areas. Residents are also encouraged to play their part in community gardening and innovative initiatives include a vertical running track in the stairwell which records the floors climbed by residents and offers incentives for those who climb the most. onewestpoint.london 020 3907 8801

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LOCATION

CASE STUDY

The average age of a first time buyer in the UK is now over 30 so Yasmine Majeed, who works in Brighton, defied the odds when she purchased a three bedroom house at just 21. Yasmine was living with her parents just a few minutes away from the Barratt Homes’ Chalkers Rise development in Peacehaven, East Sussex, and had been saving for six months as she wanted to move out. She had initially assumed she would need to rent but decided to investigate the possibility of homeownership.

Yasmine said, “I was amazed to find out that I could actually buy my own home using Help to Buy, and decided that this was the route I wanted to go down.”

Yasmine visited the local development and, having seen the show home, made the bold decision to buy off-plan. “Buying off-plan was a bit scary as I hadn’t actually seen my house, but it’s given me more time to save for things like furniture and council tax so I don’t have to stress when I do get the keys.” She has now moved in and is delighted to have made the move. Yasmine added, “I really like the size of my house, as it’s spacious but not too big for me to live in – it will be ideal for me to have family and friends over, and I’m really proud that I’ve been able to buy my own house.” She continued, “Help to Buy is a brilliant way for young people like me to get on to the property ladder, and it was such an easy buying process – I would definitely recommend the scheme.” barratthomes.co.uk

LUTON Lu2on

FROM £220,000

Located on the site of the former Vauxhall Motors factory, in the heart of the town’s regeneration zone, this Strawberry Star Homes development will provide over 785 suites and one and two bedroom apartments. The specifications include video entry phone system, floor-to-ceiling windows, thermostatically controlled central heating via flat-panelled radiators, soundproofed triple glazing throughout and mechanical air ventilation system to name a few. The development also includes gardens, a gym, boutique shops, restaurants and bars and has excellent transport links for commuters. lu2on.com 020 7781 8899

MANCHESTER

FROM £60,200*

Reynolds Place, Walkden Reynolds Place features a modern collection of two and three bedroom homes and is located just a short walk from Walkden town centre. These new homes through shared ownership boast modern gloss fitted kitchens and allocated parking. They benefit from excellent transport links, good schools and great shopping facilities with Ellesmere shopping centre just under a mile away.

Reynolds Place is also local to a number of spacious parks including Blackleach Country Park and Parr Fold Park. plumlife.co.uk/development/reynolds-place 0161 447 50507 *Based on a 35% share of the full market value of £172,000

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LOCATION

HOTspot Southall

5 REASONS WE LOVE…SOUTHALL

1 The rich and diverse culture 2 The incredible food 3 The Grand Union Canal 4 Its uniqueness 5 Familiar locations from the film Bend it like Beckham

Tucked away in a corner of Ealing, this unique community is bursting with culture and about to be discovered by a new generation of homeowners looking for something a little out of the ordinary UNDER THE SPOTLIGHT

OUT AND ABOUT

Southall Pond

Southall is a lively and diverse community in west London, affectionately known as Little India due to its strong Indian and Pakistani roots. It is separated from Hayes to the west by the Grand Union Canal, and from Hanwell to the east by the River Brent and has a total population of around 70,000.

First mentioned in 1198, the early hamlet of Southall grew slowly around Southall Green.

However, it was not until the arrival of trams in the early 20th century that the area became more popular. The arrival of Asian immigrants from the late 1950s onwards has really shaped the area as we know it today.

The area was initially popular with immigrants due to the proximity to Heathrow and the availability of work. The general manager of a nearby factory in Hayes had served with many Sikh soldiers in the second world war and was keen to employ them. The population grew with expanding employment opportunities locally and this immigrant population came to love their new home in Ealing. Punjabis are the main ethnic sub-group in Southall and the principle religion is Sikhism, but there are also many Hindus and Muslims living in the area.

In more recent years, the demographic of the area has evolved further, but there remains a strong Asian feel to the area. Southall has undergone cosmetic changes too. The

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Southall Big Plan was a five-year programme of improvements completed in 2018. It included upgrading community facilities and a strong focus on improving the area’s streets, most notably through the impressive £6m transformation of Southall Broadway.

Southall is well connected by rail, with the Great Western Main Line providing links to London Paddington, Oxford, Reading and Heathrow Airport. While it is not currently on the underground, it will shortly be served by the new Elizabeth Line (Zone 4). This will offer residents even better access to the city; Bond Street will be just 17 minutes away. There is also an excellent bus service connecting the area to all local suburbs and an express coach service between Southall, Leicester and Birmingham.

Southall is generally split into three parts; Dormers Wells around Lady Margaret Road, Southall Broadway, and Old Southall/Southall Green, roughly south of the railway. All these areas offer easy access to the station and a wide range of homes are available on the open market. The area is, however, still evolving and Berkeley Homes believes that canalside living is the future of Southall. The developer's impressive 3,750-home estate featuring one, two and three bedroom apartments overlooking 90 acres of country park will certainly appeal to many hoping to take advantage of the improved accessibility of the area.

A walk through Southall Broadway is a feast for the senses. The main shopping area on Uxbridge Road is always buzzing with life and laughter and adorned with colourful saris, gold jewellery and bright fabrics. The smell of Indian sweets and treats and the sound of bhangra music fill the air. Around Diwali is an especially good time to visit, with great discounts on silk and jewellery.

What Southall doesn’t have is the chains that we have come to expect from a UK high street, but the contrast of mostly independent businesses is thoroughly refreshing. Southall Market is also open four days a week, with Saturday the busiest day. There is a huge variety of offerings from food to clothes and electronics.

Food lovers are spoilt for choice in Southall, with a huge range of places to eat.

The offerings are dominated by Punjabi, Sri Lankan, Pakistani and South Indian cuisines, and they are some of the best you will find in London. All budgets are catered for, with street food, fine dining and everything in between.

The area’s cultural diversity is reflected in the local amenities. The Himalaya Palace Cinema, built in 1929 in the style of a Chinese Temple, is a much-loved local landmark and shows Bollywood blockbusters and other films. There is also a programme of regular arts activities for all ages at the Dominion Arts Education Centre. The excellent Southall Library boasts an extensive selection of books in Gujarati, Hindi, Punjabi and Urdu along

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LOCATION

FA C T F I L E

Average property price in Ealing (Dec 2019) – £472,015 Property breakdown* Detached – £1,086,346 Semi-detached – £659,991 Terraced – £537,816 Flat – £377,039 *According to the Land Registry House Price Index

HOMES ON THE MARKET...

SOUTHALL Aspire

FROM £78,750* (SHARED OWNERSH

FROM £347,500**

IP) Aspire at St Bernard’s Gate is located on historic grounds housing the Grade II Listed North House, St Bernard’s Chapel, and gatehouse arch, Aspire consists of one and two bedroom apartments, available through shared ownership as well as Help to Buy. Spacious and bright, the contemporary open-plan homes are built to a high specification. Nearby Boston Manor underground station is served by the Piccadilly Line, while residents have access to both the Central Line and District Line from Ealing Broadway.

Aspire is also a 10-minute walk from Hanwell railway station, with journey times to Paddington taking just 14 minutes – while the future Crossrail route will connect Hanwell with Stratford in less than half an hour.

stbernardsgate.co.uk

*Based on a 25% share with a full market value of £315,000 **A selection of one and two bedroom apartments are available through Help to Buy

FROM £547,000*

SOUTHALL

Southall Village FA M O U S R E S I D E N T S • The “godfather of bhangra” Channi Singh OBE • Author Tim Lott • Politician Sir Lesley Murphy • Television presenter Nick Knowles • Rapper/MC Ms Scandalous

with a wide selection of dual language books for children.

Fitness fans are also well catered for, with Southall Sports Centre, home of London Progress Table Tennis Club, and Dormers Wells Leisure Centre offering residents a range of high-quality facilities.

Southall has places of worship for all faiths. Sri Guru Singh Sabha Gurdwara, one of 10 Gurdwaras in Southall, opened in 2003, and is the largest Sikh temple outside of India and welcomes visitors. There are also two large Hindu Mandir temples, 10 Christian churches and six mosques.

Catalyst’s award-winning regeneration scheme, Southall Village, is adjacent to the Grand Union Canal. The new neighbourhood, which is being built across four phases, features landscaped green spaces and will have 1,200 new, well-designed contemporary homes once complete.

The development features the only new build houses in the area, and the last remaining three bedroom houses are available with Help to Buy. Spread over three floors, homes provide the space needed for modern family living – with a spacious first floor living room in addition to a dedicated kitchen and dining space on the ground floor. Southall’s popularity is set to increase with the introduction of Crossrail – commuters will be able to reach Liverpool Street in 24 minutes. southallvillage.co.uk

*Available with Help to Buy

FROM £389,000

SOUTHALL

Greenview Court

Greenview Court will be ready for the first occupants in the autumn of 2020, and offers 111 apartments with a choice of studio, one, two and three bedrooms. The majority of the high-specification apartments benefit from a private balcony, terrace or winter garden, and there are three landscaped rooftop gardens, a private podium level courtyard and communal space, plus undercroft parking and a daytime concierge service. It is a seven-minute walk from Southall railway station and the Crossrail interchange which, when up and running, will only take 13 minutes to London Paddington and 24 minutes to Liverpool Street. strawberrystar.com/projects/greenview-court-west-london-southall

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SAVINGS

SEVEN BIG WAYS TO SAVE Our spend-savvy tips could save you thousands of pounds over the course of a year – and help you build the deposit for your first home

THE 1DITCH SUBSCRIPTION LIFESTYLE As a country, we spend more than £2bn on subscription services every year. You can now get almost anything on subscription: from the more common streaming services to craft beer, house plants, toilet roll, nappies and even socks delivered to your door on a monthly basis.

Take a long, hard look at what you’re signed up to – is it really necessary? And more importantly, how much is it costing you? You could save around £240 in a year just by cancelling your Amazon Prime and Netflix accounts. You might think you can’t live without your paid-for on-demand movies and box set marathons, but with free services such as Channel 4’s 4OD (which has thousands of films, box sets and documentaries), it’s easier than you might think.

Of course, you can also take advantage of the many free trials out there: Amazon Prime, Kindle and HBO are among the many services that offer their services for no cost for 30 days.

YOUR CHANGE 2 AUTO-SAVE Almost four million people in the UK manage their monthly spending with a Monzo account. This popular bank account lets you sort your money and set a budget for the month, while the linked app updates as you spend and shows you your remaining spend.

As well as being a handy tool for staying on financial track, it also helps you put savings aside. Choose to have your purchases rounded-up to the nearest pound, and the change on every purchase will be saved into a different account, where you can let it build. Other banks, such as Revolut and Starling Bank, also offer this option, while Tandem will actually put your stored-up change into a separate savings account where it can gain interest without you having to do a thing.

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SAVINGS YOUR ENERGY WORK FOR YOU 4 MAKE

3GO OFF-BRAND You can make big savings every week by simply choosing supermarket own brands over bigger names and premium products. And it doesn’t mean compromising on quality: last year, the Good Housekeeping Institute found that many own-brand products performed better on taste and performance – as well as creating big savings.

For example, in testing, consumers preferred the taste of Lidl’s chocolate nut spread over Nutella – and the difference in price is a huge £1.81 per pot. Swap a 24-pack of Weetabix at £2.80, for the Asda equivalent at 74p, and you’ll save £2.06 on just one product swap alone. Apply the same principle throughout your trolley and the impact of the brand changes soon add up to hundreds… and sometimes the only difference is the no-frills packaging.

THE CAR 6 RECONSIDER Having a car is a must for some, but if you’re living in a city with good transport links and only using it for shopping and occasional trips, getting rid of your vehicle is an automatic cash booster. You’ll instantly save on tax, insurance, MOT and upkeep, while also making a sum from the sale of the car itself. This could add up to hundreds, if not thousands, to add to your deposit savings stash.

If getting rid is just not an option, download the app from petrolprices.com, which will find you the cheapest petrol and diesel prices available wherever you are. By finding the best price each time, the website estimates you could save almost £500 a year.

Be savvy with insurance, too; don’t just let it renew, as your once-great deal from last year could rise dramatically.

Take the time to compare insurance online – a few hours out of your day could save you a considerable sum. And when it comes to the yearly MOT, keep an eye out for deals – service centres often run half-price offers, cutting the yearly check costing more than £50 in half.

Changing your energy providers could save the average household around £300 per year – and it’s so easy to do. Join moneysavingexpert. com’s Cheap Energy Club, which will help you find the most cost-effective energy deal, or visit uswitch.com to find instant comparables. Or remove any effort at all, by registering with an auto-switch service, such as Look After My Bills, which will find the best energy deals and sign you up with zero hassle.

And the best bit? You can make money from switching! Several suppliers, such as Bulb, run referral schemes, whereby if your friend or family member signs up with your code, you’ll both get a credit on your account. Take it from us, it works – by referring friends, family and neighbours we amassed around £500 credit on our energy bill and put the savings straight into our savings account.

5 GO SIM-ONLY Changing to a sim-only phone contract is a fast and easy way to make noticeable savings. Thanks to new regulations, swapping mobile phone networks has become easier than ever. So, if your contract is coming to an end, it’s time to shop around.

Moneysavingsexpert.com keeps a regularly updated list of the best deals available, and there are some great offers to be had. You can pay as little as £5 a month for 1GB data, 1,000 minutes and unlimited texts. So, if you’re changing from a £50 per month contract, the savings speak for themselves.

A 7 BECRAFTY COMMUTER News of the annual rail fare increase is something most commuters pay close attention to, and it’s a yearly hike that hits bank accounts hard. This January, rail ticket costs increased by 2.8% – after a rise of 3.2% the previous year – making already expensive season tickets toe-curlingly so. But there are ways to save.

In many instances, buying an annual season ticket is cheaper than a monthly in the long run. Annual savings on the Colchester to Liverpool Street commute, for example, are more than £800. If you don’t have the cash to do this (on this route the yearly fee is £5,264), first check if your employer offers an interest-free loan. If not, consider a 0% credit card to do the job. If the 0% lasts, say, six months, keep the date the deal will end on your calendar and switch cards when the offer runs out.

There’s also good news for part-time workers or those with less regular hours. This January, a flexible season ticket trial was launched, aimed at the many travellers who work remotely, in different locations or with varying hours. The pre-paid Carnet ticket books are being trialled for single journeys on the Thameslink network, and offer savings of 10% off the standard fare. If you’re not already working from home a few days a week, it might be worth checking with your employer – there are savings to be made, after all.

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HELP TO BUY

INLAND HOMES – THE DEVELOPER FOR FIRST TIME BUYERS

It’s no surprise that new build developer Inland Homes has featured across multiple categories in the 2020 First Time Buyer Readers’ Awards. Offering a variety of apartments and houses across the South East, Inland Homes delivers high-specification homes in sought-after locations, perfect for those looking to make their first move on to the property ladder. Plus, with Help to Buy available at all its developments, prospective buyers can secure one of these brand new homes with a deposit as low as 5%, making an Inland home more affordable than you may think Vicki Noon, Sales and Marketing Director at Inland Homes comments, “A large proportion of our properties are sold to first time buyers, so to be recognised by the First Time Buyer Readers’ Awards is a real achievement. Inland Homes provides modern, sustainable homes that are set within a vibrant community, so ideal for the first time buyer market.”

Area regeneration plays a major role in the multi-awardwinning developer’s portfolio, with the Chapel Riverside and Meridian Waterside developments in Southampton at the forefront of this vision.

Both developments are set to transform the riverside landscape on the banks of the River Itchen, offering to first time buyers luxurious one and two bedroom apartments with waterfront views, contemporary style and unmissable features.

Recognising environment and local amenities as important elements for a first

Chapel Riverside

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time buyer, both developments combine the best in waterside and city living, with attractive on-site landscaped spaces, wide boulevards, parkland and riverside walkways, as well as commercial space.

What’s more, residents at Meridian Waterside are within walking distance to Southampton City Centre and West Quay shopping centre for an abundance of amenities, while Chapel Riverside residents can walk to Ocean Village for waterside dining and socialising.

Both developments are well connected by road, rail, sea and air – not that you’d need to go far with nightlife, restaurants, shopping, water sports and leisure on your doorstep.

Another key regeneration project with excellent commuter links, but for those looking further inland, Centre Square in High Wycombe is the perfect first time buyer choice.

Centre Square comprises a dynamic collection of one and

Meridian Waterside

two bedroom apartments in the heart of the town centre.

Residents can reach London Marylebone in as little as 26 minutes from High Wycombe station, which is just a short walk away. The Eden Centre is on the doorstep with a variety of high street shops, restaurants and cafes, plus a theatre, bowling, library and cinema are all just a few metres from the development. Road connections include the M40 less than two miles away and plenty of parkland is close by if residents want a tranquil day.

Chapel Riverside, Meridian Waterside and Centre Square all include allocated parking, with undercroft and securely gated parking available to some homes for ideal convenience.

Most apartments boast a private balcony or terrace, offering water and garden views on the south coast or courtyard views at Centre Square.

Every apartment is finished

with a designer kitchen with integrated appliances, Porcelanosa tiled bathrooms, and flooring throughout, exuding style for the modern young buyer. Two bedroom apartments boast an en suite to the master bedroom, a 10-year LABC warranty is included for complete peace of mind and cycle storage is provided, meaning nothing has been missed out from a first time buyer tick list.

Prices on the south coast start from £180,000 and prices at Centre Square start from £240,000. For full details on all Inland Homes developments visit inlandhomes.co.uk Chapel Riverside: 02380 333 138 chapelriverside@inlandplc.com Meridian Waterside: 02380 334 258 meridianwaterside@inlandplc.com Centre Square: 01494 211 049 centresquare@inlandplc.com

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AFFORDABLE HOMES

LONDON HOMEBUYERS ARE GETTING FIRED UP OVER THE KILN WORKS, E1

Occupying a prime position within one of east London’s budding residential quarters, Notting Hill Genesis is soon to launch an exciting new collection of apartments available to buy with shared ownership and for private sale at The Kiln Works in Limehouse, E1.

Set among a fusion of historical dockland influences and shiny upscale modern towers positioned within nearby Canary Wharf, this stylish selection of homes is perfectly placed within one of the capital’s most dynamic and up-and-coming Zone 2 areas, where buyers can enjoy views across the River Thames, alongside hassle-free commutes across the rest of the capital Emerging as one of the capital’s affordable alternatives to the neighbouring hipster hangouts of Shoreditch and Hoxton, the vibrant and welcoming riverside neighbourhood of Limehouse offers an abundance of local amenities to enjoy. Located just a fiveminute walk from Limehouse DLR station, buyers can head out in any direction from The Kiln Works and enjoy a selection of refined cocktail bars and trendy restaurants, or visit some of the many independent shops and boutiques that line nearby Commercial Road.

Less than a 10-minute walk away from the development is Limehouse Basin Marina, host to some of the area’s best local hotspots, including Gordon Ramsay’s The Narrow. Further along, buyers can take a stroll along Narrow Street and enjoy one of the many old English pubs, including The Grapes, or try one of the latest flavours at the Craft Beer Co. For entertainment, the historical award-winning venue Troxy presents a packed events programme including film screenings, live music and shows. Whatever the choice, this unique East End quarter has much to offer on the doorstep.

All of the homes at The Kiln Works have been carefully created to offer flexible and open-plan layouts, coupled with a high-quality and stylish internal specification. Floor-to-ceiling windows deliver an impressive sense of light and space, fully fitted kitchens come complete with a range of integrated appliances, and some apartments also enjoy access to their own outdoor terrace or balcony with views overlooking London’s city skyline, offering the perfect space to unwind as the warmer summer months approach.

For somewhere that offers a respite from the urban humdrum, buyers can pay a visit

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to Mile End Park. Less than a mile away from the development, the 32-hectare green open space follows the Regents Canal from Victoria Park to Limehouse, and is home to Mile End Leisure Centre and Stadium.

Stepney City Farm offers a three-acre rural oasis in the heart of London, with a weekly farmers’ market every Saturday providing a variety of fresh, local organic produce.

Commuting links from The Kiln Works couldn’t be easier. Limehouse DLR station connects residents to Canary Wharf in less than five minutes. Stepney Green is the nearest tube station, served by the District Line and the Hammersmith and City Line,

from where purchasers can reach Liverpool Street in under 10 minutes and Oxford Street in 20 minutes. For those who want to take more of an active commute, Canary Wharf is a 25-minute walk away or just 10 minutes by bike. There are also plenty of local bus routes and major road links that pass through Limehouse, and London City Airport can be reached in 20 minutes via the DLR. For more information about The Kiln Works visit nhgsales.com/sales-developments/the-kiln-works and register your details now for advance updates ahead of the spring launch

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AFFORDABLE HOMES

HELP FOR FIRST TIME BUYERS IN SOUGHT-AFTER VILLAGE OF COPTHORNE

Following the popularity of the first phase of The Hawthorns, Orbit’s beautifully landscaped development in the highly sought-after village of Copthorne, West Sussex, the affordable homes expert has now launched three bedroom detached homes with large gardens from just £442,500. True to form, Orbit has carefully considered the needs of first time buyers, with a range of cost-saving initiatives, despite The Hawthorns being in one of the UK’s most desirable and exclusive commuter locations The traditionally styled, highspecification homes are eligible to purchase using a Help to Buy: Equity Loan, whereby the Government lends up to 20% of the cost of purchasing a newly built home (interest-free for the first five years), so only a 5% cash deposit is required, with a 75% mortgage to make up the rest. This means that purchasing a beautiful, three bedroom detached property in a highly sought-after historic village is now within the reach of many first time buyers.

To make living in the prestigious location of Copthorne even more achievable, the first three of the spacious, detached properties to be offered for outright sale at The Hawthorns qualify for Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) incentives, which mean that Orbit will help to relieve this frequently prohibitive fee.

As well as being highly efficient to run and maintain, with high-quality finishes and fixtures included in the price, the architectural aesthetic of homes at The Hawthorns echoes the West Sussex vernacular style, featuring traditional brick construction with tilehung or weatherboard elevations. There are 13 different house types within the development, including two, three, four and five bedroom options, which create variation and enhance the traditional feel of the new community.

As well as offering all the trappings of traditional village life, in a well-established and welcoming community, Copthorne is a great location for people who work in London, Brighton, Croydon or Crawley. Fast, direct trains run frequently from Three Bridges Station, just 2.3 miles away, with peak time trains reaching London Victoria in around 40 minutes. The address is also perfect for those who work at Gatwick, or are frequent international business travellers, as it is just a four-minute train journey to the airport, with services every few minutes, and there is

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a direct bus route a couple of minutes’ walk from the development.

Copthorne is a sociable village, with several friendly pubs and popular restaurants. It boasts excellent schools and plenty of social groups and sports teams, including art classes, a toddler group, and league clubs for the traditional Sussex game known as “Stool Ball”. The village is also renowned for its annual carnival, which has been run each summer for over half a century, and involves Copthorne residents in colourful costumes, with floats, games and sideshows, all raising funds for local good causes.

Copthorne offers all the essentials for everyday life, including a GP surgery, vet’s

practice, hair salons, pizza takeaways, taxi services, and a convenience store with an ATM and a post office. Copthorne is within easy reach of the major retail centres of Horley and Crawley, with their wide choice of high street brands, independent stores and major supermarkets.

All property sales at The Hawthorns are being handled by estate agent Connells, and enquiries should be directed to the Copthorne Branch on 01342 717 727 or by visiting thehawthornscopthorne.co.uk Information on all Orbit’s current developments throughout the UK is available at orbithomes.org.uk

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AFFORDABLE HOMES

HALE WORKS: MODERN LIVING IN LONDON’S NEWEST TOWN CENTRE

Newlon Living has partnered with Anthology to offer 44 modern, high-specification shared ownership homes in a brand new development – Hale Works With a selection of one and two bedroom apartments available, you can take advantage of purchasing an affordable home in an area which is undergoing significant, large-scale regeneration, transforming it into one of the most soughtafter locations in north east London.

Through the charcoal steel entrance, you will be welcomed by a 24-hour concierge in a spacious and stylish lobby. From here you can access all floors including the breathtaking sky garden with great views across one of the capital’s largest urban nature reserve, Walthamstow Wetlands.

Step inside your new home and you’ll find a light and airy open-plan living area that mixes 21st century style with the best home comforts. With composite stone worktops and high-spec appliances, the kitchens maintain the focus on contemporary living. In the bathrooms, large porcelain tiles and chrome fittings offset the elegant white steel baths.

Hale Works sits within the architecturally unique and thriving Hale Village, the design of which was inspired by the world acclaimed regeneration of Hammarby, a waterside district in Stockholm, Sweden.

Within Hale village you will find a range of useful facilities including a supermarket, gym, café and green space.

Around Hale Village are a host of outlets to make the most of – from coffee shops to craft ale bars, cafes and restaurants, as well as a major retail park. You will have

everything you might possibly need within walking distance.

When it comes to relaxing, the nearby Walthamstow Wetlands offers everything from fishing to bird watching, with a wellestablished cafe in a 19th century listed building in easy walking distance. For a more adventurous way to unwind, drop in to the local climbing centre to begin that hobby you never knew you were missing!

Hale Works is also blessed with excellent transport links. You are only a couple of minutes from the transport hub at Tottenham Hale, from where you can get a train into Liverpool Street in just 15 minutes, or connect with the express train to Stansted Airport.

Alternatively, you can get on the Victoria Line underground, running 24-hours at weekends, which will get you to King’s Cross in 10 minutes or Oxford Street in just 15. There is also a major bus station just moments away, with a variety of routes to surrounding areas.

For more information about Hale Works, to register your interest and to find out about other properties Newlon has available then visit the Newlon Living website at newlonliving.org.uk

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AFFORDABLE HOMES

LIVING THE LIFE!

The idea of living near beautiful countryside but still within a 45-minute commute from London certainly ticks a lot of boxes when looking for your first home. Then look no further than this stylish development of one, two and three bedroom SO Resi apartments, ideally positioned between Ware’s historic town centre and its stunning waterways at the head of the lovely Lea Valley H O T S P O T WA R E

These contemporary apartments are an ideal place to enjoy life to the full.

Set alongside waterside walks and with a relaxed open-air courtyard, these light and airy homes with private balconies are specially designed for easy-going modern living. The lovely town of Ware offers everything you could ever need right on the doorstep, including a choice of supermarkets, independent shops, GPs, great schools and colleges and a superb selection of bars, cafes and restaurants.

If you want to unwind after a long week, then enjoy the gorgeous landscape of the world-famous Lea Valley. You could explore the Meads, a quiet haven of unspoiled countryside, take a boat trip to Hertford along the River Lea, or simply wander along the riverside for a picnic at one of the many 18th century gazebos on the banks, which are an historic feature unique to Ware.

Built around landscaped grounds and a shared space lined with shops and cafes, SO Resi Ware has been created for peaceful modern living. Every detail of these

contemporary homes has been designed with extra care, with ample storage, ecofriendly adjustable lighting and a shared cycle store. The open-plan living spaces are spacious, the fully fitted kitchens have integrated appliances and there’s woodeffect flooring and double-glazed windows throughout. Most of the two bedroom apartments also come with an en suite.

Ware’s mainline station is just six minutes’ walk away and trains to London Liverpool Street take around 45 minutes.

Ware is also well positioned for the road network, with fast connections to the M25 and into London.

So, if you hanker after the best of both worlds, and want a more peaceful way of life while still being able to commute to London, then SO Resi Ware provides all that and a great deal more!

Prices at SO Resi Ware start from £53,125 for a 25% share with a full market value of £212,500.

Having lived in the shadow of Hertford, its nearest neighbour, Ware has now established itself as a desirable location in its own right.

It is increasingly popular with people looking to move out of London who are looking for a positive change in lifestyle. With a plethora of shops, restaurants and cafes, there are plenty of leisure pursuits to be had as well. Wodson Park is a leisure complex which includes an athletic track, sports halls and courts, plus a fitness suite. The positioning of the River Lea allows for picturesque walks along the waterside with friends and family.

For more information go to soresi.co.uk

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AFFORDABLE HOMES

SHARED OWNERSHIP HOMES IN WEST THAMESMEAD FOR A PROUD COMMUNITY F I N A N C I A L S AT A G L A N C E . . .

1 bedroom apartment starting from: £68,750 (25% share of £275,000) Minimum deposit: £8,250 Guidance income: £35,795 - £90,000 Monthly outgoings (approx): £993

To find a home that is genuinely affordable in London can be a challenge, and The Reach is proud to offer locals and those who work nearby the opportunity to join the property ladder for a starting price of just £68,750* As part of Peabody’s commitment to create proud and thriving communities, the organisation aims to deliver an ambitious regeneration project like no other.

In the heart of West Thamesmead, The Reach offers a stunning collection of one, two and three bedroom apartments set around a beautifully landscaped communal garden; an ideal place for residents and families to relax, socialise and unwind.

The Reach has been attracting buyers with its appealing price points, future transport connectivity and quality of design, as well as its generously sized living spaces and spacious balconies that look over the courtyard.

Aspiring artist Anna was attracted to what The Reach had to offer. After having previously lived in house shares, Anna was ready to find a home where she could put

her love of arts and nature into practice, and truly make a living space her own.

She commented, “After renting for over 13 years, I wanted somewhere to put down my roots. It’s always been important for me to have my own place after living with other people for years. I wanted that security and stability that buying my own place would bring – but it wasn’t easy, especially looking for a home in London on a low budget. After signing up to a few websites I came across The Reach and was taken aback by the low prices of the apartments, the fact that they all came with balconies, and that there was a private communal garden too, which was really appealing to me. That’s why I was so excited to view the one bedroom apartment.

I put a reservation down there and then as soon as I saw the show home!”

Anna was drawn into the distinctive history of Thamesmead as well as the location being a staple in art culture. Anna elaborated on this, revealing, “As an artist, I was intrigued by the artistic and creative side that the area and development had to offer – like those balconies and curved frontage! I loved the history and brutalist architecture that Thamesmead is known for, and is woven into elements at The Reach. It’s inspiring to be living in an area undergoing so much change!”

There are currently 13 one bedroom apartments available, with prices starting at £68,750 for a 25% share of £275,000 (full market value), and incentives available.

For further information on The Reach, please visit TheReachSE28.co.uk *Based on purchasing a 25% share of the property. Prices correct at time of going to print, March 2020. Photography of The Reach was taken in the show apartment

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AFFORDABLE HOMES

THE WOW FACTOR!

Vibrant, eclectic and buzzing, Peckham offers all of this and more, and is the perfect place to buy your first home. Lynda Clark visits Peckham Place from Notting Hill Genesis to find out what makes it so special Visiting Peckham on a lovely sunny day was a trip down memory lane. As a child, my grandmother and I would take a bus to visit the large and rather prestigious department store, Jones & Higgins, on the corner of Rye Lane and Peckham High Street, which went on to become one of south London’s best-known department stores until its closure in the 80s. I have been back since, but not for a while, and so I was quite amazed at how the area has been gentrified and given the most sensational facelift. It now has such a fantastic vibe and it’s absolutely at the top of its game.

Peckham Place offers a range of one, two and three bedroom apartments and maisonettes through shared ownership and private sale, with Help to Buy available. It is, without doubt, stunning! These are homes that have been designed to suit a modern lifestyle, with large windows to let in masses of natural light, balconies or a terrace, an abundance of storage space, beautiful fully fitted kitchens with integrated appliances, and sumptuous bathrooms.

Outside, there are lovely landscaped gardens, private courtyards and playgrounds, plus underground parking and secure cycle storage. What makes Peckham Place even more special is that the entire development uses sustainable energy and will require minimal energy to heat, cook and light which is great for both the environment and running costs.

Peckham is the perfect destination for cool hipsters, but equally it’s the ideal location for families too. There are plenty of leisure activities on the doorstep including Peckham Pulse for the fitness-minded, Peckhamplex cinema, Rye Lane Market and Peckham Rye Park and Commons which offer beautiful green spaces with a Japanese garden, wooded areas, playgrounds and Peckham CC, which has one of the best kits in cycling! (Take a look at peckham.cc.)

There are some great places to eat and drink as well, with two of the most iconic rooftop venues in London, including Frank’s on the top floor of a multi-storey car park! Or enjoy summer screenings at the Bussey Building’s rooftop cinema while in the basement, Rye Wax doubles as a bar, Vietnamese street food cafe and a venue with regular live music.

The location is perfect to travel around London and beyond. Peckham Place is moments from both Queen’s Road Peckham

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TOP CH R ’ S O ★ ★ ★ ICE O

PRICES AT PECKHAM PLACE

Private sale (Help to Buy is available)  One bedroom apartments start from £440,000  Two bedroom apartments start from £585,000  Three bedroom apartments start from £665,000 and Peckham Rye stations, plus there are numerous bus routes and cycle paths.

Trains take eight minutes to London Bridge, 15 minutes to Blackfriars and 20 minutes to Shoreditch High Street, which makes for a quick and easy commute.

I really enjoyed my visit to this exciting community and the homes at Peckham Place are unique and stood out from the crowd – if only I was a first time buyer!!!

Shared ownership  One bedroom apartments start from £107,500 for a 25% share with a full market value of £430,000  Two bedroom apartments start from £162,500 for a 25% share with a full market value of £650,000  Three bedroom apartments start from £187,500 for a 25% share with a full market value of £750,000

peckhamplace.com 020 7635 0703

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OPEN MARKET

CREATE THE PERFECT LIFESTYLE

Make yourself at home in this leafy new west London locale that has city life and laid-back spaces right on the doorstep

When it comes to London living, it’s all about finding the right balance – good transport links, convenient shopping and leisure facilities, as well as green spaces where you can kick back and relax, all form part of the magic formula. And with all that and more, Acton Gardens really is an ideal place to call home in the city.

NO PLACE LIKE HOME With beautifully designed properties, landscaped gardens and on-site facilities, leafy Acton Gardens – which has been designed with community at its heart – will seem like home in no time.

The new one, two and three bedroom apartments form part of a major regeneration scheme that’s revitalising a sprawling 52-acre site in Acton, west London. Almost 3,000 new properties here sit within grounds that include communal gardens and green spaces for residents to enjoy and come together. There are also play areas, an outdoor gym, on-site shops, dentist and a brand new community centre.

The homes, which are arranged over several buildings, are bright and spacious with plenty of natural light, and contemporary kitchen/dining areas that open to a private balcony or terrace. There’s also plenty of space for modern living – whether you have a growing family, or are simply in need of more room, the living areas and bedrooms are generously sized.

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In the larger homes the master bedrooms feature en suite bathrooms.

PRIME LOCATION Acton Gardens is ideally positioned for enjoying the very best that west London has to offer, with its beautiful parks, historic sites, and plenty of places to shop or stop and relax.

Choose from nearby Acton, Chiswick or Ealing for bustling high streets, cafes and shopping. Acton high street is just a few minutes from the development and offers plenty of amenities, from gyms and supermarkets to eateries, pubs and GP surgeries, as well as a popular food market.

For world-class shopping on a big scale, Westfield shopping mall is a short drive or bus ride away in Shepherd’s Bush.

In nearby Chiswick, wander along the well-heeled high street and take your pick from the many boutiques, bars and restaurants. The wide pavements are perfect for al fresco dining and watching the world go by.

Venture a little further on foot, bike or bus and you’ll reach a beautifully wild stretch of the River Thames. Cross Kew Bridge to famous Kew Gardens, or simply take in the lovely views on a riverside walk. Head west to historic Syon Park or east towards Hammersmith. There are lots of pubs and places to stop and enjoy the scenery, which is decidedly

lush and countryside-like all year round.

Gunnersbury Park – home to sports facilities, museum and a Grade II-listed estate – is around a 10-minute walk, and with 186 acres of green space, it’s an ideal place to visit throughout the seasons. The park and museum also host several events, including the Lovebox festival, concerts and talks throughout the year.

WELL CONNECTED Transport links couldn’t get much better.

Piccadilly Line and District Line services run directly to central and east London from Acton Town station, which is a stone’s throw from the front door. Journeys into central London take around 20 minutes.

Alternatively, there are Overground, Central Line and mainline stations all within a short walk or bus journey.

Acton Main Line station will soon benefit from the opening of Crossrail, which will provide even speedier commuter links across London. When the new rail line arrives, journey times from Acton to Liverpool Street will be as little as 16 minutes, while travelling to Buckinghamshire and Berkshire will take no time at all.

Prices at Acton Gardens start from £420,000, with Help to Buy available. Call Countryside on 020 3918 7659 or visit actongardens.com for more information.

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AFFORDABLE HOMES

HOME SWEET HOME

Jordan and Amber Tyler were living in military quarters in Abingdon, Oxfordshire, but were looking for a home of their own. With just Jordan’s wage coming in and Amber being a full-time mum to their two-year-old son Caden, the couple were priced out of the normal housing market so were looking at shared ownership as an option Amber, 27, said, “We’d been ringing round developments where we’d seen houses for sale but that weren’t yet advertised and calling housing associations that offered shared ownership in the Daventry area. My family are from Daventry so we knew the area and liked it.

“We called Grand Union and spoke to one of the new home officers who told us that there were only six homes available on the Badby Road, Daventry site but that with Jordan in the armed forces, we would receive military priority.”

Jordan, 26, adds, “I’m a driver in the Royal Logistics Corps and I’ve been in the army for nine years, but we were completely unaware that current and ex-military personnel receive priority for shared ownership properties. We were very happy to find this out!”

The Tylers moved into their two bedroom semi-detached home in Daventry in October 2019. They have a 35% share that they pay a mortgage on and then pay a low-cost rent to Grand Union on the remaining 65% of the home.

Jordan continues, “We love it here; it’s absolutely perfect. We wanted a place to call our own that was secure.

“Private renting isn’t secure because the owner can decide to sell up. Neither is military housing because if I were to fall ill and had to leave the army, we’d have nowhere to live. This house gives us security. The combined mortgage and rent on this place is less than what we’d pay if we were renting privately.

When the time is right we’d like to buy more shares, which is called staircasing.”

Amber adds, “The house is a good size, especially the garden.

We have plenty of room for a large shed, a patio and Caden’s

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Grand Union Living offers homes for sale through shared ownership – a truly affordable route into homeownership.

It enables people to have choices, realise their aspirations and build successful lives by renting or buying a home from an established housing provider.

As part of Grand Union Housing Group, a provider of housing since 1994, Grand Union Livng is passionate about building more homes, stronger communities and better lives in Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Northamptonshire and Hertfordshire.

Together the organisations are investing in homes and local communities for the long term and are building 1,800 new homes over the next five years.

Another scheme suitable for military families to purchase through shared ownership is coming soon in the desirable village of Oakley, Bedfordshire.

Parrott Close, Oakley. will be available in summer 2020. play house and there will still be room for a paddling pool and barbecue in the summer.

The area here is great. There’s a little park nearby and a school for Caden when the time comes.

I love it!”

The Tylers are the first military family that have been housed in a shared ownership property by Grand Union, and staff are thrilled that the Tylers are happy and settled in their new home.

Jordan and Amber would

definitely recommend shared ownership to others, especially those in the military.

“Shared ownership is brilliant; we’d have been unable to afford a house with a normal mortgage. Grand Union’s sales team were great at keeping us informed, even if there was little or no update.

“Our military quarters both in Abingdon and previously in Catterick, North Yorkshire, were great, but they weren’t ours. Now we’ve a place to call our own.”

There are: 9 three two bedroom houses with prices starting from £94,500 for a 35% share 9 four three bedroom houses with prices starting from £122,500 for a 35% share For enquiries on any Grand Union Living shared ownership scheme please contact the Sales team on 03330 152 414 or go to grandunionliving.co.uk

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AFFORDABLE HOMES

OUR TOP PICKS FOR FIRST TIME BUYERS

As proud headline sponsors of the recent First Time Buyer Home Show on Saturday 7 March, it was fantastic to meet so many first time buyers on the day. If you missed the show, or didn’t pop by and see us, why not take a look at some of our top picks below!

TRADERS’ QUARTER, ROYAL WHARF E16

Lowen Apartments has everything you need to move right in – and simply start living.

Prices from £113,750 for a 35% minimum share of £325,000 (full market value) site-sales.co.uk/lowen-apartments

Royal Albert Wharf

BRIDGE EAST, NEWHAM E15

At Traders’ Quarter, a stunning collection of one, two and three bedroom shared ownership apartments offers you the opportunity to buy at Royal Wharf, one of the most sought-after new developments in London.

Located in Silvertown, east London, Royal Wharf offers all the nearby amenities you could wish for, including a local supermarket, coffee shops, a new primary school, gym, riverside parks, walks and cycle routes, as well the recently opened Royal Wharf Pier, which is served by Thames Clippers.

Prices from £94,375 for a 25% minimum share of £377,500 (full market value). tradersquarter.site-sales.co.uk

LOWEN APARTMENTS, RAINHAM RM13

A brand new collection of one and two bedroom shared ownership apartments, ideal for first time buyers – close to rural Essex yet perched on the edge of London.

Whether you’re a couple looking for your first base, a young family needing space to grow, or a long-time local wanting to stay,

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Bridge East is a waterside development offering a selection of two and three bedroom apartments ideally situated within walking distance from the heart of Stratford and the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. All apartments benefit from generous terraces or balconies, along with concierge service and on-site private gym access. The broader development features commercial space at ground floor level, a communal courtyard garden square and a riverside walkway.

Prices at Bridge East start from £144,000 for a 30% minimum share of the full market value of £480,000. site-sales.co.uk/bridge-east

BOW RIVER VILLAGE, E3 Bow River Village comprises a selection of one, two and three bedroom waterfront apartments, available through shared ownership and private sale, located in a perfect spot between the A12 and the quiet River Lea. There are river walks and shared spaces beside the water to give all residents the chance to enjoy this unique location to the full.

Bromley-by-Bow underground station served by the Hammersmith & City Line and District Line is five minutes’ walk away, Bow Road DLR less than 10. From local stations, it’s an easy 15-minute commute to Canary Wharf or the City.

Prices start from £512,000, available with Help to Buy London. Two and three bedroom apartments are also available from £171,500 for a 35% minimum share of a full market value of £490,000. site-sales.co.uk/bow-river-village

ROYAL ALBERT WHARF, UPPER DOCK WALK E16 Situated close to Gallions Reach DLR, within 20 minutes of Canary Wharf, these

outstanding one, two and three bedroom shared ownership apartments benefit from a superb waterside location. In a prime position, where the River Thames meets the Royal Docks, Royal Albert Wharf brings exciting new architecture into an historic setting, creating a vibrant new destination for work, rest and play.

Prices from £130,000 for a 25% minimum share of £520,000 (full market value). site-sales.co.uk/royal-albert-wharf

UPTON GARDENS, EAST LONDON E6 The stunning new Upton Gardens development, offering a collection of one, two and three bedroom apartments, has been built on the former historic stadium of West Ham Football Club. Situated in Upton Park, in the London Borough of Newham, this famous location was home to the club from 1904 before it relocated to the Olympic Park, Stratford in 2016. The development has been designed to maximise green areas, with all homes including private outdoor space and access to communal gardens and pretty landscaping.

Prices start from £74,750 for a 25% share of a full market value of £299,000. upton-gardens.site-sales.co.uk We are SiteSales. Welcome Home.

For more information or to start your property search with us visit site-sales.co.uk or call 020 8502 5758

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OPEN MARKET

HELP TO BUY ALLOWS FIRST TIME BUYERS TO MAKE DREAM MOVE TO WOODGATE This collection of one, two, three and four bedroom apartments and houses is available with the Help to Buy scheme. Located in the picturesque mid-Sussex countryside, Woodgate is a development of 619 new homes, that blends town and country living seamlessly together in a thriving new community. Ideally placed with easy access to London, Gatwick and the South Coast, Woodgate is the perfect choice for first time buyers

Located between the city and the sea, Woodgate is conveniently connected to suit every lifestyle. There are three dedicated bus stops with Fastway links to Gatwick Airport, Crawley and Horsham town centre and Three Bridges train station, which links to London Victoria in just 37 minutes. The M23/ A24 are nearby, bringing the coastal towns of Brighton and Worthing within easy reach.

Set in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, Woodgate sits alongside the 800acre Tilgate Forest, offering an abundance of beautiful walks and cycle trails. Tilgate Park boasts a lake, play areas and a wellloved Nature Centre and nearby National Trust gardens makes living at Woodgate the perfect place to explore the outdoors.

Sussex-based developers Thakeham and Alphium are passionate about building exceptional places people want to call home.

The vision for Woodgate is a to create a modern village where community comes naturally. At the heart of this new destination is a village green with a local store and cafe, designed to bring people together.

The new Woodgate development will have its own £4m primary school and will also be the new home of St Catherine’s

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Hospice, creating more connections with the wider community.

For those seeking a classic, traditional feel to their new home, an elegant Thakeham home is the perfect choice. For those searching for a sleek and modern feel, Alphium offers contemporary homes with open-plan living areas giving the scope to make the home their own.

Each home at Woodgate has been thoughtfully designed and offers the latest specification for modern and sustainable living. The generous living areas create the perfect place to relax and entertain. All homes within the development also have the option of smart connectivity to monitor energy use, with voice control included for easy control of lighting and heating.

Available for both sole and joint buyers, subject to eligibility, buyers can purchase their new home at Woodgate with a deposit of just 5%.

GOING THE EXTRA MILE FOR FIRST TIME BUYERS Elaine Sandford, 33, and Jack Nichol, 27, were looking forward to all the benefits of a new home, having reserved a property

at Woodgate, Pease Pottage, and on 20 December they became the first residents to move into their new home there.

“With the help of the Government’s Help to Buy scheme it meant we could speed up the whole process of buying our first home – and in the perfect location for us. With assistance and support from Woodgate, it was a smooth and easy process to obtain our dream home,” comments Elaine.

The Help to Buy scheme is set to continue in its current form until April 2021 – open to everyone from first time buyers to home movers moving up the ladder and purchasing properties up to £600,000.

At Woodgate, Alphium has one, two and three bedroom homes from £230,000 and Thakeham has two, three and four bedroom homes from £345,000.

To learn more about the homes on the Help to Buy scheme at Woodgate, please call the sales team on 01293 225 615 or visit the marketing suite at Pease Pottage, Sussex, from 10am to 5pm every day.

For further information visit mywoodgate.co.uk

First Time Buyer April/May 2020

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REAL LIFE

Help to Buy: Acton Soaring house prices and exorbitant rent in the capital meant software security expert Chris Johnson, 29, and his partner, fashion buyer Lauren Mountford, 28, expected to wait years to be able to buy their first home in London. Then they discovered Acton Gardens and Help to Buy and their dreams came true!

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fter more than three years together, Chris was renting in Shepherds Bush and Lauren in Reading while saving for a deposit. Lauren said, “We nearly waited another year to buy but we found we could afford something nicer than we thought when we found our home at Acton Gardens.”

The couple looked at several new build developments in London, and Acton Gardens really stood out. Impressed by the location, the abundance of green open space and connectivity to the rest of London and the home counties, Acton Gardens was the ideal mid-point for their commutes.

“With Lauren working in Reading and me in London, Acton is a great mid-point for us. It’s near everything, with three tube stations within walking distance that give us a range of options for getting around London. You’re not limited to the tube either, as there are good links to the M4 for travelling out of the capital. Acton Gardens was the perfect place for us,” said Chris.

Having done the numbers, they calculated that with the support of Help to Buy, they would spend the same amount of money on a mortgage as on rent. Chris and Lauren opted for a fifth floor apartment in Central Square. Chris said, “Without Help to Buy, we’d have needed to continue renting and saving up money for at least another year. It’s allowed us to stop spending money on rent and instead put our money towards our own brand new home.

“The whole buying process was really smooth, and the easiest part was dealing with our solicitors and with Countryside. We would 100% recommend both Help to Buy and buying with Countryside.”

One of the other key selling points for the couple was the internal design of the two bedroom apartment. Lauren added, “The thing that sold it for us was the space and the amount of light that floods in. I love the layout. It has been really easy to create different living zones and the open-plan living space is amazing for entertaining!”

The homes at Acton Gardens have a high specification boasting private outdoor areas with a balcony or terrace, underfloor heating and German-designed kitchens. “Everyone comments on the finish and I’ve even had one of my friends replicate the kitchen in her own house! It’s the perfect first home,

FA C T F I L E

Deposit: £20,000 Equity Loan: £240,000 Estimated monthly mortgage: £1,000 Estimated service charge: £300

I love it!” Chris added, “The area is so quiet and just a really nice place to be. There’s plenty of green space on your doorstep.”

Acton Gardens is one of the largest regeneration schemes in west London. An ambitious £600m project being delivered by Countryside and L&Q, it is creating 3,463 new homes and community facilitates over 52 acres. Residents have access to tube and Overground services as well as Crossrail, which will enable commuters to travel to Bond Street in eight minutes.

The show apartment is now open. One, two and three bedroom apartments are available across three phases at Acton Gardens, with prices starting from £420,000.

Help to Buy is available.

For more information call Countryside on 020 3918 7659 or visit actongardens.com

“WITHOUT HELP TO BUY, WE’D HAVE NEEDED TO CONTINUE RENTING AND SAVING UP MONEY FOR AT LEAST ANOTHER YEAR. IT’S ALLOWED US TO STOP SPENDING MONEY ON RENT AND INSTEAD PUT OUR MONEY TOWARDS OUR OWN BRAND NEW HOME”

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FOR SALE

FOR SALE THE CREAM OF THE CROP Each month, First Time Buyer scours the market for the best starter homes for first time buyers.

So, whether you’re after the perfect pad on a budget or a place to call home with a dream commute, we hope you will enjoy our selection

REAL LIFE

Help to Buy p64 HUNTINGDON, CAMBRIDGESHIRE

HOIC FIRST C

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Affordable homes p66-67

SOUTHALL, WEST LONDON

HOIC FIRST C

E

RARY CONTEMPO

CO★O★L ★

Dream commutes p68-69

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FOR SALE

AFFORDABLE HOMES HUNTINGDON, CAMBRIDGESHIRE

HOIC FIRST C

FROM £179,950

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W BRAND NNEITY U COMM ★★★

Alconbury Weald The apartments and family properties at Alconbury Weald form part of a major regeneration project that will soon be home to a thriving new community in the north of Cambridgeshire. As well as 700 acres of open space and sports pitches to enjoy, the project will also include new schools and community facilities, including a gym. The homes range from one and two bedroom apartments to three and four bedroom houses. The larger properties are arranged over three storeys and feature a downstairs w/c, separate living room and kitchen, and a large master bedroom on the top floor with walk-in wardrobe and en suite bathroom.

Crest Nicholson 0172 770 2863 crestnicholson.com/alconburyweald

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FOR SALE H A C K N E Y, E A S T L O N D O N

FROM £120,000* ABINGDON, OXFORDSHIRE

FROM £275,000

SO Resi Hackney Corner This London hotspot has fast become one of the most popular areas for homebuyers in the capital, thanks to its cool bars, cafes, parks and festivals. This new collection of homes sits on the waterfront of the Regent’s Canal, minutes from Shoreditch Park and Hoxton Square; a perfect location for enjoying the

best of the local area, as well as good traffic-free cycle links into central London. The one, two and three bedroom properties are cool and contemporary, with well-sized living areas, smart kitchens and spacious bedrooms.

SO Resi 020 8607 0550 soresi.co.uk

*Based on a 25% share of the full market value of £480,000

EARLS COLNE, ESSEX

FROM £96,250*

Parklands Manor Set within 23 acres of private country estate, on the site of a former manor house, these new one and two bedroom apartments and three to four bedroom houses offer a beautiful setting. The architecture is in keeping with the historic setting, while inside, the well-designed homes are stylish and spacious.

C A M B E R L E Y, S U R R E Y

In addition to an abundance of countryside on the doorstep, Oxford, the City of Dreaming Spires, is easily accessed by park and ride. Meanwhile, travel into London takes around 50 minutes by train.

Millgate Homes 01865 704 044 millgatehomes.co.uk

FROM £207,500

Monks Road The charming village of Earls Colne is the site for these homes, offering a serene setting within easy reach of schools, shops and local amenities, as well as Colchester and Chelmsford. This small collection of two bedroom properties have been thoughtfully laid out, with separate living area and kitchen downstairs, and

two well-sized bedrooms above.

Double doors lead from the living room to the garden. Earls Colne is the county’s oldest village, and has a high street with independent shops, boutiques and restaurants.

CHP 0300 555 0500 chp.org.uk

*Based on a 35% share of the full market value of £275,000

Lumina Situated in leafy Camberley, this new collection of one and two bedroom apartments perfectly combine convenience and calm.

The Surrey town’s lovely pubs, shops and a good choice of eateries are on the doorstep, while commuting into London or Guildford is made easy with the nearby rail station and good

road links. There’s plenty of countryside to explore nearby.

The light-filled homes have been thoughtfully designed, with stylish interiors, and residents benefit from a communal gym, business lounge and landscaped gardens.

Berkeley 01276 819 802 berkeleygroup.co.uk

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FOR SALE

DREAM COMMUTES SOUTHALL, WEST LONDON

HOIC FIRST C

FROM £306,000

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RARY O P M E T N O C

CO★O★L ★

The West Works Just minutes from Southall station for direct train services to central London, this new development is ideally located for enjoying London life. The modern collection of one, two and three bedroom apartments combines the convenience of commuter connections with a more laid-back lifestyle found in the nearby open spaces and parks – including Southall Park and Osterley Park. Trains into London Paddington take just 18 minutes, while the highly anticipated arrival of Crossrail will speed up journeys to central, south and east London as well as Berkshire, Essex and Kent – a commuter’s dream.

Redrow 020 8131 6741 redrow.co.uk

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FOR SALE LEVENSHULME, MANCHESTER

FROM £325,000 BURNT OAK, NORTH WEST LONDON

FROM £131,000*

The Curve Only a few family homes remain at this popular development in Levenshulme, three miles south of Manchester. Arranged over three storeys, the four bedroom properties are bright and modern, with fitted kitchens and generously sized living areas that lead to turfed rear gardens. The master bedrooms also feature an

CHESTER, CHESHIRE

en suite. All properties are also allocated with off-road parking.

Transport links are superb; direct bus routes can be found just a few moments away, while trains whisk commuters into Manchester city centre in around 10 minutes.

Plumlife 0161 447 5050 plumlife.co.uk

FROM £150,000

Neon With a tube station, high street and parks all within a short walk, these homes in north west London are all about convenience.

Burnt Oak station is around 10 minutes away for Northern Line services direct to London Euston.

There’s a great range of shops moments away, while Brent Cross shopping centre is a short

drive or bus ride. The homes are beautifully designed, with open-plan living/dining areas and private balconies. Residents share a raised communal garden, with landscaped patio and childrens play area.

Catalyst 020 8168 0194 catalyst.homes

*Based on a 40% share of the full market value of £327,500

R O YA L T U N B R I D G E W E L L S , K E N T

FROM £525,000

The Shot Tower Combining industrial history with contemporary architecture, this development has been created around the iconic Shot Tower – the tallest structure in Chester. The tower and surrounding old Lead Works have been transformed into modern homes, ranging from one to three bedroom duplexes to four bedroom townhouses.

The properties feature full-height windows, neutral palettes, brushed-steel fittings and sleek bathrooms and kitchens. This is a great location; a five-minute walk to the train station or 10 minutes into the vibrant town centre Whitecroft Group 0800 011 2348 theshottower.co.uk

Royal Wells Park Occupying a prime location in the Kent town of Royal Tunbridge Wells, theses new homes combine the best of town and country living. There are over 200 new properties here, from one bedroom apartments to four bedroom townhouses. All have been created to a high standard, with bright, contemporary

interiors. The Kent countryside and local amenities are nearby.

Commuting to London is quick and simple – from the nearby station, trains reach London Bridge in around 40 minutes.

Help to Buy is available.

Berkeley 01892 886 431 royalwellspark.co.uk

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MARKET

CHECK IT OUT!

1

CONSIDER ALL YOUR OPTIONS ABOUT THE KIND OF PROPERTY YOU CAN AFFORD

You may have your heart set on a particular type of home – a sweetlooking cottage with a large garden or a city-style pad with a skyline view. But in the early stages, it’s good to think outside the box.

For example, would a new build home better suit your needs? Today’s building rules and regulations mean there are standards that developers have to meet to make their homes as energy-efficient as possible. This also means that desirable features such as double-glazed windows, insulated walls, roofs and doors and energyefficient heating are often already installed.

There’s also no upward chain which means you won’t be waiting months for someone to sell before you can move in.

The other advantage of new build homes is obviously that they are less likely to require the same level of maintenance as an older property, but more importantly, the Help to Buy: Equity Loan scheme is only available on new build homes.

This Government-run scheme lends

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Buying your first property can seem like a confusing process.

But following this simple 10 step checklist from property website OnTheMarket will help everything to run more smoothly

first time buyers up to 20% of the cost of a newly built home, so you need a 5% cash deposit and a 75% mortgage to make up the rest. The Help to Buy: Equity Loan in London is higher, allowing applicants to borrow up to 40% from the Government.

You will not be charged interest fees on the equity loan for the first five years of owning the home. In the sixth year, you’ll be charged 1.75%.

The Government has extended the scheme from 2021 to 2023. From 2021, there will also be new regional price caps which could reduce the maximum value of homes that can be bought through the scheme.

It’s worth bearing in mind that you must also repay the same percentage of the proceeds of the sale as the initial equity loan, (ie if you received an equity loan for 20% of the purchase price, you must repay 20% of the proceeds of the sale).

YOUR FINANCES IN ORDER 2GET Seek the advice of a qualified mortgage adviser on how much you are eligible to borrow.

You want to know exactly what you can afford early on, otherwise you could start visiting properties

which are beyond your means, leaving you feeling disappointed.

A mortgage in principle is a document which confirms the amount a mortgage company is willing to lend to you. It is helpful to have this in place before you begin any viewings because it is likely to speed up the buying process.

It’s also worth bearing in mind that you will need to account for additional costs such as solicitor’s fees, removal costs, costs of surveys, furnishings and decorations and Stamp Duty.

IT’S TIME TO LOOK ROUND SOME PROPERTIES BUT 3 REMEMBER TO ASK KEY QUESTIONS

First of all, ensure you have signed up for a property alert at OnTheMarket.

The website features thousands of new properties each month, 24 hours or more before they are advertised on Rightmove or Zoopla.* As well as being able to search for homes sold by estate agents across the UK, you’ll also be able to search for new homes from the country’s leading developers such as Barratt Homes, Persimmon and Bellway,

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many of which qualify for the Help to Buy scheme.

When viewing a home for sale, be sure to ask the estate agent: 9 If the home is pre-owned, why is the vendor selling?

9 Are they buying somewhere else? If so, has their offer been accepted?

9 What are the seller’s timeframes? You don’t want to find out later you will be waiting months to move in.

9 If it is a leasehold property, how long is the lease? A short lease can be very restrictive.

9 If it is leasehold, what is the current service charge and ground rent and are any major works planned?

A benefit of choosing a full-service estate agent is that they will be able to help guide you through the entire process. A good agent will want to have an understanding of your circumstances and needs – so be honest with them and help them to help you.

If you’re hoping to get a Help to Buy: Equity Loan for a new build property, you need to ensure the developer is participating in the scheme.

If you have a Help to Buy ISA and you want to claim the Help to Buy Bonus, contact your bank to check how long it will take for your ISA account to be closed.

Some banks will close it on the day of request but some take longer and you don’t want this to cause delays when it comes to exchanging contracts. Don’t close it without first speaking to your solicitor.

WHETHER TO HAVE THE PROPERTY SURVEYED 4DECIDE This is not a requirement but is always recommended. A survey can help prevent delays, especially if issues are flagged up that need resolving.

For new build properties, buyers are often given a 10-year warranty covering structural defects, but it is recommended you have a professional

snagging survey to identify any minor issues with the property.

CHECK HOW MUCH STAMP DUTY LAND TAX YOU WILL 5 NEED TO PAY It’s a confusing topic when buying and your solicitor will be able to help. The Government’s website can calculate payments (if any). Stamp Duty for first time buyers on homes worth up to £300,000 was abolished completely in 2017. Overall, the average Stamp Duty saving for firsttime buyers was reported to be £2,700.

COMPARE CONVEYANCING QUOTES (LEGAL FEES FOR 6 YOUR PURCHASE) It’s important to ensure that the quotes are like for like.

Some conveyancing quotes will include extra fees for dealing with a mortgage, a leasehold property or filing your Stamp Duty Land Tax return.

TIME TO CHOOSE A SOLICITOR 7TAKE Picking the right solicitor to carry out the conveyancing is worth taking time over.

Get recommendations from people you know.

Find a solicitor who is CQS-accredited.

This is the Law Society’s Conveyancing Quality Scheme, a register of solicitors who are authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority when it comes to conveyancing.

TELL YOUR SOLICITOR AT THE START WHERE THE MONEY IS 8 COMING FROM It’s important to point out if the money is not coming from you and is a gift from a family member or friend.

UNDERSTAND THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN 9 EXCHANGE OF CONTRACTS AND COMPLETION

Exchange of contracts is the point at which you enter into a contract to buy the property from the seller and the seller enters into a contract to sell the property to you.

Your purchase is not legally binding until you have exchanged contracts, so before this stage either party can pull out. Completion is the day when the full purchase price has to be paid to the seller and you are provided with the keys to the property – at this stage you are then the legal owner of the property.

With a new build property, you’ll exchange months before you move in. This is often the point at which you pay the deposit, via the conveyancer.

UNDERSTAND WHAT IS MEANT BY THE WORD 10 “DEPOSIT” When applying for a mortgage you will be asked how much money, the deposit, you will be putting towards your purchase. When solicitors use the word deposit they are referring to your exchange deposit. This will most likely be 10% of the purchase price.

*See onthemarket.com/newandexclusive.

Agents specify exclusivity and are committed to accuracy under terms of use.

Content provided by OnTheMarket.com is for information purposes only. Independent and professional advice should be taken before buying, selling, letting or renting property, or buying financial products.

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READERS’ AWARDS 2020 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 2020. You could win £250 in IKEA vouchers!

For more details, see page 104

Vote at ftbawards.com

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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.

BELLWAY KENT | HAWKSVIEW An exclusive development of 16 new homes on the site of a disused hotel in the village of Hawkhurst in Kent, Bellway’s Hawksview sets the standard for small housing developments.

Located within the High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, it combines exceptional design with a carefully considered mix of housing types, delivering a high standard of build and high-specification finish for first time buyers and upsizing families alike.

More than that, it has helped to revitalise this area of rural Kent, replacing a hotel building and gardens which had fallen into a state of disrepair and contributing significantly to local affordable housing provision and community facilities.

Bellway’s vision for Hawksview was to bring forward a development which would create a community of its own, while contributing to the wider community in which it sits. With a mix of housing types for all buyers, it has more than achieved this.

GECKO | DEEPDALE You’ll find Deepdale located where two semi-detached houses once stood. Through clever use of space and economical use of the large plots behind the previous houses, this development has magically converted two houses into nine!

Deepdale is a mixed tenure development consisting of five three bedroom houses available to buy through shared ownership and four two bedroom apartments for affordable rent, two of which have been adapted and built to specification.

At the head of a cul-de-sac where the previous houses stood now you’ll find nine homes with off-road parking and gardens in this popular residential area where there is very little supply of new build activity and low-cost ownership options.

This development has transformed an infill site of grassland that had been left unused, dovetailing a new collection of homes into the local community and opening up new opportunities and possibilities where none could be seen before. The development has been extremely popular and no marketing was needed.

HOUSING PEOPLE, BUILDING COMMUNITIES (HPBC) | ST BERNARD’S CHURCH In 2017, Housing People, Building Communities (HPBC) was gifted St Bernard’s church and land adjacent to our completed Kingsley Road affordable housing project by the RC Archdiocese.

Working in partnership with Onward Housing to redevelop the site, 16 homes were completed in December 2019. The gothic-style church, designed by architects Pugin & Pugin and built in 1901, is a landmark in the local area and one of the few surviving Victorian buildings on the street. It was also an important part of the community, holding cherished memories for many.

By completing 500 hours of “sweat equity”, home partners earned £10,000 towards a deposit, and, with shared ownership mortgages, these attractive homes were truly affordable for families wishing to become first time buyers. By using an innovative approach, retaining the integrity of the building, and home partners working together, the church has been repurposed and a vibrant new community developed.

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NEWLON HOUSING TRUST | ROSALIND FRANKLIN HOUSE

READERS’ AWARDS

Rosalind Franklin House is a unique, small but perfectly formed development of six shared ownership homes, standing at the heart of a large scale heritage-based redevelopment at Hampstead Manor.

Situated in one of London’s greenest and most high value quarters, the development offers a unique opportunity for local working people, who would otherwise be priced out of the property market, to be able to take a first step towards homeownership.

A beautifully designed development, overlooking the green which forms the heart of the development, Rosalind Franklin House is perfectly placed to involve residents in the new community’s vibrant social life, as well as being built to an enviable ecological specification, making it the ideal home for life.

REGENTA DEVELOPMENT | WINNS AVENUE Winns Avenue, located in Walthamstow, is conveniently situated in a peaceful residential setting, offering first time buyers fast access to central London.

The former warehouse and service yard has been redesigned by Regenta Development to offer a sustainable community of nine one and two bedroom apartments, with a focus on young professionals. With a selection of modern homes available to purchase using the Government-backed Help to Buy: Equity Loan scheme, first time buyers are discovering that outer boroughs of London will offer them better value for money without having to face a lengthy commute.

Winns Avenue offers each apartment its own private grassed and decked garden area, secure cycle storage to encourage sustainable living, and energy-efficient features throughout the build. The development is within a mile from tube and National Rail stations Walthamstow Central and Blackhorse Road, both of which are on the London Overground and Victoria lines.

SOUTHERN HOME OWNERSHIP | PRESTON ROAD Preston Road is the exceptional £5m re-development of two stunning Victorian villas in the heart of Brighton into a collection of unique first time buyer homes.

Set in a sought-after enclave of the seaside town, where there is an acute shortage of affordable home ownership options, the boutique development from Southern Home Ownership – the shared ownership arm of Southern Housing Group – will restore the Villas, originally built in 1870, into 20 new shared ownership homes.

Through extensive consultation with the local council, Southern Home Ownership identified a local demand for high-quality alternative homeownership properties.

Designed by leading architects Yelo, Preston Road offers the highest quality of design and build for first time buyers. Set within the Preston Park conservation area, Southern Home Ownership has ensured a sensitive restoration of the villas, retaining many of the original period features. A number of mature trees are also being preserved; respecting the site’s history and the existing neighbourhood.

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BEST URBAN REGENERATION PROJECT

THIS AWARD IS FOR THE BEST DEVELOPMENT WITHIN A NEIGHBOURHOOD REGENERATION SCHEME THAT CAN DEMONSTRATE THE BENEFIT IT HAS BROUGHT TO THE AREA.

BARRATT LONDON | HAYES VILLAGE Home to the Nestlé factory for more than 100 years, Hayes is taking centre stage as a key beneficiary of the Elizabeth Line. Barratt London’s Hayes Village development sits at the heart of this west London community, delivering 1,386 new homes and 640 employment opportunities upon completion.

The mixed-use site will embrace enterprise, alongside amenity-rich spaces, including a public cafe, nursery, gym, 200m running track, canoe club, three hectares of green space, a new canal realm and a 1.3km walking trail.

The scheme will retain much of its historic identity, restoring the factory’s white and blue facade, while sensitively designing new buildings with a visual appearance in keeping with the art deco vernacular. From the moment new residents enter along the elegant tree-lined avenue, they will see the modernist Truscon building bought back to life.

CATALYST | PORTOBELLO SQUARE An ambitious regeneration project transforming the north end of west London’s Portobello Road, Portobello Square by Catalyst will see the former Wornington Green Estate developed into around 1,000 new apartments and houses alongside shops, community facilitates and a public park. Replacing declining quality homes and outdated community facilities, the regeneration resets historic street patterns to mirror the surrounding areas, blending seamlessly with Notting Hill’s signature Victorian townhouses and picturesque treelined streets. The development delivers homes for a mix of first time buyers, young families and, crucially, local people.

Alongside this, Portobello Square includes some of Catalyst’s highest specification private sale homes to date – with all profits reinvested into affordable homes for local communities across London and the South East. Taking a groundbreaking approach to community engagement, the project demonstrates a genuine partnership with local people – engaged-with at all stages, the vast majority of social rent residents in the now completed Phase One, are returning residents.

COUNTRYSIDE | SOUTH OXHEY CENTRAL South Oxhey Central is a £172m mixed-use regeneration scheme by Countryside and Home Group, in partnership with Three Rivers District Council, that is currently transforming the existing town centre and three unused sites into a modern and vibrant hub for local residents and businesses.

Set among two acres of landscaped parks and public spaces will be 55,000 sq ft of retail and commercial space, including an 18,500 sq ft Lidl food store, a revamped retail experience at Carpenders Park railway station and 514 new homes.

A rejuvenated retail area at Station Approach, which is now fully let, is bringing local shops and trade back to the area, while Countryside is also creating employment and training opportunities for local people in construction. Friendly, safe and well-overlooked streets and public spaces, designed according to Secured

by Design principles, are creating an environment that is attractive for living, working and recreation.

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INLAND HOMES | CENTRE SQUARE Situated opposite the Eden shopping centre (on Lily’s Walk) and adjacent to Buckinghamshire New University campus, Centre Square is a landmark collection of 364 new studio, one and two bedroom apartments and 19,408 sq ft of commercial and retail space on a 1.43-hectare former gas works.

Following pioneering site preparation and remediation works, Inland Homes’ dynamic new development is transforming High Wycombe, creating an exciting new destination for contemporary living in the heart of town, just moments from a comprehensive range of local amenities.

Underlining the appeal of Centre Square and its prominent landmark location, an initial off-plan launch resulted in the sale of more than 35% of the first release of studio, one and two-bedroom apartments. Many purchasers were first time buyers, with prices from £169,950 providing the opportunity to take the first step on to the property ladder. Since launch, a further 80% of purchases have been by first time buyers, attracted by local facilities and easy access to London (26 minutes by train).

MILLER HOMES NORTH WEST | NOVUS Novus is Miller Homes’ flagship development in the North West of England. The 282-home development is located on the former Itron gas meter factory on Talbot Road, Stretford – providing Miller Homes with the perfect opportunity to regenerate a brownfield site into a new, thriving and vibrant community.

Comprising a mix of one and two bedroom apartments and two to four bedroom homes, all of which feature bold, urban and contemporary designs, the new development is attracting many buyers looking for an aspirational and attractive first home in what is set to become one of the North West’s most desirable and sought after locations.

POPLAR HARCA | BOW GARDEN SQUARE At Bow Garden Square, Poplar HARCA, in partnership with Telford Homes and The London Borough of Tower Hamlets, has regenerated a rundown 1960s estate in east London to provide 109 mixed-tenure new homes with an extensive range of community facilities, including a new nursery and primary school, sports hall/ community centre and mosque; all sharing a tight 2.38-acre site in a stunningly efficient use of land.

The private sale (with Help to Buy) and shared ownership homes offered first time buyers exceptional value in a great location with excellent transport links; nearby Mile End Station to Bank in seven minutes.

Designed with input from the local community, Bow Garden Square has transformed the estate and local area. Build complete in September 2019, using 20% local multi-skilled labour, and with every home sold, it has brought new and existing residents of Bow together and strengthened the sense of community.

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BEST USE OF A GOVERNMENT SCHEME AFFORDABLE HOMES

HOMEBUYING SCHEMES ARE EXTREMELY VALUABLE TO FIRST TIME BUYERS. THIS NEW AWARD CATEGORY RECOGNISES HOW A SCHEME SUCH AS SHARED OWNERSHIP OR HELP TO BUY HAS BEEN MAXIMISED, HELPING FIRST TIME BUYERS TAKE THEIR FIRST STEP ON THE HOUSING LADDER.

COMPENDIUM LIVING | JOSEPH WILLIAMS PLACE Help to Buy aids a variety of people get on the property ladder and this is undoubtedly something we’ve seen at Joseph Williams Place – a Liverpool development delivered by Compendium Living.

More than 50% of the residents used the Help to Buy scheme to get on to the property ladder at Joseph Williams Place. This included a wide range of buyer types, from young people purchasing their first home to families looking at larger properties with enough space to grow into.

Liverpool is very popular with families and so the development had to offer schemes to assist this audience. Help to Buy has enabled many of our customers to either get on the ladder with the 5% deposit or buy a larger home in a location that is close to family but also has an established sense of community in a desirable area.

LEGAL AND GENERAL AFFORDABLE HOMES | LEON HOUSE A modernist landmark giving first time buyers the ultimate in specification and communal facilities in the heart of rapidly regenerating Croydon, Leon House offers a contemporary collection of 50 one and two bedroom shared ownership apartments from Legal and General Affordable Homes.

The first development by the new affordable housing provider, the homes are in a 21-storey former office block that has been part of Croydon’s skyline for almost 50 years. Helping first time buyers in the south London hotspot, prices start from £87,500 for a 25% share,FMV £350,000, and just a 5% deposit is required on some units.

Perfect for the freelance generation, all residents at Leon House enjoy a plethora of communal facilities and services – from a daily concierge service, co-working spaces and meeting rooms with ultra-fast broadband, to a large roof terrace and a private dining room available to hire for dinner parties and events. Residents will also enjoy the benefits of living in a largely owner-occupied development, with social media groups already in place to quickly involve new owners, and arrange neighbourly gatherings and events in the communal spaces.

PEABODY | THE REACH With acres of green spaces, calming waterways, leisure facilities and an unrivalled community spirit, Thamesmead offers a refreshed perspective on London living.

Set to benefit from a multi-million-pound investment, Thamesmead will welcome an influx of new facilities and homes – starting with The Reach in West Thamesmead; a development that makes the most of affordable homeownership schemes such as shared ownership.

In collaboration with award-winning architect Pitman Tozer, The Reach has transformed a derelict, self-contained plot of land into an inclusive, new community.

With only shared ownership and affordable/social rent available at the development, The Reach has successfully made homeownership dreams a reality for many Londoners. And with convenient en suites and allocated parking to selected units, The Reach offers an ideal starter-home for first time buyers with a 25% startingfrom share price of just £68,750 (FMV: £275,000) for a one bedroom apartment.

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BEST LAW FIRM FOR CONVEYANCING THIS AWARD CELEBRATES LAW FIRMS WITH OUTSTANDING CONVEYANCING PACKAGES FOR FIRST TIME BUYERS.

CAVENDISH LEGAL GROUP Cavendish Legal Group (CLG) has a core of quality solicitor-led teams, organised to provide an efficient personal service. First time buyers have direct access to their solicitor throughout the process. This ensures they benefit from bespoke guidance at all times. We provide buyers with a fixed fee quotation on a no-sale-no-fee basis via an online system that also enables the buyer to complete the necessary instruction form online. We make every effort to advise clients of the total costs from the outset, which is particular important for first fime buyers of shared ownership properties, where the implications of Stamp Duty are particularly difficult.

CLG uses advanced technology to keep buyers fully up to date with progress including text messages when milestones are reached. CLG is also committed to providing a seamless and pain-free experience for buyers. This is borne out by our Trustpilot score, consistently 5 stars. Independent research shows that CLG is the largest London based firm for conveyancing and our plan is to continue to grow.

DIRECTION LAW Direction Law is one of the largest specialist affordable housing solicitors in the country. In 2019 alone, we completed over 3,600 shared ownership 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.

Where we stand out is that 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 who has achieved their dream of homeownership with the minimum of fuss 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 LLP Prince Evans Solicitors LLP is a multi-discipline law firm based in Ealing. Prince Evans Solicitors LLP New Build Homes and Conveyancing team specialises in all aspects of conveyancing for the first time buyer. We benefit from a particular expertise and understanding of shared ownership and new build property including the Help to Buy: Shared Equity scheme.

The majority of our clients are first time buyers buying either through shared ownership or Help to Buy (or taking the crucial next step such as buying additional shares, known as staircasing). We offer a personal service, ensuring that buyers deal with one conveyancer from instruction through to completion.

We also act for housing associations and developers in the sale of new build homes. We help hundreds of first time buyers to take their first steps in to homeownership every year and in the past 12 months we have grown even further, assisting many more first time buyers.

New Build Shared Ownership Help To Buy Contact our specialist New Build Homes team for a Conveyancing quote on 020 8567 3477 or nbh@prince-evans.co.uk

Prince Evans Solicitors LLP. Craven House, 40-44 Uxbridge Road, Ealing, London, W5 2BS

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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.

APT LIVING | KEW BRIDGE Apt Living’s Kew Bridge development provides a design-led collection of 213 studio, one and two bedroom apartments overlooking Gunnersbury Park. With innovative, space-saving layouts and a high specification, Apt Living has created affordable homes for the aspirational first time buyer.

All residents benefit from a wide range of amenities, including a 24-hour dedicated concierge, gym, cinema, bike storage, private parking and roof terraces, as well as a dedicated Apt Living app. The apartments or ‘apts’ all boast three metre average ceiling heights, adding to the sense of space, combined with an intelligent design to maximise the striking views across 180-acres of Gunnersbury Park.

Starting from £270,000, the homes are also excellent value for money in a soughtafter location where affordable first time buyer options are otherwise limited. All are also available through Help to Buy, giving first time buyers an added boost.

BARRATT SOUTHERN COUNTIES | THE WHITE BUILDING The White Building is an exemplary transformation of an iconic wartime factory into a range of spacious art deco styled apartments in Basingstoke, Hampshire. The development is appealing to first time buyers as it offers a stylish and spacious apartment with a sense of history, available with purchasing schemes.

Bright and oversized windows, striking art deco features, plenty of storage and no corners cut when it comes to quality, this building presents a fantastic opportunity to buyers looking to own their first home. Plot 523 is an incredible two bedroom apartment for £349,995 which offers a superb home with quality finishes, characterful features and spacious rooms.

A contemporary home with a colourful history, the apartment provides modern living in an historic setting. Available with Help to Buy, affordability is key at The White Building and is the reason so many first time buyers are able to secure their first home.

CATALYST | NEON Positioned in Burnt Oak, an undiscovered pocket of affordability in north west London, Neon by Catalyst is an exceptional collection of 76 one, two and three bedroom apartments – 46 of which are available through shared ownership.

With first time buyers able to purchase a home with a deposit from just £6,550, Neon is providing both local residents and those new to the area with the opportunity to become homeowners in a high-specification, stylish development, with contemporary apartments that outsize the Mayor of London’s minimum size standards by up to 46%.

Providing sought-after outdoor space, each home has a balcony, while a southwest-facing communal podium garden creates a green oasis in the heart of development. An impressive 70% of the shared ownership homes offer two or three bedrooms, offering families, and couples looking to start a family, fantastic opportunities to become homeowners in an area overflowing with great schools.

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HIGGINS HOMES | NEW STRATFORD WORKS

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Plot 59 is a stunning first floor apartment that offers the enjoyment of hotel style living through contemporary design. Internally, this open plan apartment features a light-filled living area which provides a flexible space for both relaxing and entertaining, while the bedroom evokes a sense of serenity. The property includes an extensive kitchen with a range of Smeg appliances, hardwood flooring and a bathroom with Duravit sanitary ware and taps from Hansgrohe. The private decked terrace runs the length of the property, overlooking the landscaped podium courtyard garden. New Stratford Works is located in the heart of Stratford with its comprehensive travel links, in addition to this, residents enjoy a gifted lifetime membership to a car club. The new Linear Park and the community gardens / allotments allow residents to an open green space in an urban environment.

Available with Help to Buy, this apartment is priced at £439,950.

NOTTING HILL GENESIS | NEW GARDEN QUARTER A collection of contemporary homes set around a landscaped garden square, New Garden Quarter reinterprets the classic concept of a London mansion block for the 21st century.

Situated in Stratford, east London’s most vibrant hub, this is a location for those first time buyers who want to be close to the action. The Olympic Park, Westfield shopping centre and the Stratford stations are just moments away. As part of this collection of 67 well-designed homes, apartment 178 is a bright and airy one bedroom home, with open-plan living space, floor-to-ceiling windows and large private balcony.

Those who live at New Garden Quarter will enjoy what is already a friendly and inviting community, with a range of on-site amenities including gym, cafe, nursery and 24-hour concierge. Available through Notting Hill Genesis’ shared ownership scheme, this is a place where first time buyers will immediately feel at home.

PEABODY | THE REACH In collaboration with award-winning architect Pitman Tozer, The Reach has transformed a derelict, self-contained plot of land into an inclusive new community.

Uncompromising in style and quality of finish, The Reach is a modern achievement set around a beautifully landscaped communal garden; complete with secure cycle storage, dedicated seating areas and children’s play area.

Space-maximising solutions such as underfloor heating that eliminates the need for oversized radiators and reinforced walls to accommodate wall-mounted TVs allow first time buyers to make the most of furniture layouts and liveable spaces.

Classic separated kitchen/dining rooms for three bedroom homes are ideal for larger households while modern open-plan layouts allow natural light to flood into charming dual aspect apartments. With convenient en suites and allocated parking to selected units, The Reach offers an ideal starter with a 25% starting-from share price of just £68,750 (FMV: £275,000) for a one bedroom apartment.

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BEST LARGE DEVELOPMENT AFFORDABLE HOMES

THIS AWARD IS FOR DEVELOPMENTS OF MORE THAN 80 HOMES THAT HAVE USED THE BEST DESIGN AND QUALITY TO CREATE AN AFFORDABLE, DESIRABLE AND INSPIRATIONAL ENVIRONMENT AND THAT HAVE PROVIDED ADDITIONAL FACILITIES TO BENEFIT THE LOCAL COMMUNITY AND SURROUNDING NEIGHBOURHOODS. THESE HOMES ARE IN LARGE DEVELOPMENTS IN A MIXED-TENURE ENVIRONMENT, OR STAND-ALONE DEVELOPMENTS.

COUNTRYSIDE AND L&Q | BEAULIEU Historically in an area that was the hunting ground of King Henry VIII, the vision for Beaulieu was to create a vibrant new integrated community for the city of Chelmsford, bringing together 3,600 quality new homes in a range of styles to suit different tastes, preferences and income levels.

Beaulieu is a perfect destination for young couples or families, offering four distinct residential neighbourhoods. These range from traditional, colonialstyle through to ultra-modern, meaning there’s a home to suit all tastes. The neighbourhoods making up the development are: Beaulieu Keep, Beaulieu Chase, Beaulieu Heath and Beaulieu Oaks.

The homes are designed around 180 acres of green open spaces, ranging from formal parks, village greens and community gardens to natural meadows plus an orchard. These open spaces connect the Beaulieu neighbourhoods and give residents a wealth of choice for outdoor activities, improving their health and well-being.

OPTIVO | WATERWAY, RIVERSIDE QUARTER For most people, the idea of owning a new home overlooking the River Thames would be an expensive dream. But Optivo’s Waterway, Riverside Quarter development is turning that dream into an affordable reality.

Situated in one of the most sought-after destinations in the capital are 93 luxurious apartments, including 22 one bedroom apartments (average floor area 720 sq ft or 67 sq m) and 71 two bedroom apartments (averaging 791 sq ft or 73.4 sq m).

This stunning collection of shared ownership homes in Wandsworth has been made available to buyers with household incomes starting from £45,000. The percentage rent charged on unsold equity starts from as low as 0.5%. The stylish homes set the standard for spacious living; meaning people in the local community can take their first step on to the property ladder and own their own little bit of London. Waterway offers premium living, in a thriving new community, at an affordable price.

STRAWBERRY STAR | LU2ON Lu2on is a mixed-use development coming up in London’s commuter belt town of Luton. 877 apartments (suites, one bedroom and two bedroom homes) are spread across three towers.

Facilities include 49,600 sq ft of retail space, an 8,000 sq ft gym, 24-hour concierge, restaurants and bars, secure parking, large public realm (10,000 sq m), convention centre, roof and courtyard gardens and a hotel with more than 200 rooms. Provision has been made to include a supermarket, childcare facility and pharmacy.

Spread across 6.9 acres, it is among the largest mixed-use developments in the UK focusing on first-time buyers. The development is located just a two-minute walk from the Luton Airport Parkway Railway Station, which connects to King’s Cross, St Pancras, central London, in just 23 minutes. Lu2on offers London lifestyle homes but at prices achievable to FTBs. Phase one of Lu2on will be completed by Q2 2021.

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MOST INNOVATIVE MARKETING CAMPAIGN

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THIS AWARD WILL BE GIVEN TO THE MOST INNOVATIVE MARKETING CAMPAIGN THAT HAS BEEN CARRIED OUT USING ALL FORMS OF MEDIA, ENABLING FIRST TIME BUYERS TO FIND AFFORDABLE HOUSING, GOVERNMENT SCHEMES AND MORTGAGE DEALS.

METROPOLITAN THAMES VALLEY HOUSING | SO RESI SO Resi, the shared ownership brand of leading housing association Metropolitan Thames Valley, is on a mission to raise awareness of shared ownership and change the way it is perceived and has taken a fresh approach to promoting the scheme by making it straightforward and easy to understand.

Underpinned by SO Resi’s website that explains every aspect of shared ownership simply and with complete transparency, its marketing campaign spans multi digital, print, audio and outdoor channels and uses innovative promotions such as one linked to National Avocado Day, to engage and attract a predominantly young audience of aspiring homebuyers.

Evidence of the campaign’s success is clear: a 73% increase in traffic to the website in 2019, 12,381 people registered at a SO Resi development between April and October 2019; almost three in 10 enquiries resulted in a visit and 11% of visits turned into a reservation.

NOTTING HILL GENESIS | MANOR PLACE DEPOT The innovative brand created for Manor Place Depot helped it stand out and engage first time buyers, cleverly weaving in the heritage of the site and playing on the homonymic meaning of the “Manor”.

This was backed up by a dedicated microsite with embedded video content that focused on placemaking and lifestyle. Situated close to the hub of Elephant & Castle, Manor Place Depot has an enviably convenient location, which became central to the unique selling proposition for the development. In showcasing its apartments as ideal for first time buyers, it was crucial to highlight the area’s diverse and established community and the significant regeneration of Elephant & Castle, as well as the excellent travel connections.

Built on the site of the historic Manor Place Baths, the brand drew on this heritage. The name Manor Place Depot was retained and the bold, confident brand reflected the vibrancy of the local area, appealing to the FTB demographic.

ONWARD | ONWARD LIVING In April 2019 we launched Onward Living, a new brand developed to represent our homes for sale.

Onward Living specialises in building new homes, with a focus on shared ownership, to suit the diverse needs of our customers, whether they’re a first time buyer, a growing family, or just thinking about downsizing.

To support the brand launch we developed an integrated, research-led marketing campaign with multiple online and offline tactics. The impact of our campaign was clear: for a marketing spend of less than £80,000 we sold 100% of our homes within one month of launch, generating £2.5m in sales revenue.

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BEST PARTNERSHIP AFFORDABLE HOMES

THIS EXCITING NEW AWARD CATEGORY CELEBRATES A COLLABORATION OF TWO OR MORE COMPANIES WHO 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.

HOME REACH Home Reach by heylo is a hugely popular and extremely effective part-buy-partrent scheme delivered in partnership with nearly 40 housebuilders. Home Reach makes newly built homes for sale on the open market more affordable to first time buyers. What makes the scheme unusual is that it is not restricted by the rules of traditional shared ownership.

FTBs can purchase the same home with a third less salary when compared with Help to Buy. They also choose between buying a bigger share of a lower-priced home or a smaller share of a more expensive one. Other benefits include a much greater choice of homes, fewer eligibility restrictions than traditional shared ownership schemes, as well as private sale internal specification.

Currently partnering with over 45 housebuilders – including the top 20 by volume – the impact has been huge. More than 4,000 new homes have been bought using Home Reach, with over £80m in Government grants awarded to the scheme.

METROPOLITAN THAMES VALLEY HOUSING (MTVH) AND RESI HOUSING Combining the funding power of an investment company and the expertise and specialist services of one of the UK’s largest housing associations, Metropolitan Thames Valley (MTVH) and ReSI Housing have set up an innovative, 20-year partnership that is boosting the supply of much-needed shared ownership homes.

The 20-year partnership agreement is for an unusually long time, demonstrating the commitment of both companies; it is designed to maximise the number of shared ownership homes available to buyers. ReSI Housing sources properties which would not have been used for affordable housing and delivers them as shared ownership homes backed by a Government grant.

MTVH helps ReSI Housing secure these grants and deals with matters related to shared ownership, while SO Resi, its shared ownership arm, acts as sales agent.

MTVH and ReSI Housing are currently delivering 132 high-quality shared ownership homes at their flagship scheme SO Resi Clapham Park in south west London.

PETERS VILLAGE Partnership has underpinned the success of Peters Village, an all-new 1,000-home community rising from the remains of a defunct Victorian cement works that once thrived on Kent’s River Medway.

Downland scarred by the works’ chalk pits – plundered to feed 19th century London’s building boom – has been reborn as a rural yet well-connected village, offering a wide choice of quality homes being imaginatively arranged on re-worked quarry contours, and with elements fostering a healthy lifestyle and co-existence with Nature.

Nearly 300 apartments and houses are occupied, and residents can enjoy walkways, bridleways, cycle routes, and an attractive riverside esplanade – a popular meeting place – abundant open space and quality playing fields. Peters Village already has a stateof-the-art primary school and work starts soon on a handily sited village centre, with supermarket and shops, medical centre and community hall, including nursery school and changing rooms.Peters Village is a partnership project between: overall developer Trenport Investments; homebuilders Orbit, Hyde Westerhill, Bellway, Ashberry, Moat and Bovis; the Goverment’s Homes England agency; and Kent Wildlife Trust.

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RADIAN GROUP AND WATES RESIDENTIAL

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Located on the site of a former Royal Naval Air Station, Daedalus Village is a collection of 200 new homes in Lee-on-the-Solent, with 80 for sale through shared ownership – 40% of the site’s overall housing mix.

The scheme is being developed in partnership by housing provider Radian Group, Wates Residential and Homes England, unlocking the future of this historic site and delivering high-quality, affordable homes. It is being delivered through Home England’s Direct Commissioning Initiative, which helps to fast-track the building of homes on publicly owned land at double the pace of the industry standard.

Thoughtfully designed to preserve the area’s heritage, the character of the former naval buildings is complemented by a new style, centred around green spaces that reflect the surrounding landscape of the Hampshire countryside. Every home is finished to a high specification, regardless of tenure.

All of the shared ownership properties in the first phase at Daedalus Village were reserved in the first week after the launch.

REDWING AND M&Y Redwing and M&Y are part of The Regenda Group and share a strategic purpose of providing a range of multi-tenure housing products. As part of this, we have specifically focused on a multi-tenure offer, focusing on non-traditional means such as shared ownership, increasing access to housing for first time buyers, in areas where property prices may otherwise be restrictive or quality lacking.

Our partnership aims to address barriers to ownership through the provision of high-quality housing. By combining our strengths, we can deliver positive results for first time buyers. Redwing has over 50 years’ experience in the sale and management of affordable homes, particularly shared ownership. M&Y has almost 40 years’ experience in building and maintaining a range of properties. Through utilising the knowledge of both and coming together to share skills, we champion collaborative working and use an integrated approach to increase options available to first time buyers.

SITESALES AND SO MORTGAGES For many First Time Buyers, especially those that are interested in schemes such as Help to Buy or shared ownership, securing the right mortgage can be a huge stumbling block. Our dynamic partnership between SiteSales Property Group and independent broker SO Mortgages offers prospective purchasers a one-stop shop that not only takes away the stress surrounding purchasing a new property, but also ensures that first time buyers make wise choices when considering buying their first home. SiteSales and SO Mortgages work together at every stage of the sales process and although we are not financially linked, we see ourselves as sister companies when it comes to having first time buyer welfare at heart. While SiteSales concentrates on selling new affordable properties for outright sale, shared ownership and shared equity, SO Mortgages assists buyers in choosing the right scheme for them and source the funding they require to become new homeowners.

This also includes full support when purchasing a new home with the government run scheme, Help To Buy.

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BEST SUPPLIER 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.

FIRSTHOMECOACH We built FirstHomeCoach to deliver better outcomes for first time buyers. With our free-to-use app, they can get into their home faster, cheaper and smarter. It is a digital tool for a generation seeking to utilise technology to play life better.

We empower them to use their data to personalise and plan – creating a digital twin – from which they can make smarter decisions. Launched in January 2019, the FirstHomeCoach app has now helped over 75,000 first time buyers – people reading useful, jargon-free articles, completing personalised missions to inform their journey and speaking to our partners who can help on savings, mortgages and more.

What sets FirstHomeCoach apart from other offerings on the market is its user experience. By bringing everything all into one place, making the app easy to use and delivering a personalised yet private experience, we have a powerful propositional combination that meets people’s needs.

SHARE TO BUY A brand name synonymous with shared ownership, Share to Buy is the UK’s leading online portal for first time buyers.

Specialising in both shared ownership and Help to Buy, the site is an unparalleled resource for buyers navigating the world of affordable home ownership, listing over 4,000 homes and generating more than 200,000 leads.

Since launching over a decade ago, Share to Buy has become a voice of authority in the sector, committed to educating the market on alternative homeownership options and making these options accessible.

Innovative user experience is essential; Share to Buy offers a wealth of free online resources – including “how to” guides, videos and financial calculators.

Another string to its bow, Share to Buy runs the London Home Show, the capital’s largest first time buyer event, showcasing the best in affordable homes. The free event gives buyers the opportunity to speak face-to-face with housing experts.

SITESALES PROPERTY GROUP SiteSales Property Group has been supporting first time buyers for three decades, offering new affordable properties from our clients for outright sale, shared ownership, shared equity and using Help to Buy. We pride ourselves on providing unrivalled customer service to home buyers from the first enquiry through to the first anniversary and beyond. We also build our own homes for sale through our partnership company, Regenta, using our experience and expertise in the property market to create homes that are perfect for first time buyers, such as the beautiful apartments at Winns Avenue, Walthamstow, that are already fully reserved.

Our experience means we can support buyers every step of the way to homeownership, offering continuity and a friendly face throughout their purchase.

We even include 12 months aftercare, with a 24-hour hotline, in the unlikely event of any problems after moving in; ensuring every buyer feels at home.

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STEPLADDER StepLadder is a game-changing fintech company committed to rewriting the odds in the first time buyer’s favour – a unique 100% collaborative alternative to raising a deposit alone.

Using a peer-to-peer model, members put aside set amounts over fixed terms, lending and borrowing from each other. Motivated by team spirit, members raise their property deposits together on average 45% faster compared to saving alone.

StepLadder aims to empower members by negotiating significant discounts on their behalf from surveyors, solicitors and mortgage advisers. Response in the first year has been phenomenal and StepLadder hopes that it will to change the future of personal finance.

StepLadder has worked on a First Time Buyers Unite initiative with UK policy makers to develop achievable changes to regulation and policy. By influencing and collaborating with MPs, StepLadder aims to support the first time buyer and make the UK the easiest place in the world to realise the dream of homeownership.

SUNA Suna is an interior design studio working exclusively with property developers on show homes, interior specification, marketing suites and CGIs for a wide variety of clients across the UK, from housing associations to high-end private developers.

We pride ourselves on a bespoke approach to each one of our projects, taking location, target market, client and brief into consideration to produce show homes that offer the developer the best opportunity to appeal to their specific purchasers.

Working with numerous FTB developers across our 18 years in the industry has given us a vast experience of balancing inspiration, aspiration and individuality, designing interiors that speak to the target market for each development.

With services that span the entire development process, we work with developers from the planning stages, with optimisation and specification services, through to the sales journey with CGIs, show homes and marketing suites. A one-stop shop for the FTB developer!

THE MEDIA PEOPLE We are The Media People... The Media People is a media advertising agency that specialises in the real estate industry.

We have been working within the property sector for more than 20 years and our unique position is that we are a hybrid media agency that is able to work across both digital media and traditional media platforms such as TV, press and posters.

We are a team of 30 media-qualified people who work collaboratively with over 40 clients made up of housing associations, private developers and sales agents. Online.

Offline. We are your people.

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BEST SHOW HOME AFFORDABLE HOMES

THIS AWARD GOES TO THE COMPANY WITH THE BEST SHOW HOME ALLOWING THE BUYER TO SEE THE PROPERTY TO ITS MAXIMUM POTENTIAL, GIVING THEM A REALISTIC INSIGHT INTO THEIR NEW HOME.

BELLWAY LONDON | EXPLORER’S WHARF The London borough of Tower Hamlets had more than 1,250 Help to Buy purchases since the inception of the London-specific scheme in 2016, so it is perhaps no surprise that Bellway London’s Explorer’s Wharf development in Poplar, Tower Hamlets, has proved so popular with first time buyers.

In fact, more than half of purchases on the new development have been with Help to Buy. Located alongside the Limehouse Cut canal, Explorer’s Wharf is a stunning development of one, two and three bedroom apartments, offering city living in one of London’s top investment areas.

But there is more to this scheme than its location. Buyers have the opportunity to see the development brought to life thanks to an award-winning two-bedroom show apartment that combines eye-catching design with vital first time buyer budgetary considerations. Bellway’s interior design partner Vesta has created an impressive “loft-living’” style which appeals to young city professionals.

CLARION HOUSING | WINDSOR APARTMENTS With an emphasis on 21st century living, Windsor Apartments is a striking collection of new homes set among 2.5 acres of landscaped gardens. Located just off Prince of Wales Drive, Clarion is delivering 229 affordable homes at the development, 161 of which are available with shared ownership and 68 homes for intermediate rent.

The two bedroom show home at Windsor Apartments has been designed to echo the calm and openness of its surrounding parkland, but also bringing hints of both the trendy and sophisticated cafe culture in the area. With carefully selected furnishings that are affordable and appealing to first time buyers, the show home presents a great insight into how buyers can live there on a budget.

SO RESI | SYDENHAM With a specification that is identical to the homes for private sale, the twobedroom, two-bathroom showhome at SO Resi Sydenham goes above and beyond the expectations of a first home in terms of specification, quality of design and its fantastic London location.

What’s more it delivers 726 sq ft of stunning living space and requires a five per cent deposit of just £6,060 for a 25% share. Carpets, oak flooring, Bosch kitchen appliances and wardrobes to the master bedroom are all included. Every home benefits from a balcony and, for security, a video entry system.

SO Resi Sydenham is part of Crest Nicholson’s Dylon Works development, situated just 200m from Lower Sydenham station and delivering a commute to London Bridge in around 15 minutes; a commuter’s dream. The clear industrial-style influence of the interiors provide brilliant inspiration for new homeowners looking to style their first home on a realistic budget.

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ONE HOUSING | THE BOYN HEIGHTS

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We selected Decorum interiors who are up and coming in the sector, are on trend and have expertise within the first time buyer market. The Boyn Heights show apartment is filled with carefully considered and stylish items which are at an affordable cost. Boyn Heights, situated within the heart of Maidenhead, promotes affordable living for first time buyers.

This development offers 45 one and two bedroom apartments on the shared ownership scheme, giving the younger generations an opportunity to get on to the property ladder. Located within close proximity to the town centre, that’s bustling with shops for all your needs, the train station is also within walking distance, taking you into London in no time. The modern look even includes high street items from Zara and H&M Home, making it all the more accessible to the first time buyer.

Simple yet stylish.

ORIGIN HOUSING | ICON7 Thoughtfully designed to reflect the vibrant local culture and artistic aesthetic of Islington, Origin Housing’s showhome for ICON7 incorporates a creative design with an industrial edge.

A minimal, contemporary colour palette helps prospective buyers imagine bringing their personal identity to the space. Statement artworks and quirky decorative objets d’art, such as cameras on picture ledges, generate a sense of artistic vision. Committed to creating a genuinely achievable look for first time buyers, key pieces have been sourced from a wide range of affordable and easily accessible retailers.

The stunning showhome has been crucial in helping to secure reservations at the boutique collection of 17 one and two bedroom shared ownership and Help to Buy apartments. All 15 private sale homes rwere eserved within two months, and shared ownership homes were reserved within weeks of the launch.

SOUTHERN HOME OWNERSHIP | THE REFINERY Capturing the spirit of a premium collection of shared ownership apartments, located in one of east London’s exciting regeneration zones, Southern Home Ownership’s show home at The Refinery is an aspirational home, embodying West Silvertown’s industrial heritage and bright future.

Presenting authentic connections to the area’s history while inspiring first time buyers, the three bedroom duplex show home takes full advantage of the space – showcasing a unique, individual style inspired by the surrounding neighbourhood.

Metal finishes and leather upholstery are direct nods to the industrial past, while bold, rich colour palettes and plush fabrics elevate the design and create a homely feeling throughout.

By incorporating pieces from a variety of online and high street outlets into a creative layout, Southern Home Ownership succeeds in showing first time buyers that sophisticated home design can be accessible and affordable while maximising the space to work best for them.

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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.

BARRATT LONDON | UPTON GARDENS Plot 291 at Upton Gardens is the latest release at Barratt London’s E13 development.

Built on the old West Ham Football club, the four bedroom, split-level family home can be purchased for under £600,000, equating to just a £30,000 deposit with Help to Buy London.

A clever solution to sleek family living, the triplex home also includes a large family bathroom, downstairs toilet and master en suite, a large open-plan kitchendiner and two private ground floor terraces.

The development includes access to family play areas, a proposed on-site cafe and acres of community space. The Zone 3 location is ideal for commuting parents, with a short journey into central London within 15 minutes and safe cycle links to the City. Furthermore, St Edward’s Primary School is right on the doorstop, rated Outstanding by Ofsted.

CLARION HOUSING | LAVENDER WALK For families seeking an affordable place to put down roots, Lavender Walk in Carshalton, Surrey, ticks all of the boxes with excellent schools nearby, plenty of green spaces and easy rail links into central London.

Here, first time buyers have been able to take advantage of the rare opportunity to secure a spacious three bedroom house within a London borough through Clarion’s shared ownership scheme. Bordered by the River Wandle, this is part of a tranquil and sought-after neighbourhood within an established development, providing an inviting, ready-made community for families to join.

There are safe, green spaces for children to play and several parks and play areas already created. The three bedroom home was priced at £135,750 for a 30% share, with a full market value of £452,500, representing a highly attainable opportunity for first time buyers to get on the property ladder in this popular and family friendly south London borough.

ESTUARY HOUSING | KINGCUP PLACE Set between historic Bishop’s Stortford and Braintree, Great Dunmow is a market town steeped in heritage. Many of its beautiful buildings date back hundreds of years and its high street is one of the few where most shops are still independent.

With a picturesque setting surrounded by rolling countryside, plus excellent transport links and lots to do on the doorstep, it’s the perfect place to put down roots.

These homes are traditionally built with brick and concrete block materials and feature spacious kitchen diners and the option to have a separate living room.

The shared ownership solution, with 40% share purchase option, has provided an affordable option in this sought-after area.

This enables families to stay in their local area which may otherwise be outside of their budget. All homes were reserved within a couple of weeks of being marketed.

It is a family friendly development for a growing family.

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L&Q | BIRNAM MEWS

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Birnam Mews is a collection of 60 family homes in the verdant village of Tiddington, Warwickshire, just outside Stratford-upon-Avon. The eco-friendly development is built around traditional family friendly street scenes, interspersed with pockets of greenery. Surrounded by publicly accessible fields, the new homes feel like a natural extension of the local village community, marrying green space with the distinctive architectural language of Stratford-upon-Avon. Available in 10 different layouts and designs, from one bedroom quarter houses to detached four bedroom family homes, Birnam Mews offers a unique mix of housing to help create the true community feel that families seek.

An impressive 50% of homes can be purchased with Help to Buy, and five two and three bedroom houses are available through shared ownership, exclusively for first time buyers from Stratford-upon-Avon. Priced affordably without compromising on quality, premium fixtures, fittings and appliances come as standard, ensuring that there’s no hidden costs for families.

LATIMER | CONNINGBROOK LAKES Located within the county known as the Garden of England, Conningbrook Lakes

by Latimer is located on the edge of Ashford in Kent, within the beautiful family oriented nature reserve of Conningbrook Country Park.

Offering a high-quality collection of homes, the development, which features the Government’s Help to Buy scheme, gives first time buyers the opportunity to own an affordable family home on the edge of some of England’s most beautiful countryside.

Bluebell, the show home, is a stunning four bedroom family property that has been meticulously designed with 21st century family living in mind.

Enjoying a peaceful and tranquil position overlooking the lake, this family property delivers a luxurious and stylish interior specification, complemented by well-proportioned and flexible accommodation.

PEABODY | STONELEA GARDENS Surrounded by lush green gardens and nestled next to properties from the Victorian and Regency eras, Stonelea Gardens is a stylish and energy-efficient collection of three and four bedroom townhouses located in vibrant Leyton, east London.

Built to meet the needs of the modern family, all houses feature generously sized gardens – some with rooftop patios – on-site private parking, and free daytime electricity via the solar photovoltaic system. Offering real affordability to families, buyers required a deposit 80% less than the average first time buyer deposit requirement in London.

Beautifully centred around a new village green, the houses are in close proximity to central London; just 10 minutes’ walk from Leyton underground station.

Bordering Langthorne Park and additional picturesque green spaces, including the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park within walking distance, means the choice of a vibrant neighbourhood or a quiet oasis is one families didn’t have to make – Stonelea Gardens offers both.

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BEST NEW DEVELOPMENT IN THE NORTH AFFORDABLE HOMES

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.

GECKO HOMES | MINEHEAD In the heart of Withington in Manchester, Minehead, are 64 two bedroom contemporary townhouses and apartments available for affordable rent or to buy through shared ownership. Minehead blends new and existing communities together through careful and clever use of space and facilities by creating an onsite community cafe, treatment room and integrated bus stop within the development.

Older Persons Shared Ownership is available on 21 apartments, offering the opportunity to move or downsize to a home suitable for individual needs. The apartments benefit from a cafe to eat and socialise and a treatment room. Committed to making this a success, the development will have an age friendly officer.

Ten houses are available through shared ownership located within touching distance of popular Didsbury and Chorlton. The properties suit a range of buyers – from single occupants or young families, to older households looking to downsize.

Each newly built home has modern eco features, including energy efficient boilers and full double-glazing, making them more affordable to heat and maintain.

ONWARD | CLIFTON GARDENS Clifton Gardens is a unique development of 24 homes built in the grounds of the historic Turner Home in Aigburth, Liverpool. Twenty of the properties were available exclusively through shared ownership.

Aigburth in south Liverpool is a sought-after district. It boasts convenient transport links to Liverpool city centre which is just 15 minutes away and it’s on the doorstep of Sefton Park and has excellent schools nearby. As a result, many prospective homeowners find themselves priced out of the market.

The development was an opportunity to diversify the existing housing offer and we are proud to have delivered 100% affordable housing on the scheme. Completed in September 2019, Clifton Gardens is the first shared ownership development in this area for a decade, giving local first time buyers an opportunity to get on the property ladder.

RIVERSIDE HOME OWNERSHIP | COPPER BROOK Copper Brook is a flagship development of 69 two, three and four bedroom affordable homes in the village of Helsby, Cheshire, – and Riverside’s fastest selling new scheme ever.

With eight property styles and sizes available through shared ownership, Riverside Home Ownership offered first time buyers and other eligible purchasers the opportunity to get on to the property ladder in this highly desirable, wellconnected location.

The development supplies much-needed new homes to help meet a growing local demand. Shared ownership means purchasers buy the share they can afford and pay a reduced monthly rent on the remainder, with the option to own outright in the future. Properties at Copper Brook are built to an extremely high specification, with superb finishes throughout, including carpets, ceramic tiling and kitchen appliances all as standard. Buyers also benefit from the RHO team’s expert advice and support throughout the whole process and beyond.

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BEST NEW DEVELOPMENT IN THE SOUTH

FINANCE

THIS AWARD IS FOR THE BEST DEVELOPMENT OF ANY SIZE IN THE SOUTH OF ENGLAND (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.

COUNTRYSIDE AND L&Q | BEAULIEU Historically in an area that was a hunting ground of King Henry VIII, the vision for Beaulieu was to create a vibrant new integrated community for the city of Chelmsford, bringing together 3,600 quality new homes in a range of styles to suit different tastes, preferences and income levels.

The homes are designed around 180 acres of green open spaces, ranging from formal parks, village greens and community gardens to natural meadows plus an orchard. These green open spaces connect the new Beaulieu neighbourhoods and give residents a wealth of choice for outdoor activities, improving their health and well-being.

Beaulieu is a perfect destination for young couples or families, offering four distinct residential neighbourhoods. These range from traditional, colonialstyle through to ultra-modern, meaning there’s a home to suit all tastes. The neighbourhoods that make up the development are: Beaulieu Keep, Beaulieu Chase, Beaulieu Heath and Beaulieu Oaks.

INLAND HOMES | CHAPEL RIVERSIDE Designated as one of seven “VIP” sites by Southampton City Council, and forming part of the regenerative Itchen Riverside project, Chapel Riverside is an exciting nine-acre scheme which will ultimately include a vibrant mix of more than 450 new one, two and three bedroom apartments, public amenity space, retail space and commercial buildings specifically reserved for marine-based businesses.

At the outset, the intention was to provide homes at an affordable price point for existing residents of Southampton. This ambition has been realised with many first time buyers taking advantage of Inland Homes’ sales incentives, including “Reserve for £99” and “Free furniture pack”, as well as the Government Help to Buy scheme.

Chapel Riverside’s prominent location on the west bank of the River Itchen allows easy access to Southampton city centre, 0.7 miles away, for those working in the city or for those wishing to make the most of the extensive leisure and entertainment facilities on offer. A new cycleway will greatly improve links to Ocean Village.

PETERS VILLAGE An all-new bridge over the River Medway was the key to unlocking a challenging brownfield site, now transformed into an attractive and distinctive new community in the heart of Kent – the Garden of England.

The new crossing delivered easy access to the motorway network, high speed trains into London and vastly improved job, education, shopping and leisure options.

With its distinctive riverside esplanade adjoining the elegant new bridge, Peters Village could also offer something different from other local developments.

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BEST AGE-EXCLUSIVE HOUSING

MANY OLDER BUYERS ARE INCREASINGLY LOOKING TO MOVE INTO THEIR FIRST AGEEXCLUSIVE HOME. THIS NEW CATEGORY REGCOGNISES THE NEED FOR QUALITY HOMES AND ENVIRONMENTS FOR OLDER BUYERS WHO ARE 55-PLUS.

EMH | SPRINGFIELDS emh Care & Support is part of emh Group, and provides affordable homes and related care across the East Midlands. Developments are designed to help people live a independent life, by providing support, care, and housing to match their needs.

Springfields is a beautifully landscaped development, set in idyllic National Parkland near the stylish spa town of Ashby-de-la-Zouch, comprising 65 highspecification apartments including 15 for sale with shared ownership. The architects have focused on creating light, open spaces, which inspire a sense of wellbeing and honour the site’s proximity to one of the area’s most famous natural springs.

Communal spaces, for socialising and welcoming guests, include a bistro, a beauty salon and a residents’ lounge. All apartments are self-contained and future-proofed, as they are designed to allow wheelchairs and mobility aids to be used if required.

The front entrance has a video door entry system, and each apartment also has its own secure entrance. Springfields has a dedicated team of staff available 24/7, with flexible care packages that can evolve as needs change.

GECKO HOMES | MINEHEAD Located in the heart of Withington in Manchester, Minehead consists of 64 two bedroom contemporary townhouses and apartments available for affordable rent or to buy through shared ownership. Minehead blends new and existing communities together through clever use of space and facilities, including creating an onsite community cafe, treatment room and integrated bus stop within the development.

Older Persons Shared Ownership is available on 21 apartments, offering the opportunity to move or downsize to a home suitable for individual needs. The apartments benefit from a cafe to eat and socialise and a treatment room. Committed to making this a success, the development will have an age friendly officer.

Ten houses are available through shared ownership located within touching distance of popular Didsbury and Chorlton. The properties suit a range of buyers – from single occupants or young families, to older households looking to downsize.

Each newly built home has modern eco features, including energy efficient boilers.

ONE HOUSING | LINDEN COURT Linden Court is a new build extra care scheme in the London Borough of Lewisham, comprising 53 units,19 of which are for shared ownership exclusively to those over the age of 55.

The surrounding area is mainly residential but within walking distance of the high street. Lewisham is a lively community with a strong cultural mix and a strong sense of community and history.

One Housing worked in partnership with Hill Partnerships & PRP architects to develop these beautifully designed retirement apartments which promote independence and well-being both internally and in the external shared amenities.

The scheme has been designed with the evolving needs of the age-exclusive market in mind, with an on-site skilled care and support service provided to all. One Housing is a leading developer and provider of specialist senior living accommodation and has had exceptional feedback from local people on this new development and offering for the people of Lewisham.

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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.

BELLWAY LONDON | EASTSIDE QUARTER Built on the site of the former civic offices in Bexleyheath, Eastside Quarter from Bellway London is a stunning example of how developments can be designed, built and marketed for first time buyers without compromise.

With seven studio apartments and 216 one bedroom apartments (43% of the total 518 apartments), not to mention on-site and off-site amenities and excellent transport links, it is well suited for the first time buyer market.

What’s more, the attention to design, detail and standard of customer care means that Eastside Quarter serves as a best-practice model for first time buyer developments. This is demonstrated by the fact that more than 70 buyers had bought off-plan before the development even launched in December 2019.

NOTTING HILL GENESIS | PECKHAM PLACE In buzzing Peckham, the collection of stylish, contemporary apartments at Peckham Place are available off-plan, carefully designed to suit first time buyers’ lifestyles now and in the future.

There are 333 new homes in total, offered in a range of tenures including shared ownership and private sale, some with Help to Buy London, offering great potential for those wishing to get on to the property ladder. The apartments come in a mix of one, two and three bedroom layouts, all featuring spacious light-filled interiors, a high-quality finish and a range of eco features.

Residents will also enjoy plenty of outside space including a new pocket park, as well as a private terrace or balcony to most homes. Notting Hill Genesis’ marketleading levels of customer care, first class show homes and innovative marketing suite technology means that first time buyers are guided smoothly through the offplan buying process.

PLUMLIFE | FOXWOOD Foxwood is a fantastic new mixed-tenure development consisting of 54 houses in central Salford, comprising homes available through shared ownership and also for market sale by Cube Homes with the option of Help to Buy. The desirable location, transport links and affordable price tags, combined with contemporary design, has resulted in high demand, with over 55% reserved offplan; with majority of customers being first time buyers. From site start, an off-plan launch was planned, combining strengths of Foxwood with nearby developments, maximising choice and enabling customers to consider location, tenure and house type options to suit their needs.

The off-plan launch attracted huge demand and reservations levels were high, complimented by the subsequent opening of our show home. First time buyers are involved throughout the sales process and are able to choose their kitchen and bathrooms as well as the opportunity to access their future home before build completion.

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Sponsored by

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READERS’ AWARDS 2020

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READERS’ AWARDS SITESALES PROPERTY GROUP AND ONE HOUSING | BLACKHORSE LANE Shared ownership homes at Blackhorse Lane in Walthamstow are brought to the first time buyer market by One Housing. These homes make up an outstanding collection of one, two and three bedroom apartments as well as three and four bedroom maisonettes.

Walthamstow is surrounded by green spaces while having the amenities of a modern urban area, giving residents the best of both worlds.

STRAWBERRY STAR | HARLOW QUARTER Harlow Quarter is an exciting new development by Strawberry Star Homes, set among beautifully landscaped public spaces and a retail avenue at the Harvey Centre in the heart of Harlow town.

The residential-led mixed-use development has planning consent to create 447 residential apartments, including studios, one and two-bedroom homes. Residents will enjoy concierge services, cycle storage, and two communal roof gardens. All units will fall under the Help to Buy scheme in relation to capital values.

This redevelopment opportunity is part of the Harvey Shopping Centre from Broad Walk to West Gate and East Gate providing connectivity through to the rest of the town. With over 43,000 sq ft of commercial space, Harlow Quarter is just 30 minutes by train to London, ideal for first time buyers and commuting professionals aspiring for the UK capital’s lifestyle.

THE GUINNESS PARTNERSHIP | IMPERIAL-BY-LEA The Guinness Partnership has started to build a mixed-use scheme of 965 mixedtenure homes at Imperial-by-Lea with well-designed external communal areas including a riverside park, access to the River Lea and a residents’ courtyard garden.

The development has been designed to feel inclusive, with provision for communal working and leisure space, as well as the convenience of ground floor commercial space, including a riverside cafe that will add to the wider sense of place.

Connectivity is key, and Bromley-by-Bow tube station is within a few minutes walk, providing access to Liverpool Street and the City in nine minutes. This convenience for work, balanced by the close proximity to Stratford, the Olympic Park and Westfield, opens up lifestyle options. The mixed tenure accommodation broadens the opportunities to purchase and we anticipate that 90% of homes will be eligible for Help to Buy or shared ownership, reducing monthly costs for nearby renters.

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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.

BARRATT DEVELOPMENTS PLC Barratt Developments is Britain’s largest and best-known housebuilder. Taking its commitment to first time buyers very seriously, approximately 40% of the 17,856 homes that it built last year were bought by those looking to get on the property ladder.

By embracing schemes like Help to Buy, Barratt has made it possible for thousands of first time buyers to afford to buy five-star quality properties they can be proud to call home.

Barratt is the only major national housebuilder to achieve the maximum 5 Star rating in the HBF Homebuilder Survey for customer satisfaction for 10 consecutive years.

With a vision to lead the future of housebuilding by putting customers at the heart of everything it does, Barratt’s goal is to deliver more of the homes the country needs while maintaining the highest standards of quality, design and customer service.

INLAND HOMES As an established land professional and housebuilding business, delivering sites across southern England for residential and mixed use, Inland Homes has enjoyed an exceptional year.

The company is starting to deliver larger than average site sizes and is now established as a respected housebuilder, enabling full control of developments and ensuring a high build quality, which in turn maximises values.

All our developments use sustainable systems for energy efficiency, water management and pollution reduction, complementing our ethos to deliver high-quality homes which suit today’s lifestyle and enhance the environment.

We take pride in ensuring the smoothness of the customer journey, from initial contact to final completion. Our customer service team resolves issues with empathy, and relationships with homeowners continue after completion.

Safety is a priority. In August the Group achieved two million work-hours with no reportable incidents and our year end Accident Frequency Rate stands at 0.12.

COUNTRYSIDE This year, Countryside delivered sectorleading growth while continuing to support its customers.

Countryside’s target customers are first time buyers, with 90% of its private completions in 2019 made at price points below £600,000.

A 33% increase in completions to 5,733 homes led to adjusted revenue of £1,422.8m in the 12 months to 30 September 2019, with adjusted operating profit increasing by 11%. Countryside’s customer satisfaction rating is equivalent to that of a five-star HBF builder, with 92.5% of customers saying they would recommend Countryside to a friend.

Confirming its reputation for quality product, Countryside claimed the Graham Pye Award at the 2019 Housing Design Awards, in addition to several award shortlistings. On-site, Countryside’s 2019 Accident Injury Incident Rate was below the industry average (by 44%) for the 16th consecutive year.

In 2019, Countryside introduced mental health first aiders training, as part of its continued drive to support employees, contractors and visitors.

MARTIN GRANT HOMES Family-owned company Martin Grant Homes has built a reputation for quality, attention to detail and delivering an exemplary customer experience.

MD Chris Hamilton, has introduced initiatives to provide the best possible service and experience, especially for first time buyers.

Martin Grant Homes prides itself on offering an affordable home for first time buyers. Buckton Fields in Northampton is just one example; providing an opportunity to purchase an affordable three bedroom home.

Homes offer a traditional feel, but are designed to suit the lifestyles of busy, tech-savvy, first time buyers with flexible living spaces, integrated appliances and rooms pre-wired for Sky Q. Homes are also designed with a fabric first approach resulting in lower energy bills for the eco-conscious buyer.

From selecting mortgage brokers and solicitors, assisting on the design and finish, and offering home demonstrations through its aftercare programme; Martin Grant Homes goes the extra mile to support first time buyers.

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AFFORDABLE HOUSING PROVIDER OF THE YEAR AFFORDABLE HOMES

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.

L&Q Putting communities and first time buyers at the heart of all it does, L&Q is one of the UK’s most innovative social businesses, with an ambition to deliver 100,000 homes (of which at least 50% will be affordable). From creating cutting edge homes designed by Stirling Prize-winning architects, to delivering eco homes in Erith, the organisation places an emphasis on innovation for first time buyers.

Consistently upping its game in terms of specifiation, L&Q creates the best quality homes for first time buyers, as mixologist Amélie Diaz, who bought a 35% share in a property at Weavers Quarter, Barking, notes, “I like everything about my new apartment. I can’t wait to get back home.”

Customer care and communication continues to be a key focus. In 2019, the new L&Q Homes website was launched; the home of first time buying. The website showcases available properties and gives encyclopaedic insight into both shared ownership and Help to Buy, ensuring buyers can make truly informed decisions on their route into homeownership.

ORIGIN HOUSING A medium-sized organisation driven by a social conscience, Origin Housing prides itself on being large enough to have a big impact, but small enough to maintain its personal touch and impeccable customer service. Another successful year, 2019 saw the organisation continue to transform the lives of residents, local people and first time buyers across London and Hertfordshire.

Delivering more and more homes for first time buyers, Origin plans to ramp up its development to deliver 1,100 new homes by 2022, with an impressive 600 of these homes under construction this year. True to the organisation’s socially minded roots, an emphasis is placed on affordability, with private sale homes priced to be accessible to first time buyers.

Demonstrating an excellent after sales and customer service, over the last financial year Origin once again received a 100% satisfaction rate from its new build customers, and has developed a new dedicated engagement strategy to better communicate with potential buyers and residents.

METROPOLITAN THAMES VALLEY (MTVH) Metropolitan Thames Valley (MTVH), is one of the UK’s leading affordable housing providers, and owns, manages or administers 57,000 homes. At this time of chronic housing need, it is now focused on setting up innovative partnerships to provide even more affordable homes.

It delivered 1,037 new homes last year, 55% of which were shared ownership properties to help first time buyers get on the property ladder. Over the next five years it has ambitious plans to provide a further 3,915 homes.

As a pioneer of shared ownership, MTVH offers highquality homes in popular locations including sought-after commuting towns. Its SO Resi brand is dedicated to making shared ownership easy to understand and more accessible, while its unique Shared Ownership PLUS scheme makes it simple for owners to buy more shares in their home. A new customer experience strategy, introduced last year, is enhancing customer care through more efficient systems and greater transparency.

PLUMLIFE We’re known for being the affordable homes specialist in the North West and our customers are at the heart of everything we do – we’re proud to help many first time buyers each year find their perfect home.

We have recently enabled 193 customers to step on to the property ladder and a further 76 customers have purchased more shares to continue their journey to full homeownership.

Since March 2019, we’ve also achieved 232 reservations across our tenures.

With over 20 years’ experience delivering quality new homes through shared ownership, we have established ourselves as industry leaders. As well as selling our shared ownership homes, our specialist team also sells on behalf of local authorities, housing associations and our market sale team using Help to Buy. We provide expert advice and share our skills and knowledge to help more customers step on to the property ladder and help fix the housing crisis.

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JUDGES SPECIAL AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION TO THE FIRST TIME BUYER MARKET AFFORDABLE HOMES

THIS AWARD WILL RECOGNISE THE OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION MADE BY ONE INDIVIDUAL TO THE FIRST TIME BUYER MARKET. THIS AWARD WILL CELEBRATE THE WORK OF AN INDIVIDUAL WHO THROUGH THEIR INNOVATIVE APPROACH TO THE MARKET HAS HELPED FIRST TIME BUYERS OVERCOME THE USUAL CHALLENGES FACED IN THIS SECTOR. THIS AWARD WILL BE JUDGED BY THE JUDGES ONLY.

SARAH BUTLER Sarah Butler has helped thousands of households into homeownership during her 20-year career with housing associations and housebuilders including Peabody, L&Q, Notting Hill Genesis and Moat.

At L&Q, Sarah was part of the team that developed London’s first HomeBuy Agency service (a model that still influences how the Help to Buy Agent network operates), making it easier for first time buyers to find out about low cost homeownership options.

She also helped L&Q feature in The Sunday Times list of 100 best companies to work for. As Director of Sales & Marketing at Peabody she positively managed change during a merger, growing the team from three to 17, launching a website and turning around sales performance.

After joining Genesis Housing Association in 2017 as Commercial Director she managed the integration of sales operations as Notting Hill Housing Trust and Genesis merged. Sarah’s conscientious and caring approach has enabled sales to become the voice of the customer.

TONY HARKER A leading and well-respected property professional with over 15 years experience, Tony celebrates an outstanding track record. He is innovative in his approach and is passionate about quality of service, winning many awards for the organisations he has worked for.

He has given numerous training seminars to improve industry performance. He truly believes in supporting the first time buyer market and has presented at Affordable Home Shows nationwide, as well as appearing on TV and radio promoting affordable housing.

Having led and managed many teams over the years, he was has recognised and encouraged rising stars to reach their potential. He is now a consultant promoting best practice and supporting organisations deliver affordable homes. He is also a Non–Executive Director of a housing association operating in Cheshire, which has impressive customer engagement and won the TPAS tenant engagement award in 2019.

FELICITY GENTLE Intuitive, innovative, insightful, inspirational and supportive are some of the many complimentary words people have used to describe Felicity Gentle. Without any doubt, she is one of our sector’s shining stars, incredibly well respected and a true champion with a passion for first time buyers as for shared ownership. Felicity’s career in the housing association world started 17 years ago when she joined Affinity Sutton (now Clarion). Later, she joined Viridian and, in 2017, managed the integration and merger of the Viridian and Amicus Horizon sales teams to create new highly performing and successful teams at Optivo.

Year on year, Felicity has worked closely with her teams, delivering sales of hundreds of new homes and resales, helping people on to the property ladder. Her performance record is exemplary, with targets smashed every single year and on track to do the same at Optivo this year. Her natural and positive approach helps Felicity to establish a can-do solution-focused culture with customers at the forefront.

NICK LIEB Undoubtedly one of the industry’s greatest champions of affordable home ownership, Share to Buy’s Head of Operations, Nick Lieb, has dedicated his career to date to promoting shared ownership and Help to Buy to eligible buyers across the UK. Nick leads a small but highly efficient team, seamlessly running the operations and marketing sides of both Share to Buy and The London Home Show, the UK’s largest event for first time buyers, in an ever changing and challenging property landscape.

Under Nick’s leadership, the portal had its biggest reach ever in 2019, and now has over 4,000 properties listed by more than 150 housing associations, providers and sales agents – with a property enquiry generated every 2.5 minutes.

Since Nick joined the team, Share to Buy has also received over 1,250,000 property enquiries and 140 million page views.

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AFFORDABLE HOMES

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HOW TO VOTE

READERS’ AWARDS

VOTE NOW FOR YOUR FAVOURITE IN EACH CATEGORY AT FTBAWARDS.COM AND YOU COULD WIN £250 OF IKEA VOUCHERS! Voting closes at midnight on 3 April 2020. FTB Award winners will be announced during the Awards Lunch at the London Marriott Hotel, Grosvenor Square. A full list of winners will be published in the June/July issue of First Time Buyer.

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Your details will automatically be entered in a free draw to win £250 of IKEA vouchers Voting closes on 18 June 2020 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

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COMPETITION

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FIRST MEAL

FIRST HOME, FIRST MEAL Who can resist a little taste of the Mediterranean! These meatballs with tomato, basil sauce and feta cheese, created by Ioannis Grammenos, Executive Chef at Heliot Steak House are ideal to enjoy with friends and family or make the perfect supper after a long day at work!

MEATBALLS WITH TOMATO, BASIL SAUCE & FETA CHEESE

INGREDIENTS (serves 4) For the meatballs  800g good quality freshly minced beef  1 medium size white onion  2 garlic cloves  Small bunch of parsley  Small bunch of basil  1 tsp oregano  1 tsp marjoram  50g breadcrumbs  1 whole egg  Salt & pepper For the tomato & basil sauce  4 tbsp olive oil  ½ red onion  3 garlic cloves  400g chopped tomato  1 bay leaf  1 tsp thyme  ½ tsp paprika  1 tsp granulated sugar  1 bunch Thai basil  Salt & pepper  Handful of feta cheese and basil for garnish

METHOD 1

2 3 4

Start by chopping the white onion into very small dice, then finely chop the garlic cloves, the basil and the parsley. Place the minced meat in a large bowl, adding all the chopped ingredients and the oregano and marjoram. Mix together all the ingredients for 5 minutes so they are combined well.

Finally add the breadcrumbs and the beaten whole egg, season the mixture with salt and pepper and mix again.

Divide the mixture into approximately 24 round balls of 35g each. Cover the meatballs and refrigerate for 30 minutes.

If you want to check the mixture, you can fry a very small portion to add any extra seasoning, if necessary.

COOKING 1

2

3

4 5

To make the tomato sauce, start by heating the olive oil in a heavy stainless steel saucepan over a gentle heat and add the onion and garlic. Cover and sweat for four minutes, until soft and golden. Add the chopped tomato, the bay leaf, thyme, and paprika.

Season with the sugar, salt and pepper and continue cooking for 30 minutes or until the tomatoes soften. When the sauce is ready, remove from the heat and add the finely chopped Thai basil and mix well to release the aromas of the basil.

To cook the meatballs, place in an ovenproof pan at 180C for 10-12 minutes.

After cooking, place the meatballs in a big serving bowl with the tomato basil sauce and top with the feta cheese.

Can’t find fresh marjoram and oregano? Swap these ingredients with any dry herbs of your choice.

Feeling very hungry? Consider serving this dish with linguini or a bowl of rice.

Ioannis Grammenos is the Executive Chef at Heliot Steak House which sits in the worldfamous Hippodrome Casino, Leicester Square. Hailing form Corfu, Greece, Ioannis’ culinary background stretches back over 20 years, working across a number of kitchens in Europe, as well as hosting television show Chef on Air in Greece.

In May 2018, Ioannis was named the world’s first Meatologist™ with the opening of the country’s first School of Meatology™ at Heliot Steak House, with the aim to educate meat lovers on steak, how best to cook with it and the best wine pairings from around the world. Since taking the helm at Heliot Steak House, the restaurant has won Best Steak Restaurant in London in the Bookatable Awards for 2015, 2017 and 2018. The restaurant has also been named the Best UK Casino Restaurant by the British Casino Awards for the last two consecutive years. Further marking his success, Grammenos has also been elected as the Deputy Judge for the 2019 World Steak Challenge.

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FIRST MEAL

FTB’S FAST FOOD It’s that time of year again – Easter! Everyone looks forward to tucking into some delicious Easter eggs. But, which should you choose? FTB hatched a cracking plan to find out which UK supermarket’s chocolate eggs you really shouldn't egg-nore this Easter E G G - C E P T I O N A L E A S T E R E G G S

TEST WINNER

MARKS & SPENCER

CO-OP

ASDA

TESCO

ALDI

Flameggo, £5; fruity Easter sundae, £10; extremely chocolatey speckled egg crunch, £8; Collection Marc De Champagne egg, £15

Egg hunt basket, £5; Irresistible rose gold drip egg, £6; Irresistible silver cocoa pod egg, £10; golden honeycomb crunch Egg-splosion, £5 Co-Op has produced some

provide great quality in

good chocolate eggs this

All of Asda’s Easter eggs look

Tesco Doug the Dinosaur, £3.50; *finest The Pearl, £10; Exclusively at Tesco Maltesers white chocolate egg with white truffles, £10; Tesco free from white chocolate egg with raspberry pieces, £3

Joys of Spring egg, £7.99; Piñata chick egg, £4.99; Prosecco and raspberry egg, £4.99

As always, Marks & Spencer

Extra Special The Caramel One Easter Egg, £5; Extra Special The Raspberry One White Chocolate Egg, £5; Extra Special The Orange One Easter Egg, £5

its products. Although its

Easter. The egg hunt basket

visually good. It seems lots of

Tesco’s has a wide variety of

some of the other eggs that

eggs are on the slightly

provides fun for all the family;

effort has been put in to make

eggs, including the free from

we tested. The Joys of Spring

pricier side, they are worth

simple in design but so easy

the eggs look as appealing

egg which will be popular with

egg stands out visually with

the investment. Flameggo

for everyone to enjoy. The

as possible and as a result we

anyone who can’t enjoy some

its beautiful ladybird and

continues the nation's

rose gold drip egg looks

are sure they will be popular.

of the other eggs. The dinosaur

butterfly design, but the taste

fascination with flamingos

absolutely stunning, with the

The caramel egg has a superb,

egg is great for the kids but

doesn’t quite live up to the

and looks and tastes good.

rose gold tint really adding

rich taste with the colour of

tastes incredibly sweet. The

others. The piñata chick egg

The Easter sundae looks as

effect to a great tasting egg.

the egg seemingly adding to

pearl egg is quite something,

is fun as it is filled with mini

if you could drink it with a

The golden honeycomb egg

the flavour. The orange streaks

as it is essentially three eggs in

eggs, although once again

long chocolate straw and

will suit all ages with the

jump out in contrast to the egg

one. It looks terrific and each

the egg itself is a little on the

the dried fruit goes well with

honeycomb adding a nice bite

itself and the orange flavour

egg has a very different taste.

bland side. The Prosecco and

the creamy chocolate. The

to the chocolate. The luxury

is not too overpowering, if not

Tesco has teamed up with

raspberry egg has a vivid

speckled egg crunch has

chocolate pod, however, is the

a little underwhelming. The

Maltesers for its exclusive white

purple colour that is very

really thick chocolate. The

absolute stand-out. Celebrating

raspberry and white chocolate

chocolate egg, but the best

appealing on the eye and it

Champagne egg provides

25 years of Fairtrade, the egg

egg is a good white chocolate

part has to be the truffles that

also has a delicioiusly rich

10 lovely champagne truffles

is visually stunning and a must-

choice but so rich you'll struggle

come with it, which taste and

and creamy taste.

along with a high-quality,

try for any chocolate lover.

to eat much in one sitting!

look luxurious.

★

gold dusted egg that is well

★★★★

★★★

★★

Aldi’s eggs are fun for all the family but don’t quite seem to have the same quality as

worth the extra few pounds.

★★★★★

HIP-HOP HOORAY! If all these chocolate eggs have not satisfied your chocolate cravings, then the Cadbury Easter sharing basket is sure to do the job. Containing all the Easter Cadbury favourites, there is something for everyone including a fun Easter egg hunt. This could be too much for one person so would be best shared with family and friends. All the chocolate comes in a lovely hamper so you can easily close it up and come back for more later – if you have the willpower to do so!

Cadbury’s Easter sharing basket; £34.99 studio.co.uk

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FINANCE

Mortgage Clinic

By Nick Morrey, Mortgage Technical Manager, John Charcol What are the benefits of being a first time buyer?

Whenever you hear about first time buyers, they’re usually at the centre of some big scary story about how they’re struggling to get on the property ladder. Property values – and therefore deposits – have increased, so there’s no debate that buying a home is more expensive than it used to be.

However, there are some real benefits to being a first time buyer; one huge benefit is the Stamp Duty exemption. Stamp Duty is the tax paid on residential property purchases. As a first time buyer, you typically pay less Stamp Duty than everyone else. The amount you’ll pay ultimately depends on the value of the property you’re purchasing.

• If you buy a property worth up to £300,000, you’ll pay zero Stamp Duty • If you buy a property worth over £300,000 and up to £500,000, you’ll only pay Stamp Duty on the amount between £300,000 and £500,000 at 5% • If you buy a property worth more than £500,000, you won’t receive any Stamp Duty relief.

Can my parents help me get on the property ladder?

Many first time buyers need a little financial support from their parents. Guarantor mortgages are a good way for parents and other relatives to help those who are struggling to take out a mortgage.

You still have to put down a deposit just like you would with any other mortgage.

The main differences between guarantor mortgages and normal mortgages are that, with a guarantor mortgage, a parent or other close family relative guarantees to meet your monthly mortgage payments if you can’t. They’re assessed like borrowers, but they don’t put up any assets as security, they don’t have to help with the deposit, they’re not updated in the same way as the actual borrowers and they are not on the title deeds – they simply guarantee the monthly payments.

Another option is a gifted deposit. Many lenders are happy to allow for a mortgage if the deposit is given by a family member as a gift, but a few allow it if it’s a loan. It can have an impact on your affordability if the money given to you for a deposit will have to be paid back in the future. Nonetheless, loans can still be extremely useful to first time buyers.

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Nick Morrey has over 25 years in the financial services industry and believes in making every single part of purchasing a property what it should be -– easy and enjoyable. His role as Mortgage Technical Manager at John Charcol provides independent mortgage advice from the whole of the market to help first time buyers find the right deal for them

There are also a few lenders who offer products where the deposit money from parents or grandparents is actually placed into a savings account for a few years – until the property increases in value sufficiently for the money to be released back to the donor. This can be very helpful for families who want to help with buying a home but can’t actually “gift” the money forever.

How can I get help with a low deposit?

There are Government schemes which offer support in building up a low deposit; one prime example is the Lifetime ISA. The Lifetime ISA is a type of savings account where you store money you want to put towards your deposit. The Government then gives you a bonus that’s a percentage of the amount you contribute to the account.

You can take out a Lifetime ISA if you’re 18-39 years old and you’re either a first time buyer or saving for retirement. You can only use your savings to buy a property that’s worth up to £450,000. You can save up to £4,000 a year and the Government will add a 25% bonus, ie a maximum of £1,000 a year. The maximum contribution you can

receive from the Government is £32,000, but this would only be possible if you took out the ISA at 18 and continued to put in the maximum of £4,000 each year until you’re 50 years old.

Another Government scheme aimed at helping those with small deposits is the shared ownership scheme.

Shared ownership is where you part-buy and part-rent a home from a housing association. It is available to first time buyers or previous homeowners.

With shared ownership, you only buy a portion of a property, often less than 50% of the purchase price. This means you would typically take out a much smaller mortgage, which would require a proportionately smaller deposit than if you were buying the whole property. You can choose to gradually increase your share of the property until you own it outright by a process known as staircasing.

Lastly, shared equity is also available and similar to shared ownership, but you don’t pay rent on the share you do not buy.

Instead the scheme you are buying through owns a percentage of the property that you can also buy via staircasing.

For help and advice from John Charcol Mortgage Brokers or to start your journey to owning your first home, visit charcol.co.uk/ftbmortgages or call 0330 127 7829

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FINANCE

Spring clean your savings Borrowers may be enjoying the UK’s low interest rates, but for savers, it’s harder and harder to make your money grow, especially following the emergency cut in the base rate. Kay Hill looks at the options that are available if you’re trying to build a deposit, and new legislation that could change the savings landscape When you are trying to put money away for a deposit, then every penny counts – and that means having your wits about you when it comes to savings, as the best deals are often only available for a few weeks, and may come with short-term bonuses. Forget about loyalty – if you want to make the most of every penny you need to commit to reviewing your accounts regularly and moving to a different provider as soon as the interest rate starts to slip.

with Shawbrook Bank coming in at 1.55%.

It may seem worrying to opt for a less well-known name, but as long as the company is protected by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) then savings of up to £85,000 per depositor (so £170,000 for a joint account) are protected by the Government, meaning that you can’t lose your money even if the bank goes bust.

NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK

While easy-access accounts allow you to draw out your money whenever you like, you can often gain a boost in interest by opting for a notice account, where you have to give a set number of days’ warning before you can withdraw your money. For example, at Shawbrook Bank, while instant access pays 1.21%, a 45-day notice account pays 1.3% and a 120-day notice account pays 1.55%. Of course you need to balance that against how soon you think you will want to move – longer notice products are more suitable when you are at an early

You also need to be prepared to look beyond the high street banks and big name building societies if you want to find the best rates. For example, at the time of writing, the best paying easy-access account was 1.3% from Marcus (an unfamiliar name, although backed by investment bank Goldman Sachs), the best notice accounts were from Shawbrook Bank (1.55%) and Wyelands Bank (1.47%) and the best oneyear fix (1.56%) was from Smart Save Bank

NOTICE THE DIFFERENCE

stage of saving your deposit than when you are actively house-hunting.

Similarly, rates are often even better for fixed rate accounts, which lock money away for a year or more but also guarantee the interest rate will stay the same. At the time of writing, Smart Save Bank offered 1.56% on money locked away for a year and Investec offered 1.8% on a three-year fix, compared with the best available rate of 1.3% with Marcus for instant access.

Put into perspective, if you kept £10,000 in the Marcus account for a year you would gain £130 in interest, as against £156 with Smart Save, so if you are in any doubt as to whether you will need the money, stick to easy-access as the difference is relatively minimal when interest rates are so low.

KEEP YOURSELF REGULAR There are a number of good deals available if you are willing and able to save a regular amount each month. Some of these are linked to bank accounts, so you need to

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FINANCE

FA I R E R D E A L F O R S AV E R S ?

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) is concerned at the “loyalty penalty” paid by savers who sign up to an impressive headline rate of interest but then find, often years later, that they are being paid a fraction of the interest that customers on newer accounts receive. As a result, the Authority is proposing new rules for easy-access cash savings that would mean that all providers have to set a single easy access rate (SEAR) that is valid across all their accounts.

“Competition is not working well for many of the 40 million consumers with easy access savings accounts and we want that to change,” says Christopher Woolard, Interim Chief Executive at the FCA. “Our proposals would mean firms have a single rate for customers immediately after their accounts have been open for 12 months. Firms will choose the rates they offer, and the rates they offer will have to be clearly published. This will prevent firms from gradually reducing interest rates over time and make them compete for all their customers. We are concerned that many longstanding customers are seeing a poor outcome and we want firms to focus more on these customers. The new rate will also make it easier for savers to know whether they are getting a good deal after any introductory offer has expired.”

EXPERT COMMENT It’s clear that attitudes to saving are changing, with Generation Rent in particular facing new challenges to their ability to save. Often there

have (or open) the right account – First Direct, HSBC and M&S all have these accounts – others are open to all, for example the Virgin Money regular saver which pays 2% until February 21 and allows you to save a regular amount of £1 to £250 a month. The Virgin account allows you to take your money out penalty-free if you need it, although others, such as the 2.5% Coventry Building Society Regular Saver, penalise you 30 days’ interest.

TAX IS DEFINITELY TAXING In most cases, you won’t pay tax on your savings thanks to the Personal Savings Allowance. This allows basic-rate taxpayers to earn up to £1,000 of interest tax free, and higher rate tax payers to earn £500. If you pay the additional tax rate of 45% you don’t get this allowance, however. With current low rates of interest that means that a basic rate taxpayer would need more than £70,000 in easy-access savings to get close to this threshold. In addition, lower earners can keep an additional £5,000 of savings interest tax-free under the “starting rate for savings” rules.

If you’re in the lucky position of being likely to earn more interest than these limits, you can also put £20,000 in a tax-free ISA each year. The best available rate for an easy-access ISAs, at the time of writing, was 1.31% with Virgin Money followed by 1.29% with Cynergy Bank. If you have never owned property before and are between

18 and 39 years old you should definitely look at opening a Lifetime ISA. The best buy from Moneybox pays 1.4%, but the fact that you can also receive up to £1,000 bonus from the Government each year makes the LISA a must-have for first time buyers, provided you intend to buy a property worth less than £450,000 and you can keep the account open for at least a year. Do remember that the ISA year is the same as the financial year, so if you want to make the most of the 2019/20 allowance you must pay it in by 5 April.

is a sense that younger people are ambivalent about saving today for a rainy day tomorrow, but our research challenges that myth – we found that three quarters of 18-24 and 63% of 25-34-year-olds were actively cutting down on spending in order to save, although a third said that high rental payments were making it hard. If we want to build a stronger savings culture, it’s clear we have to support the younger generation in their aspirations to save. It’s important that people are realistic when it

ARE YOU FEELING LUCKY?

comes to saving and acknowledge

With the Bank of England base rate back to its low of 0.25%, there’s one other thing you might consider. While it’s never, ever, a good idea to gamble your deposit money in the conventional sense (so stay away from those roulette wheels and greyhounds), there is a Government-sanctioned gamble in the form of Premium Bonds from National Savings and Investments.

These pay out a prize fund of 1.4% a year, but in the form of winnings to random individuals – you could potentially win £1m, but you are far more likely to win nothing at all (although unlike all other forms of gambling you can always get your original money back). The maximum you can “invest” in Premium Bonds is £50,000, and you can see your rough chances of winning at premiumbondcalculator.com from the MoneySavingExpert team.

to bigger savings pots. To start that

that small steps can eventually lead savings habit, you can save some of the change from purchases, putting little bits away now in order to make regular savings from your income.

There is plenty of information from various sources, including comparison websites and financial providers, about where you can start your savings journey and how to make the best decision for you in terms of growing your savings pot.

Jill Waters Retail Director, NS&I

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MARKET

Brexit bounce: what lies ahead for the property market?

With the election and Brexit both done, we’re hearing plenty of reports of “the Brexit bounce” in the property market. Last year, agents across the UK reported plenty of pent-up demand with very little sales, so will 2020 be full steam ahead for first time buyers, despite coronavirus fears?

EXPERT COMMENT

HOUSING MARKET PERKS UP AFTER GENERAL ELECTION The UK housing market has seen “a lift in sentiment” according to an end-of-year Residential Market Survey by RICS. Sales expectations have risen sharply, and several other key activity metrics have turned positive for the first time in several months.

RICS found that sales expectations have improved, the first time since May 2019 that a positive result has been recorded.

Enquiries from buyers are also on the up, as instructions also increase, with prices expected to rise over the next few months and throughout 2020.

Looking across the UK, most areas saw interest from new buyers increase, with respondents in Wales and the North East in particular reporting solid growth. Enquiries also rose in London and the South East, marking a noticeable turnaround from the negative results in November. As well as an

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increase in buyers, the number of agreed sales also edged up, the first time since May 2019 that the number of agreed sales has shown a positive result. Agreed sales in London and East Anglia delivered among the strongest improvement in sentiment according to RICS, while sales in Northern Ireland and Scotland were down.

Brexit has ceased to be the ball and chain dragging the property market down. The prospect of an election prompted buyers to re-engage with the property market as the country’s political future became clear for the first time in a long time, and may have sparked many buyers to seal the deal on their purchases. The Budget

BUYER REGISTRATIONS AT A 15-YEAR HIGH

could prove to be a big determiner on

New data from Knight Frank earlier this year showed that the number of new prospective buyers registering with the estate agency’s London branches rose to its highest weekly total in more than 15 years, 92% up on last year’s figures. The estate agency believes that buyers are looking to capitalise on the certainty brought by December’s general election result. The number of viewings across London also rose to its third highest total in 15 years.

during 2020. Projects to get Britain

whether transactions creep towards levels seen before the financial crisis building on a large scale are crucial to ease the affordability problems which have plagued the market, as tight supply has pushed prices up.

Joseph Daniels Founder of modular developer Project Etopia

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MARKET EXPERT COMMENT After a period of suppressed market activity due to Brexit and political

The early part of any year is always a popular time for house hunters who have an eye on a spring move, but this year London agents are reporting what they call “an explosion of interest”. Christopher Burton, head of Knight Frank’s Dulwich office said, “The second half of last year was active as buyers ventured back into the market, but interest has exploded at the start of this year.” All the signs are promising the agent believes – thanks to the political certainty from the general election, London’s property markets are once again active. There may be pent up demand, but the agent reports that, in the final quarter of last year, there were 10 new buyers for every new property listed in prime central and outer London, the highest ratio in more than 15 years

LANDLORDS SELLING PROPERTIES First time buyers are often competing with buy-to-let landlords to secure starter homes, but a new report revealed that over a third of British property investors plan to sell their properties in 2020, thanks to a combination of higher taxes and greater regulation. Property development firm Accumulate Capital commissioned an independent survey of more than 750 UK property investors, all of whom own three or more residential properties, and examined their sentiment towards the country’s buy-to-let market.

The survey found that 37% of UK property investors are planning on selling one or more of the residential properties they own in 2020. Of those planning to sell, 61% said this was in response to the greater regulation and higher taxes they now face as buy-to-let investors.

First time buyers might now find that they face less competition from wouldbe landlords, as 63% said they are not considering buying any more investment properties as a result of reforms to the private rented sector that will be introduced from April 2020. Most landlords said that the costs of managing their property portfolios had “increased considerably” over the last five years, with over half, 54%, adding that they may sell more properties if further private rented sector regulation is introduced in the 2020 Budget.

THE RENTED MARKET With most would-be first time buyers finding themselves stuck in rented accommodation, keeping an eye on what’s happening in the rented sector is essential

so will rents rise or fall in 2020? According to recent research from property portal Zoopla, the annual rate of UK rental growth for new listings is +2.6%, up from 1.4% a year ago and the highest growth for three years, thanks to tightening supply and rising demand. Zoopla also recorded a 4% contraction in the supply of homes available to rent over the past two years, while demand for rented homes increased by 8% over 2019 alone.

Zoopla found that rents in three cities are up by more than 5%. York, Bristol and Nottingham all reported rent growth of 5% or more, while three cities have negative rental growth: Coventry, Middlesbrough and Aberdeen. In London there was a fouryear high of 2.8%, which follows a modest decline in rents over 2017 and 2018.

The available supply of homes for rent per estate agent branch is 20% lower than in 2017, a factor pushing rents higher, although stretched affordability levels are limiting the extent to which rents can increase in London, according to Zoopla. Interestingly, the portal found that, at a national level, average earnings have outpaced rental growth for the past three years, so the increase in rents is not impacting affordability. A single average earner is spending 31.9% of their earnings on rent – slightly below the 10-year average of 32.1%.

uncertainty, the clear outcome of the General Election in December has injected some much-needed confidence into the market. Despite it typically being a quieter time of year seasonally, our figures have shown positive trends with both demand and the number of sales being high in comparison to previous years, as both buyers and sellers no longer hold off on their plans. This is an encouraging close to the year and we hope to see more of this stability in 2020.

Mark Hayward Chief Executive, NAEA Propertymark

EXPERT COMMENT Core regional cities like York, Bristol and Nottingham have seen 5% growth – more than double the UK average – thanks to strong local economies, and no doubt they will benefit from the new Government’s renewed focus on political devolution, with York being identified as a potential new home for the House of Lords. Rental growth has largely been driven by higher wages but there are already signs wage growth may be

NEW RENTAL HOMES AND HOMES FOR SALE

slowing. Lack of supply is also another

Lack of a supply of new homes undoubtedly affects house prices, as demand pushes prices up. In addition, there are fears still that uncertainty over what happens with Brexit could affect confidence in the market. According to RICS’ Construction and Infrastructure Market Survey, workloads across the UK’s construction and infrastructure sector did stabilise at the end of 2019, but uncertainty over the next stages of Brexit is still holding back investment. Investment is key to getting new developments underway, but the yetto-be-known relationship with the EU has kept the economic outlook fragile which is affecting businesses intentions to invest, according to RICS.

tax and regulatory changes.

factor, with many private landlords looking to exit the market following

Mary-Anne Bowring MD, Ringley

EXPERT COMMENT The reasons for the uptick include the relatively benign global economic backdrop, ultra-low mortgage rates, the currency discount and the fact prime residential markets have re-priced in response to political uncertainty and tax changes. The extent of the pent-up demand that has built up over 2019 could also inject

BUILD TO RENT Estate agency Savills recently identified as many as 150,000 new “build to rent” properties currently under construction, which will undoubtedly affect rents when they come on to the rentals market.

more urgency into the market.

Tom Bill Head of London Residential Research, Knight Frank

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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

John Webb Credit Expert, Experian

Minnie Dando Head of Marketing & Communications, Hyde New Homes

Credit Score Hopkin Man Head of Sales and Marketing, Octavia

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’m about to buy my first house with my partner but we can’t seem to get a mortgage.

My partner was in financial difficulty a few years ago and ended up with defaults, which are now paid. My credit score is excellent but what can we do to get a mortgage?

Lauren Gold, Liverpool

A

When you apply for a joint mortgage the lender will check both your credit reports to help them decide. If your partner has any negative credit history, like defaults or late payments, this can cause difficulties with some lenders, depending on their criteria.

When you apply, mortgage lenders don’t just look at your credit report, they also look at your application form and their own internal records if you’ve been a customer before. They use this information to help them predict how likely it is you’ll meet your monthly payments and also, importantly, whether you can comfortably afford them.

The first thing to do here is to check both of your credit reports to make sure everything is correct. If you spot any discrepancies you can ask the credit reference agency to raise a dispute on your

behalf with the relevant lender. If, as you suspect, your partner’s report includes factually correct negative information, there are things you can do to tackle this. Firstly, if there were mitigating circumstances for the period of financial difficulty, such as redundancy or illness, your partner could consider adding a statement to their report to explain the circumstances. This is called a “notice of correction”. Any lender checking the report in the future will see the statement and should take it into account.

Secondly, when it’s time to apply, then I’d always suggest using comparison and eligibility services, such as on the Experian website, to search for mortgage deals matched to your personal circumstances, that you are, as a result, likely to be accepted for. The good news is that shopping around and getting quotations using comparison sites won’t affect your credit score. This is because only soft credit searches are registered until you eventually decide which one to actually apply for.

Lastly, you might also consider consulting a free specialist mortgage broker who will have experience of helping people with past credit problems get a good mortgage deal, so can provide valuable support.

John Webb

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EXPERTS

Service charges

Q

I am looking to buy through shared ownership, but when I have spoken to a few friends who have bought using the scheme, they’ve warned me about the high service charges that I might have to pay. As I am working on a budget can you advise me about this?

Polly Powell, Brighton

A

As a shared owner, you will own an equity share in your new home and have the same rights and responsibilities as a full owner-occupier, including being a leaseholder.

The terms of the lease should set out how your service charge will be calculated. Often it is a percentage or proportion of the total costs of repair, maintenance, management and insurance of the building. At Hyde, the Service Charge team works in conjunction with the Project Manager for the development to determine which materials have been used, their probable longevity, building insurance costs and facilities available, such as lift, communal gardens etc, as well as what the cost of maintaining them would be and determine the service charge. A sinking fund is also factored in for future replacements.

In order to offer our customers the best value for money, we operate a Project Team Working process, whereby all the internal stakeholders in a development, including the project manager, architects, sales and marketing team, product quality and procurement and service charges teams meet at specific milestones through the lifetime of the design, build and delivery stage of the development and use their learning curve to influence the type of materials to be used and the layouts and facilities being proposed, to render the running costs more efficient and futureproof the development.

Service charges can vary year-to-year for a variety of reasons such as fire safety work, changes to cleaning/grounds maintenance

Staircasing

Q

I am a first time buyer and looking into shared ownership, as I don’t have a big enough deposit to buy on the open market. In the future, I am hoping to increase my salary and I have heard of something called staircasing, but I know nothing about it – could you explain how it works please?

Tim Davis, Ealing

A

Shared ownership is an ideal way to take your first steps on the property ladder. For aspiring first time buyers, who are often struggling to raise a deposit or find an affordable home in an area where house prices are high, it makes homeownership accessible. It is designed specifically to help those priced out of the open market.

Through the shared ownership scheme you can buy anywhere between 25% and 75% of your home. You’ll need a deposit of between 5% and 10% of the share you’re

projects or inflation. When looking at purchasing your new home, it is also important to factor in the amenities on offer. For example, while a concierge service or on-site gym or cinema are very attractive and convenient, the cost of these services will be reflected in your service charge, as would vast expanses of beautifully landscaped communal areas, where thought may not have been given to the use of hardy planting in order to minimise the upkeep.

I would say that it is of utmost importance that you enquire about the facilities on offer, particularly if buying off-plan, as well as the way that the vendors invest in processes and systems which will keep these costs reasonable. Quiz your sales adviser and obtain total clarity prior to making your final decision. If you are purchasing a resale, you should also ask to see the previous, current and projected service charges in order to assess whether the property is still attractive to your lifestyle.

At the end of the day, any home you purchase will have maintenance and running costs, so I would say it is about prioritising your needs in accordance with your budget and obtaining as much clarity as possible around the running costs of your potential new home.

Minnie Dando

buying, which is much lower than a deposit based on the full market value. You then take out a mortgage to cover the rest of your share and pay a monthly payment on the share you don’t own.

The great thing about shared ownership is that you can buy more shares in your home when you can afford to do so. Many people eventually purchase 100% of their property and own it outright. The process of buying more shares in your property is known as staircasing.

There is no obligation to staircase and you decide when to begin the process, giving you total flexibility and control of your finances.

Additionally, as you buy more shares in your property, your rent decreases.

Each time before you staircase, your home will be revalued, which entails a one-off fee. The additional share you buy will be based on the property’s value at the time, rather than the price at the time of purchase.

You will also need to instruct a solicitor to help you through the process.

Shared ownership is a great way to become a homeowner in places you would have otherwise thought unaffordable. At Octavia, we have helped people in high value areas such as central and west London, allowing local residents to own homes near to where they currently live and work. Many of these residents have now staircased and own the whole of their property, which would have been impossible without shared ownership.

Hopkin Man

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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 runs several Help to Buy schemes to help people get on to the property ladder. To be eligible for Help to Buy your household income needs to be less than £60,000 a year. For more details, contact a Help to Buy Agent. Help to Buy Agents are housing associations that handle the application process for Help to Buy products. Details of Help to Buy Agents start on page 106.

BUYING ON THE OPEN MARKET

FUNDING OPTIONS

JARGON EXPLAINED

G O V E R N M E N TBACKED SCHEMES

EQUITY LOAN

HELP TO BUY The government will provide you with a 20% equity loan that is interest free for the first five years with interest charged at 1.75% in the sixth year and at annual RPI (retail price index) inflation plus 1% after that. The loan must be repaid when the property is sold or within 25 years. Buyers need to raise a deposit of 5% and a 75% loanto-value (LTV) mortgage. Only new build homes valued up to £600,000 can be bought. The scheme is available for ftbs and movers.

STARTER HOMES Starter Homes is a government initiative that aims to provide up to 200,000 affordable new build homes to first time buyers in England by 2020. The properties will be built on brownfield land and sold at a 20% discount compared to the market price in the area. You must be between 23 and 40 years old and never have owned a home before. The price of the new properties will be capped to £450,000 in London, and £250,000 outside the capital.

NEW BUILD HOMEBUY, ALSO KNOWN AS SHARED OWNERSHIP OR PARTBUY, PART-RENT

Most people buy property on the open market. Homes are either offered for sale by estate agents or sold privately. These include flats, houses and former local authority properties.

This scheme gives buyers the chance to purchase as little as a 25% share in a property and pay the rest in the form of subsidised rent. In the majority of cases, there is the opportunity to own the rest of the property outright by a method known as ‘staircasing’.

PRIVATE INITIATIVES

RENT TO HOMEBUY

Some house builders offer first time buyer incentives on new build homes.

These include cash back, a loan to help you with costs or paying your mortgage for a set period of time.

To find out more, contact developers directly.

With this scheme you rent a newly built property for up to five years and pay a reduced rent. This gives you the chance to save for a cash deposit so you can apply to buy a share of the home later.

This is a loan for a certain percentage of a property’s value.

If you remain 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).

HOMES ENGLAND This is a government organisation that funds affordable homes including those under Help to Buy.

STAIRCASING This applies to New Build HomeBuy schemes and occurs when the resident tops up the number of shares they own in their part-owned, part-rented home until they own the maximum share or own the property outright. The shares can be bought in 10% increments.

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 lender’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 normally repayable over 25 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 at a bank 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 bank, 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 at least 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 to have at least three months of bank statements, payslips or tax returns, a valid passport and information on any outstanding loans. Banks 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 the mortgage rate you’ll be offered.

BUDGET Work out how much you can afford to repay each month. Look at your income and outgoings, including bills, council tax, food, insurance and travel. If you are buying a leasehold flat, you’ll also have to budget for service charges, so find out how much they will be.

MORTGAGE BROKERS VS BANKS 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 ‘quotation’ (soft) search rather than an ‘application’ (hard) search.

Too many applications will leave ‘footprints’ on your credit score and can affect your rating. To improve your credit score, make sure you’re on the electoral roll, and pay your bills and any loan repayments on time.

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 will only be able to sell you products offered by that particular bank, 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 mortgage deals yourself using websites such as 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 pay off any debts you can.

moneysupermarket.com or moneynet.co.uk, then apply directly to your chosen lender.

FIXED-RATES Some mortgages are fixed-rates. This means you’ll pay the same rate of interest for a certain period of time, and your repayments 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 or remortgage to another lender. Remortgaging to another lender will usually 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 have repayment rates directly linked to the base rate and are liable to fluctuate, so you need to be sure you could afford higher repayments if rates rise.

REPAYMENT OR INTEREST-ONLY You can either pay your mortgage on a repayment or interest-only basis. If you choose a repayment mortgage, your monthly payments will pay off some interest and some capital. At the end of the term, you’ll own your home outright.

With an interest-only mortgage you’ll have smaller monthly payments, but these only pay the interest on the loan. At the end of the term you’ll still owe the original mortgage sum. If you take out an interestonly mortgage, you’ll need to have a plan in place (such as an investment) as to how you’ll pay off the capital.

SHOP AROUND

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

RESEARCH

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BUYERS’ GUIDE

TIPS

RESEARCH AN AREA

T

a floor plan. Sign up with as many estate agents as you can (and your local HomeBuy Agent housing associations if you’re looking at shared ownership properties). They should send you new properties that match your description, but it’s worth phoning agents regularly.

Buying a home is a big investment.

You need to buy a home you can afford and one

horough research

you’ll 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 visit 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 properties are listed on property portals such as findaproperty.com or propertyfinder.com or estate agents’ own websites.

Most of the properties featured have pictures and descriptions and some have DECIDE ON A LOCATION

Be practical.

Think about the commuting time and if you can afford to buy in the area.

RESEARCH THE AREA

Check out crime rates, future regeneration or new transport links.

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 décor 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.

VIEWINGS

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

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, although be aware that prices have dropped significantly in the past year.

If you like a property, aerial shots of the area can be viewed at earth.google.com Before you put in an offer, visit the street at different times to make sure it’s safe. 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

When making an offer, don’t be afraid to ask for less than the asking price.

If the property needs work done on it, use this as a negotiating tool.

SURVEY

BUYING

Make sure you get a survey done – it could save you money in the long run.

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B

uying process

BUYERS’ COSTS 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 £500-£1,500

MORTGAGE FEE £0-£1,000

VALUATION £0-£300 (depending on your mortgage deal)

SURVEY £300-£500 (depending on the type of survey you have done)

SOLICITORS 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 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

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.

EXCHANGE AND COMPLETION Once the mortgage offer is in place, the contract is satisfactory and buildings insurance has been organised, both parties will agree an exchange date. On 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 exchange can be on the same date as the completion, but they are usually a week to 10 days apart. On completion, the final paperwork is done, and the property is legally yours.

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

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.

SOLICITORS

Compare quotes from solicitors, and ask your friends if they can recommend someone.

A good solicitor can make a big difference to a purchase completing or falling through.

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LOCAL AUTHORITY SEARCH FEES £300 (included in your solicitor’s bill)

LAND REGISTRY FEES £50-£920 (depending on the property’s value, e.g., £200 on a property costing between £100,000 and £200,000).

MORTGAGE BROKER’S FEE 0-1%

STAMP DUTY 0% for properties costing up to £125,000

2% for properties costing between £125,001 and £250,000

5% for properties costing between £250,001 and £925,000

10% for properties costing between £925,001 and £1,500,000

BUILDINGS INSURANCE £300 per year, payable monthly or in advance.

Buildings insurance can cost a lot more if your property is at risk of flooding.

TIME SCALE 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.

SEARCHES

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.

INSURANCE

After you’ve exchanged contracts, arrange buildings insurance – this will be a condition of your mortgage offer.

REMOVALS

Shop around for a removals firm, and find one that can move your possessions on completion day.

SERVICE CHARGES AND GROUND RENT ON LEASEHOLD FLATS £100-£4,000

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 home buying glossary is here to make the process a whole lot easier to understand AGREEMENT IN PRINCIPLE

DISBURSEMENTS

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

These are additional charges incurred during the home buying 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 use the Bank of England base rate to set their own charges.

BROKER

This is an amount of money you have to pay a lender if you decide to move mortgage providers 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 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 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 charge you an extra fee. This is because the more money you borrow the more of a risk the lender is taking.

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

LEASE A type of contract where you buy the right to occupy the 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. This is an amount of money that the government tax you 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

Guide to the legal aspects of shared ownership For the most part, the legal process is the same. However, purchasing a shared ownership property is slightly different to a normal property and therefore you are strongly recommended to use a solicitor with considerable expertise in this area of law. Adam Crawford, Partner at Prince Evans Solicitors LLP, explains how it works

What is different from a legal point of view in buying a shared ownership property?

When you buy a shared ownership property you will be granted a lease by the landlord and this applies whether you buy a house or a flat.

This lease will contain certain clauses which are unique to a shared ownership property including: 9 A restriction preventing you from being able to sub-let the property 9 A mortgagee protection clause – this is a provision that in the event the property is repossessed by the mortgage lender then it can staircase to 100% ownership and sell the property on the open market and is protected (to some extent) from any losses. This makes shared ownership an attractive proposition for mortgage lenders 9 A right for the landlord to try to find a new buyer for the property or to buy the property back if you want to sell the property 9 A right to charge rent on the share owned by the landlord and a right for the rent to be increased annually 9 A right for you to acquire additional shares in the property (staircasing)

9 Your solicitor will apply for searches against your purchase property to obtain further information such as planning history, environmental concerns, chancel repair liability and water and drainage 9 Your solicitor will raise enquiries with the seller’s solicitors asking them to provide any information which is outstanding or asking them to clarify certain points following a review of the contract and documentation supplied 9 During this process your solicitor will receive and review your mortgage offer and report to you on the contents 9 Your solicitor will report to you on the property and provide you with a contract to

sign. You will also have to provide your deposit 9 On receipt of your deposit and signed contracts your solicitor will be in a position to exchange contracts for you and set a legally binding completion date (ie the date you get the keys to and take ownership of the property) How long will this all take?

The honest answer is we do not know and no one can tell you. All properties are different and the legal work required in purchasing one is slightly different. The national average is that a purchase transaction takes between 10 to 12 weeks from instruction to completion (moving day with keys in your hand). However, if all parties are efficient and there are no complications

These clauses fall away once you have acquired 100% of the shares (final staircasing) and if the property is a house you will normally be transferred the Freehold at this time.

What’s the legal process?

9 Both you and the seller will need to instruct solicitors to act for you.

9 The seller’s solicitors will provide your solicitor with a draft contract, documents proving their ownership of the property (title documents) and further documents providing more information about the property (protocol forms)

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LEGAL

there is no reason your purchase can’t go through quicker. If you are buying a new build property the housing association will normally require you exchange contracts within 28 days.

How much rent will I pay for the part I do not own and how is this increased?

The rent is subsidised and generally when the property is first sold it will be set at 2.75% of the full market value of the whole property.

The maximum a housing association is allowed to charge is 3% of the full market value. So as a worked example, if you were buying a 25% share of a new build shared ownership property for £250,000 the rent payable would be as follows:  Purchase price for 25% share: £62,500  Annual rent payable for the 75% share that has been retained by the housing association: £5156.25  Monthly rent payable for the 75% share retained by the Housing Association: £429.69 The bigger your share is, then the less rent you will pay. If you are buying a resale shared ownership (ie an existing, non new build property) you will continue to pay the rent at the current rate payable by the seller.

The rent increases annually, generally by the Retail Price Index (RPI) plus 0.5% (although please check the lease as this may vary). So as an example, based on the above rent and assuming RPI of 2%, this would result in the monthly rent increasing to £440.43 in the next year. The rent increases are generally applied in April (although you should check the lease) and the property will be subject to this even if you only bought the property shortly before April.

How much deposit do I need?

Typically, a 10% deposit is required, however this is dependent on your mortgage product.

There are a number of lenders offering mortgage products where you can proceed having only a 5% deposit.

With shared ownership you will only need a deposit on the share you’re buying, not the full market value of the property.

What other costs do I need to pay?

You will need to pay Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT), Land Registration fees, search fees and legal fees to your Solicitor. You will also be required to pay service charges to the Housing Association for the management of the estate where you buy a property.

What is the position with Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) when buying a shared ownership property or when buying additional shares?

Stamp Duty Land Tax is complicated when buying a new build shared ownership property, as you can either pay based on the share you are buying plus the rent or you can pay on the full market value of the property. If you pay on the share, then you may have to pay further Stamp Duty when you buy further shares, but if you pay on the full market value then you will not have to pay any further Stamp Duty when you buy further shares.

It is also worth noting that you can only claim the current First Time Buyer’s Relief on Stamp Duty Land Tax if the full market value of the property is £500,000 or less. If the full market value exceeds £500,000 then you will not be able to claim any First Time Buyer’s Relief.

If you are buying a shared ownership resale property then you will just pay Stamp Duty on the share you are buying, there is no option to pay on the full market value but you can claim First Time Buyer’s Relief (if eligible).

When you buy further shares (staircasing) you do not have to pay any SDLT until the transaction that takes you over 80% ownership, but at this time you will have to pay SDLT on the previous staircasing transactions and possibly additional SDLT on the original purchase (whether or not the original purchase or previous staircasing transactions were carried out by you). However, you will not have to pay SDLT if this was paid on the full market value at the time of the initial purchase of the property.

As you can see, SDLT can be very complicated in all shared ownership transactions and again this highlights the need to use a solicitor who is very

Prince Evans specialise in all aspects of conveyancing.

Please contact Prince Evans for all your conveyancing needs and for a friendly no obligation quote on 020 8567 3477 or nbh@prince-evans.co.uk

experienced in shared ownership property to ensure you are properly advised as to the best SDLT option for you.

OK, so what about when I want to own more of the property?

Buying additional shares in the property is through a process known as staircasing.

You would need to approach your landlord who would then undertake a financial assessment, similar to when you purchased, and work out the maximum share you can afford to own without overstretching your personal finances.

If you can afford to purchase the property outright (a process known as final staircasing) then this financial assessment is not required.

The price you pay to buy additional shares will be based on a RICS Valuation and you must complete your staircasing within three months of the date of this valuation.

You will need to instruct a solicitor to act on your behalf who will arrange for you to sign a Memorandum of Staircasing and will collect the money from you (and/ or your mortgage lender) to complete the staircasing. The Memorandum of Staircasing is then registered at HM Land Registry to evidence your increased share.

SDLT may be payable as explained above.

And when I want to sell the property?

When you want to sell, you must approach your landlord as they will have a right under the terms of the shared ownership lease to nominate a buyer. They (or the local council) may have a waiting list of potential buyers for the property.

Your landlord has a few weeks to find someone to buy the property and the price paid for your share in the property will be based on a RICS valuation. You will probably also be liable to pay a fee to the landlord if they find you a buyer (typically this is 1-1.5% of the full market value of the property). If your landlord cannot find a buyer then you are free to sell your property on the open market just like any other property.

If you sell on the open market at 100% you may have to complete staircasing simultaneously to achieve this (using your buyer’s money on completion). In this case you may have heard horror stories of people having to pay SDLT to sell their property but this is generally not correct and SDLT sub-sale relief can be claimed to avoid any Stamp Duty payments.

If you have already staircased to 100% ownership then you can sell on the open market (subject to any other restrictions in your lease).

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

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

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

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

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

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USEFUL CONTACTS

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

NORTH

Shropshire Staffordshire

PlusDane

Warwickshire

Tel: 0300 790 0570

West Midlands

helptobuyagent1.org.uk

Worcestershire

Cheshire

SOUTH

Cumbria Durham

Radian

East Riding of Yorkshire

Tel: 0800 456 1188

Greater Manchester

helptobuyagent3.org.uk

Lancashire Merseyside

Bedfordshire

North Yorkshire

Berkshire

Northumberland

Bristol

Tyne and Wear

Buckinghamshire

South Yorkshire

Cambridgeshire

West Yorkshire

Cornwall Devon

MIDLANDS AND LONDON

Dorset East Sussex Essex

bpha

Gloucestershire

Tel: 03333 214 044

Hampshire

helptobuyagent2.org.uk

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Herefordshire

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Leicestershire

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

LONDON Catalyst Housing

Octavia Housing

BMA Property Group

Hastoe Housing

Optivo

Soha Housing

octaviahousing.org.uk

bmapg.com

Association

optivo.org.uk

Soha.co.uk

020 8354 5500

020 8942 4062

hastoe.com

0800 012 1442

01235 515 900

homesbycatalyst.co.uk 0300 456 2099 Clarion Housing

0300 123 2250 Optivo

Chelmer Housing Partnership

Origin Housing

Southern Home Ownership

optivo.org.uk

chp.org.uk

Home Group

originhousing.org.uk

shosales.co.uk

0800 012 1442

0300 555 0500

homegroup.org.uk

0300 323 0325

0300 555 2171

myclarionhousing.com/

0345 141 4663

sharedownership

Origin Housing

CHS Group

Orwell Housing

Sovereign Housing

020 7378 5638

originhousing.org.uk

chsgroup.org.uk

Housing Solutions Group

Association

sovereignliving.org.uk

0300 323 0325

0300 111 3555

housingsolutions.co.uk

orwell-housing.co.uk

0300 500 0926

0800 876 6060

0345 601 0030

Estuary Housing Association estuary.co.uk

Paradigm Housing

Clarion Housing

0300 304 5000

paradigmhousing.co.uk

myclarionhousing.com/

Hyde New Homes

PA Housing

stonewater.org

0845 337 4877

sharedownership

hydenewhomes.co.uk

pahousing.co.uk

01202 319 119

Fabrica

Peabody

020 7378 5638

0345 606 1221

0300 123 2221

fabrica.co.uk

peabodysales.co.uk

0800 783 2159

020 7021 4842

Crown Simmons

L&Q

Paradigm Housing

swan.org.uk

crownsimmons.org.uk

lqgroup.org.uk

paradigmhousing.co.uk

0300 303 2500

01372 461 440

0300 456 9998

0300 303 1010

Estuary Housing

Metropolitan

Peabody

Association

Association

metropolitansales.org.uk

peabodysales.co.uk

tvha.co.uk

Sanctuary London

estuary.co.uk

020 3535 2555

020 7021 4842

020 8607 0550

Guinness Partnership

sanctuary-homes.co.uk

0300 304 5000

guinnesspartnership.com

0800 916 1444

Gateway Housing

Places for People

Association

placesforpeople.co.uk

gatewayhousing.org.uk

01772 667 049

020 8709 4300

Stonewater

Swan Housing Association

Thames Valley Housing

Moat

Places for People

Town and Country Housing

Fabrica

moat.co.uk

placesforpeople.co.uk

tchg.org.uk

Site Sales

fabrica.co.uk

0300 323 0011

01772 667 049

01892 501 480

Hexagon

site-sales.co.uk

0800 783 2159

hexagon.org.uk

020 8502 5758

0303 123 1890

Notting Hill Genesis

Rosebery Housing

Worthing Homes

Flagship Homes

nhgsales.com

Association

worthing-homes.org.uk

Shepherd’s Bush Housing

flagship-homes.co.uk

0333 000 4000

rosebery.org.uk

01903 703 108

Home Group

sbhg.co.uk

0808 168 4555

homegroup.org.uk

020 8996 4200

020 8778 6699

0345 141 4663

01372 814 000

SOUTH WEST

Nu Living Guinness Partnership

nuliving.co.uk

Sanctuary South East

0800 819 9390

sanctuary-housing.co.uk

Aster Group

0800 131 3348

buyanasterhome.co.uk

Southern Home

(South)

Hyde New Homes

Ownership

guinnesspartnership.com

hydenewhomes.co.uk

shosales.co.uk

0303 123 1890

0345 606 1221

0300 555 2171

Islington and Shoreditch

Swan Housing Association

Housing Association

swan.org.uk

isha.co.uk

0300 303 2500

One Housing Group

01380 735 480

onehousing.co.uk 0300 123 9966

0300 131 7300 Thames Valley Housing L&Q

Association

lqgroup.org.uk

tvha.co.uk

0300 456 9998

020 8607 0550

Metropolitan

Wandle Housing

metropolitansales.org.uk

Association

020 3535 2555

wandle.com 0300 200 0120

Newlon Living newlonliving.co.uk

SOUTH EAST

0800 058 2544 Accent Group Notting Hill Genesis

accentgroup.org

nhgsales.com

0345 678 0555

0333 000 4000 Aster Group Nu Living

buyanasterhome.co.uk

nuliving.co.uk

01380 735 480

0800 819 9390

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USEFUL CONTACTS HELP TO BUY PROVIDERS Cornerstone Housing

Places for People

cornerstonehousing.net

placesforpeople.co.uk

01392 273 462

01772 667 049

CURO

Rooftop Housing Group

curo-group.co.uk

rooftopgroup.org

01225 366 000

0800 042 1800

Elim Housing

Sanctuary Southwest

elimhousing.co.uk

sanctuary-housing.co.uk

01454 411 172

0800 131 3348

Green Square

Severn Vale Housing

greensquaregroup.com

svhs.org.uk

01249 465 465

01684 272 727

Guinness Partnership

Sovereign Housing

(Hermitage)

sovereign.org.uk

guinnesspartnership.com

0300 500 0926

MIDLANDS

01332 346 477

0345 602 0540

0800 042 1800

Accent Group

East Midlands Housing

Muir Group

Sanctuary Midlands

accentgroup.org

Association

muir.org.uk

sanctuary-housing.co.uk

0345 678 0555

emhhomes.org.uk

0300 123 1222

0800 131 3348

0300 123 6000 Nottingham Community

South Staffordshire

accordgroup.org.uk

Friendship Care & Housing

Housing Association

Housing Association

0300 111 7000

fch.org.uk

ncha.org.uk

ssha.co.uk

0300 123 1745

0800 013 8555

01785 312 000

acisgroup.co.uk

Home Group

Orbit

Waterloo Housing

0800 027 2057

homegroup.org.uk

orbit.org.uk

Association

0345 141 4663

0800 678 1221

waterloo.org.uk

bromford.co.uk

Guinness Partnership

PA Housing

0330 123 4034

(Northern Counties)

pahousing.org.uk

WM Housing Group

guinnesspartnership.com

0116 257 6716

wmhousing.co.uk

Accord

Acis Group

0800 435 016

Bromford Group

Caldmore Accord caldmoreaccord.org.uk

0303 123 1890 Stonewater Hastoe Housing

stonewater.org

Association

01202 319 119

0300 111 7000 Clarion Housing

Places for People L & H Homes

placesforpeople.co.uk

landh.org.uk

01772 667 002 Riverside Housing

accentgroup.org 0345 678 0555

0300 123 2250

Westward Housing

sharedownership

Metropolitan

Association

Liverty

westwardhousing.org.uk

020 7378 5638

metropolitansales.org.uk

riverside.org.uk

dchliverty.com

0300 100 1010

020 3535 2555

0345 155 9029

Association

Midland Heart

Rooftop Group

derwentliving.com

midlandheart.org.uk

rooftopgroup.org

0300 123 8080

NORTH WEST Accent Group

0345 309 0700

myclarionhousing.com/

hastoe.com

0300 790 6531

0303 123 1890

Adactus Housing Group adactushousing.co.uk

Derwent Living Housing

0300 111 1133

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USEFUL CONTACTS HELP TO BUY PROVIDERS Arcon Housing

Knowsley Housing Trust

Association

k-h-t.org

arcon.org.uk

0151 290 7000

0161 214 4120

YORKS/ HUMBER

L&H Homes

0845 618 5008

0345 309 0700

Sanctuary North sanctuary-housing.co.uk

landh.org.uk

NORTH EAST

0800 131 3348

Accent Group Liverpool Housing Trust

accentgroup.org

Manningham Housing

Accent Group

Thirteen

CDS Co-operatives

lht.co.uk

0345 678 0555

Association

accentgroup.org

thirteengroup.co.uk

cds.coop

0117 407 2415

manninghamhousing.co.uk

0345 678 0555

0300 111 1000

0333 321 3030

Acis Group Muir Group

acisgroup.co.uk

Eden Housing Association

muir.org.uk

0800 027 2057

edenha.org.uk

0300 123 1222

01768 861 400

Broadacres Places for People

broadacres.org.uk

Equity Housing

placesforpeople.co.uk

01609 767 900

equityhousing.co.uk

01772 667 002

0300 123 4460

Crucible Homes Progress Housing Group

cruciblesalesandlettings.co.uk

Guinness Partnership

progressgroup.org.uk

0114 241 3430

(Northern Counties)

0333 320 4555

guinnesspartnership.com 0303 123 1890 Home Group

Equity Housing Regenda Homes

equityhousing.co.uk

regenda.org.uk

0300 123 4460

0344 736 0066

homegroup.org.uk 0345 141 4663

Guinness Partnership Riverside Housing

(Northern Counties)

01274 771 144 Bernicia Muir Group

bernicia.com

muir.org.uk

0344 800 3800

0300 123 1222 Castles and Coasts Places for People

castlesandcoasts.co.uk

placesforpeople.co.uk

0800 085 1171

01772 667 002 Erimus Housing Ltd Together Housing

erimushousing.co.uk

togetherhousing.co.uk

0300 111 1000

0845 077 0027 Guinness Partnership Sanctuary North

(Northern Counties)

sanctuary-housing.co.uk

guinnesspartnership.com

0800 131 3348

0303 123 1890

Association

guinnesspartnership.com

Stonewater

Home Group

Impact Housing

riverside.org.uk

0303 123 1890

stonewater.org

homegroup.org.uk

impacthousing.org.uk

0345 155 9029

01202 319 119

0345 141 1663

0344 873 6290

Home Group Sanctuary North

homegroup.org.uk

Wakefield and District

Karbon Homes

Irwell Valley Housing

sanctuary-housing.co.uk

0345 141 1663

Housing

karbonhomes.co.uk

Association

0800 131 3348

wdh.co.uk

0808 164 0111

irwellvalleyha.co.uk 0161 610 1000

Leeds Federated Housing

0345 850 7507 Places for People

Your Housing Group

Association

yhghomes.co.uk

lfha.co.uk

Your Housing Group

placesforpeople.co.uk

0845 618 5008

0113 386 1000

yhghomes.co.uk

01772 667 002

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20 QUESTIONS Lynne Smith is Head of Sales and Marketing for Fernham Homes, having joined Kent’s leading housebuilder in February 2019 with almost 20 years’ experience. Moving from larger pre-established brands such as Millwood Designer Homes to a smaller family-run business, Lynne has been able to put her own stamp on the sales and marketing strategy. Lynne has also enjoyed helping Fernham to secure its reputation as a respected local housebuilder as the company rapidly grows, with ambitions to reach national level in two years’ time

20 QUESTIONS With

Lynne Smith

What room at home is your favourite?

The kitchen. It’s an open-plan combined kitchen and dining room, which we tend to use as a general family space. I have a large family and the kitchen has become the hub of our house.

What’s your favourite gadget or technology at home?

I absolutely love my steam oven. I’ll use it for just about anything, from heating up the plates for family dinners to cooking the ham at Christmas time.

What colour do you think everyone should have in their home?

I personally am a big fan of the colour green; I find its natural tones really relaxing. But essentially, I would say whatever colour they feel makes them happy – everyone is different, and their homes should reflect that.

Which three people would you invite over for a housewarming party if you could have any guests?

Brian May, David Attenborough and Maggie Smith. I think that’s a good eclectic mix. They all have a range of incredible experiences which would provide some interesting conversations, interspersed with some lively anecdotes!

What’s your favourite memory from your childhood home?

Christmas has always been my favourite time of year, and I have a very vivid memory of sitting in front of an open fire in our living room and opening presents with my family.

What interior trend do you hate?

I’d have to say I really dislike ring backed chairs. I think it ruins the whole elegant look of a chair, and those annoying rings don’t have any real purpose!

Would you rather have a garden or a balcony?

One hundred percent a garden. I have a dog and couldn’t cope without that bit of outdoor space.

Do you prefer modern homes or period properties?

I like both. I prefer light, bright properties so modern, contemporary houses appeal, but then in the same way so do Edwardian and Georgian styles with high ceilings.

Would you rather have a library room or media room at home?

A library room – I realise I’m probably in the minority in saying

134

that! But I’d personally much rather sit and read a book than watch the television.

Would you rather have a luxurious bathtub or a sumptuous shower?

Although a luxurious bathtub would be nice, I would prefer a sumptuous shower because I think it’s practical and I’d use it more.

I don’t often get the time to relax in a bath so it would be a bit wasted on me.

Would you rather live in the bustling city or in the country?

In the country. I love the peacefulness that comes with living in the country, as there isn’t as much traffic or hustle and bustle. I like having somewhere quiet to walk my dog, which would be harder to find in a city.

If you were buying a property overseas, in what country would you buy a home?

I’d like to be somewhere a bit warmer. I’ve had many holidays in Portugal over the years, and I think it’s a beautiful country with plenty of fantastic golf courses. So, I’d probably say Portugal.

Would you rather have a bigger property or a better location?

Location is key for me. Most properties can be adapted and improved to suit your needs, but if you’re in a bad location then there’s nothing you can do to change that.

What is the one thing you couldn’t live without at home?

My coffee machine! I like to take my morning coffee in my travel mug with me for the journey to work, and the coffee machine makes that far quicker and easier.

What’s your favourite way to unwind at home after work?

Sitting at the breakfast bar with my husband, drinking a gin and tonic and having a chat about our day. It’s a lovely way to relax and unwind, before cooking dinner.

What’s your favourite thing about your home?

The fact that we have extended it and made it completely open plan. In doing that, we’ve managed to make a light and open space, perfect for communal family living.

Where did you buy your first home?

My first home was a small apartment in Rainham in Kent. It was never going to be a forever home, but it worked well with my needs at the time and was a good first step on to the property ladder.

What advice would you give a first time buyer?

Just push yourself as much as possible while you can. The pain will only be short-lived, and you will soon feel the benefits of owning a much better longer-term home.

What are your views on shared ownership?

I think it’s a really good way to get on the housing ladder if your income is limited and saving for a larger deposit seems out of reach.

What are your views on the property market?

The property market is definitely on the up at the moment. We have moved into this year on a high with visitor levels increasing, and agents are reporting to me that they have hit the ground running over the last couple of months. This bodes well for the new homes market, as we begin to see an increased sales rate and can have confidence in the market once again.

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