First Time Buyer - August/September 2022

the Ultimate Guide to... GETTING ON THE LADDER, THE PROPERTY MARKET AND HELP TO BUY August/ September 2022 £3.95 firsttimebuyermag.com

WIN!

AT HOME WITH NEWS PRESENTER FAYE BARKER

HEALTHKICK® PRIZES WORTH OVER £220

DISCOVER THE ELIZABETH LINE

GOVERNMENT PLANS NEW HOUSING INITIATIVES

MEET INFLUENCER ISSY THE VEGAN

“Research, research, research.

Fail to prepare, prepare to fail” Scarlette and Stuart Douglas

08>

TV presenters

9 771758 973014

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EDITOR’S LETTER

E D I T O R I A L – 020 3488 7754

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

Operations Assistant SOPHIE MUNNERY Creative Director RYAN BEAL Sub Editor KAY HILL Social Media DAWN HARKER, KATIE WRIGHT, SOPHIE MUNNERY Contributors CHRIS CLARK, DEBBIE CLARK, ADAM CRAWFORD, KAY HILL, JONNIE IRWIN, SOPHIE MUNNERY, LAURA DEANOSGOOD, LESLEY PRICE, GINETTA VEDRICKAS, KATIE WRIGHT A D V E RT I S I N G – 020 3488 7754

Director of Advertising/Exhibition Sales LYNDA CLARK

lynda@firsttimebuyermag.co.uk

Welcome We hope that you are all enjoying the long summer days and if you are lucky enough to be going on holiday I do hope that you don’t experience the long delays that have been reported recently. But, if you decide to stay at home, I hope you like our roundup of some wonderful accessories to help you enjoy time in the garden or on the balcony, at the seaside or in the countryside.

Our FTB Readers’ Awards 2022 are fast approaching and we need your help. The shortlist is on pages on pages 77-102 and we are asking you, our readers, to vote – please do go to ftbawards.com and cast your all-important votes – thank you.

The long-awaited Elizabeth Line is now running and it’s great news for first time buyers. On pages 24-28 we highlight some affordable homes along the route, which are well worth considering as travel times are quite amazing and many areas have gone through a massive regeneration making the properties a very good prospect for getting a foot on the ladder.

I hope you enjoy this issue which is packed with information and if you are struggling to understand how it all works then I am sure you will find the answers to all your questions inside.

Until next time, happy house hunting

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

@firsttimebuyer

Accounts accounts@ultimateguidecompany.com

firsttimebuyeronline

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

EDITOR’S PICKS…

SWITCHBOARD 020 3488 7754 All advertising copy for October/November 2022 must be received before 26 August 2022.

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

The property market is still strong and we’re experiencing high demand across our range of developments.

Suzy Hollins, 20 Questions, page 134

We are in the process of buying a lovely apartment.

It is so exciting and I can’t wait to get the keys!”

Issy The Vegan, On the menu today!

Page 34

Trying to buy in London was out of the question but the house prices in Leeds were far more affordable.

Faye Barker, At home with, page14

I’m all for economic empowerment, but not to the detriment of needy people.

I soon realised that renting is completely prohibitive when you are trying to save money to buy somewhere.

Harry Fallows, Real Life, page 70

Jonnie Irwin, Jonnie’s World, page 9

First Time Buyer August/September 2022

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CONTENTS

AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2022 / ISSUE 96 / FIRSTTIMEBUYERMAG.CO.UK

What’s in…

71

For sale – the best FTB properties

70

Harry Fallows, 26, a Business Development Manager for a software company, decided to move back in with his parents in order to save for a deposit, and recently bought a stylish one bedroom apartment at the stunning riverside development, St James Quay in Norwich by award-winning housebuilder, The Hill Group.

HOMEPAGE

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

11 FTB loves…

With summer holidays in full swing, we look at some fun days out.

12 Living Enjoy the lazy, hazy days of summer with fun outdoor accessories for your garden or balcony.

14 At home with…

Faye Barker TV presenter and reporter for ITV News, Faye Barker can be seen regularly presenting news programmes at weekends and ITV News London bulletins during Good Morning Britain and following News at Ten. She talks to Lynda Clark about her fascinating career, her first home and has some great advice for first time buyers.

16 House Hunter We try to find Trent Dyer a one bedroom home in Greenwich or the surrounding areas.

18 Developer’s doctor Lauren Nicholson, Head of Marketing and Digital at Notting Hill Genesis, answers your property question this month.

4

FEATURED

20 The View: Scarlette and Stuart Douglas

means for first time buyers and highlights some affordable homes along the route.

Siblings Scarlette and Stuart Douglas have always been passionate about property. They co-present Channel 4’s new property show, Flipping Fast with George Clarke, and will soon be hosting their own show for Channel 4, Worst House on the Street. They talk to Lynda Clark about their fascinating careers, their first homes and have some very good advice for first time buyers

30 Resale shared ownership

24 At Last! The Elizabeth Line

34 On the menu today!

Crossrail has been a very long time coming but now the Elizabeth Line is open cutting down journey times around the capital drastically.

Debbie Clark looks at what this

Clarion Housing Group uses Urban Moves as its service provider for shared ownership resales. Erin Alexander, Head of Customer Journey at Clarion, explains what shared ownership resales are all about and why they use Urban Moves for leaseholders, buyers and for Clarion.

Influencer Issy The Vegan changed her diet a few years ago and now has 23,000 followers on Instagram.

As a first time buyer, she recently visited housing association Latimer’s Windsor Apartments in Battersea, where she cooked a delicious vegan meal and then went to some nearby vegan eateries to see what was on offer. She talks to Lynda Clark about her experiences.

First Time Buyer August/September 2022

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CONTENTS SCARLETTE AND STUART DOUGLAS, PAGE 20

TOGETHER WE HAVE REDESIGNED AND RENOVATED NUMEROUS PROPERTIES TRANSFORMING THEM TO BECOME DESIRABLE AND PROFITABLE HOMES!

20

Scarlette and Stuart Douglas

REGULARS

housing ladder, including a review of the mortgage market and an extension to Right to Buy. Kay Hill looks at the proposals and what the industry reaction is to them.

114 Market

First Time Buyer Readers’ Awards 2022 A chance to view the shortlist for all the different categories, plus details of how you can cast your allimportant votes.

Legislation is being brought in to help those living in a rented property, including plans for portable deposits. But, with the cost of living still on the up, is there hope for first time buyers to buy a home?

Ginetta Vedrickas assesses the current situation.

32 Hotspot We look at the seaside town of Brighton as a place to live.

106 First home, first meal

ftbawards.com

105

77

Competition Win a HealthKick® prize package worth over £220.

Impress friends and family with this delicious recipe for Cote de Boeuf with tomato and onion salad, created by Nick Beardshaw, Head Chef at Kerridge’s Bar & Grill.

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

119 Buyer’s Guide

107 Inspector Gadget Highlighting some of the best energysaving gadgets on the market – all perfect for setting up your first home and keeping your bills in check.

108 Alternatives to Help to Buy

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

124 Shared ownership - the new & improved product

With the Help to Buy scheme coming to an end in October, Lesley Price FCILEx of CGM Hampshire Limited looks at what other options are available to first time buyers to help get on the ladder.

With a new shared ownership product launched by Homes England bringing the biggest changes to the scheme in years, Adam Crawford, Partner and Head of New Build Homes at Prince Evans Solicitors LLP, looks at what this means.

110 Ask Emilia

126 Directory

Emilia is the Sales Director at Metro Finance. Here she explains what are the acceptable sources of money to fund your deposit and why you need to provide evidence as to where the money has come from.

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

112 Finance The Government has promised more reforms to help people get on the

134 20 Questions We ask 20 quick-fire questions to a property expert and in this issue Suzy Hollins, Head of Sales at Plumlife Homes, part of Great Places Housing Group, is in the spotlight.

First Time Buyer August/September 2022

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LETTERS

Mailbox

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

HOMEBUYERS SURVEY I am a first time buyer and after getting my mortgage agreed I have been told that I should get a homebuyers survey for the apartment I am buying. Is this something that I definitely need?

Adelle Blackburn FTB says: A homebuyers survey will provide any prospective buyer with plenty of information to aid their purchasing decision and help with negotiations. If the survey shows that there are thousands of pounds worth of repairs that haven’t been taken into consideration with the property valuation, for example, it would be worth trying to negotiate the price down. People often ask whether or not they need to get this survey done if they are buying a flat or apartment. The short answer is yes. A flat is still a home and can have many of the same issues as a house. Not only will the survey provide a report on the condition of the flat that you are purchasing, but also of the building as a whole.

The winner of this issue’s star letter prize takes home these elegant crystal-effect acrylic wine glasses from Lakeland. The perfect accessory for dinner parties and barbecues, these glasses look like expensive cut crystal glassware and will trick any guest into thinking they are drinking from the real deal! Bring them out for garden parties without the fear of them being dropped and shattering into a thousand pieces! A must-have for any first home’s glass collection.

I am near the end of my first time buyer journey and wonder what insurances I need to get and which are mandatory?

Samiha Gentry FTB: The more insurance you have, the more secure you will feel, but it comes at a cost.

Without buildings insurance, no lender will loan you money so this is the bare minimum.

Contents insurance is not

I am about to start my search for my first home but I am a little confused about what a mortgage in principle is and what I can use it for?

Cade Barnett FTB: A mortgage in principle will give you an official estimate from a lender showing you how much you can afford to borrow on a mortgage, and this will not cost you anything. It is a very useful thing to have when looking for your first home as it shows the estate agent or sales person that you are a serious buyer. You may also see a mortgage in principle being referred to as an agreement in principle (AIP) or decision in principle (DIP). Remember that this is not a binding contract – but they are taken seriously. A credit check will need to be made to get this and can either be a hard or soft check depending upon the lender, so be aware of this. A mortgage in principle will typically last between 60-90 days, varying by the lender, although renewing it should be straightforward unless your circumstances have changed.

REPAYMENT AND INTERESTONLY MORTGAGES

£19.96 (set of four) lakeland.co.uk

INSURANCE

MORTGAGE IN PRINCIPLE

a necessity but will protect anything inside your home against accident or theft. You will be offered income protection insurance to cover your mortgage repayments if you cannot work due to sickness or injury. There are also specialist insurances to cover anything that isn’t an everyday circumstance such as if your house is in a high-risk area, will be unoccupied for long periods of time or has a special design feature.

I am currently looking for a mortgage for my first property.

I have come across both repayment mortgages and interest-only mortgages. What is the difference and is one any better than the other?

Miranda Haney FTB: Most people tend to opt for a repayment mortgage, which is the traditional mortgage to buy a home. Every month you pay back both the interest on your mortgage and some of the loan itself. By the end of the mortgage term, usually 25 years, you have paid off the entire debt. An interest-only mortgage is less common. With this type of loan you only pay back the

interest on what you have borrowed. This means your monthly payments are much lower, but you will still need to pay off the loan at the end of the mortgage term. You will need to remember that at the end of your mortgage you will still owe the lender the initial amount you borrowed. So, while you are enjoying smaller monthly repayments you need to have a plan in place for how you will pay back the capital, otherwise you may lose your home. Do your research carefully and decide which is best for you.

VISIT OUR WEBSITE

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

First Time Buyer August/September 2022

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OPINION

WORLD

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

Us Brits like a bit of a moan don’t we? I try to be positive but can’t help joining in sometimes and before I know it, I too am having a good old whinge. Take the other day; the sun was out and I’m always a lot happier when it is. Granted, there’s not a lot of meat on me and with suffering from Raynaud’s Syndrome (which transforms me into a shivering wimp with numb fingers even on some summer days) I sure feel the cold! If I’m honest, it makes living up in Newcastle slightly less enjoyable. If you’ve ever been up to The Toon you’ll know the locals don’t mind the cold. It’s worth a night out up here just to witness how few clothes they wear in the snow; in fact you can tell a non-local by the fact they’re wearing a coat!

In my opinion, it’s the people up here that make the city. Super friendly and positive – that is, until the sun comes out. Then they suddenly start moaning.

Maybe it’s because the local attitude is so positive that it comes as a bit of a surprise, but the complaining about the warmer weather is astounding. I thought everyone loved the summer!

Having opinions that might surprise or go against the perceived wisdom is one of the cornerstones of a free society. We’ve all suffered the disappointment of hearing how one of our favourite stars is a member of the NRA and is anti-gun control or anti-abortion, or maybe a close friend reveals they are a fervent Brexiteer or worse still, an Arsenal fan! Yes, we’ve all had the conversation with a friend or relative who has a very different opinion on something. If you can get around the initial surprise it can often lead to an enlightening conversation. Shame that most of the time it leads to an argument. That’s my issue with social media, it polarises opinion and brings out the extreme.

I for one, now a bit older, enjoy hearing an unexpected opinion from someone, probably because I have a few of my own. Take Boris Johnson’s idea of allowing tenants to buy their council-owned home at a discount. I believe it’s also mooted to cover housing associations and long-term tenants in the private sector. Now being a longtime supporter of first time buyers and making efforts to highlight some of the challenges they face you might well presume I’m a big supporter of Johnson’s plan. I am not. Without getting too political, it just sounds like an attempt to bring out a shiny new policy that gets lots of people talking and pulls our attention from say “partygate” or the “cost of living crisis”. Cynical? You bet I am.

Politics aside, there’s also a very good reason why I don’t support this potential new policy and that’s because it’s a bad idea! It’s

fantastic that as a first time buyer you can access a discount, and even better that you could forgo the hassle and expense of moving house. Yes, I’m all for economic and social empowerment, but not to the detriment of more needy people. If we sell off the council houses how do we help families who have a need but not the money to pay rent in the private sector?

When Margaret Thatcher rolled out this policy under her premiership, it left a hole in the property kaleidoscope. Where do all the people who qualify for council homes now go if these potential homes are to be sold off? You’re effectively removing a housing option from the people most in need. We all talk about the property ladder and how important it is to get your feet on the first rung, but there’s also a requirement to help people have basic shelter.

Of course, it can raise some much-needed money for the local councils and Government but although half the proceeds of the sales in the original scheme were paid to the local authorities, the Government restricted their use of most of the money to reducing their debt rather than spending it on building more homes. That’s good news that we are reducing debt but when the local authorities need to replace that housing it sounds like robbing Peter to pay Paul.

Then consider that this policy could be extended to the private rental sector.

There seems to be an appetite for assuming that landlords are evil, Dickensian rich types.

There’s good ones just the same as there are good and bad tenants. The private rental market is an important part of the property sphere and works alongside the Government schemes of council houses and housing associations. Because of this it should be protected, there’s far too much reliance on the private sector shouldering responsibility for social needs – a Government’s work.

Add to all of this, the original policy was abused by relatives buying homes at a discount and selling them to make a quick buck.

One report claimed that more than 40% of council houses sold under the scheme in London are now rented out privately. Councils in the capital are also spending at least £22m a year renting back their former homes to house homeless families, according to data released under Freedom of Information. There’s even been reports of councils buying back the properties for six times the figure they sold them for! To me its sounds flawed and rushed – the sort of thing a desperate PM might come out with when he’s worried about his position. Let’s just hope it was one of BJ’s many distraction tactics!

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FTB LOVES

Are we there yet?! We know that keeping the whole family entertained on a rainy Saturday can be challenging for the best of us. With the Summer holidays in full swing, its FTB to the rescue with a roundup of some amazing activities and days out to enjoy for you and the family. These top picks will be sure to put a smile on everyone’s face

Brighton Challenge your senses at this unique family attraction that lets you experience the illusion of zero gravity, set right on Brighton’s Sea front. Walk on the ceiling and take an upsidedown shower as you have the opportunity to take unbelievable photos that will create

y slope S l i p p er

hilarious family memories. Definitely one for the gram! se, Upside Down House tickets start from £4.50

Tur u p s indet h at f r o w n down!

London family to a 40Challenge your friends and ld’s tallest and wor the n dow t cen second des l as experiencing longest tunnel slide, as wel s of London from view le breathtakingly incredib s. form plat two observation ittal Orbit – Queen Ride The Slide At The ArcelorM start from £10.75 ts ticke , Park c Elizabeth Olympi

Toucan pla y that gam e

world Out of this

Manchester An immersive experience based on the hit ITV show I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here. Take on challenges including zip lines, climbing walls, high ropes, and Outback-themed games. Each one gives you the opportunity to win a star and be crowned king or queen of the jungle!

I’m A Celebrity – Jungle Challenge, tickets start from £20

Birmingham Visit an award-winning science museum for a fun-packed family day out. Attractions include a mini city where the kids are in charge, a planetarium where you can take a journey through the night sky and a fascinating brand new attraction called “Our Changing Planet” which is perfect for older children to learn about how human behaviour has impacted the world around us.

Thinktank Birmingham Science Museum, tickets start from £10.25, children under 3 free

First Time T Buyer August/September 2022

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Homepage LIVING

L ife’s a P icnic

Enjoy the summer sun with these essential outdoor favourites. Nothing says summer like picnics, BBQs or garden get-togethers. Whether it’s a simple spread in the park, or cocktails and canapes on a blanket under the seaside sunset, our top picks will help you enjoy the great outdoors this summer

garden cushions, from £10; £5.60; striped fine china bowl, £7; Blue shell stoneware serving plate, , John Lewis £6.40; striped tote cooler bag, £18 coral shell stoneware serving bowl,

Reversible round outdoor cushion, £40, Fy!

Lotus grill BBQ, £149, Cuckooland

Keep safe lock box, £22.87, Amazon

Paradise picnic plate, £1, B&M Polar box, £22, B&M

Below: Kya shatterproof 12-piece dinner set, £42; bronze outdoor serving board, £14; large outdoor serving platter, £14; chip and dip bowl, £18; salad bowl set, £20, Next

Tasselled beach bag, £19.99, TK Maxx

Curacao parasol, £25, B&Q Set of 2 Ocean director chairs, £60, George at Asda

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Homepage LIVING

Set of 3 cloud white Miami solar lante rns, £34.99; fairy lights, £57.99; Isaac battery outdoor LED candle, £10.99, Lights4fun

Picnic chair, £20; cooler bag, £25; deckchair and fabric sling, £39; stripe print deckchair sling, £11, John Lewis

Picnic hamper, £29.99, TK Maxx

Dip bowls, £1.50 each, B&M

Flute glasses, £2, Primark

Tyvek yellow Moroccan hanging solar lantern, £32.99, Lights4fun

Wooden salad servers, £5, B&M Boho jug glass, £40, Fy!

Water bottle 500ml, £30, Chilly’s

Pink bamboo lunchbox, £24, Fy!

Tropical cooler bag, £9.99, Homesense

Left: Picnic plate, £1; small bowl, £1; Slogan serving board, £8; small serving board, £4; chip and dip bowl, £2.50, B&M

Floral picnic blanket, £12.99, TK Maxx

C ON TA C T S » Amazon amazon.co.uk » B&M bmstores.co.uk » B&Q diy.com » Chilly’s chillys.com » Cuckooland cuckooland.com » Fy! iamfy.co » George at Asda direct.asda.com » Homesense homesense.com » John Lewis johnlewis.com » Lights4fun light4fun.co.uk » Next next.co.uk » Primark primark.com » TK Maxx tkmaxx.com

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Homepage LIVING

At home with:

Faye Barker

Faye Barker is a TV presenter and reporter for ITV News and she can be seen regularly presenting news programmes at weekends and ITV News London bulletins during Good Morning Britain and following News at Ten. She talks to Lynda Clark about her fascinating career, her first home and has some sound advice for first time buyers Photos: Grant Pritchard FTB: Tell us about your first step on the property ladder.

FB: I had been living in London but I was offered a presenting job with ITV Yorkshire’s regional news programme in 2001, so I moved up to Leeds. Trying to buy in London was out of the question but the house prices in Leeds were far more affordable, so my partner (now husband) and I bought a little city centre apartment.

It was in a converted textile mill by the river, so it was full of character, despite being very small. We decided to sell in 2005 as we were moving back to London but we experienced a very big problem. As first time buyers, we hadn’t realised the full implications of the apartment having a short lease. It ended up taking a year to sell, and eventually, as it became a sticking point with our buyer, we dropped the price.

We were lucky in the end though, as there was only a month when we had to pay both the mortgage on the Leeds flat and the rent on the new place we were moving to in London.

FTB: Where do you live now?

FB: After six months of renting we bought a property in Teddington, which I loved, and lived there for many years. But with a growing family we ran out of space and just couldn’t afford to stay in the area.

My husband had read an article about good commuter villages and we decided to take a look at some of them. We fell in love with a house in Ashtead, Surrey, as it was the perfect property for a family and it also ticked all our other boxes like decent transport links and good schools.

Ashtead has a very different feel to it than Teddington but, now I’m used to it, I really like it, and it’s now home.

FTB: Tell us about your career?

FB: When I was very young I watched Blue

“DON’T BE AFRAID OF BUYING A HOME WITH A PROJECT. ALL THE PLACES I HAVE LIVED IN NEEDED SOME WORK AND I HAVE ENJOYED THE RENOVATIONS. I THINK GETTING ON THE LADDER IS ONLY A WIN, WIN SITUATION!”

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Homepage LIVING

“WHEN I WAS VERY YOUNG I WATCHED BLUE PETER AND ALWAYS IMAGINED I WOULD LIKE TO BE A TV PRESENTER. THAT REMAINED WITH ME AND I WAS VERY FOCUSED AND KNEW WHICH PATH I WANTED TO FOLLOW”

Peter and always imagined I would like to be a TV presenter. That remained with me and I was very focused and knew which path I wanted to follow. I love theatre and enjoyed performing, so I suppose some of that goes hand-in-hand with the work I do now, and I’ve always been interested in people’s stories. I was lucky enough to get my foot in the door with some work experience which led to a job for a rolling business news channel called EBN, which later became part of CNBC. Being in the newsroom with tight deadlines and dealing with current affairs sat very well with me. I then joined ITN as a Production Journalist and, when I was 24, I made my network reporting debut with 5 News and presented my very first bulletin. I then moved on to a presenting job with ITV Yorkshire’s regional news programme, Calendar, before returning to London where I was a freelance presenter and reporter working for several broadcasters, including Sky News. In 2009, I returned to ITN as a presenter for the ITV Morning News, London Tonight and other ITV News bulletins.

FTB: What is one of the highlights of your working life?

FB: When I worked for ITV Yorkshire I was asked to be an undercover reporter on a series called Package Holiday Undercover.

We posed as tourists and went to various holiday destinations where there were reports that hotels and holiday complexes were in a terrible condition. We did lots of research of course, but we had to be very

careful not to get found out, so we had cameras hidden in handbags. It was very edgy but great fun and as a young, fearless reporter I loved it. I was involved over three summers and I enjoyed the travel and the acting element to it. Of course now that kind of programme would be completely different, as everyone films everything on their phones.

FTB: When it comes to news reporting is there a story that stands out?

FB: I have been fortunate to work on so many significant moments in our recent history so it’s hard to pick out one story. The news can be pretty harrowing at times so I feel you have to keep a professional level of detachment, but at the same time remain empathetic. Of course we get affected at times and I’m glad to cover a lot of uplifting and optimistic stories too. Recently I did an interview with Taras Topolia, the lead singer of a Ukrainian rock band called Antytila, to talk about their collaboration with Ed Sheeran. Taras is currently serving with the army and was talking to me over Zoom while travelling in a military vehicle near Kharkiv. He was very stoical and brave, but it’s clearly very hard for them. At the end, he thanked me several times for helping to tell their story, which felt quite emotional and a little surreal, as I was sitting in a warm, comfortable studio while he was out there fighting in a war zone.

FTB: How do you relax?

FB: I have a very busy life juggling three children and my work but what I call my

“therapy” is my weekly dance class. It takes me about half an hour to drive there so I put on my favourite music and then have the class, which is modern contemporary dance, and then I drive home. I try not to miss it as it’s something I really look forward to so much, as it’s my total escape!

FTB: What are your plans for the future?

FB: Well I love my work so I would like to just carry on doing what I am doing!

Recently, I have been dabbling in some radio as an occasional presenter for LBC News, which I have really enjoyed. I also work on the ITV News podcast, What You Need To Know, which we began in the pandemic. It’s been great to cover so many areas of the news in greater depth and I think more and more people are turning to audio to listen on demand. I also fancy doing Strictly Come Dancing but I think there is a long queue for that! I’m always open to ideas so I suppose it’s just a case of watch this space!

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

FB: Knowledge is power. Going back to the problem we had with our lease, if we had known more about it, we may have never bought that particular property in Leeds. Another tip is to do your research about future plans for the area. And don’t be afraid of buying a home with a project.

All the places I have lived in needed some work and I have enjoyed the renovations.

I think getting on the ladder is only a win, win situation!

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“W PR BY CU W CU FE

Homepage FIRST RUNG

The

HOUSE HUNTER

What we found…

THE OFF-RADAR Valley House Charlton, south east London

THE MAJOR DEVELOPMENT FROM £105,000*

Brunel Street Works Canning Town, east London

FROM £99,375*

This month FTB goes on the hunt with Trent Dyer who is looking for his first home in Greenwich or Deptford, south east London

PROFILE

Name Trent Dyer, 29 Occupation Financial services assistant Maximum budget £200,000 Requirements A one bedroom home a short distance from Docklands in east London – preferably Greenwich or Deptford. A balcony or shared terrace, along with good local amenities are a must

What he wanted…

I work in financial services in Docklands.

Though I sometimes work from home, it’s very much an in-office job and I love it! I live with my parents in Peckham, south east London, and really want my own place. I don’t want to move too far from my family and friends but also want to be close to work as I often work long hours. The ideal place for me would be Greenwich or Deptford, which are just over the river from work. I am looking for a one bedroom apartment with a balcony in a good development with a nice community. I’m a social guy, so I like to be close to places where I can meet up with friends, and have some good places to explore close by. Transport links are also pretty important – I need to be close to DLR links to the Docklands so I can get into work quickly. I have a deposit of £15,000 and an overall budget of around £200,000.”

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Just a few two bedroom apartments remain at this distinctive curved development in Charlton, south east London.

The homes are minutes from Charlton railway station and a range of high street shops, while charming Charlton Village and Charlton Park are 15 minutes’ walk. The properties exude style, with contemporary kitchens, dark wood flooring, wide floor-to-ceiling windows and spacious balconies.

Some properties have an en suite from the main bedroom. There’s also plenty of storage space, making modern life a bit tidier.

The 167 shared ownership apartments here form part of the wider Brunel Street Works development, which leads a major regeneration programme bringing thousands of new homes, public spaces, facilities and workspaces to the area. The high-spec properties range from one to three bedrooms and lie close to the River Thames and Canary Wharf for iconic sights, endless options for days out and simple travel connections. Residents also have access to a shared roof terrace and podium garden as well as a 24-hour concierge service.

peabodysales.co.uk

lqhomes.com

*Based on a 25% share of the full market value of £420,000

*Based on a 25% share of the full market value of £397,500

What he thought…

This isn’t an area I know that well at all, despite having some relatives close by. It’s an interesting proposition, as I know there’s a great deal of regeneration and renewal in the area, which is always a good sign. I also know that Charlton Village is very popular with locals – my cousins are always going there at weekends – and it sounds like a nice alternative to Greenwich. The properties are super stylish – I am particularly impressed with the kitchens and vast glass balconies – I can really see myself chilling out and with friends here.”

If I moved here I’d never be late for work, that’s for sure – I could cycle there in around 10 minutes, which would be amazing. I should think there are some really special views – especially from the communal gardens. I’ve always loved the idea of a roof terrace; it would be great to have additional outdoor space, as well as the opportunity to get to know the neighbours. This is a super location but I think I’d like to be just that little bit further away from work so that I can separate my working and non-working lives!”

First Time Buyer August/September 2022

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Homepage FIRST RUNG

THE BOUTIQUE COLLECTION No.1 Creekside Deptford, south east London

FROM £97,500*

THE LIVELY LOCATION Deptford Landings Deptford, south east London

FROM £125,625*

First choice!

THE ICONIC SETTING Copper Creek don Greenwich, south east Lon

The one, two and three bedroom apartments at No.1 Creekside are housed within two buildings that are linked by raised communal gardens. Each home has a private balcony or terrace and engineered wood flooring. The small development sits just moments from Deptford Bridge DLR and railway stations, as well as the creek and thriving market – making it a perfect location for lovers of all things London. Both Greenwich and New Cross are an easy walk away, while a good range of parks, shops and eateries lie just a stone’s throw from the front door.

Located next to Deptford park, the new two, three and four bedroom apartments here have access to plenty of green space. Residents can also enjoy the shared communal areas, which include a waterway and landscaped gardens. There is a range of supermarkets and eateries in the local area, while Deptford is a 15-minute walk or short bus ride away, with New Cross and Peckham easily accessed in the other direction. All this with the River Thames less than a few minutes’ walk away – stylish urban living at its best.

lewishamhomes.org.uk

lqhomes.com

*Based on a 25% share of the full market value of £390,000

This certainly looks like a lively and convenient location – so close to the station, the market, a great local pub and the creek. I know that this would be a really fun and interesting place to live, and it would be super exciting to have such great options for entertainment in Deptford, Greenwich or close by every day and night of the week. The building is stylish and in keeping with the area, and the interiors are smart and modern, with the balcony and contemporary flooring, which is the kind of thing I go for. There’s certainly lots to like here!”

**Based on a 25% share of the full market value of £502,500

I’ve been coming to Deptford since I was a kid. It’s changed quite a lot, with so many new homes and things, but some of the best parts of the area – including the market – will just never change. There’s a lot of character to this part of town and it’s also in such a great spot for getting around south London and over to east London.

These apartments are pretty stylish – I really like the natural light brought in by the floor-to-ceiling windows, as well as the iron balconies – it’s all really classy. The views over the area look extremely good too.”

FROM £122,250*

tre of Greenwich, these Located close to the cen enjoying s are in a great spot for contemporary apartment on the ry ene gre and ure of cult the local area, with plenty s close ion stat d tfor Dep and k ty Sar doorstep. With both Cut tral cen elling to Docklands and by, commuting and trav room one, two and three bed The . eze London is a bre ek and Cre d tfor Dep from moments properties lie just a few museum, a k, par g nin stun a ts, rke the Thames, plus lively ma are e venues. The properties old pubs and performanc ces, spa g livin lan h bright open-p beautifully designed, wit ny ma – ies con bal ate out and priv quality flooring through s. with far-reaching city view hydenewhomes.co.uk *Based on a 30% share of the full market value of £407,500

THE NEXT STEP

“I really don’t want to hang around with this; I love the apartments, location and price. Shared ownership is a real winner for me – meaning I can get a great new home within my budget. I already have a mortgage in principle and am ready to view the development as soon as possible!”

These apartments are really well located for me and for everything I love about south east London. Both Deptford and Greenwich are close at hand, with some really great options for enjoying evenings and weekends out and about. My friends and family would love visiting me here. Travelling around the area and into work will be simple, and getting out of London for weekends away with family in Kent and Surrey will be super easy, too.

The apartments are smart and spacious, with great styling. It’s quite a small development, which, to me, gives it more a boutique feel. It’s a no-brainer for me.”

First Time Buyer August/September 2022

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ADVICE

Lauren Nicholson is Head of Marketing and Digital at Notting Hill Genesis, and has over 10 years’ experience working for some of the UK’s largest housing associations. Throughout her career Lauren has prioritised customer research and listening to buyers to establish a close understanding of the first time buyer market, and the problems that many face when purchasing a first home.

Notting Hill Genesis’ aim is to empower and deliver informative and supportive guidance to customers throughout one of their most important life decisions

Q

I am a first time buyer who recently heard about shared ownership as a route to purchasing a home, but am unsure about what this entails. I also want to know more about the financial side of things – what would my monthly outgoings be, and do I have control over selling my home later down the line?

A

You’re not alone – we find many first time buyers can be confused at first by the idea of shared ownership, and aren’t quite sure how part-owning and part-renting works in practice.

The scheme is an alternative route to homeownership for those who may not have the huge deposits required to purchase a home on the open market.

Shared ownership is available across new build homes, including most of our developments at Notting Hill Genesis. There are certain eligibility requirements, such as the annual salary of your household and sometimes where you live or work, which are worth bearing in mind.

When you buy a home through shared ownership, it doesn’t mean you’ll be sharing the home with another person, rather you purchase a percentage share of your property. You will have a monthly mortgage to pay on this portion, and then you’ll pay a subsidised monthly rent on the remaining share to the housing association that you bought your property from, in addition to your service charge.

For example, a buyer at Woolwich Reach, our Thames-side development near to the Royal Docks, might buy a one bedroom apartment for £93,750 for a 25% share. The full market value of the home would be £375,000.

After paying a deposit of 10% (£9,375), they would then pay a monthly mortgage of approximately £422, along with rent of £645, and a service charge of £134. This means total monthly costs would be £1,201.

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The combined cost of a subsidised rent and monthly mortgage payment can often be cheaper than renting a similar home.

Once you’ve found a new home, bought it and moved in, you will then have the opportunity to buy a larger share in the property. This is called staircasing, where you buy more shares over time and reduce the portion of the property you’re paying rent on.

You can also choose to sell your home at any time after purchase, and you will receive the current market value for the share you own.

One of the advantages of shared ownership is that you will benefit from any increase in the

Lauren Nicholson, Head of Marketing and Digital, Notting Hill Genesis

property’s value as an owner-occupier.

Notting Hill Genesis will manage the process for the first eight weeks, and after this period you will be able to sell it on the open market. If you own 100% of the property, you can also manage the sale directly.

Each year, Notting Hill Genesis helps hundreds of people buy a home of their own, so we know that understanding the financial implications can be daunting for first time buyers. Our experience allows us to provide support and guidance at every step of the process, from purchase, to staircasing, or eventually reselling.

Notting Hill Genesis is launching FROM a brand new collection of one and two bedroom apartments this autumn, located in the Royal Borough of Greenwich and available to purchase off-plan through shared ownership.

Sustainability runs through the heart of Kidbrooke Square, with active travel routes, green rooftops, and renewable energy embraced throughout. Spacious, open-plan living areas are excellent for entertaining Greenwich, both indoors and on the generous balconies outside. oke Square Kidbro Set to build upon this vibrant new community for south east London, homes at Kidbrooke Square are ideally suited to first time buyers looking for affordable, modern city living next to sought-after green space. Award-winning Cator Park is close by, with its grassland, meadows and wetlands, while residents can enjoy day-to-day shopping and dining, as well as a monthly farmers’ market, in adjacent Kidbrooke Village.

Greenwich’s superb transport links make Kidbrooke Square an ideal choice for young professionals wanting to work flexibly. Residents have direct access to the new railway station at Kidbrooke, with trains to London Bridge in 17 minutes, Waterloo East in 24 minutes, and nearby DLR links to Charing Cross and Canary Wharf.

Guide prices for one bedroom homes start from £88,750 for a 25% share, and two bedrooms from £111,250 for a 25% share. Customers will soon be able to enjoy Kidbrooke Square’s stateof-the art marketing suite, where they can experience first class show homes, innovative virtual technology, and be guided on their homebuying journey by Notting Hill Genesis’ expert sales team.

£88,750*

Register your interest online today at nhgsales.com/kidbrookesquare, or call us on 020 3797 8176 *Based on a 25% share with a full market value of £355,000

First Time Buyer August/September June/July 2018 2022

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THE VIEW

"MY FIRST PROPERTY WAS A ONE BEDROOM GROUND FLOOR VICTORIAN CONVERSION IN BARNET. WITH STUART’S HELP, WE EVENTUALLY TURNED IT INTO A TWO BEDROOM APARTMENT BUT IT WAS A BIG LEARNING CURVE" 20

First Time Buyer December 2021/January 2022

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THE VIEW

n i t i g n i p e e K the family!

Siblings Scarlette and Stuart Douglas have always had a passion for property and their interior design and renovation business has proved to be highly successful for over 15 years. As well as co-presenting Channel 4’s new property show, George Clarke’s Flipping Fast, they will soon be hosting their own show for Channel 4, Worst House on the Street. They talk to Lynda Clark about their fascinating careers, their first homes and have some very good advice for first time buyers Photos: Mike Prior Hair and makeup: Lisa Joseph @lisaloothe_mua @creativeartistshairandmakeup

S

carlette and Stuart were brought up in Cheshunt, Hertfordshire.

Scarlette was always passionate about performing and Stuart and their other brother, Andrew, were both professional footballers. Andrew played for Arsenal and Stuart for Luton Town. As the boys were avid sports enthusiasts, Scarlette wanted to be like them and played basketball, hockey and football for Arsenal girls, briefly. She said, “I wanted to play rugby too but that wasn’t allowed.” She went to Laine Theatre Arts in Epsom, Surrey, when she was only 16 and stayed with a host family for the first year. “It was a very tough course and we worked a 12-hour day and they were very, very strict about everything.”

Her first job was assistant choreographer and dance captain for the pilot show of Thriller Live and she then travelled to Switzerland for eight months playing the role of Tina Turner in We Will Rock You. She was in great demand and appeared in many different musicals, made a fitness DVD called Street Fit and won a competition

for MTV in conjunction with Freedom to become a presenter for a week, a win that was not only a great experience, but also landed her a presenting agent. She was one of the presenters for A Place in the Sun for nearly seven years, which she describes as a dream job, and has been all over the world finding homes for people who want to buy abroad. She was a regular reporter for The One Show on BBC as well as fronting her own prime time Channel 4 show, Holiday Secrets: Is Last Minute Best?

Having always been interested in property and interiors, Stuart asked her what she was planning for the future as she had no pension. Stuart was a footballer at the time and had developed a few properties over the years and so suggested she invest some money that her mum had given her, along with her own savings, to buy a place of her own. “My first property was a one bedroom ground floor Victorian conversion in Barnet. With Stuart’s help, we eventually turned it into a two bedroom apartment but it was a big learning curve.

"We had builders who were not up to scratch and didn’t complete works as planned in the schedule. As a result, we hired an independent builder to work on his own as his standard of finish was high, however, he physically moved into the property which was really unacceptable. In the end, I finished it off and I lived there for about eight months.

"We re-did the garden and I made a good profit when I sold it and by then I had the property bug and decided to buy another place in Enfield, which was a first floor apartment. I completely renovated that and created a lovely space.” Since then, Scarlette has bought and renovated many different properties and said, “I get such a buzz from each property I buy.”

Stuart became a professional football player at the age of 17 and even though he earnt a lot of money, he was always keen to save. “It’s my passion to save and I really thank my parents for encouraging us to get a good education and not squander our money on fast cars, but instead to save

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THE VIEW

"IF YOU DECIDE TO RENOVATE A PROPERTY THEN WORK BACKWARDS. FIND YOUR CEILING PRICE AND GIVE YOURSELF ROOM FOR MANOEUVRE, AS OFTEN THE COSTS CAN RUN AWAY WITH YOU, AND THEN CALCULATE EXACTLY WHAT YOU CAN AFFORD" 22

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THE VIEW for the future.” He also has a passion for property and bought his first home at the age of 21. “It was in a converted hat factory in St Albans and was very quirky. I redesigned it and did some renovations; put in a new kitchen, bathroom and flooring and of course completely redecorated it. I really loved it but when I changed football clubs I decided to sell it as I needed to buy somewhere nearer the new club, a decision I have always regretted.

"Apart from really liking the place, I truly believe that there is no better return than bricks and mortar and so my interest in property grew and grew. I made a good profit on it and it proved to be the catalyst for me to buy and develop in the locations of the football clubs I played for. With the help of Scarlette, I have developed and sold numerous properties which has obviously helped me transition into the world of broadcasting. I was nominated for Best Debut Presenter at the New Voice Awards 2022 which was very special.”

They made their first television appearance together in a special edition of Kirstie Allsopp and Phil Spencer’s Love It or List It as part of Channel 4’s Black to Front project. But as it was for many people, lockdown proved to be a difficult time for them. During the third lockdown, Scarlette was sat at home one cold, rainy January afternoon and saw a casting call for a new property TV show looking for contributors wanting to flip properties. As this was her domain, she called her agent, Alex, to find out exactly what the show was about and if they needed a presenter.

He arranged a Zoom call and a screen test for not only Scarlette but also for Stuart was secured. A few weeks later they were offered the job co-presenting Flipping Fast alongside George Clarke. The show follows six teams across the UK who think they have what it takes to make the big time as property entrepreneurs, offering them a life-changing chance to start their own property business. Each are given a £100,000 investment to kickstart the business, competing against each other to see who can make a profit from property in just 12 months. The competitors get advice and support from George, Scarlette and Stuart and at the end, the most successful property flipper gets a cash prize of the

£100,000 investment given to them at the beginning, plus their profit.

Scarlette said, “We love this series as we get the opportunity to offer straight-talking advice to budding property entrepreneurs.

We don’t always agree on the methods, but when it comes to achieving the best results, we’re on the same page.”

Coming later this year, Scarlette and Stuart will be fronting a new Channel 4 series, Worst House on the Street. They will share tips and tricks to help thrifty homeowners pull off renovations far in excess of their budgets or expectations. It follows the duo using their expertise to help families transform run-down houses into dream homes without it costing a fortune!

At the end of the project they will reveal how much their innovation and cost-cutting has increased the value of the property by.

They said, “Over many years, we have honed the skill of redeveloping properties while extracting the most value from the finances available. As brother and sister, our candid and honest relationship has helped us refine our process to achieve the best results. Together we have redesigned and renovated numerous properties, transforming them to become desirable and profitable homes.”

With so much property knowledge they have some excellent advice for first time buyers. “Research, research, research; as if you fail to prepare, prepare to fail. Look at the areas you are interested in and decide what is important to you. If you are a family does it have good schools nearby? Or if you need to commute does it have good transport links? If you decide to renovate a property then work backwards. Find your ceiling price and give yourself room for manoeuvre, as often the costs can run away with you, and then calculate exactly what you can afford. It is easy to put your own stamp on a place to make it your home when you work out what to do with the interior space and decorations.”

Scarlette and Stuart are both very talented and the future is looking bright indeed. I think this brother and sister act has a long way to go so... watch this space!

If you’d like to know more about Scarlette and Stuart please check out their Instagram account @scarandstu

"IT’S MY PASSION TO SAVE AND I REALLY THANK MY PARENTS FOR ENCOURAGING US TO GET A GOOD EDUCATION AND NOT SQUANDER OUR MONEY ON FAST CARS BUT INSTEAD TO SAVE FOR THE FUTURE" First Time Buyer August/September 2022

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CROSSRAIL

AT LAST! THE ELIZABETH LINE

After what seems like a very long wait, Crossrail has finally arrived in the capital! A momentous 70-mile project, Crossrail links Reading (Berkshire) and Heathrow airport in the west, with Shenfield (Essex) and Abbey Wood in the east. With improved access to central London from even more locations, the Elizabeth Line is great news for first time buyers. But where is the most affordable? Debbie Clark looks at what the grand opening means for your property search THE CROSSRAIL EFFECT Nicknamed "the Crossrail effect", there has been a micro property price boom near Elizabeth Line stations over the past decade. The scheme – which was officially announced in 2008 – has seen the price of property rise exponentially in these areas, with property prices consistently higher than in the surrounding areas.

Many areas have also benefited tremendously from local regeneration linked to the impressive scheme.

If it sounds like you’re late to the party, fear not; the official launch of the Elizabeth Line, on 24 May 2022, has led to an invigorated demand for property as buyers are finally able to take advantage of those long-promised speedy commute times. Properties near to these stations are also likely to continue to command a premium, as a good tube connection always has.

READING

L&Q at Huntley Wharf

FROM £71,250*

A joint venture between L&Q and Berkeley, this collection of one and two bedroom shared ownership apartments and duplex apartments can be found on the riverside. The new homes form part of an exciting urban hub. Residents will benefit from a plethora of facilities on-site, including a cafe, restaurant, local store and gym, all conveniently located in the development’s central hub, Riverside Square, as well as landscaped open spaces along the river. The development is just a short walk from Reading railway station, now on the Elizabeth Line. By bike, both the station and city centre are reachable in less than five minutes. lqhomes.com/huntleywharf

YOUR PROPERTY SEARCH Data from Share to Buy, the UK’s leading online portal for shared ownership and Help to Buy properties, has revealed the average property price in various hotspots along the Elizabeth Line and the percentage growth in average property prices since 2018/2019.

Perhaps not surprisingly, the cheapest average property prices are out of the capital, in Reading, with an average property price of £301,531. A London postcode will, of course, set you back more money, but there are still plenty of options under £500,000, most notably in Southall, Ealing, with an average property price of just £385,485. Southall has had a slower growth in average property prices since 2018/2019 than many areas, at 9.45%. In contrast, Abbey Wood has seen an 82.26% growth, but still has an average property price of just £423,759. Other areas worth consideration include Newham, with average prices around £460,000, and Acton and Ealing, with average property prices around £495,000. If your budget stretches to over £600,000, consider Farringdon. Westminster properties come in slightly cheaper, but are far harder to come by.

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*Based on a 25% share of the full market value of £285,000

READING

Green Park Village

FROM £305,000

Minutes from central Reading, The Longwater Collection has recently launched at Green Park Village, comprising three new apartment buildings with one and two bedroom homes. Cycle paths and woodland walks in a waterside location, as well as a children’s play area and Market Square, are further enhanced by Green Park Business Park, a nearby business community set in landscaped parkland which provides restaurants, shops, cafes, a gym and a nursery. An on-site primary school, Green Park Village Academy, opened in 2020. The new Reading Green Park railway station, due to open this summer, will offer residents a balance of accessibility and escapism. greenparkvillage.co.uk

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CROSSRAIL

CASE STUDY

READING

Bankside Gardens by St Edward

FROM £420,500

Bankside Gardens offers London-style living in a superb Reading location. The one and two bedroom apartments at No. 6 – the latest phase of homes – have been designed for modern living. The living areas lead out on to a balcony or terrace for stunning views over the landscaped gardens, while the kitchens feature Bosch and Smeg integrated appliances. Parking is also included with every apartment. The new Reading Green Park railway station is located directly next to the development, with services reaching Reading station in just six minutes. Direct services on Crossrail from Reading will reach Heathrow in 38 minutes, Bond Street in under an hour and Canary Wharf in just over an hour. banksidegardens.co.uk

WIMBLEDON The Switch

FROM £140,000*

The Switch offers two and three bedroom shared ownership apartments and is part of a landmark joint venture with Galliard Homes, with retail and leisure space set around a new stadium for AFC Wimbledon. Residents will also be able to enjoy access to communal podium gardens. Kitchens are fitted with integrated appliances. Plus, selected two and three bedroom apartments are set across two floors providing residents with a significant amount of living space. catalyst.homes *Based on a 25% share of the full market value of £560,000

HANWELL

Central Square

FROM £108,750*

Central Square is the latest phase of homes for sale at Copley W7 – Broadway Living’s flagship regeneration development in leafy Hanwell. Located a 20-minute walk from Hanwell or West Ealing stations, the modern one and two bedroom apartments are available with shared ownership. All kitchens include an integrated Zanussi washer-dryer, fridge-freezer and dishwasher, and main bedrooms feature fitted wardrobes. Each apartment has its own balcony and there are communal landscaped gardens for all the residents to enjoy. There will also be a playground, community hub and local shop for the day-to-day essentials. copleyhanwellw7.co.uk *Based on a 25% share of the full market value of £435,000

Saba Yazdani, 37, works in London and loves city life, but with house prices continuing to rise, she wasn’t sure how she would ever be able to afford to buy her own home in the capital. That was before she found out about SO Resi Ealing.

Saba, a Project and Partnerships Manager, first became aware of shared ownership as a potential route on to the property ladder in 2013 as some of her friends were buying using the scheme. Fast forward five years and she decided to start saving for a deposit herself. Saba wanted to buy the property in her own name but since her partner would be sharing the monthly costs with her, it meant the amount Saba needed to save was less prohibitive, at £16,000 for a 25% share in a one bedroom flat.

After her six months rent-free incentive expires, Saba will be paying just £1,200 per month – a saving of £450 per month on the rent she was paying for her flat in Willesden Green, Brent.

Saba first visited the development in the summer of 2020 and was immediately impressed by the specifications and materials used. The fact that the apartments had a balcony and communal roof terrace also appealed. “I have bought a sixth-floor apartment which has really nice views,” Saba says. “And I love coming up to the roof terrace – you can see the whole of London!”

The good transport links also mean it’s an easy commute into central London for when Saba needs to be in the office for work. She says, “The development is in a good location within walking distance to West Ealing station and Ealing Broadway – and it’s on the Elizabeth Line, which is really appealing.”

Saba adds, “It’s also a vibrant area with a good high street including Ealing Broadway shopping centre. I am originally from Iran and there are lots of Iranian restaurants in the area which is fantastic. There are also some good green spaces nearby such as Walpole Park.”

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CROSSRAIL

WEST EALING The Bowery

FROM £138,900*

Comprising 60 one, two and three bedroom shared ownership apartments, buyers at The Bowery will be well placed to enjoy the benefits of Ealing’s programme of regeneration, with a great combination of attractive green spaces, vibrant bars and restaurants, and excellent transport connections. The development features landscaped gardens and a range of community facilities, including a car club and potential space for meetings and events. All apartments enjoy access to fresh air via either a balcony or Juliet balcony, and feature high-specification fixtures and fittings throughout, including contemporary kitchen and bathroom units. latimerhomes.com/new-build-homes/london/ealing/the-bowery *Based on a 30% share of the full market value of £463,000

WEST EALING SO Resi Ealing

FROM £108,125*

Once the flagship BHS department store in West Ealing, SO Resi Ealing offers a contemporary collection of 104 one, two and three bedroom apartments, set just a short walk from Ealing Broadway. All of the apartments have either a balcony or terrace to extend living space, while some homes are also dual aspect. Residents benefit from access to a spacious rooftop garden and a first floor podium garden, alongside three years’ free car club membership. Services from West Ealing station (a seven-minute walk) reach Paddington in just 12 minutes, Heathrow in 13, Bond Street in 15 and Canary Wharf in 29 minutes. soresi.co.uk/find-a-property/ealing *Based on a 25% share of the full market value of £432,500

EALING

Ealing Bond

FROM £113,750*

Ealing Bond is a collection of contemporary one, two and three bedroom apartments, each benefiting from a spacious openplan living area and modern fully fitted kitchen. Quality internal specifications are combined with podium gardens to create an oasis of relaxation in the capital. Ealing is served by London Underground, Crossrail and National Rail services to put the capital within reach, with Bond Street just a 13-minute tube journey away. This development is only available to applicants who live or work in the borough of Ealing. sharetobuy.com/properties/165486 *Based on a 25% share of the full market value of £455,000

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CASE STUDY

Becci, a Senior Grants and Programmes Manager, and her partner Dan, have just purchased a 30% share of a two bedroom apartment at Notting Hill Genesis’ Heron Quarter at Woodberry Down development. Shared ownership has allowed the couple to stay in the area they love and has secured them a home that they can grow into.

Already renting a one bedroom flat at the Woodberry Down regeneration scheme, Becci and Dan knew they wanted to stay in London’s green oasis. Becky explains, “We have lived at Woodberry Down for a number of years and love the community here. Thanks to the two on-site reservoirs, green space and wildlife, it doesn’t feel like we are in London. We describe it as our Zone 2 oasis!”

However, the couple couldn’t afford to purchase a home outright. Becci recalls, “Dan and I had been saving for a rainy day and at the beginning of the year we had a leaflet through for the private sale homes here. Unfortunately, they were too far out of our price range so we closed the door on buying a home here and began to think about purchasing elsewhere.

However, during lockdown, a leaflet for Notting Hill Genesis’ shared ownership apartments was dropped through the door and this seemed like a fantastic option for us.” The couple quickly booked on to a virtual tour of Heron Quarter and the apartment ticked all of their boxes thanks to its layout and well sized balcony. Having followed up with an in-person viewing, they promptly put down a deposit.

The couple were working from home so opted for a two bedroom apartment giving them the flexibility to use the second bedroom as a home office. They are clearly delighted with their new home. Becci says, “Shared ownership has allowed us to step on to the property ladder, something we never thought we would be able to do in such a fantastic location. The development itself is idyllic and there is plenty to do. The two reservoirs have great outdoor activities such as paddleboarding and sailing, there are great running and walking routes and the wetlands are home to a selection of wildlife which is lovely to see in such an urban location.”

Located in Zone 2, Heron Quarter at Woodberry Down is well connected. There is a selection of cycle paths and walking routes, Manor House underground station is just five minutes’ walk from home and is served by the Piccadilly Line. Alternatively, there are two Overground stations, Stamford Hill station and Finsbury Park station providing direct routes into Moorgate and Liverpool Street in 15 minutes, where Crossrail services are now operating.

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CROSSRAIL

FROM £133,125*

ACTON

FROM £131,250*

CASE STUDY

CANARY WHARF

L&Q at Acton Gardens

Hampton Tower at South Quay Plaza

L&Q at Acton Gardens delivers an impressive collection of two and three bedroom shared ownership homes. Community integration is at the forefront, with a wide range of facilities for residents including several communal gardens, a new sports ground and a shopping plaza.

The homes have been designed to be energy efficient – each apartment is fitted with solar panels and there is an on-site energy centre which will supply some of the development’s heat and power, reducing residents’ carbon footprint.

Set in 2.6 acres of communal gardens, moments away from the Thames, Hampton Tower’s studio, one and two bedroom apartments are conveniently located a two-minute walk to South Quay DLR and a 10-minute stroll to Canary Wharf station. Floor-to-ceiling windows throughout create spectacular views across Canary Wharf in one direction and South Dock in the other.

lqhomes.com/actongardenslondon/ealing/ the-bowery

landgah.com/scheme/hamptontower-south-quay-plaza *Based on a 25% share of the full market value of £525,000

*Based on a 25% share of the full market value of £532,500

FROM £359,000

FROM £118,500*

ABBEY WOOD WOOLWICH Trinity Walk

Lovell Homes’ Trinity Walk is a collection of 445 one, two and three bedroom apartments located on the riverside, just a mile from the new Crossrail station in Woolwich. Ready to move into, the development boasts larger than average apartment sizes with private outdoor balcony or terrace to all homes. Flooring and appliances are included throughout and there is currently an additional incentive of a furnishing package at no extra cost. trinitywalk-woolwich.com

Southmere

Southmere is in Peabody’s regeneration of Thamesmead, delivering 500 homes, shops and a public square. A 10-minute walk from Abbey Wood station, the one, two and three bedroom apartments are available with shared ownership and Help to Buy. Residents enjoy double the amount of green space than the London average, plus a concierge and lounge. peabodysales.co.uk/developments/ southmere *Based on a 30% share of the full market value of £395,000

Rob Johnson, 38, completed on his new two bedroom, two bathroom home at the end of 2021.

The apartments at Trinity Walk, by Lovell Homes, have proved very popular, particularly with young professionals opting to live solo like Rob, a Business Development Manager for a City law firm.

As a first time buyer keen to fund his own home purchase, without any parental support, Rob capitalised on the lockdown period to save money towards a deposit and also took advantage of the Help to Buy scheme. He put down a £35,000 deposit against a purchase price of £470,000 with Lovell Homes paying his Stamp Duty.

Rob explains, “I chose Help to Buy over shared ownership. Personally, I didn’t like the idea of owning a property and paying rent and the monthly mortgage, plus service charges.” He continues, “I found the ‘HtB’ calculator to be a really valuable tool, which is separate to any calculations done by a mortgage lender and more realistic when it came to knowing my price range.”

Focusing his property search on new build developments, Rob was encouraged by friends to look at the Woolwich area in south east London. He says, “The combination of Trinity Walk and Woolwich provided me with an excellent opportunity to buy a two bed property in a well-connected part of London at a price that was affordable to me and would be a wise investment for the future.”

Crossrail was also an important factor in choosing to buy at Trinity Walk. Rob explains, “I’m based in the City and have a preference for mostly working in the office, so living somewhere where there was a quick and easy commute to the office was very important, given the frequency I would be doing it, as well as being able to get quickly into other areas of London.”

It seems Rob’s investment is already paying off as he loves the apartment. “It has the additional bonus of two balconies… there’s a lot of natural light, particularly in the main bedroom and having the second outdoor space which overlooks a quiet leafy area swung it for me,” he says. “Being 10 minutes from the river and having the ability to quickly get into London and conversely out of London were also appealing. I love the fact that I can wander around the city in all directions and have green spaces all around me to play softball in my spare time.”

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RESALES

RESALE SHARED OWNERSHIP

Clarion Housing Group utilises Urban Moves as its nomination service provider for shared ownership resales and has done so for a number of years. We asked Erin Alexander, Head of Customer Journey at Clarion, all about shared ownership resales and the beneficial impact of using Urban Moves for leaseholders, buyers and for Clarion.

Urban Moves is now the single largest reseller of shared ownership properties in England and estimates to have helped registered providers sell almost a billion pounds’ worth of resale properties to date Q: Who is Clarion and what is your role?

Clarion is the UK’s largest housing association, owning and managing 125,000 homes. Our mission at Clarion Housing Group is to provide homes for people who need them most, with 350,000 people calling a Clarion home their home. We are a developer as well as a landlord, building thousands of affordable homes every year.

As Britain’s largest housing association, our residents are at the heart of what we do and we are committed to doing our best by them. We’re committed to providing good, affordable homes for those that need it the most, and a great service to all residents.

My role is Head of Customer Journey, and I look after the Clarion resales and staircasing team. Our team works with existing shared ownership customers to assist them with their onward journey in homeownership from buying additional shares in their home, to selling and moving elsewhere. We work collaboratively with internal and external teams to ensure a quick, efficient and straightforward service, working to achieve the highest possible customer satisfaction.

Q: Where does Clarion have shared ownership resale properties?

We have properties in most regions across England; including London, the South, East and Central and in the North. You can find properties as far south as Plymouth up to Leeds in the north and anywhere in between.

Q: How can I find a resale property with Clarion?

Depending on which marketing option you have chosen and the location of your home, Clarion resale properties can be found on Share to Buy, the relevant Help to Buy websites, or Urban Moves.

Q: What are the eligibility requirements?

Shared ownership is designed to help those who can’t otherwise afford to buy on the open market. You can buy with shared ownership if your combined household income is £80,000 a year or less (£90,000 in London). There are some restrictions

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and eligibility criteria to ensure the scheme benefits those who need it most. To purchase a home with shared ownership you need to be within the household income threshold and also: 9 Be 18 or older 9 Not own a property or part of a property (in the UK or abroad) at the time of completing your purchase 9 Not have enough money to buy a property outright 9 Have a good credit history 9 Have a regular income to cover your mortgage and rent 9 Have enough money to cover the deposit for the share you’re buying.

Q: What do you feel are the benefits of choosing resales over new build shared ownership?

With resale properties, you can see exactly what you are getting for your money. You are able to view the property and envisage yourself living there. Resale properties come with their own characteristics, with a range of different architectural designs from the era they were built in. They are often located within already established and thriving communities.

Q: What is a “nomination period” and what are shared owners’ obligations The nomination period is the time frame the housing association has to find a new buyer for the share of the property on behalf of the seller. This period of time varies, historically being eight weeks on average, but going forward, this time period will reduce further to four weeks to give the seller more control over the sale of their home.

Q: What happens during a nomination period when you don’t have a nomination service provider?

Clarion currently has a nomination service provider in place; Urban Moves.

Our customers have the choice to market either through Urban Moves or Clarion. If customers opt to market with Clarion, we will prepare the advert and advertise the

property on either Share to Buy or Help to Buy websites, depending on their location.

We then collate any interest expressed and help the seller arrange viewings. Subject to an affordability assessment, we hope to be able to prioritise and allocate the home to a suitable buyer.

Q: How do you feel the customer journey has changed since you have been working with Urban Moves?

Working with Urban Moves has improved the options available to our customers, which I am sure they have appreciated.

It has allowed our customers to have professional pictures and floor plans produced, and a rep to arrange and hold viewings for them. Selling can be quite a daunting process, so I think having a more hands-on approach when marketing and liaising with the buyers on your behalf benefits the customer massively.

Q: How is the process of buying/selling a resale shared ownership property different to a new build?

With resales, the property is already available and owned by someone else, You are likely going to be in a chain of people who are all buying and selling. Buying a resale property may take slightly longer

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RESALES

GEORGE ELLISTON ROAD

Ipswich, Suffolk IP3 8XQ

DEPOSIT £18,000 FMV £360,000

DEPOSIT £14,850

ASHMEAD HOUSE

FMV £330,000

Tewkesbury Road, London W13 0DP

A great chance to buy a spacious, recently constructed, shared ownership family home in Ipswich. This beautifully presented property forms one end of a short, three-house terrace and is part of the Ribbans Park development by Bovis Homes. The three floors provide almost 1,200 sq ft of accommodation and feature an attractive open-plan kitchen/dining/reception room which opens on to the rear garden and a second reception room, with Juliet balcony, on the first floor. There is a main bedroom with built-in wardrobe and en suite shower room, a generously sized second bedroom, smaller third double or large study, a stylish, high-spec bathroom and a ground floor cloakroom. Wellinsulated walls, roof and floor, high-performance glazing and gas central heating have resulted in a very good energy efficiency rating. The house comes with the use of two parking spaces.

An attractive one bedroom shared ownership apartment in Ealing which features a reception room with large window, balcony and a stylish, open-plan kitchen with integrated appliances. The bedroom includes a fitted wardrobe, and the bathroom is spacious and high-spec. Ashmead House is a recently built development which benefits from the high energy efficiency standards that modern construction demands. There is a wide range of shops on the local high street and supermarkets, including a Sainsbury’s and a Waitrose, nearby.

West Ealing station is only a short walk away for the new Elizabeth Line between Heathrow and Paddington with the full Crossrail route expected in the autumn. Northfields station, for the Piccadilly Line, can also be reached on foot, via bus or by a brief cycle ride.

sharetobuy.com/properties/213475

sharetobuy.com/properties/212116

than when you buy a new build home as there are more parties involved; the buyer, the seller, Clarion and each party’s solicitors.

As resale homes may be older, you may find more information is required to be provided to the solicitors for the conveyancing process. Most things can be resolved relatively quickly and the process is very similar to that of buying a new build home.

We work to get resale sales completed within three months.

Q: What happens if a buyer isn’t found in the nomination period?

If neither Clarion nor Urban Moves have been able to find a buyer within the nomination period, our customer has the option to continue marketing or they can opt to market directly with an estate agent on the open market.

DEPOSIT £19,775 FMV £565,000

LOWE HOUSE

12 Hebden Place, London SW8 2FT Q: Why is it important to keep as many properties as possible as shared ownership?

It is really important to try to retain shared ownership homes so that we can continue to offer affordable homeownership to buyers who are keen to get on to the property ladder, but aren’t quite ready for the open market. Clarion has over 10,000 shared ownership customers and is building more than 1,000 shared ownership homes a year to ensure we are continuing to do our part in ensuring there is enough supply of affordable housing to meet the evergrowing demand.

A well-proportioned and smartly presented shared ownership London apartment that occupies a favourable position in the development – the balcony providing a very pleasant view of the attractive communal garden. Internally, the property has an open-plan kitchen/reception room with sleek, creamcoloured units and integrated appliances. There is a spacious bedroom and a stylish bathroom. A generous amount of built-in storage has been included in the entrance hallway. Lowe House is part of a recently constructed development within the extensive Nine Elms regeneration area – an ambitious, multi-billion-pound project predicted to have a transformational effect on what is already a desirable central London location. The brand new Nine Elms Northern Line station is just minutes away and Vauxhall station is also within easy reach. Modern insulation standards and underfloor heating supplied from a communal system make for a very good energy efficiency rating. The development has a concierge, gym and a residents’ lounge with private dining room and cinema room. sharetobuy.com/properties/213943

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LOCATION

HOTspot Brighton

5 RB RE AI GS HOTNOSNW E

LOVE…

1 The beach. Of course!

2 Shops you won’t find anywhere else 3 Excellent transport links 4 Restaurants for every taste and budget 5 The South Downs on the doorstep

Famous for its vibrant and inclusive culture, Brighton is a quintessential seaside town – on steroids. Located on the Sussex Coast, just 50 miles south of London but with property prices considerably lower than the capital, attracting families, commuters, young professionals and students alike

Photos © Home X local area photography

UNDER THE SPOTLIGHT

OUT AND ABOUT

Brighton is one of the two main areas of the City of Brighton and Hove; the neighbouring towns were granted city status as part of the millennium celebrations in 2000. At the last census, the city was the largest in South East England with a population of around 290,000.

Brighton dates back to 3500BC, but its making was the arrival of the London and Brighton Railway in 1841. Many of its iconic attractions, including the Grand Hotel, the West Pier and the Palace Pier were built during the Victorian era and the town continued to expand until, by the 1970s, it had acquired a reputation as a retirement destination.

Compared to the national average, Brighton and Hove now has a large proportion of adults aged 20-44, with fewer children and older people. The city’s demographic is increasingly young professionals. Many commute, but there is ample opportunity for employment in Brighton too. It is regarded as one of the best places in the UK to start a business, with a new business survival rate of an impressive 87%. Known as the UK’s unofficial “gay capital”, Brighton also has a proud LGBTQ+ community, with the highest percentage of same-sex households in the UK; it’s estimated approximately 15% of the city identifies as lesbian, gay, or bisexual.

Home to the UK’s first (and only) Green Party MP, Caroline Lucas, it is no surprise that

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residents are keen to keep their city clean.

Driving into the city is discouraged, with most parking reserved for residents with permits, but it's easy to get around on foot, bike or bus.

Frequent trains operate from Brighton railway station to London Victoria, London Bridge and St Pancras International, taking just over an hour.

The Preston Park area is particularly popular with commuters. Just one mile from the city centre, and with its own station, it is home to the largest park (and festival venue) in Brighton.

Kemp Town is also appealing to young professionals, and is right on the beach.

Families lean towards Hove Park. The park itself boasts tennis courts, a miniature railway, bowling green, cafe and the impressive Goldstone, a 20-ton rock. Just 10 minutes from the city centre, you will find some of the best primary schools, and highest prices in the city, here. Hanover, still less than a mile from Brighton station, is more affordable. There are some excellent primary schools and it has a strong community feel. Further out of the city, but still only a few minutes’ drive from Preston Park station, up-and-coming Withdean is another area that's well worth considering.

The main attraction in Brighton is, of course, the beach, and there is 13km of coastline to discover. Locals tend to head to the quieter beaches, especially in the summer when the area around the Palace Pier – complete with funfair, arcade halls and delectable doughnuts – can get incredibly busy with tourists. Explore Hove, Saltdean and Rottingdean and pick your favourite. If you’re keen on adventure, walk the South Downs Way, taking in the white cliffs at Seven Sisters, or visit Devil’s Dyke. The southern coast of England has a mild and sunny microclimate compared to the rest of Great Britain and, with an average of 1900 hours of sunshine a year, there should be plenty of opportunity to enjoy it!

Brighton is famed for its shopping.

The North Laine area boasts over 400 shops while, further south, The Lanes are characterised by a maze of narrow alleyways consisting mainly of independent clothing stores, jewellers, antique shops, restaurants and pubs. Brighton’s celebrated inclusivity is reflected in the number of shops catering for the LGBTQ+ community, notably The Queery, home to a radical and queer bookstore,

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LOCATION

FA C T F I L E

Average property price in Brighton and Hove (February 2022) – £419,915 Property breakdown* Detached – £818,929 Semi-detached – £524,984 Terraced – £466,260 Flat – £327,641

HOMES ON THE MARKET...

FROM £98,875*

(SHARED OWNERSHIP

*According to the Land Registry House Price Index

)

FROM £244,000

(PRIVATE SALE)

FA M O U S R E S I D E N T S • DJ Norman Cook • Actor and comedian Steve Coogan • Former Boxer Chris Eubank • YouTube stars Alfie Deyes and Zoella • Actor David Walliams

BRIGHTON Home X

and The Brighton Birdcage, described as "the one stop shop for drag queens, crossdressers and trans", and home of the best sparkly dresses and fans money can buy. There are also hugely popular weekly flea markets.

Churchill Square also has over 80 shops and 1,600 parking spaces.

Central Brighton is awash with eateries.

Some of the best include KOJI (Korean), Isaac (for a tasting menu), Riddle & Fins (seafood), Red Rooster (Thai barbecues), and Kuskai (plant-based Japanese). Handily for vegans, Brighton has one of the highest densities of plant-based restaurants in the country. For a twist, the Harbour Hotel offers afternoon tea with seaside treats of mini doughnuts, candy floss and fish and chips.

Brighton has an impressive cocktail scene in addition to its well-established live music scene. Bar Broadway is a great night out, with live performances of songs from all your favourite musicals. Brightonians also love a Sunday roast. The Camelford Arms’ roast comes recommended, but probably best to try them all out!

There really is plenty to see and do in the city, whatever your mood. The Royal Pavilion is open to the public and there are plenty of museums, galleries, theatres and cinemas to visit too. For a touch of calm, take a stroll in the Pavilion Gardens, or a trip to Stanmer Village, an 18th-century working village, with Stanmer House as its focal point. For something a little livelier, Brighton hosts many festivals including the Brighton Festival and Brighton Fringe annually, in addition to the world-famous Brighton Pride, which attracts a staggering 450,000 visitors to the city over the August weekend.

Creating a brand new community in Brighton, Home X is an exciting new development from Optivo, offering studio, one, two and three bedroom apartments and triplexes available through private sale, with Help to Buy available, and shared ownership. Part of a regeneration project of Preston Barracks in partnership with Brighton & Hove City Council, U&I and the University of Brighton, it will create over 1,500 jobs and inject more than £280m into the local economy over the next 10 years.

The apartments are spacious and are filled with natural light from the large windows (those on the higher floors have incredible views too). The contemporary kitchens feature eye-catching units in indigo blue with matt black sink and taps and come with integrated appliances including an oven, induction hob, extractor hood, fridge-freezer, dishwasher and a washer-dryer in the utility cupboard. Bedrooms are roomy and feature a built-in wardrobe to the main bedroom, and en suites and bathrooms are tiled. The three bedroom triplexes, which are ideal for a young family and are cleverly designed on three levels, also feature large terraces and balconies.

These apartments come with some great added extras too. There is a cycle store located in the underground parking area in each block and some great travel benefits. Each Home X resident will get access to a two-year car club membership and 10% off the cost of a new bike at Baker St Bikes in Brighton, and in addition, a choice of either a year's bus pass, a 12-month BTN bikeshare membership or a £150 voucher to go towards a new bike.

Home X is perfectly located to connect to Brighton and beyond. There is a plethora of buses on the doorstep running 24 hours a day, taking you to Brighton station from where you can get to London Bridge in an hour and 23 minutes. Moulsecombe station is an eight-minute walk away and you will find an Aldi and a Sainsbury’s very close to the development. This area of Sussex is surrounded by the South Downs and some stunning countryside. Just a 12-minute walk from Home X you can enjoy the natural beauty of the Wild Park Local Nature Reserve.

Prices at Home X start from £244,000 (private sale, with Help to Buy available) and £98,875 for a 35% share with a full market value of £287,500 (shared ownership). home-X.co.uk *Based on a 35% share with a full market value of £287,500

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INTERVIEW

On the menu today!

Influencer Issy The Vegan decided to change her diet a few years ago and after posting a few photos and a blog on Instagram she now has 23,000 followers. As a first time buyer, she recently visited Windsor Apartments by Latimer in Battersea where she cooked a delicious vegan meal in a one bedroom apartment, which is available to buy through the shared ownership scheme, and then went to some nearby vegan eateries to see what was on offer. She talks to Lynda Clark about how her life changed as well as her diet and what she discovered in the local area

HOW IT ALL BEGAN...

A couple of years ago Issy visited an old friend from school who lived in America and was vegan. She decided to challenge herself for the month she was there and became vegan and really enjoyed the experience.

When she came home she went back to living with her dad before heading off to University of Exeter and slipped back to her old way of eating. She said, “Eventually I decided I really wanted to become a vegan. It takes time to transition to an entirely vegan lifestyle but I was pretty determined to do it.”

She started a food diary on Instagram and only really told her parents and boyfriend. But then the pandemic hit and again she had to move back in with her dad in Bournemouth. “It was stressful but it was like that for everyone. I knew I had a graduate scheme to go to after I left uni, so although I took my final exams seriously I also started putting up more on Instagram about supporting independent local shops around the area and challenging others to do the same using a hashtag #independentwithissythevegan; this helped to build a community. By the December of 2020 I had 15,000 followers as it just took off! I was really surprised and delighted.

“I eventually moved back to London, which is one of the main cities for veganism, and my vegan life began properly. There are so many amazing vegan restaurants and suddenly I got invited to review them and was sent vegan food to try at home. I really love it but it was quite hard at first as there are no guide books on social media and working alongside different brands, so I just had to decide what I wanted to do and hope I made the right decisions.

“I started with Tesco on the graduate scheme in the procurement department and moved on to Digital Marketing Co-ordinator for Wicked Kitchen which aligned with my skills and beliefs. I now have 23,000 followers which is incredible. My life is very full-on and I juggle my full-time job with being a micro-influencer, but I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

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INTERVIEW

BATTERSEA

Windsor Apartments

FROM £162,500*

These stunning one bedroom apartments at Windsor Apartments by Latimer are located on a prime street in south London – Prince of Wales Drive in Battersea. With an incredible choice of famous attractions and brilliant amenities within walking distance, and the iconic presence of Battersea Power Station, the impressive new homes are available to buy through shared ownership.

Purchasers here will enjoy the best of city living. Set in a central London postcode that also benefits from a strong residential and community feel, this popular location is home to Nine Elms, which offers a plethora of riverside dining and Battersea Power Station, which includes a sleek new Zone 1 tube station served by the Northern Line.

A true celebration of the way we live now, the contemporary residential complex is set among landscaped gardens creating natural tranquillity and is just 150m from Battersea Park. Formerly occupied by Victorian gas holders, the site which is now home to this development has been transformed with highly considered architecture which mindfully honours its industrial past.

Internally, the homes have been designed with equally high standards and attention to detail. Luxurious kitchens feature stylish wall units and come complete with Silestone worktops and Hotpoint accessories. Rich walnut or Chelsea Hickory wood-effect flooring runs throughout the living areas, with plush carpets in the bedrooms. Homes have underfloor heating throughout and high-end bathroom suites. Residents benefit from a 36-month free membership to the Zip Car Club, and on-site gym. Balconies or terraces give each apartment a private outdoor area, and a concierge service is available at some buildings. Battersea Park’s lush green space and a great selection of restaurants are close by.

Served by excellent travel connections, Windsor Apartments is just a 10-minute walk from the new, Zone 1 Nine Elms tube station, served by the Northern Line, and a five-minute walk from Battersea Park railway station, connecting residents to Victoria in just 10 minutes. Additionally, river travel is available at Battersea Power Station pier where the Uber Boat by Thames Clippers river bus speeds commuters up the Thames to Blackfriars in 20 minutes and Embankment in just 15 minutes.

Prices at Windsor Apartments start at £162,500 for a 25% share of a one bedroom apartment priced at £650,000.

For more information or to arrange a viewing please visit windsorapartments-sw11.co.uk or call 0300 100 0309 *Based on a 25% share with a full market value of £650,000

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“W PR BY CU W CU FE

INTERVIEW THE TRIP TO WINDSOR APARTMENTS...

Issy was invited to visit Windsor Apartments on Prince of Wales Drive in Battersea, which offers stunning one bedroom apartments in an incredible Zone 1 London location, on the southern perimeter of Battersea Park. Available to buy through shared ownership, all the homes here have private balconies and there is an amazing choice of fantastic dining and drinking spots nearby.

As Issy is a first time buyer herself and looking to buy soon, she was very interested to view these lovely homes and explore Battersea’s vegan hotspots. “I am based in east London so I was excited to see a different area of London and I have lots of friends living in south and west London too.” She added, “As part of the campaign, I was asked to cook up a vegan meal in one of the beautiful kitchens. I try to cook with food that is in season so I made a lemon, garlic and herb seared tofu on a bed of crunchy kale and asparagus.”

VISITING THE LOCAL VEGAN HOTSPOTS...

Issy continued, “My friend and I then spent a very enjoyable day visiting different nearby vegan eateries to taste and test out what vegan delicacies were on offer.

We started at Cinnamon Kitchen trying out its vegan menu, then visited Linnaean which is a gorgeous cafe, restaurant, spa and apothecary. We tried the breakfast bowl which was amazing. We had lunch delivered from Honi Poke which does wonderful poke bowls and we ate al fresco in Battersea Park and enjoyed the sun. We finished off by tasting the best-ever bao buns from Kibou, a Japanese kitchen and bar. We had such a great variety of food and it was all delicious!“

MY FIRST TIME BUYING EXPERIENCE...

“My boyfriend, who is a podcast producer, and I wanted to buy a new build and we definitely wanted some outside space as we have a gorgeous little dog, Lola, who means everything to us. I have been very lucky thanks to my grandparents, who started life with very little and had to work very hard. They bought a caravan park in Swanage many years ago and eventually also built some homes on the land. They decided to retire a couple of years ago and set up a trust fund for their grandchildren where the money can only be used as a deposit on a home. They had nothing to start with and could only save pennies in order to buy a home so they wanted

36

to make it easier for us as it had been so difficult for them. I am incredibly grateful and we are in the process of buying a lovely one bedroom apartment with a terrace in Hackney. It is so exciting and I just can’t wait to get the keys!”

THE FUTURE...

“Deciding to go vegan has been one of the best decisions I have ever made and I feel

very lucky to have a platform to encourage others to as well.

“My partner and I love cooking together, and my friends and I enjoy exploring the vegan food scene across London. I am also extremely grateful for the amazing community I have on social media and strive to inspire my followers each and every day.” @issythevegan

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SHARED OWNERSHIP

NEW HOMES PUT BATTERSEA POWER STATION ON THE MAP FOR LONDON’S FTBS

Showcasing some of the capital’s most attractive green spaces, diverse communities and a radiant collection of local amenities, Wandsworth has become a popular nesting place for many London homebuyers. Aspiring home hunters seeking an alternative way to make this sought-after quarter their home, should look to Peabody’s exciting new shared ownership development, New Mansion Square, being delivered in partnership with Battersea Power Station. Located within the one-of-a-kind regeneration zone of Battersea Power Station, buyers can choose from a superb collection of apartments, where a thriving live, work and play lifestyle is waiting to be discovered Buyers at New Mansion Square will be part of the new town centre that is emerging around the iconic power station building and the new Zone 1 London Underground station. Located across two blocks, the 12 and 14-storey buildings echo the style of London’s grand redbrick mansion blocks.

Each of the shared ownership studios and apartments has been thoughtfully designed to deliver style, space and a high-quality specification throughout. Studios have been cleverly planned to provide spacious accommodation in which the living/kitchen/ dining area is separated from the bedroom area. One and two bedroom apartments feature versatile open-plan layouts that are bright, spacious and sleek in design. Every home benefits from having access to a private balcony. A 24-hour concierge service is on-hand for all residents to use, as well as extensive communal green spaces to retreat to for a breath of fresh air.

Andrew Peglau, Assistant Director of Marketing at Peabody, comments, “Wandsworth is one of London’s most popular locations, and not just for homebuyers. Battersea Power Station is a truly unique landmark painstakingly restored and transformed into a vibrant destination with places to live, eat, drink, shop and relax. This really is an unmissable opportunity for first time buyers who want to live in an incomparable Zone 1 location.”

As well as a powerhouse of thriving urban amenities, residents at New Mansion Square have plenty of local parkland to explore and enjoy. The prestigious Green Flag recognition has been presented to nearby Battersea Park, a 200-acre Victorian park which is just a short walk away from the development.

For fitness fanatics, the local area also features a wide range of leisure facilities.

From a session on the climbing wall at VauxWall West Climbing Centre to a high intensity fitness class at Battersea Power Station’s BMF Urban, fitness trainer and influencer Julia Buckley (@juliabfit), spent the day trying out some of the capital’s best sports, leisure and fitness facilities.

Providing an insight into her experience, Julia comments, “Trying out all of these activities in Wandsworth, I’ve seen how it brings communities together. Everywhere I went it felt welcoming, inclusive and friendly, there were people of all ages, shapes and sizes.

“Wandsworth feels like a big village but with a cosmopolitan vibe – I’ve lived in London for over 20 years now and I’ve never come across anywhere quite like it.”

With the Northern Line extension, Battersea Power Station is now within 15 minutes of the West End and the City.

Another great way to travel across London is by hopping on the Uber Boat by Thames

Clippers river bus service at the Battersea Power Station pier, based at Circus West Village. Extensive new cycle and pedestrian routes around New Mansion Square mean those who prefer to get around under their own steam can do so with ease.

Prices at New Mansion Square start from £128,750 for a 25% share of a studio apartment (full market value £515,000).

For more information or to book your online tour, visit NewMansionSquare.co.uk or call 020 7021 4842

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SHARED OWNERSHIP

MAKE A HOME WITH NOTTING HILL GENESIS AT GOODLUCK HOPE IN EAST LONDON

Open-plan modern living, luxury amenities, sweeping views of the River Thames and a growing community – here’s why a home at Goodluck Hope is perfect for first time buyers Situated on the banks of the Thames, Goodluck Hope at Leamouth Peninsula is emerging as a new riverside neighbourhood for London.

Notting Hill Genesis has launched a collection of one and two bedroom homes available to purchase through shared ownership – with apartments starting at just £113,750 for a 25% share.

Designed for effortless city living, the homes are ideally suited to the modern Londoner, with access to sought-after amenities, great connections to the wider capital, and the chance to be part of an exciting new community.

A NEW PIECE OF LONDON Rooted in a rich maritime history, Goodluck Hope is a key part of the regeneration of London’s docklands.

A destination in its own right, the neighbourhood is also home to Trinity Buoy Wharf,

a cultural hub with artists’ studios, event spaces, a cafe and a school, nestled among restored buildings from the area’s industrial past.

Goodluck Hope also neighbours London City Island – an exciting new development which is already home to shops, restaurants, bars and community spaces – and is a stone’s throw from Canary Wharf and the Royal Docks, which in recent years have evolved into dynamic places to work and play, boasting assets such as the O2 and the Emirates Air Line cable car.

HOMES DESIGNED FOR THE MODERN LONDONER A shared ownership home at Goodluck Hope provides first time buyers with a space to call their own and luxury living at an affordable price.

Residents have access to sought-after amenities including their own private

balcony, a gym, a state-of-theart pool, sauna, private cinema, work space and a 24-hour concierge service. They can also experience the best of both worlds, with the addition of full use of the facilities and amenities at London City Island.

Ideally suited to hybrid working, a communal lounge can be used as a co-working hub – the perfect space to take inspiration from the surroundings and get creative.

There’s also a shared garden offering a green space to relax and unwind, with views across the river.

Homes are designed to the highest quality, including bespoke carpets in bedrooms, fitted modular kitchens with a full range of appliances and luxury-feel bathrooms. Buyers also benefit from plenty of storage throughout, including integrated wardrobes in the bedroom and utility cupboards with washer-dryer.

CONNECTIONS TO CANARY WHARF, THE CITY AND BEYOND Ideally located near convenient transport connections, a home at Goodluck Hope is perfect for first time buyers looking to commute to the City, Canary Wharf and central London.

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Canning Town station is just a 15-minute walk away, from where residents can take the Jubilee Line to London Bridge, Waterloo and Bond Street all in less than half an hour, while the DLR provides connections throughout the capital from both Canning Town and East India stations.

Canary Wharf is now home to the much-awaited Crossrail, providing convenient links across London. For those looking to travel further afield, London City airport is just a 15-minute drive away, offering flights throughout Europe.

Lauren Nicholson, Head of Marketing and Digital at Notting Hill Genesis, said, “At Goodluck Hope, buyers can get the best of both worlds – a home in a growing community and cultural hub and connections to wider London.

“Our shared ownership homes are the perfect choice for those looking to buy their first home in an exciting, new part of the capital.”

For more information on Goodluck Hope, visit nhgsales.com or contact the Notting Hill Genesis sales team on 020 3813 5175

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SHARED OWNERSHIP

THE AFFORDABLE ROUTE TO HOMEOWNERSHIP

With significant cost-of-living pressures on individual and family budgets, it is even more important to avoid costly or ill-informed choices about homeownership Help to Buy has provided a popular route for many on to the housing ladder.

However, it is now rapidly nearing its end, with the countdown on as the final deadline for applications looms. The scheme resulted in an increased number of first time buyers, with the annual figure now at a 20-year high. Yet at the same time, house prices have leaped – the national average house price is £288,000 and an eye-watering £507,000 in the capital. This means that first time buyers around the country need to find a deposit, typically, of £52,935, rising to twice that in London. By comparison, the average deposit paid in London by a SO Resi buyer is £27,000.

Shared ownership is one tried and trusted route that has been around since the 1980s and has recently been enhanced by the Government. Numerous homeowners today could not have realised their dreams without it – we have seen first-hand the impact of shared ownership on first time buyers across the country, from young professionals buying apartments in London to families purchasing larger houses in Northampton and Solihull.

This summer, we have launched several new shared ownership schemes, including a flagship development in Stanford-le-Hope, Essex, that uses the latest in construction and microgeneration technology to create homes that are greener, warmer and cheaper to run. SO Resi Hope Green comprises a total of 153 new homes – 138 two, three and four bedroom houses and 15 two bedroom apartments. All houses will be operationally zero carbon, while in a UK-

SO Resi Farnham

first, four of the homes are guaranteed to have no energy bills thanks to innovations from Octopus Energy.

The development is being delivered thanks to a partnership between SO Resi, modular housing pioneer ilke Homes and specialist alternative asset management group Gresham House. Prices start from £88,500 for a 30% share in a two bedroom semi-detached home with a full market value of £295,000, with a low 5% deposit costing as little as £4,425.

We also recently launched SO Resi Farnham, offering a collection of 72 one and two bedroom apartments in an exciting regeneration project situated in the heart of Farnham town centre, with sustainability at the core of the development. A natural living wall and roof has been incorporated into the scheme, which will help to provide clean air alongside providing an ecosystem for a variety of insects and birds.

Internally, the apartments are fitted with energy-efficient appliances and have been designed to maximise natural light, with

SO Resi Hope Green

SO Resi Farnham

large windows and balconies to extend living space. Prices will be announced this summer, and all homes will be available with a 5% deposit.

Shared ownership is clearly a far more accessible route on to the property ladder for many young people, offering homeownership with a more realistic deposit option. The flexibility of shared ownership means that buyers can increase their shares over time as and when they can afford to.

It’s crucial that first time buyers are made aware of their homeownership choices, and many young people are still unaware of the benefits that shared ownership can offer. At SO Resi we are passionate about increasing awareness of the product, and educating would-be first time buyers on how they can get on to the property ladder at a fraction of the price.

To find out more about shared ownership or the new homes with SO Resi, visit sharedownership.co.uk

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NEW HOMES

INLAND HOMES LAUNCHES NEW COLLECTION OF APARTMENTS IN CHESHUNT Award-winning developer Inland Homes has launched the first collection of private sale apartments at Cheshunt Lakeside. Comprising a contemporary collection of just 22 one and two bedroom homes, The Elan Apartments is situated to the front of this impressive development in Hertfordshire, benefiting from an excellent location just a short walk from Cheshunt railway station Each home has been designed with today’s lifestyle in mind, with open-plan kitchen/living areas that exude a sense of light and space, generous bedrooms and premium tiled bathrooms all included.

For those who enjoy dining al fresco, a private balcony or terrace is included with every apartment, and parking comes as standard. There is no need to worry about DIY or added costs, as all homes are fully decorated to include flooring throughout and integrated appliances.

Set to regenerate the area, Cheshunt Lakeside will offer over 1,700 new homes, with private sale, shared ownership and other affordable housing available. This development is creating a hub of modern transformation in Cheshunt, delivering a variety of new homes for local house hunters, along with new community facilities including commercial space and a primary school.

Not only will this spectacular development offer a large collection of new homes, but it will also provide 19,000 sq m of commercial space, which could be used to accommodate a variety of retail options such as shops, supermarkets, restaurants, and an on-site gym. Families will also be catered for, with a new nursery and primary school due to be built on the site, as well as pocket parks, transport links and safe pedestrian and cycle routes.

Residents at Cheshunt Lakeside will have access to a plethora of leisure and retail

facilities, all on their doorstep. Cheshunt High Street itself is home to two village shops, a Co-op, post office, veterinary surgery and a selection of coffee shops. A 10-minute drive down the road will take residents to The Brookfield Shopping Centre, where they will find larger supermarkets and coffee shops, including Tesco Extra, Marks & Spencer and a Starbucks. For a bit more retail therapy, Cheshunt Lakeside is also a 10-minute drive from Pavilions Shopping Centre in Waltham Cross, which is home to a selection of high street stores including Boots, Argos and WH Smith.

For the “outdoorsy” homebuyer, there is plenty of green and blue space surrounding Cheshunt Lakeside. On the doorstep is Lee Valley Regional Park which stretches across 1,000 acres, and offers plenty of cycle trails, walking routes, meadows, a mosaic of wetlands and a dragonfly sanctuary to explore. If relaxing riverside strolls are preferred, there are plenty of routes available just a 10-minute walk from home, with easy access to Friday Lake, Bowyer’s Water Nature Reserve and the River Lea canal path.

The regeneration of Cheshunt Lakeside will also provide improvements to Cheshunt railway station as well as a new bus route to and from the station, providing an ideal base for commuters. The railway line into

central London is quick and convenient, with direct services to London Liverpool Street in 24 minutes, from which four tube lines can be picked up for travel around the city. Cheshunt railway station will also be on the line for the proposed Crossrail 2 service, further improving inner city connections.

By road, the nearby A10 connects residents to the M25 and wider motorway network, while international travel is made easy with Stansted airport just over a 30-minute drive from Cheshunt.

Those who want to become part of the Cheshunt Lakeside vision now have the opportunity to view two brand new showhomes for The Elan Apartments. Contact a member of the Cheshunt Lakeside sales team today to book a viewing appointment – call 020 4549 4040 or email cheshuntlakeside@inlandplc.com

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NEW HOMES

GET ON THE LADDER WITH WESTON HOMES Award-winning developer Weston Homes has a range of developments across London and the south east and offers schemes to help first time buyers turn their dreams of buying their first home into a reality With a premium specification included as standard in every home, buyers can simply move in without the worry of redecorating and renovation costs. Plus, thanks to its commitment to sustainability, Weston Homes’ innovative approach to building well-insulated properties helps save on energy bills and means there is no need to keep turning down the thermostat.

LAST CHANCE FOR HELP TO BUY Weston Homes has a range of apartments that are eligible for the Government-backed Help to Buy scheme. Designed to help first time buyers secure their first home with just a 5% deposit and a Help to Buy: Equity Loan of up to 20% (or 40% in London), this scheme further adds to the ease for first time buyers to get on to the property ladder.

The Help to Buy scheme is coming to an end in the autumn of this year and first time buyers looking to take advantage of this popular scheme will need to reserve their new home and apply for a Help to Buy: Equity Loan by 31 October 2022. The Weston Homes sales teams are available to support and guide buyers through the process, helping to remove any concerns along the way.

Prospective buyers have a limited time to secure an apartment with Help to Buy at its two London developments – The Venue in Hayes and Manor Lane in Feltham – and also at Watford Cross in Watford, The Laundry Works in Watford and Springfield Park in Maidstone.

FIRST-TIME SECUREBUY Weston Homes’ unique First-time SecureBuy (FTSB) scheme will continue to support first time buyers after the Help to Buy scheme ends in October 2022. The worry-free FTSB scheme gives buyers the opportunity to secure a new home

off-plan for just a £500 reservation fee, with only a 5% deposit. Six months before build completion, the buyer can apply for a mortgage. Should the value of the property have increased between reservation and build completion, buyers will only pay the price agreed on the day that they reserved the property.

Weston Homes offers a full refund of the reservation fee and exchange deposit if the buyers’ circumstances change prior to legal completion (subject to terms and conditions) providing peace of mind that they will not lose their hard-earned cash.

DISCOUNT MARKET SALE Available at four Weston Homes’ developments – The Venue in Hayes, Manor Lane in Feltham, Abbey Quay in Barking and 1023 West in Brentwood – the Discount Market Sale scheme is run in partnership with the local council for the development. Eligibility criteria vary for each council but generally buyers who qualify and live or work in the local area can save 20% on the market value of selected homes. (The marketed price reflects the saving.)

Not to be confused with shared ownership, with Discount Market Sale you own 100% of your home, but have the

ability to purchase a new build property at 80% of its value.

With the above schemes, as well as being able to offer a variety of incentives such as helping with moving costs or highquality furniture packs, Weston Homes is confident that it’s best placed to help first time buyers achieve their dream of homeownership. Plus, with some homes ready for immediate occupation, first time buyers can benefit from historically low mortgage interest rates and move in within a matter of weeks.

Contact Weston Homes on 01279 873 300 or visit weston-homes.com for an exclusive appointment to view one of our luxurious show homes which are open daily from 10am to 5pm

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AFFORDABLE HOMES

SHARED OWNERSHIP MEANT ANNA COULD BUY HER FIRST HOME IN ZONE 2 AT LEASIDE LOCK Anna relocated to London seven years ago from Latvia and moved straight into accommodation provided by her company. Living on the opposite side of the city from all her friends and keen to find a place of her own, Anna started saving to get on the property ladder She said, “My company had a house in Richmond, and I lived there for several years. When Covid happened, the company got rid of the office and the house, so I suddenly needed to find somewhere to live quite quickly.” She was unaware of alternative homeownership options, so Anna’s mortgage broker suggested she considered shared ownership as a viable way to get on to the property ladder.

Anna comments, “I had no idea that shared ownership even existed. My mortgage broker advised the scheme and I realised that shared ownership would be a much better option than renting.”

Anna began looking for a shared ownership property in 2021 and quickly came across Leaside Lock by Guinness Homes, where she purchased a 25% share of a one bedroom apartment.

Set on the banks of the River Lea, Leaside Lock in Bromley-By-Bow is part of a major placemaking project, ultimately delivering 965 studios, one, two and three bedroom homes. “I went to view the property with a friend and we both immediately fell in love with it. I love that the development is so well connected as well – the station is literally across the road, and the District Line is very convenient. You’re also very close to the Jubilee Line, and Stratford has everything, so that’s great.”

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Having spent years living alongside the Thames in Richmond, finding a new home close to water was high on Anna’s priority list. She says: “It was very important to me to live near water. I like to go on walks and runs, and it’s much nicer to follow a river or canal path. That was a big thing for me when looking at Leaside Lock – it’s right on the River Lea.” Speaking about the homebuying process, Anna found everything very smooth with support from Guinness’ sales team.

“Guinness Homes was very helpful. The team were great at giving me updates regarding the sales process and were happy to answer all of my questions.”

Now all moved in, Anna is loving the new community at Leaside Lock and is excited for everything that is still yet to come.

Anna comments, “It’s amazing here, like a little neighbourhood. I have met some of my neighbours and they all seem lovely. It’s a really diverse community, and there are lots of people my age, which is great. One of my favourite parts of the development is the

roof terrace – it’s brilliant and perfect when the weather is sunny.”

The development will wrap around a central piazza, designed to cultivate a sense of community among residents.

Offering a holistic lifestyle, there will be a broad range of unbeatable amenities onsite – including a health and fitness studio, a cafe, a gym, a convenience store and coworking space.

Looking to the future, Anna is planning on staying put at Leaside Lock. She adds, “I am definitely planning to buy more shares.

I’ll have to see how my salary progresses, but as soon as I’m able to I want to increase my 25% through staircasing.”

Providing buyers a range of routes on to the property ladder, there are a mix of shared ownership, Help to Buy* and outright sale homes available. leasidelock.com *The new deadline for final applications for the Help to Buy: Equity Loan scheme is 31 October 2022

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HELP TO BUY

FIRST TIME BUYERS GET MORE THAN JUST A HOME AT THE GREEN QUARTER

Homes at The Green Quarter combine modern city life with outdoor living, offering residents everything they need in terms of amenities, convenient transport links, and unique access to green space In west London, Berkeley is delivering one of the most biodiverse developments in the UK, featuring 13 acres of parkland and a buzzing commercial district.

Located next to Southall station, which is on the new Elizabeth Line, there is already a thriving community at The Green Quarter with the first section of new park, Central Gardens, completed and 600 of the 3,750 homes occupied. This will only grow as the 88-acre development is transformed into a green haven for wildlife and its residents.

FACILITIES This summer, a variety of amenities will open for residents to enjoy, including a fitness centre with a state-of-the-art gym and health suite, and a swimming pool set to follow at a later date.

Residents adjusting to flexible working will be able to reserve a desk at The Green Quarter’s new co-working space – a quiet and focused retreat complete with superfast broadband – while there will be a residents’ lounge to relax in. A concierge service will soon be available, with an onhand team to take deliveries and support homeowners’ needs.

A new vibrant commercial district is coming, as is a town square which will welcome people to The Green Quarter and provide a mix of day-to-day amenities for all to enjoy. A community centre and affordable workspace will also form part of over 5,500 sq m of commercial space.

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Nearby shopping destinations include Ealing Broadway, which boasts a range of high street retailers, bookstores and beauticians, and Westfield London, one of the largest retail centres in the UK.

COMMUNITY The Green Quarter is the perfect setting for people looking to put down roots in a growing community. Central Gardens, the first of two parks on the development, opened last summer and has since become a local hub and the setting for many outdoor community events. This summer, residents and the wider community are enjoying a free outdoor screening at the amphitheatre in Central Gardens showing fan-favourite films and the summer’s best sporting events, including Wimbledon, cricket test matches and the Commonwealth Games.

In partnership with the London Wildlife Trust, Berkeley is also creating 13 acres of new parkland and wetlands for people to relax in and nature to thrive, and 5km of fitness trails, boardwalks, footpaths and cycle routes for residents to immerse themselves in nature will be crafted throughout the development as it progresses.

CONNECTIVITY The Green Quarter is conveniently located in Zone 4 in the well-connected London Borough of Ealing. All homes are within a 10-minute walk of Southall station which sits

on the new Elizabeth Line. This will provide links to Heathrow airport in 8 minutes and Bond Street in 17 minutes, making a home at The Green Quarter the perfect choice for people needing speedy connections across the capital.

“One of the biggest reasons I bought at The Green Quarter was the Elizabeth Line,” says Will Angel, a first time buyer who purchased his one bedroom property through Help to Buy last year. “Quick train links are essential, especially as I head into my office every day. The Elizabeth Line will shorten my commute significantly, making travelling into central London a lot quicker and easier.”

HELP TO BUY HOMES ARE AVAILABLE NOW Homes feature stylish interiors and access to their own private outdoor balconies with many overlooking blue or green space.

A number of homes are ready to move into now, with prices for a two bedroom property starting at £480,000. Help to Buy is available on selected properties, where first time buyers can purchase a home with just a 5% deposit. With the Government-backed scheme finishing at the end of October, now is the perfect time to take your first steps on to the property ladder with a home at The Green Quarter.

For more information, contact the Berkeley sales team on 020 4579 2861 or visit the-green-quarter.com

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AFFORDABLE HOMES

A SPACE FOR EVERYONE WITH LAURUS HOMES

At Laurus Homes, our philosophy is “A home for everyone”. Laurus has a strong social purpose and we’re committed to our aim of helping as many people as possible get on to the property ladder and own their own home. By reducing the reliance on the private rented sector through having more purchase options available to customers, such as shared ownership, we aim to make a positive impact on the housing crisis by building thousands of new homes across the North West in the coming years and to help you find the right one for your needs Buying your first home is a huge milestone, and you have to make sure you get the right home, at the right price, in the best location for you. Laurus Homes is here to help and guide you through this journey and we also have a range of innovative ways to get you into your new home without breaking the bank, or saddling you with a scary mortgage. A selection of our homes are available through the Government’s Help to Buy scheme, which offers you an equity loan of up to 20% of the cost of your newly built home, so you’ll only need a 5% deposit. Our sales advisers can talk you through the criteria required to use the Help to Buy scheme and direct you to financial advisers to provide you with independent advice for your situation.

We also offer the increasingly popular shared ownership model for a number of our homes. Shared ownership can help reduced the initial mortgage price tag as well as bringing down the amount of deposit required; the home is still your home, but Laurus shares the journey with you. How long we share the journey is up to you, as in all of our developments you can begin to take on more of the share until you own it completely. You purchase between 25% and 75% of the value of the home and

Hollins Green

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Hollins Green

then pay rent on the remaining portion.

With developments across Lancashire, Cheshire and Greater Manchester, we’re bringing new homes to a range of different communities across the North West. While the area we’re building new homes in is vast, our vision of creating new neighbourhoods which are closely connected with the local community remains the same. We’re also committed to investing into existing communities through improvements to local

infrastructure, supporting local community groups and charities.

Hollins Green in Forton, Lancashire, offers a semi-rural lifestyle and a mixture of two, three and four bedroom homes.

Located just off the A6, and only a few minutes’ drive from the M6, Hollins Green benefits from great commuter links across the North West, all while offering picturesque views over the Lancashire hills and providing you with a tranquil escape from the everyday hustle and bustle.

D’Urton Grange, located in Broughton, Preston, offers a mix between the bustling city of Preston and the tranquillity of the Lancashire countryside. It’s located just off the Guild Wheel walking route, so is perfect for those wanting to get the most out of their local area. With a choice of two, three and four bedroom homes and different purchase options available, there’s something for everyone at D’Urton Grange.

Wherever you want to live, chances are we will be building a home near you – not only just building a home, but also providing you with the best way for you to buy that home. laurushomes.co.uk

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NEW HOMES

HAYFIELD LAUNCHES FIRST TIME BUYER COLLECTION IN BEDFORDSHIRE AND BUCKINGHAMSHIRE

Hayfield has unveiled a collection of two and three bedroom homes at Hayfield Walk in the Buckinghamshire village of Hanslope, and at Hayfield Park in the Bedfordshire village of Bromham. The zero carbon ready homes are ideal for first and second time buyers At Hayfield Walk in Hanslope, two bedroom Olney, Bromham and Stanton homes are priced from £345,000. Three bedroom Thornton homes are priced from £415,000 and will be available to move into from August. Help to Buy is available on selected homes, subject to eligibility.

Accessed off Castlethorpe Road within the Borough of Milton Keynes, the design of Hayfield Walk takes inspiration from the Arts and Crafts properties within the village of Hanslope. The spacious development incorporates landscaped public open space, public footpaths and a children’s play area.

It is within easy walking distance of the range of amenities around Hanslope’s historic village centre and the Ofsted Outstanding-rated primary school.

At Hayfield Park in Bromham, there are four types of three bedroom house design available to reserve off-plan. Fairford, Hawford, Chacombe and Avon homes benefit from pre-show home prices, which start from £455,000. Accessed off Stagsden Road, Hayfield Park is within easy reach of the range of amenities and schooling within Bromham, which is one of the larger villages within the area. Located only two miles away is Bedford railway station – a key hub for London commuters – which provides a 47-minute commuter service into London St Pancras.

Both premium Hayfield developments offer a greener way of living via air source heat pumps, energy-efficient underfloor heating, electric vehicle fast-charging points, 100% renewable energy, and ultrafast broadband.

Shelley West, Regional Sales Director for “Housebuilder of the Year” Hayfield said, “Our two and three bedroom properties enable those making their first steps on to or up the property ladder to invest in a beautiful home that oozes kerb appeal and timeless style. This collection of zero

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Hayfield Park

carbon ready homes has been designed to cater for first time buyers who don’t want to compromise on quality. At both Hayfield Walk in Hanslope, and Hayfield Park in Bromham, there is a range of styles available at different price points. We would encourage all those who would like to know more to pay us a visit.”

Each two and three bedroom Hayfield home includes a range of built-in Bosch appliances in the kitchen, while the dedicated study or smallest bedroom features improved sound performance construction to create the ideal work from home environment. Other features include ROCA bathrooms, Minoli ceramic tiles, heritage bronze ironmongery, Farrow & Ball paint, and Ring doorbells.

Hayfield Walk has a show home open daily, which has been styled to articulate

the versatility of Hayfield’s home designs.

Multiple spaces to work, unwind and entertain feature throughout. A large interactive model of the scheme also enables interested parties to take a closer look at the site layout and various homes on offer.

The Hayfield Walk show home is open seven days a week from 10am to 5pm. It is located off Castlethorpe Road in Hanslope MK19 7HQ. For all enquiries, please call 0800 161 5488, or email HayfieldWalk@HayfieldHomes.co.uk The Hayfield Park sales lounge is located at nearby Hayfield Gate, at Haycock Gardens, Clifton, Bedfordshire SG17 5QN. It is open seven days a week from 10am to 5pm. For all enquiries, please call 0800 161 5548, or email HayfieldPark@HayfieldHomes.co.uk

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AFFORDABLE HOMES

A HELPING HAND ON TO THE PROPERTY LADDER AT BURGESS HILL Owning your first home could be easier than you think with Places for People…

Places for People is making it easier than ever to get the home you’ve always wanted. As a leading placemaker in the UK, we don’t just build homes – we invest in places and create communities where everyone can thrive, including you DISTINCTIVE HOMES WITH CHARACTER For a high-quality home in a winning location, Abbeville Park at Burgess Hill, West Sussex, offers everything you need and more. Our thoughtfully designed one to four bedroom houses and apartments are generously sized and built to exacting standards, providing beautiful homes.

The exterior surroundings are just as appealing, with private gardens, parking areas and landscaping all carefully planned to enhance your environment. And these new modular homes are incredibly energy efficient — taking around 20% less energy to heat than a typical new build.

PERFECTLY LOCATED With significant investment transforming Burgess Hill into one of West Sussex’s most sought-after destinations, you’ll have everything you need on your doorstep to enjoy life – and your new home – to the full.

A wealth of new amenities, such as shops and restaurants, together with a good choice of schools and excellent sporting facilities, make this a popular location for families, with the added advantage of the beautiful South Downs National Park being just a stone’s throw away.

Abbeville Park

While Burgess Hill is becoming a growing centre for jobs and businesses, those who need to can commute comfortably to both London and Brighton either by train or by car, owing to the town’s excellent road links and two nearby railway stations.

10% and 75%) and pay rent on the rest. Your mortgage will be smaller, and you don’t need to save as much for a deposit.

It’s a simple and cost-effective way of owning your home, so you can get a foot on the property ladder sooner than you think.

GET ON TO THE PROPERTY LADDER WITH AS LITTLE AS 10% SHARED OWNERSHIP

GET MOVING

Thanks to shared ownership, it’s easier than you think to make Abbeville Park your home.

With the scheme, you only need to pay part of the price of your home (usually between

Take the first step towards moving to your first home at Burgess Hill by visiting: homestobuy.placesforpeople.co.uk/find-a-home/ abbeville-park-burgess-hill Terms and conditions apply. See our website for details.

COMING SOON TO NORFOLK…

We’re excited to announce the arrival of more high-quality, affordable homes – which are also available to buy via shared ownership – in two picturesque areas of Norfolk.

Our Carvers Meadow development is located in the market town of Attleborough while the village of Shipdham is the location for The Old Coal Yard – a name that pays homage to this development’s past and which was bestowed by local school children during a competition we ran to this end.

Choose from a range of one to four bedroom homes, all generously sized with a distinctive design that makes them a pleasure to own. Each home benefits from a spacious, open-plan layout, giving you all the room you need to relax, work or entertain.

Both locations benefit from good local amenities, convenient connections to Norwich and London, and easy access to the stunning north Norfolk coast.

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NEW HOMES

YOUR FUTURE HOME? Buying your first home is an exciting time – and you want to make sure the journey is a smooth one. When Snugg Homes is in the driving seat, it will lead the way so you can get cosy in your new pad BUT DON’T JUST TAKE OUR WORD FOR IT...

Birch Fields

As shared ownership specialists with a long and successful reputation of building high-quality affordable homes, the team at Snugg Homes, part of Jigsaw Homes Group, is here to support you through the whole homebuying process.

With a selection of modern apartments, idyllic mews terraces, elegant town houses and large family homes, spanning the North West and East Midlands, Snugg Homes has properties to suit – whatever stage of life you are at.

NEW BEGINNINGS AT BIRCH FIELDS Homes of the future are coming soon at Birch Fields, our latest development with modular housing pioneer ilke Homes, in Arnold, Nottinghamshire.

These impressive homes boast openplan living with French doors that flood each home with light, spacious bedrooms, contemporary bathroom suites as well as a useful downstairs WC, a private garden and off-road parking.

Precision built at ilke Homes’ state-ofthe-art manufacturing facility, these two, three and four bedroom mews, semidetached and detached homes are stylish, built sustainably and are incredibly energy efficient. Some have additional energysaving features such as heat pumps and solar panels to reduce fuel costs even further, so not only do they look good,

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but they are good for the environment too. While the homes here are built for the future, the development also nods to the past, as its streets are set to be named after local soldiers who fought and died in the two world wars, and who are commemorated at nearby Arnot Hill Park.

PERFECT SETTING The market town of Arnold, with its bustling high street shops and restaurants, is just a few miles from the vibrant city centre of Nottingham, as well as being close to the calm of the countryside, with a country park on its doorstep.

With excellent transport links and several Outstanding schools nearby, Birch Fields really is the perfect setting for you to enjoy your life and your new home, now – and in the future.

THE BEAUTY OF SHARED OWNERSHIP If you can’t quite afford the mortgage on 100% of a home, shared ownership offers you the chance to buy a share of your home (usually between 25% and 75% of the home’s value) and pay rent on the remaining share.

This way you can get on the property ladder sooner, plus you have the opportunity later on to buy more of your home at your pace through staircasing – more shares equals less money to pay on rent.

“With my traditional mortgage application based on a single income, I was very limited in the type of property I could afford. Shared ownership really helped me afford the home I really wanted.

“Being a first time buyer, I was quite nervous and overwhelmed by everything and I had so many questions. Karen at Snugg Homes was excellent at explaining the process and she kept in touch with me every step of the way.

“Owning my own home is amazing; I’ve now got the independence I craved. My neighbours are lovely and so friendly and I’m so happy that I have a stunning home that I can decorate exactly how I want.”

New homeowner Alison Maher, Euxton

HERE TO HELP The Snugg Homes team is on hand to answer any questions you have and support you every step of the way as you take the road to homeownership, whether that’s about Birch Fields or any of our other stunning schemes.

For details of all Snugg Homes’ available properties please visit snugghomes.co.uk @SnuggHomes on Twitter and @snugghomes on Instagram You can keep up-to-date on all the progress of our Birch Fields scheme through Facebook, @ birch_fields on Twitter and @birchfields on Instagram

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AFFORDABLE HOMES

THE ENERGY EFFICIENCIES OF BUYING A NEW CATALYST HOME Research shows that new build homes tend to be more energy efficient than other properties, with figures from the Office for National Statistics finding that more than 80% of new build homes have an impressive EPC [energy performance certificate] of A or B, compared to just 3% of secondhand homes meeting these ratings.

When combined with innovative sustainable solutions such as communal heating systems and electric car charging points, new homes provide a great opportunity to tackle rising costs by keeping energy bills down for residents.

Leading housing association Catalyst, part of the Peabody Group, has a variety of developments across London and the surrounding counties that incorporate key environmental factors into every home.

Here are some of Catalyst’s homes offering a plethora of green credentials, providing energy-efficient benefits and features for buyers.

cycle storage available. Likewise, PV solar panels contribute towards reducing service charges by powering the lighting for the communal areas, and “green roofs” support biodiversity, benefiting water management and air quality.

The residential courtyards at The Switch, along with a public pedestrian and cycle route running through the site, ensure that residents have access to plenty of green space to enjoy. Planting throughout the podium gardens improves the ecology and biodiversity at the development.

Prices start from £140,000 for a 25% share of a two bedroom apartment with a full market value of £560,000.

THE FOLIUM

THE SWITCH

Located equidistant between sought-after Earlsfield and Wimbledon, Catalyst is delivering 181 one to three bedroom shared ownership apartments at The Switch. Built as part of the unique masterplan which has seen the return of AFC Wimbledon to its home turf with a 9,000 seat stadium, The Switch is fulfilling the demand for homes in a highly desirable neighbourhood, while keeping affordability and sustainability at its forefront.

Helping residents’ carbon footprint remain low, The Switch has electric vehicle charging points and all-important secure

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North of the River Thames in family hotspot Muswell Hill, The Folium is a collection of one to three bedroom apartments available through shared ownership. Moments from nearby Coppetts Wood, a historic 36-acre woodland, and boasting strong ecocredentials, The Folium offers the chance to live in one of north London’s most soughtafter postcodes.

Sustainability is at the forefront at The Folium, with ecological inclusions creating a modern development. All apartment blocks on site feature photovoltaic panels, as well as HIUs rather than boilers, saving on running costs by having one large heat source to heat multiple homes.

Electric vehicle charging points are dispersed across the site, which has also launched its own Travel Plan, aiming to minimise the adverse impacts of resident travel on the environment. Eliminating

With the cost of living seeing a significant increase over recent months, homeowners and hopeful buyers are searching for effective ways to save money at home barriers toward using more sustainable modes of travel, the plan includes cycle routes and footpaths, a car club, and a conscious effort to improve the quality and reliability of journeys to and from The Folium.

Prices start from £104,375 for a 25% share of a one bedroom apartment with a full market value of £417,500.

NEWMAN PLACE

Beyond the capital in desirable and affluent Oxford, Newman Place is a collection of 162 one to four bedroom shared ownership homes in Littlemore.

Designed to reflect the site’s heritage, biodiversity and natural landscape, Newman Place features a waterway that meanders alongside the development, providing access to natural wildlife areas spread across the area.

Sustainability features include energyefficient building fabric and insulation, high-efficiency heating and doubleglazed windows, low-energy lighting and solar panels; all helping to lower carbon emissions by at least 20%. The development will also have electric vehicle charging points spread across the site, and cycle storage available.

The site is home to a new walkway for residents and the wider community, providing a footpath along the tributary, as well as a cycle route connecting to the nearby Science Park. Homes are set in treelined boulevards, and each looks out on to green space, while every apartment has a balcony. A children’s play area is made from natural materials, alongside seating areas and two community allotments for residents to own and manage.

Prices start from £85,000 for a 25% share of a two bedroom apartment with a full market value of £340,000.

For more information, visit catalyst.homes

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NEW HOMES

EXPLORE KENT FOR THE PERFECT FIRST HOME

Two collections of new homes in Kent, built by award-winning developer Countryside, are proving popular with first time buyers due to the easy commuting times into central London, while being surrounded by picturesque countryside, offering residents a great quality of life in a growing community WATERSIDE LIVING Award-winning waterside development Rochester Riverside, located within the charming Medway town of Rochester, upon completion will include 1,400 new homes surrounded by vast green spaces, a renowned cultural scene, and excellent commuter links to a wide variety of key travel hubs.

Residents are within walking distance of Rochester High Street, which offers a range of independent shops, pubs and restaurants.

Rochester Riverside is surrounded by a wealth of open spaces and residents are just a three-minute walk from Rochester railway station, offering transport links into central London in just 33 minutes.

Rochester is also proving an appealing location for those who are keen to start a family, due to the variety of well-rated schools within the area. A new school, Rochester Riverside Church of England Primary School, is also set to open on site in September 2022.

Homes at Rochester Riverside range from one and two bedroom apartments to one, two, three and four bedroom houses, and many of the homes come with their own private outdoor space.

Ashmere

Rochester Riverside

A GREENER LIFE Just a few miles away, Ashmere boasts a collection of new homes in Ebbsfleet Garden City, the first Garden City to be built in the UK for 100 years! On completion, Ashmere will be made up of 2,600 homes, a primary school and a village centre.

Residents at Ashmere will enjoy a picturesque setting with plenty of greenery, as the homes are located on the former Eastern Quarry and set against the backdrop of dramatic white cliffs.

Promoting healthier living, Ashmere will feature numerous walking and cycling routes while offering residents easy access to electric car charging points.

Ashmere is currently taking part in the First Homes initiative, meaning a number of homes available are discounted by a minimum of 30% against the average market value. Buyers must meet the First Homes eligibility criteria to take advantage of the initiative and these requirements include that applicants must be first time buyers and that their combined household income is less than £80,000 per annum.

Ashmere is part of a growing and thriving community, with Bluewater shopping centre just a five-minute drive away. The development is a short drive from Ebbsfleet International railway station, offering links into London in just 17 minutes. A shuttle bus service will soon be available, transporting residents to both the station, shopping centre and more, operating on a regular basis.

Buyers are able to choose from a range of two bedroom apartments and two, three and four bedroom homes, all designed with contemporary living in mind.

Prices at Ashmere start at £480,000 for a four bedroom home, with a new release coming soon, and £250,000 at Rochester Riverside for a one bedroom apartment.

For more information on both developments please visit countrysidepartnerships.com

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SHARED OWNERSHIP

ONE BEDROOM APARTMENTS AVAILABLE NOW AT SANDERLING HOUSE & HARLEQUIN HOUSE – ENFIELD In the vibrant north London suburb of Enfield, less than 20 minutes from central London and surrounded by green space, this development is by Newlon Living in partnership with Countryside Properties

Built around landscaped gardens and play areas, the two contemporary buildings will transform the local skyline while giving residents views across the Lea Valley and towards London.

This collection of 24 stylish one bedroom apartments with a high specification throughout are offered under shared ownership, with prices starting from just £87,000, so you can now get a step up on the property ladder.

Just one minute from Ponders End station, with both the City and many of the capital’s cultural hubs less than half an hour away, you will be ideally placed to make the best of London.

The light and spacious interiors with floor-to-ceiling windows, wool mix carpeted bedrooms, and wood laminate flooring to the living areas are designed with both style and comfort in mind. Kitchens are fitted with Electrolux appliances, while the contemporary tiled bathrooms feature chrome towel radiators and branded bathroom suites and brassware. Each apartment benefits from having its own private balcony. Access to the apartments is by a video entry system, while there is also plenty of secure cycle storage.

Sanderling House & Harlequin House sit within one of North London’s most thriving suburbs, a welcoming neighbourhood of riverside and canalside pubs, artisan markets, local restaurants, craft ale taprooms and a great choice of shops for all your needs.

With more than 900 hectares of green space, Enfield offers many ways to unwind.

Just a short walk from your future new home, Enfield Town Park is the perfect picnic spot. Running through it is New River, where you can pass swans and ducks on the way to Forty Hall, one of London’s finest manor houses set in beautiful and tranquil grounds.

Right on your doorstep, King George’s

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Reservoir is a wildlife-rich waterway and home to King George Sailing Club. Both walkers and cyclists can explore The Lee Navigation canal that runs all the way from rural Hertfordshire into the centre of London. Or, for an even more relaxing day out, stroll through the meadows and past the lakes of Trent Country Park, looking out for muntjac deer, rabbits, and pheasants.

When it comes to exploring London you couldn’t be better placed. With Ponders End station moments away, you can be in the City in less than 20 minutes. The same West Anglia mainline trains also take you to

Tottenham Hale in less than five minutes, from where you can jump on the Victoria Line and be in Oxford Street in a quarter of an hour.

For weekends away, St Pancras International is under 25 minutes away.

And with many local bus routes to rural Hertfordshire villages and towns, there’s always somewhere new to explore.

For more information about Sanderling House & Harlequin House, contact the Newlon Living Sales Team on 0800 058 2544 or pay a visit to shared-ownership.co.uk

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HELP TO BUY

HOUNSLOW HOMEBUYERS HEAD TO LAMPTON PARKSIDE FOR FINAL CHANCE TO USE HELP TO BUY Home to some of the most historic and biodiverse open spaces in London, the London Borough of Hounslow is one of the capital’s greenest, with 40% of this vibrant west London district host to an abundance of award-winning parks and open spaces Homebuyers looking for an opportunity to step on to the property ladder in this popular outer London setting using the Help to Buy scheme, should visit Lampton Parkside on Saturday 3rd September.

Delivered by award-winning housebuilder The Hill Group, in partnership with Notting Hill Genesis, buyers are invited to book their place at Hill’s exclusive ‘Dusty Boot’ event, where they can enjoy a tour of this exciting new development and secure their dream home before applications for the Help to Buy: Equity Loan scheme deadline on 31st October 2022.

Occupying a superb location with tranquil views of 40 acres of awardwinning parkland, buyers who choose to make Lampton Parkside their home, will have an array of sought-after locations on their doorstep. Another Green Flag recognised park is the nature reserve of Hounslow Heath, just over a mile away and covers more than 200 acres to explore.

For those keen to explore the local area, the cosmopolitan towns of Richmond, Kew and Chiswick offer a wonderful medley of vibrant riverside bars, chic restaurants and ample retail amenities to visit. Closer to home is Hounslow town centre. The Treaty Shopping Centre provides a range of everyday essentials and the boutique cafes and trendy bars on Chiswick High Road provide the perfect place to enjoy during the day or night. Twickenham Stadium, home of the England rugby team is also nearby and is host to a number of highprofile music events and sporting fixtures.

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Once complete, Lampton Parkside will deliver a contemporary collection of studios, one, two and three bedroom apartments alongside a selection of duplexes. Each property has been designed to provide a well-balanced environment, finished with an exceptional specification fitted as standard. Meticulous attention to detail has gone into every internal finish, from stylish Amtico flooring with underfloor heating and ambient lighting, ceasarstone worktops and a range of fully integrated appliances – every effort has been made to create a home that feels superior. Residents will also have access to an onsite meeting room ideal for those days when working away from the office, and a dedicated 12-hour, seven-days a week concierge service – from taking deliveries to arranging dry cleaning; they’ll be on hand to make everyday life run more smoothly.

Light-filled kitchen/living/dining areas effortlessly lend themselves to be the heart of the home, while bedrooms and bathrooms feature well-designed storage and offer a relaxing sanctuary after a busy day. Private outdoor space to each property ensures ample opportunity to press pause and enjoy the tranquil and far-reaching views that stretch across Lampton Park and west London’s attractive skyline. A network of shared podium gardens interspersed between the buildings, with some featuring landscaped sky gardens, mean Lampton Parkside residents can embrace a healthy and refreshing lifestyle thanks to its lush

parkside setting. Secure bicycle storage further promotes a greener mode of transport for those who enjoy travelling under their own steam.

Commuters are well catered for.

Hounslow Central station is a four-minute walk away and is served by the Piccadilly Line, providing journey times of 38 minutes to Piccadilly Circus, 45 minutes to King’s Cross and St Pancras and 11 minutes to Heathrow Airport. For other routes, Hounslow East and Hounslow West stations are both less than two miles away. The development is also well served by several bus routes, making it easy to get around the town while the M25 can be reached in around 20 minutes via the A30.

Prices at Lampton Parkside start from £330,000 for a one bedroom apartment, with selected homes available with the Help to Buy: Equity Loan. For further information about the homes available at Lampton Parkside or to book your place for the ‘Dusty Boot’ event on Saturday 3rd September, please visit lamptonparkside.co.uk

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REAL LIFE

Help to Buy: Norwich Since its launch in 2013, the Government’s Help to Buy scheme has helped get more than 300,000 first time buyers on to the property ladder¹. One of those who recently opened the door to his new home using Help to Buy is first time buyer Harry Fallows, 26. A Business Development Manager for a software company, he purchased a stylish one bedroom apartment at stunning riverside development St James Quay in Norwich, by award-winning housebuilder The Hill Group

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hoosing to give up his rented flat in Manchester and move back in with his parents in Suffolk, Harry gave himself the financial freedom to put more of his income into saving the deposit he needed.

Harry explains, “I had lived in Norwich before, but moved away to rent a place in Manchester for two years. I was determined to get myself on the property ladder, but soon realised that renting is completely prohibitive when you are trying to save money to buy somewhere. After looking into my monthly repayment costs, the budget I could afford was around £150,000-£160,000; however many of the apartments I viewed were too small, needed work doing or were not in the right location, so I wasn’t too sure I would actually find what I wanted.

“I happened to be paddleboarding along the stretch of the River Wensum that runs right past St James Quay. I noticed the signs for the new homes and actually joked with my friend that there would be no way I could afford to live there! Little did I know that by using the Help to Buy: Equity Loan scheme, it would give me a better budget to work with! I had already fallen in love with the development and riverside location so I visited the marketing suite and spoke to the Hill sales team. We sat down and worked through some options and I was over the moon when I realised that I already had a big enough deposit to buy a one bedroom apartment at St James Quay with Help to Buy.” Harry purchased a one bedroom, second floor apartment for £210,000, using

FA C T F I L E

Property: One bedroom apartment Price paid: £210,000 Deposit: £31,500 Help to Buy: Equity Loan: £42,000

“BEING ABLE TO USE HELP TO BUY MEANS I NOW HAVE A LOVELY NEW HOME THAT OTHERWISE I WOULDN’T HAVE BEEN ABLE TO EVEN CONSIDER BUYING” a deposit of £31,500. The Help to Buy scheme lends first time buyers up to 20% of the price of a new build property outside London, however the scheme is set to close to new applications at the end of October.

Harry explains, “Using Help to Buy made a huge difference and allowed me to buy a property that I would never have been able to afford otherwise. I received a £42,000 Government loan, which meant I could afford to look at properties up to £210,000 – this put St James Quay within my budget. The apartment has everything I wanted and more; having my own balcony and the riverside location sold it for me! My apartment is east facing so I have the best of both worlds – a view of Norwich city, the cathedral, the beautiful willow trees and I can see the calming river, and when it’s sunny, it is just beautiful!”

St James Quay is a landmark development sympathetically regenerating a central Norwich riverside area, comprising an exquisite collection of one and two bedroom apartments and two and three bedroom penthouses. The development is well located, with Norwich railway station, the city centre and riverside path all within easy walking distance.

Harry added, “Living here I have everything on my doorstep. I can walk along the river and take a quick trip into town to go shopping, have dinner or meet friends for drinks. I can take a walk over the bridge and go to the bars and clubs on the other side of the city. For work or

travelling into London, Norwich station is about 15 minutes away on foot. Everything is so close by but I don’t feel like it’s on top of me – it’s ideal. “A lot of the apartments in Norwich are very similar – most are an older style, quite small and have no private outside space, but St James Quay has a high specification. The balcony is such a good size and I have a nice outlook. I have integrated appliances in my kitchen, Amtico flooring with underfloor heating, smart thermostat controls in each room and a huge storage cupboard which has a washing machine and tumble dryer inside.”

Harry’s job means he enjoys a combination of working from home and travelling to London and the Midlands.

“I don’t really have a central office, so I swap between working at home, taking the train into London Liverpool Street which takes around an hour and 40 minutes or sometimes driving to the Midlands.

“Being able to use Help to Buy means I now a have a lovely new home that otherwise I wouldn’t have been able to even consider buying – it’s all perfect.”

Prices at St James Quay start from £193,950 for a one bedroom apartment with Help to Buy. For further information or to arrange a viewing please visit stjamesquay.co.uk 1 savills.co.uk/blog/article/324787/residentialproperty/anticipated-rise-in-demand-in-2022-for-homesavailable-with-help-to-buy.aspx

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FOR SALE

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

REAL LIFE

Help to Buy p70 WA N D S W O R T H , S O U T H W E S T L O N D O N

HOIC FIRST C

E

RIVERSIDE

DOLLIS HILL, NORTH WEST LONDON

HOIC FIRST C

E

URBAN

QUA★ ★R★TER

DEL★I★G★HT

Affordable homes p72-73

Family homes p74-75

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FOR SALE

AFFORDABLE HOMES WA N D S W O R T H , S O U T H W E S T L O N D O N

HOIC FIRST C

FROM £130,625*

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RIVERSIEDRE QUA★R★T★

Willow Walk Nestled between the River Wandle and the River Thames in the south west London borough of Wandsworth, these new homes are close to a fabulous range of eateries, bars and beautiful green space. The one, two and three bedroom apartments mark the final stage in the transformation of the Wandsworth Riverside Quarter that sees a great deal of renewal, new homes and businesses boost the local area. The properties all benefit from a private balcony along with attractive communal gardens, while two riversides and plenty of opportunities for exploration are just a short walk away.

Peabody 020 7021 4842 peabodysales.co.uk *Based on a 25% share of the full market value of £522,500

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FOR SALE WOKINGHAM, BERKSHIRE

FROM £267,500 HARROW, NORTH WEST LONDON

FROM £86,875*

Silkmakers Court The sought-after Berkshire town of Wokingham lies just a 10-minute walk from these one, two and three bedroom homes. The larger properties are perfect for growing families, with three generously proportioned bedrooms, en suite from the main bedroom, openplan living space and a private balcony. While Wokingham

FELTHAM, WEST LONDON

has a good offering of shops and amenities, there are also superb connections to Reading (10 minutes by train) for a wealth of entertainment. From nearby Wokingham station, trains run to London Waterloo in 40 minutes.

Bellway 01183 151 190 bellway.co.uk

FROM £65,000*

The Elms This collection of one and two bedroom properties is ideally located for enjoying the best of leafy Harrow. The homes enjoy green surrounds, with great parks and lovely Harrow on the Hill – home to Harrow School – within easy reach. The town centre is just a few minutes away on foot for excellent shopping facilities.

Transport links are excellent, with a choice of tube, Overground and mainline railway stations within a one-mile radius. The properties are bright and spacious with openplan living areas that lead to a well-sized balcony or terrace.

Octavia Living 020 8354 5500 sharetobuy.com/properties/156106

*Based on a 25% share of the full market value of £347,500

WEMBLEY, NORTH WEST LONDON

FROM £96,875*

Dukes Quarter Convenience really is king at this small development close to Feltham, west London, with shops, high street, eateries and tube links all within a short walk. Just a few one bedroom homes remain here.

The contemporary apartments are well proportioned with openplan living spaces that open to a private balcony or terrace. Homes

are arranged around communal gardens for extra outdoor space.

Trains into central London take around 40 minutes from Hatton Cross Piccadilly Line station, while international travel is a cinch with Heathrow very accessible indeed.

Octavia Living 020 8354 5500 sharetobuy.com/properties/152709

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

Arc Wembley is a town on the up – quite literally – with many new residential and commercial buildings being built as part of its ongoing regeneration. Arc will offer 75 one and two bedroom apartments through shared ownership, giving buyers a chance to be part of the next big thing.

These new homes are a stone’s

throw from top-class shopping facilities, including Box Park and all manner of exciting pop-ups.

Splash parks and playgrounds have been created nearby, while commuters can choose from tube and mainline trains.

Network Homes 0300 373 3000 networkhomessales.co.uk

*Based on a 25% share with a full market value of £387,500

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FOR SALE

FAMILY HOMES DOLLIS HILL, NORTH WEST LONDON

HOIC FIRST C

FROM £110,625*

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URBAN

HT DEL★IG ★★

Origin at Middle Yard Several stylish three bedroom apartments remain at this landmark development in Brent, north west London. The collection of new properties sits across three buildings at the top of Dudden Hill, offering fantastic views over the local area and the capital beyond. Great for families, the on-site facilities include landscaped gardens and playgrounds, while commuters can reach central London in around 20 minutes from nearby Dollis Hill station (on the Jubilee Line). Beautiful Gladstone Park is the local open space, while Willesden High Road is just a few minutes’ walk away for a fantastic selection of independent shops, restaurants and cafes.

Origin Housing 0300 323 0325 originhousingsales.co.uk *Based on a 25% share of the full market value of £442,500

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FOR SALE FROM £152,000*

FAVERSHAM, KENT

FROM £413,995

HALEWOOD, LIVERPOOL

The Goldings The market town of Faversham, Kent, is home to this lovely new collection of family homes. This development has proved popular, with just the three bedroom properties remaining. The homes are a 15-minute walk from the pretty town centre for good shops and a market, while key Kent towns including Canterbury and

Whitstable can be reached in 20 minutes by car. These homes are ideal for family life, with separate kitchen and dining rooms, French doors to private rear gardens, downstairs WC, and en suite from the main bedroom.

Hyde New Homes 0345 606 1221 hydenewhomes.co.uk

*Based on a 40% share of the full market value of £380,000

TOLWORTH, SOUTH WEST LONDON

Grace Fields at Hilton Grange front and back gardens. Inside, well-sized living areas open to private gardens, while upstairs there’s a family bathroom plus two en suites. From nearby Halewood station, rail services run into Liverpool in around 25 minutes.

With pretty countryside on the doorstep, and the beautiful city of Liverpool within easy reach, these new homes strike a perfect balance between city and more peaceful life. There is a range of three, four and five bedroom homes available at Grace Fields, all thoughtfully designed with plenty of space, a garage and

Redrow 01513 914 693 redrow.co.uk

FROM £TBC HOUGHTON REGIS, DUNSTABLE

FROM £157,000*

Signal Park You can reach the south-westerly banks of the River Thames in just 10 minutes by bike from this highly anticipated development in London’s Kingston-upon-Thames.

The new collection of one, two and three bedroom apartments will launch next year, with a great deal on offer in the local area of Tolworth and neighbouring

Surbiton. The homes are being created with modern living in mind, with communal gardens at the centre and bright, spacious living areas that open to private balconies or terraces. Styling is chic and contemporary.

Guinness Homes 0300 456 0522 signalpark.co.uk

The Lanes at Thorn Field This new collection of two, three, and four bedroom homes forms part of the Bidwell West development, an ambitious scheme delivering up to 1,850 homes, new commercial space, a primary school, local centre, and recreational and landscaped spaces. The contemporary homes lie just over a mile from Dunstable,

with local shops and amenities, while Luton’s larger high street and travel connections are a 15-minute drive. London King’s Cross can be reached in just 30 minutes from nearby Leagrave, Leighton Buzzard, and Luton stations.

Catalyst 01582 787438 catalyst.homes

*Based on a 40% share of the full market value of £392,500

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HEADLINE SPONSOR

VOTE NOW! We take our readers very seriously and want to know your views as first time buyers. That’s why we need you to vote for your favourite developments, housing providers and other categories, listed on the following pages, in our First Time Buyer Readers’ Awards 2022.

For more details, see page 102

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BEST SMALL DEVELOPMENT

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AFFORDABLE HOMES

THIS AWARD WILL BE GIVEN TO SMALL DEVELOPMENTS THAT HAVE USED THE BEST DESIGN AND QUALITY TO CREATE DESIRABLE, AFFORDABLE AND INSPIRING ENVIRONMENTS IN WHICH PEOPLE WISH TO SET UP THEIR FIRST HOME. THE AWARD IS FOR SCHEMES OF FEWER THAN 30 HOMES.

ABRI | HILLTOP VIEW Hilltop View, built and developed by Abri, is a development of 29 one, two and three bedroom shared ownership and affordable rent homes in the attractive village of Clanfield, East Hampshire. With a focus on build quality, sustainability and locally sympathetic design, Hilltop View offers first time buyers affordable living in a highly desirable rural location, just a stone’s throw from local amenities and excellent transport links. The development has not only provided appealing homes designed with first time buyers in mind, it has also helped to ensure that younger generations are not priced out of the local area, allowing this Hampshire rural community to flourish. Testament to the development’s popularity, all 12 shared ownership properties were reserved off-plan at the initial launch event, with buyers moving in as soon as the properties completed.

ONWARD LIVING | EGERTON RISE Egerton Rise is a small but perfectly formed development of seven three bedroom terraced homes in the popular seaside town of New Brighton, Wirral. Perfect for first time buyers, these unique three-storey homes were offered on a shared ownership basis, which allowed residents to buy a percentage (between 40% and 75%) and pay rent on the rest, meaning a smaller mortgage and smaller deposit. The development sits in the heart of New Brighton’s flourishing Victoria Quarter, a major regeneration project that includes independent bars, restaurants and shops that are set back from the main drag of New Brighton’s more commercialised seafront. The homes at Egerton Rise were finished to a high standard throughout, with fully integrated contemporary kitchens and modern bathroom suites, as well as other modern conveniences such as a dedicated office space to meet the needs of buyers whose priorities had shifted towards homeworking during Covid-19.

HIGGINS HOMES | ALPHABET Alphabet is a striking development of 30 new one, two and three bedroom apartments for market sale in NW6, forming part of the South Kilburn Regeneration Programme. All apartments feature a terrace, balcony or wintergarden, and are set in three interlinked blocks from four to six storeys, with a central courtyard.

Just six weeks after the launch off-plan in November, the development was 60% sold, including all the one bedroom homes, available using Help to Buy. Set in an extremely well-connected Zone 2 location, with four tube stations nearby and eight bus routes on the doorstep, the homes proved especially popular with first time buyers. Outside, the architect-designed building improves the street scene with design cues from the area’s Victorian heritage, while on the inside, apartments ooze contemporary style, with indigo and white two-tone kitchens with matt black taps and quartz worktops, fitted wardrobes and frameless opaque glass balcony screens.

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BEST USE OF ONLINE TOOLS

FINANCE

THIS EXCITING NEW AWARD CATEGORY CELEBRATES THE INTEGRATION OF TECHNOLOGY WITHIN THE HOUSING MARKET. THIS AWARD LOOKS AT HOW A SCHEME OR DEVELOPMENT HAS ENGAGED WITH CUSTOMERS USING TECHNOLOGY TO MAKE ACCESS OF INFORMATION EASIER FOR FIRST TIME BUYERS. THIS INCLUDES THE USE OF ONLINE VIEWING TOOLS, VIDEO FOOTAGE, AS WELL AS WEBSITES, DIGITAL MARKETING AND DIGITAL BROCHURES.

BE WEST Offering stylish new homes in some of West London’s coolest neighbourhoods, BE WEST, the sales arm of Shepherds Bush Housing Association, is fast becoming a go-to brand for first time buyers. The forward-thinking organisation has launched a plethora of digital tools in 2021, including a bespoke shared ownership calculator, which has already helped hundreds assess if they can afford their dream shared ownership property. Empowering first time buyers to be fully informed, BE WEST also created a series of easily-digestible digital guides – all in its distinctive black and white branding – offering buyers bite-sized information on everything from resales to staircasing. The company launched a number of its developments digitally, offering online tours and events (most recently a virtual staircasing event), to help buyers secure their dream home. Offering further digital innovation, BE WEST also provides a ‘Live Chat’ function on its website – instantly connecting buyers to members of the sales team.

PEABODY Peabody has always been at the forefront of innovation, proudly flying the flag for creative and forward-thinking solutions that support the homebuying journey for first time buyers. We’ve opted to reap the benefits that digitalisation offers and integrate it seamlessly into our customer experience. As a result, we’ve been able to fully utilise online tools to enhance and simplify our sales process, offering a meaningful and informative experience at the buyer’s fingertips. With over 100,000 visits to our development interactive apps, digital walk-throughs and online brochures in the last year, we’ve successfully reserved nearly half our homes offplan, through digital viewings alone. We’ve given first time buyers the confidence to reserve homes without physically seeing them and can only see this improving through the continued use our digital interactive tools.

SHARE TO BUY The nation’s no.1 shared ownership property portal, Share to Buy is a brand synonymous with affordable homeownership. Receiving over five million visits a year from prospective buyers, innovation and user experience are central to Share to Buy’s services to its website users and clients. Understanding that the costs involved with buying a home can seem complex, the portal includes three ground-breaking research tools to make the homebuying process as straightforward as possible: • Monthly Cost Calculator: gives a breakdown of monthly fees likely for each property • Mortgage Calculator: helps buyers understand how much they can borrow • Staircasing Calculator: helps existing shared owners plan for their next steps.

The calculators have been used over two million times in the past year alone, helping tens of thousands of prospective buyers understand their options and generating hundreds of thousands of quality leads for housing providers.

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BEST FIRST TIME BUYER APARTMENT

THIS AWARD IS FOR AN APARTMENT SUITABLE FOR A FIRST TIME BUYER, WHICH IS AFFORDABLE AND ALSO OFFERS EXCELLENT DESIGN FLAIR, BOTH INSIDE AND OUT.

ABRI | THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY The Chocolate Factory is a new collection of one and two bedroom apartments in the heart of Greenbank, Bristol. The exciting redevelopment of the former Elizabeth Shaw Factory, that made confectionery in Greenbank for over 100 years, is now welcoming its first residents. Rich in history and heritage, the much-anticipated regeneration of this iconic Bristol site offers a blend of well-designed newly built homes and converted apartments, offering the best of modern living. As well as a community hub, and landscaped central square, the development also includes direct access to the popular Bristol to Bath Railway Path, providing an easy commute to Bristol Temple Meads railway station and the city centre. Built with the first time buyer in mind, homes aren’t all that you’ll find at The Chocolate Factory. The regeneration of this historic factory site promotes a vibrant and bustling community, for all to enjoy.

BARRATT DAVID WILSON HOMES SOUTH WEST & SWINDON BOROUGH COUNCIL | CANALSIDE @ WICHELSTOWE Built in partnership with Swindon Borough Council, David Wilson Homes’ Canalside @ Wichelstowe development on the outskirts of Swindon features 91 new properties.

The two bedroom Chichester apartment boasts a wharf-style design influenced by traditional waterside architecture, with views over the newly restored Wilts & Berks canal. It has an impressive main entrance, a stylish open-plan kitchen, dining area and lounge, with a Juliet balcony to first and second floor apartments. There are two double bedrooms, with an en suite shower room to the main bedroom, a full-sized bathroom and a handy utility cupboard. All apartments come with an allocated parking space. All apartments were eligible for Help to Buy – 75% of Chichester purchasers were first time buyers and 90% of those used the Government’s Help to Buy scheme to make the move. Priced from £185,000, first time buyers could move with a deposit of just £9,250.

BOKLOK | BOKLOK ON THE BROOK BoKlok on the Brook is BoKlok’s flagship UK scheme, offering a collection of sustainable, great value one and two bedroom apartments and two and three bedroom family houses, close to Bristol’s vibrant city centre. An established partnership between leading names Skanska and IKEA, BoKlok draws on 25 years of experience across the Nordics. In 2019, BoKlok launched its first scheme in the UK, driven by an ambition to deliver high-quality, sustainable new modular homes, while making homeownership more accessible to everyday people. Built using MMC, BoKlok’s homes can be built faster and more efficiently than traditional homes.

Inside, its homes include a series of energy-saving measures to assist homeowners to live more sustainably and as a result more cost effectively too. BoKlok on the Brook has been specifically designed with first time buyers in mind. Now all reserved, 97% of purchasers here were first time buyers.

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BROADWAY LIVING | CENTRAL SQUARE

READERS’ AWARDS

The two bedroom show home at Central Square, the latest phase of apartments at Copley W7 by Broadway Living, represents a rare opportunity for a first time buyer in expensive London. Here, buyers don’t have to compromise to get on to the ladder – the two bedroom apartment comprises two bathrooms, a superb specification (including a comprehensive suite of Zanussi appliances within the price), a location in the heart of leafy Ealing yet with a railway station metres from the development, all at a price of just £490,000 with Help to Buy available (5% deposit of £24,500). Designed to impeccable standards, the modern apartment – complete with a balcony – features light-filled, open-plan living spaces and bedrooms with a dedicated working area to give homeowners the flexibility to work comfortably from home. On-site amenities include a large landscaped courtyard, a community centre, playground and a shop.

CATALYST | THE SWITCH Equidistant between Earlsfield and Wimbledon, The Switch is a remarkable development of 181 one to three bedroom shared ownership apartments in south west London. Meeting the needs of London’s first time buyers, apartments have versatility at their core, designed to maximise on space so that every square metre is best utilised. Two show homes demonstrate the possibilities within the apartments.

Each is centred around a spacious open-plan living area, with ample space to work from home, and accompanied by private terraces, providing room for lounging and dining outdoors, with direct access to the communal podium garden. Properties encircle the AFC Wimbledon stadium, with externally facing podium gardens that provide tranquillity, while a new public pedestrianised and cycle route runs through the site, creating a picturesque walkway for residents. Truly accessible for south west London, through shared ownership, purchasers can get on the property ladder at The Switch with deposits from just £3,875 for a studio apartment.

COUNTRYSIDE | FRESH WHARF Fresh Wharf in Barking is an ideal first step on to the property ladder for those seeking a luxury specification in a thriving location at an affordable price. With Help to Buy available, these impressive apartments by Countryside are highly sought-after by those looking to be part of the regeneration success story in Barking & Dagenham, which continues to outperform the wider London housing market. Offering views over the River Roding, homes at Fresh Wharf are conveniently located, with a plethora of amenities on the doorstep and Barking town centre within walking distance. Residents enjoy 16,000 sq m of open space and outdoor amenities, including a beautifully landscaped central park and enhanced river walkway. The two bedroom apartment at Fresh Wharf offers modern design, generous spaces, open-plan living, and a balcony.

Boasting a faultless internal specification, with luxury flooring and fully integrated appliances, this is the perfect, hassle-free first home.

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BEST FIRST TIME BUYER APARTMENT AFFORDABLE HOMES

THIS AWARD IS FOR AN APARTMENT SUITABLE FOR A FIRST TIME BUYER, WHICH IS AFFORDABLE AND ALSO OFFERS EXCELLENT DESIGN FLAIR, BOTH INSIDE AND OUT.

GUINNESS HOMES | LEASIDE LOCK Providing buyers the opportunity to purchase a chic apartment in a desirable Zone 2 London location, Guinness Homes’ Leaside Lock is a major placemaking project that will ultimately deliver 965 homes. A unique opportunity to get on to the property ladder in east London’s exciting new neighbourhood in Bromley-By-Bow, Leaside Lock is designed for community living, with contemporary apartments wrapping around a central piazza. The stylish open-plan apartments are set in the vibrant new neighbourhood, offering a range of amenities on-site, including a health and fitness studio, a cafe, a gym, a convenience store and co-working space. Available for use all year round, residents can also enjoy the partially enclosed roof terrace, offering panoramic views of the London cityscape, as well as access to a podium garden.

Perfect for first time buyers looking for an affordable city pad, prices for the stylish, contemporary apartments start from just £310,000.

LATIMER | EVERGREEN Plot 503 on the fifth floor at Tarragon House is a stunning one bedroom apartment at Evergreen by Latimer, available through Help to Buy. Situated in Harringay, first time buyers here benefit from living in the heart of one of north London’s most exciting and creative neighbourhoods and enjoy the connectivity of a Zone 3 location.

Homes at Evergreen are centred around tranquil green space in the form of a central communal garden, which hosts a wide range of indigenous trees and shrubs that will provide stunning greenery all year round and rich seasonal colour. Buyers will benefit from a wide choice of amenities, stunning green spaces and speedy transport connections in this exciting central London location. Internally, the large open-plan kitchen/living/dining area is ideal for entertaining and extends on to a spectacular balcony. The bedroom benefits from fitted wardrobes and the kitchen comes complete with Bosch appliances. With a market value of £460,000, first time buyers can secure this home with a 5% deposit, from £23,000.

LONDON SQUARE | TADWORTH GARDENS Situated on the North Downs, London Square’s Tadworth Gardens showcases everything desired by today’s first time buyers. The leafy location of Epsom offers residents an abundance of green space in which to explore as well as the worldfamous racecourse, which will be host to this year’s Jubilee celebrations. This stunning development includes an exclusive collection of contemporary one and two bedroom apartments available with Help to Buy. Designed to appeal to first time buyer lifestyles, plot 145 is a spacious two bedroom apartment on the second floor of Arundel Place, a three-storey apartment building architecturally designed to blend seamlessly with the village ambience of the overall development. Featuring a light-filled, dual aspect kitchen/living/dining space with a private balcony overlooking the landscaped central green, the apartment has been completed to an excellent specification. Features include ample storage, modern Amtico flooring, secure video entry system and parking.

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ONE HOUSING PART OF RIVERSIDE | FARRINGDON WALKS Farringdon Walks offers an incredible opportunity for aspirational first time buyers to ditch the commute, and purchase a premium apartment in one of London’s most exciting new developments in the heart of the capital. The exceptional six-acre flagship site at historic Royal Mail Mount Pleasant sorting office, comprising 681 new homes, over 20,000 sq ft of retail space, and an oasis of beautifully landscaped public and private open spaces, boasts design flair from celebrated architectural studios Feilden Clegg Bradley Studio, Wilkinson Eyre, and Allies and Morrison. One Housing launched Phase 1 through S106 with 16 exclusive one and two bedroom shared ownership apartments in September 2021. Larger than average city pads around this ultra-central London location by Chancery Lane and Farringdon station, first time buyers are presented with outstanding value for the supreme quality and size of the apartments, and the sensational site proposition.

PEABODY | ARDEN Arden is an ideal choice for first time buyers to make their first steps on to the ladder. Ideally located to take advantage of Lewisham, Greenwich and Deptford, the development sits within a tranquil landscaped setting, with plenty of outdoor space for residents to enjoy. Bordering travel Zone 2 and 3, Arden benefits from a convenient, well-connected location with excellent transport links to Canary Wharf and the City, making it an ideal place to call home. Residents benefit from a range of on-site amenities, including a concierge service, co-working hub, snug cinema room and a well-equipped fitness suite. The apartments are designed with first time buyers in mind. Sleek and modern kitchens are perfect for foodies, while sea-green tiled bathrooms give the sensation of an at-home spa experience. Energy-efficient LED fittings throughout help keep energy costs low, and hyperoptic internet connections are perfect for working from home or streaming the latest binge-worthy series.

PLACES FOR PEOPLE AND BALFOUR BEATTY INVESTMENTS | EW+S East Wick and Sweetwater (EW+S) is a Joint Venture between Balfour Beatty Investments and Places for People, in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in east London.

Over its lifetime, EW+S will bring new schools, nurseries and community spaces to the area, as well as creating a strong residential community with over 1,850 new homes. The ambition is to create an eclectic and thriving neighbourhood with people at its heart. The first phase of development is complete, providing 302 new homes, a nursery, and a local Co-op branch, while Clarnico Club, a multi-purpose marketing and social hub with a cafe and flexible event space, serves as the beating heart of the new neighbourhood. Many of these homes were provided as shared ownership, creating genuine opportunities for first time buyers to get on to the property ladder. Planning approval for the next five phases of development was granted in December 2021 and January 2022.

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BEST MEDIUM DEVELOPMENT

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AFFORDABLE HOMES

THIS AWARD IS FOR DEVELOPMENTS OF 31-80 HOMES THAT HAVE USED THE BEST DESIGN AND QUALITY TO CREATE AN AFFORDABLE, DESIRABLE AND INSPIRATIONAL ENVIRONMENT AND THAT HAS PROVIDED ADDITIONAL FACILITIES TO BENEFIT THE LOCAL COMMUNITY AND SURROUNDING NEIGHBOURHOODS. THESE HOMES ARE ON LARGE DEVELOPMENTS IN A MIXED-TENURE ENVIRONMENT OR STAND-ALONE DEVELOPMENTS.

INLAND HOMES | RANDALLS Randalls is a unique, individually designed collection of 58 studio, one and two bedroom apartments and duplexes in the centre of Uxbridge. Combining a fusion of both existing and new architecture to create an exclusive address, the development includes a conversion of the Grade II listed Randalls department store and the old fire station on Cricket Field Road, as well as three newly built apartment blocks.

Specifically appealing to the first time buyer market, all properties were available to purchase through the London Help to Buy scheme (2021-2023), while nine apartments were offered through shared ownership. These two opportunities have offered aspiring Uxbridge homeowners an affordable route into homeownership in a thriving town centre location, with all amenities within walking distance.

The overall effect of the development is a desirable, inspiring set of homes that is perfectly suited to the modern first time buyer lifestyle.

LIFE LESS ORDINARY | MALT WORKS Life Less Ordinary is committed to creating exceptional new homes, predominantly for first time buyers, which make contemporary luxury affordable. Its mission is to push the boundaries of functional design and apply an unparalleled level of attention to detail to each new home that is built. Working alongside leading consultants, architects, interior designers and suppliers, every development is approached with creativity and exacting detail to achieve homes of both excellence and innovation. By taking a personal approach to each step of the build, the company prides itself on creating new homes that are functional and practical, yet luxurious. Life Less Ordinary is committed to delivering the highest levels of service from origination to aftercare and continues to acquire exciting sites and develop properties that are provide buyers with beautiful homes in desirable locations.

NOTTING HILL GENESIS | OAKLANDS RISE The first major regeneration project at Old Oak Common, Oaklands Rise is one of north west London’s most exciting new developments for first time buyers.

Notting Hill Genesis’ collection of 60 shared ownership apartments is set within the 605-home development and has been designed with first time buyers in mind.

Open-plan kitchen and living areas, along with spacious balconies and terraces, create flexible spaces, while residents enjoy exclusive access to sought-after amenities including a concierge, residents’ lounge, work hub and green spaces.

With a community developing on site already, Oaklands Rise is an important piece of the growing neighbourhood, providing vital new amenities including a nursery, medical centre and community hub, and active transport routes to strengthen the area’s increasing connectivity.

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BEST PARTNERSHIP

FINANCE

THIS AWARD CATEGORY CELEBRATES A COLLABORATION OF TWO OR MORE COMPANIES WHICH HAVE WORKED TOGETHER TO DELIVER BOTH QUALITY AND AFFORDABLE HOMES FOR FIRST TIME BUYERS. IT WILL HIGHLIGHT BEST PRACTICE OF PARTNERSHIP WORKING WITHIN THE HOUSING SECTOR AND CHAMPIONS THE ETHOS OF WORKING TOGETHER TO DELIVER MORE.

COUNTRYSIDE AND TAYLOR WIMPEY | GREENWICH MILLENNIUM VILLAGE Greenwich Millennium Village is a joint venture between Countryside and Taylor Wimpey Central London, in association with the Mayor of London. Over the past 22 years, the partnership has been transforming a 300-acre brownfield site into a sustainable district at the heart of the capital which, once complete, will deliver over 2,800 new homes. Born from a shared vision between the partners, their aspiration sought to provide a range of high-quality, innovative homes that facilitate a sustainable lifestyle. Comprising one, two and three bedroom apartments, these new homes suit a plethora of lifestyles and, with Help to Buy available on selected properties, homes here successfully cater for first time buyers. Aiming to reconnect the local community to the outdoors, residents enjoy 50 acres of parkland on the doorstep, adjacent to the River Thames, alongside a wealth of community facilities including a yacht club, an established Village Square and an ecology park.

L&Q AND MOUNT ANVIL | SILK DISTRICT L&Q and Mount Anvil have formed a joint venture partnership to deliver the Silk District, a brand new development transforming the former site of a warehouse into an impressive new district offering a mix of shared ownership and private sale homes, located moments from Whitechapel station. The partnership has delivered a scheme that offers first time buyers the opportunity to buy into a development that not only offers first-class design in a central location but also comes with exceptional communal facilities rarely available to shared ownership purchasers, exclusively for residents’ use.

PLACES FOR PEOPLE AND URBAN SPLASH | PARK HILL It’s almost a decade since Urban Splash and Places for People formed a joint venture to deliver new affordable homes and a quality amenity-filled community, in what was a very challenging project in Sheffield. Park Hill is an iconic, Grade II listed brutalist architecture, and together, the partnership is sensitively renovating the ageing building, bringing existing homes up to modern living standards and expectations by making Park Hill a more attractive and diverse place. Sharing values and combining strategy, the partnership embraced its joint expertise for providing quality, functional and affordable properties for those individuals, couples and families looking to find a first home that offers more than bricks and mortar. The JV has passionately worked together to bring love, life and pride back to this iconic community by making it a genuinely vibrant and sustainable place for first time buyers to settle and enjoy life.

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BEST PROVIDER TO THE FTB MARKET AFFORDABLE HOMES

THIS AWARD GOES TO A SERVICE, COMPANY OR AGENCY THAT SUPPORTS THE FIRST TIME BUYER INDUSTRY. THIS COULD BE A PRODUCT OR SERVICE THAT HELPS TO SUPPORT AND PROMOTE THE MESSAGE OF HOMEOWNERSHIP.

EMBRACE FINANCIAL SERVICES Embrace Financial Services offers a helping hand, every step of the way, to first time buyers who are looking for a mortgage and support that’s needed to purchase a first home. We provide comprehensive advice on our website, mortgage appointments designed to offer everything a first time buyer could need (including time, understanding and innovation that really helps) and ongoing help and support up to, and beyond, the move-in day. It’s led to exceptional customer reviews, 97.77% of our first time buyers rate our services as Excellent or Good and 97.73% state they would recommend us to friends and family. And that growing reputation for great service has led to nearly a third of our mortgage applications being from first time buyers.

We believe we’re a great provider to first time buyers, support homeownership and, with results to show it, are delighted to be taking part in these awards.

METRO FINANCE We just love shared ownership! Every month we help around 2,500 potential buyers.

We establish what’s affordable and help achieve the right mortgage. Simultaneously, we help ensure regulatory requirements are met for our partner Housing Associations – nearly 100 across the UK. Supporting the sector, we developed affordability chatbots, staircasing chatbots and a series of portals for buyers and housing associations. All of which track and streamline the shared ownership journey. Constantly improving service levels, last year we introduced facial recognition ID checks and Open Banking software to our portals, focused on making it even easier for buyers and HAs. We constantly evaluate ourselves as a business, striving to achieve best in class service for both shared ownership buyers and our HA partners. Our dedicated team of around 60 have helped drive our Trustpilot rating to the highest in our field. Can we do more? Always....working with lenders, regulators, and stakeholders to give shared ownership the positioning it deserves.

FULL COMMS - NATIONAL SHARED OWNERSHIP CAMPAIGN Established in 2003, Full Comms is a creative, digital marketing agency specialising in property marketing and the affordable homeownership sector. Providing a range of creative services including branding, campaigns, media, marketing and web design and build, our approach to all projects, whether it be development branding or broader awareness campaigns, is instilled in our own mantra and set of values; “Made You Look”. Our commitment to the sector and its buyers, alongside our track record of high performing sales and marketing campaigns for our clients, positioned Full Comms as the perfect campaign partner for the second year of the National Shared Ownership Campaign, achieving almost 5.3 million impressions on social media, reaching over 130,000 accounts on TikTok, saw over 24,000 article reads and a 75% increase in followers on the campaign’s social channels.

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REDLOFT Celebrating 20 years of service to the property industry in 2022, Red Loft is a name that has become increasingly synonymous with the affordable homeownership sector. Passionate about property, the company is helping more first time buyers than ever via its sales team, which markets some of the UK’s most prestigious developments, and as a consultant to developers, housing associations and local authorities. In 2021/22, Red Loft helped over 200 households on to the ladder and 70 households into London Living Rent Homes. For 2022/23, it already has a pipeline of over 500 homes for sale and let, so expect to more than double those numbers.

Already having a 50-strong team of consultants and sales staff, in the next five years, Red Loft will expand by 50% to meet growing demands in the sector and further support the interests of first time buyers across the market.

SHARE TO BUY A brand synonymous with alternative homeownership, Share to Buy is the UK’s leading property portal for affordable homes. Partnering with over 150 of the UK’s biggest names in housing, Share to Buy offers its users unprecedented access to a wealth of affordable properties and shared ownership resources. Not only providing an unparalleled service for their many clients across the housing industry – generating thousands of high quality leads – Share to Buy has also guided millions of hopeful first time buyers through their homebuying journey, offering a growing collection of informative “how-to” guides, insightful webinars, and jargon-busting videos. Not stopping there, Share to Buy also hosts the London Home Show – the capital’s largest first time buyer event. The show is an exceptional resource for budding buyers, allowing them to learn about currently available affordable homes, speak face-to-face with housing experts, mortgage advisers and solicitors, and attend expert Q&A sessions.

SO RESI PARTNERSHIPS SO Resi, the award-winning shared ownership brand of Metropolitan Thames Valley Housing, has been at the forefront of helping first time buyers on to the property ladder since it was founded in 2017. Constantly innovating, the brand launched a new initiative last year, SO Resi Partnerships, which makes it far easier for buyers to find their dream home and is helping to accelerate the delivery of more much-needed shared ownership properties on to the market. The aim of SO Resi Partnerships is to develop teamwork and collaboration with other housing providers, to help match would-be shared owners with properties around the country. Since its launch, dozens of partnerships have been established and the team has assisted with selling hundreds of shared ownership homes across London and the South East, including selling out of two schemes before handover, demonstrating its commitment to offer greater choice to first time buyers.

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BEST SHOW HOME AFFORDABLE HOMES

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

CATALYST | THE FOLIUM Capturing the essence of life in the leafy urban neighbourhood of Muswell Hill, Catalyst’s show home at The Folium demonstrates modern living in one of London’s chicest villages. The show home at The Folium reveals the versatility of the space, tailored to meet the needs of modern life, without compromising on a stylish interior scheme. With zoning techniques throughout, the space reflects the versatility of the apartment through clever furniture placement, providing a space to work, socialise, dine and live. Inspired by nearby Coppett’s Wood, the interior scheme integrates a diverse mix of natural materials, textured elements and bold statement paintings, including a commissioned artwork by local artist Jess Albert. Reprising the importance of connecting with the area’s surrounding greenery, each home is complete with a private balcony, terrace or garden, allowing residents to create their own outdoor oasis as an extension of their living space.

GATEWAY HOUSING | EARLHAM SQUARE At Earlham Square, Gateway Housing’s shared ownership development in trendy Forest Gate, London’s first time buyers don’t need to compromise on location or high quality to get on to the housing ladder; the contemporary two bedroom show apartment – designed by Think BDW’s interiors team – is an outstanding first time buyer home that beautifully showcases the lifestyle on offer and inspires buyers on a budget. The high specification includes integrated Zanussi appliances, included in the price, while the contemporary show apartment has been designed with a meticulous eye for detail inside as well as out; first time buyers won’t have to sacrifice on style. Designer Think BDW has paired earthy tones with youthful, fun accents which appeal to the target buyer and create a playful yet elegant space; the decor, furnishings and accessories are on-trend and easy for buyers to replicate by picking up similar items at any homeware store which suits their budget.

INLAND HOMES | RANDALLS Randalls is a unique, individually designed collection of 58 studio, one and two bedroom apartments and duplexes in the centre of Uxbridge. Combining a fusion of new and existing architecture, the development includes a conversion of the Grade II listed Randalls department store and the old fire station on Cricket Field Road, as well as three newly built apartment blocks. Within the converted building, Gatsby House, buyers can view the sizable studio show apartment to gain a tangible idea of what they can expect from a home within this characterful scheme. Designed by Phoenix Interior Designers, the sizable studio blends the art deco heritage of the department store with the contemporary urbanity of the surrounding area, while using a range of materials that utilise a typical first time buyer budget. Residents at Randalls are well-situated for shopping, leisure and travel, with Uxbridge town centre and underground station within a five minute walk.

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88

First Time Buyer August/September 2022

FTB 76-103 FTB-Awards August-September22.indd 88

READERS’ AWARDS

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OPTIVO WITH FOCUS EXPERIENTIAL | HOME X

READERS’ AWARDS

A stylish space with immaculate interior design, top-range integrated appliances and comfortable furnishings, Optivo’s Home X show apartments went above and beyond the standard example of a show home. Focus Experiential supported the Home X project by designing, fitting, and decorating the state-of-the-art show homes and on-site marketing suite, completed as a set for a seamless, engaging, immersive experience and customer journey. Working in conjunction with the team at Optivo to design and furnish the one and two bedroom apartments, a unique concept came to life. Home X from Optivo brings one, two, and three bedroom apartments, and triplexes to the market, supporting first time buyers with the availability of Help to Buy and shared ownership, on a large scale development that forms part of the Preston Barracks regeneration, one of Brighton’s biggest ever regeneration projects, that will deliver 369 new homes, public squares, shops, cafes and play spaces.

ORIGIN HOUSING | HARROW AND WEALDSTONE HEIGHTS Origin Housing commissioned a stunning, deco-inspired show home to help market Harrow and Wealdstone Heights, a landmark new development of 81 shared ownership homes in Harrow, north west London. The second show home for independent designer Tara Larkin, the space captures the liveliness of the exciting surrounding neighbourhood. Featuring a range of sumptuous and lush fabrics, as well as a wealth of items that have been sourced locally, the spirit of the space is fun and playful, showcasing how first time buyers can reflect their own individual style in their first home. The designer drew inspiration from the history of the surrounding area, once known as “metro-land”, and the 1930s-designed Harrow and Wealdstone station, moments from the development. With this in mind, the designer envisaged a modern twist on deco, which would capture fast-moving style and the excitement of owning one’s own home.

PEABODY | LAZENBY SQUARE Homebuyers’ priorities have vastly altered in recent years, and the requirement for more personal space in and out the home is now one of the most sought-after features among house-hunters. Offering an ideal solution to first time buyers keen to stay in the capital, Apartment One at Lazenby Square, minutes from London Bridge station, offers the ultimate in luxury and style. Our interior design-led two bedroom show apartment showcases “must-haves” for the first time buyer including fibre optic broadband, built-in SONOS sound system and a large wintergarden to gain a sense of peace in “one of London’s best places to live” (The Times – Best Places to Live List 2015-2021). Beautifully conceived in partnership with leading interior design studio Suna, we created a space that can be easily replicated, creating a home a first time buyer would be proud of. We achieved an aspirational yet accessible look, to excite and inspire homeowners to create a space just as stylish, no matter how small the budget.

First Time Buyer August/September 2022

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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.

CATALYST | THE BRAXTON: THE LANES AT THORN FIELDS The Lanes at Thorn Fields offers truly extraordinary properties for a first time buyer family looking to find their forever home. A collection of 137 two, three and four bedroom shared ownership homes by Catalyst in the family friendly town of Houghton Regis, the development is part of the family oriented Bidwell West development project, an ambitious scheme delivering up to 1,850 homes, new commercial space, a primary and secondary school, local centre and recreational and landscaped spaces. The Braxton at The Lanes at Houghton Regis is a highspecification semi-detached three bedroom house with a luscious private garden, dedicated parking space and a host of generous storage spaces, available to purchase through shared ownership with Catalyst. The Braxton offers the opportunity for a first time buyer family to secure their own slice of this thriving community, while providing the highest quality of living, and represents outstanding value for money for a family home in South East England.

CHANCERY HOMES | BURNHAM COURT Situated in one of Buckinghamshire’s best-connected villages is Burnham Court, a collection of 58 properties built by Chancery Homes, a new arrival on the housebuilding scene with a vision of meeting industry demand for more high-quality, accessibly priced housing in attractive locations within commuting distance of London. Comprising 36 three and four bedroom family townhouses and 22 apartments, purchasers of Chancery homes will have the assurance of an impressive 40-year track record, backed by a solid organisation of in-house building and design professionals. To help make these quality homes even more accessible to families, Chancery Homes formed a partnership with trusted professional landlord Thrive Homes, known within the industry as a provider and manager of housing for first time buyers.

GUINNESS HOMES | AUGUST FIELDS One of the South Coast’s premium developments for first time buyer families, August Fields by Guinness Homes is a spectacular collection of 85 homes in the historic port town of Newhaven. Offering 70 three and four bedroom houses, the development is ideal for families looking to put down roots in a seaside location. It is set in attractive landscaped grounds, offering a great location, excellent nearby schools and plenty of space for busy family life. August Fields offers a pocket of affordability in an area where sold prices have risen by 5% in the last year alone, with starting prices over half the price of an average semi-detached in the area.

Ensuring families don’t have to compromise on quality, homes at August Fields are finished to a high specification throughout and have been designed with family living in mind. Homes offer spacious open-plan layouts throughout, much-needed outdoor space and generously sized rooms.

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90

First Time Buyer August/September 2022

FTB 76-103 FTB-Awards August-September22.indd 90

READERS’ AWARDS

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Sponsored by

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L&Q | SAXON REACH

READERS’ AWARDS

Saxon Reach is a green, family oriented development by L&Q, delivering 255 highquality, one to five bedroom homes for Milton Keynes. Putting community living at the heart of a brand new neighbourhood, Saxon Reach has been designed with families in mind, with plentiful green spaces, play parks and tree-lined avenues, plus an all-through school opening in September 2022. A stunning four bedroom detached house, The Bamburgh at Saxon Reach epitomises the ultimate family home. Offering a generous 1,459 sq ft of internal living space, The Bamburgh is designed to cater for the hustle and bustle of everyday life. The flexible lateral kitchen/dining room provides a central family hub, while the private, fenced garden is perfect for children. Upstairs, a dedicated main bedroom suite offers a sanctuary for parents. The Bamburgh is priced accessibly for first time buyers, offering a fantastic opportunity for families to step on to the property ladder in a prosperous new neighbourhood.

NOTTING HILL GENESIS | WOOLWICH REACH Situated on the banks of the Thames with sought-after views of the river, the three bedroom mews houses at Notting Hill Genesis’ Woolwich Reach have proved popular with young families looking to put down roots in east London. Blending affordability, space, quality and location, the home has been designed with modern family life in mind. It benefits from open-plan living on three floors with plenty of built-in storage, private outside space and secure parking – perfect for those exploring London and beyond by car. Families can enjoy the green, open space of the neighbouring Royal Victoria Gardens, with children’s play areas and sports facilities, or hop over the river to explore the educational and creative attractions of Woolwich and the nearby Royal Docks. The development is perfect for parents who commute into central London, with travel into Bank in under 30 minutes by the DLR, a seven-minute walk from Woolwich Reach.

PLACES FOR PEOPLE | PORT LOOP Port Loop is Birmingham’s first island neighbourhood. When complete, it will deliver more than 1,150 new homes, commercial workspaces, parks, green spaces and community facilities, all within a 15-minute walk along the canal from Brindley Place. A mix of tenure has been provided including outright ownership, Help to Buy, shared ownership and various rental options. Described as “Birmingham’s most successful residential development during the pandemic”, Port Loop purchasers have comprised a mix of first time buyers and other purchasers, each attracted by the vast green and blue space available, as well as the flexibility in property design.

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READERS’ AWARDS

FTB 76-103 FTB-Awards August-September22.indd 91

First Time Buyer August/September 2022

91

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BEST LARGE DEVELOPMENT AFFORDABLE HOMES

THIS AWARD IS FOR DEVELOPMENTS OF 81 OR MORE HOMES THAT HAVE USED THE BEST DESIGN AND QUALITY TO CREATE AN AFFORDABLE, DESIRABLE AND INSPIRATIONAL ENVIRONMENT AND THAT HAS PROVIDED ADDITIONAL FACILITIES TO BENEFIT THE LOCAL COMMUNITY AND SURROUNDING NEIGHBOURHOODS. THESE HOMES ARE ON LARGE DEVELOPMENTS IN A MIXED-TENURE ENVIRONMENT OR STAND-ALONE DEVELOPMENTS.

ANDERSON DESIGN & BUILD IN CONJUCTION WITH L&Q | THE QUARRY The Quarry is one of the largest single-scheme regeneration programmes in the South East and will deliver 849 homes on a site previously considered undevelopable. This joint venture partnership between Anderson and L&Q involved a wealth of community engagement to enhance facilities in the local area. With this has come the provision of a school which will take the form of an award-winning design, colloquially named “the doughnut” where every classroom looks out on to the landscape. Commitment to ecology has also played a significant role and the site’s redevelopment has brought several environmental benefits including creation of a dedicated public open space and six acres of existing woodland belt with hundreds of new trees planted. In short, this project has drastically enhanced and regenerated a neglected and dangerous plot which will become a true asset to the community.

BARRATT DAVID WILSON HOMES SOUTH WEST | DELAMARE PARK Barratt Homes’ Delamare Park development in Nunney includes 82, two, three, four and five bedroom homes. The development has been carefully designed to fit in with the local area in terms of layout, mix of materials and housetypes available. The development is just a 10-minute drive from the popular town of Frome, which was named as the best place to live in the South West. It’s the first gas-free development for Barratt Developments, with all properties fitted with air source heat pumps as standard. Help to Buy is available and eligible on more than 50% of homes. More than 33% of purchasers at the site are first time buyers, and 64% of those have used the Help to Buy scheme. Barratt has contributed more than £285,000 to the local community; £272,577 towards education and £14,097 towards healthcare. It has also donated to Nunney Village Hall.

ONE HOUSING | GRANVILLE GARDENS Launching in July 2022, Granville Gardens is an impressive collection of 132 newly built luxury homes, arranged across a 3.7-hectare site, providing greater variety of housing to an established neighbourhood in north west London. A mix of 86 private and 46 shared ownership properties are available across the scheme (composed of three new blocks of apartments and 58 houses), attracting a wider range of professionals and families seeking contemporary and dynamic living spaces, with stunning specification, in a popular Zone 3 location in London. The design creates aesthetic cohesion with existing social housing blocks to progressively develop the character of the existing estate, successfully blending old and new, and creating a stylish, co-ordinated public realm for residents. The new streetscape and landscaping with beautiful planting and play areas knit together the community, creating a series of safe and elegant streets and squares, with definition of public and private spaces.

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92

First Time Buyer August/September 2022

FTB 76-103 FTB-Awards August-September22.indd 92

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Sponsored by

FINANCE

buyer

READERS’ AWARDS

ORIGIN | HARROW AND WEALDSTONE HEIGHTS A dramatic new landmark on Harrow’s skyline, Origin Housing’s flagship development, Harrow and Wealdstone Heights, is a development of 81 shared ownership apartments, having a huge impact on the north London property market.

Located a short walk from a major transport hub – Harrow & Wealdstone station – the development offers high quality living for first time buyers, in an enviable location. Eighteen stories at its tallest, Harrow and Wealdstone Heights’ modern, open-plan apartments will give residents sweeping panoramic views across London, with every apartment also providing access to a private balcony. A further communal roof terrace offers a unique vantage point from which residents can enjoy views of London’s skyline. To maximise the contribution to the wider community, Origin’s ambition has allowed it to increase the amount of affordable housing on site, and radically improve the public realm.

PLACES FOR PEOPLE | PARK HILL Park Hill is one of the UK’s most significant regeneration projects. Originally built in 1961 as part of the slum clearance project, it was an emblem for social change, yet by the 1990s it suffered dwindling occupancy and anti-social behaviour. English Heritage bestowed the Grade II listing upon Park Hill in 1998, paving the way for JV partners Urban Splash and Places for People to transform its fortunes. Today, Park Hill is an affordable, desirable and inspirational place for first time buyers to live. Innovative new designs have ensured the homes meet the needs of modern occupiers – with Park Hill now boasting desirable, affordable homes. With an impressive focus on placemaking, the JV has also created a more diverse, cultural quarter and successfully provided additional facilities to benefit the local community and surrounding neighbourhoods. Park Hill is steeped in colourful history and has secured a bright future for its community.

PLACES FOR PEOPLE AND BALFOUR BEATTY INVESTMENTS | EW+S East Wick and Sweetwater (EW+S) is a Joint Venture between Balfour Beatty Investments and Places for People, in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in east London.

Over its lifetime, EW+S will bring new schools, nurseries, and community spaces to the area, as well as creating a strong residential community with over 1,850 new homes. The ambition is to create an eclectic and thriving neighbourhood with people at its heart. The first phase of development is complete, providing 302 new homes, a nursery, and a local Co-op branch, while Clarnico Club, a multi-purpose marketing and social hub with a cafe and flexible event space, serves as the beating heart of the new neighbourhood. Planning approval for the next five phases of development was granted in December 2021 and January 2022. These phases will provide 1,557 new homes, of which 502 will be affordable.

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READERS’ AWARDS

FTB 76-103 FTB-Awards August-September22.indd 93

First Time Buyer August/September 2022

93

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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.

BOKLOK | BOKLOK ON THE LAKE Specifically designed with first time buyers in mind, BoKlok on the Lake comprises a collection of sustainable, one and two bedroom apartments in the seaside town of Worthing. Situated alongside Somerset Lake and set within its own, landscaped grounds, the development aims to offer local buyers an opportunity to secure a spacious, well-planned and sustainable new home, while delivering value for money.

Launched off-plan in November 2020 via a ballot, BoKlok on the Lake is the second UK residential development to be delivered by BoKlok, an established partnership between leading names Skanska and IKEA. BoKlok draws on 25 years of experience across the Nordics. In 2019 it launched in the UK, with its flagship scheme, BoKlok on the Brook in Bristol. It is Boklok’s aim to deliver high-quality, sustainable new modular homes, while making homeownership more accessible to everyday people.

DAVID WILSON NORTH THAMES | SAWBRIDGE PARK Sawbridge Park in Sawbridgeworth, Hertfordshire, is a development by David Wilson North Thames of 200 two, three and four bedroom houses for open market sale. Designed to appeal to eco-conscious first time buyers, Sawbridge Park has 10 acres of green space, parks and wildflower meadows, new ponds, 3,500 newly planted trees, a play area and allotments. Every home has an electric vehicle charging point, with additional chargers for visitors, saving installation costs and making electric car usage convenient and easy. In addition, homes have energyefficient boilers and appliances, and excellent insulation, keeping energy bills to a minimum. The Built for Life accredited development features a wide range of house types and layouts, all with turfed gardens and allocated parking, giving buyers a huge amount of choice, while David Wilson Homes’ excellent level of customer service, incentives and aftercare means they will be looked after at every step of their homebuying journey.

GECKO HOMES | BARLOW MOOR ROAD Gecko Homes’ Barlow Moor Road development brings a choice of stunning yet affordable shared ownership apartments to a highly desirable and sought-after location, in a neighbourhood usually considered inaccessible to first time buyers due to high property prices. Two buildings include 39 one and two bedroom open-plan homes, fitted out to the highest specification as standard. There are two landscaped communal gardens, secure cycle storage and off-street parking, including accessible bays. Perfectly located in the vibrant district of Chorlton, an array of restaurants, bars, cafes, delicatessens and independent shops are a short walk away. Adjacent bus, tram and protected cycle route links can take purchasers to the city centre and airport within minutes. The development overlooks Chorlton Park and is a few minutes’ walk from the River Mersey, water parks, nature reserves and trails. As part of registered provider Southway Housing Trust, Gecko’s experienced housing professionals can support purchasers at every stage.

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94

First Time Buyer August/September 2022

FTB 76-103 FTB-Awards August-September22.indd 94

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Sponsored by

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LOVE LIVING HOMES | WESTWOOD ACRES

READERS’ AWARDS

Westwood Acres, Love Living Homes’ pioneering new shared ownership development in the seaside town of Broadstairs in Kent, is a truly exemplary and innovative offering for first time buyers. On-site completion in early 2023, Westwood Acres will comprise 86 two and three bedroom modular homes and 10 four bedroom traditionally built homes; first time buyers on a budget will not only benefit from a woodland setting, modern living spaces and a high specification included as standard, but exceptional sustainability credentials seldom found in an affordable home. Priced from £88,850 for a 30% share of a two bedroom house with a 10% deposit of just £8,850, every home has achieved a rare Energy Performance Certificate rating of A; this superb development is delivering affordability not only at the point of purchase but in the day-to-day running of every home, especially crucial when energy bills and the cost of living is soaring.

NOTTING HILL GENESIS | KIDBROOKE SQUARE Kidbrooke Square is an exciting new development in the Royal Borough of Greenwich, set to become a vibrant new piece of south east London. Located in the wider scheme is a stunning collection of one and two bedroom apartments available to purchase off-plan through shared ownership with Notting Hill Genesis. These homes are ideally suited to first time buyers looking for modern living and affordability balanced with space, style, quality and convenience in contemporary surroundings.

Buyers will be part of a flourishing new community at Kidbrooke, and with a short commute to central London, will get the best of city living while enjoying nearby green, open space. Kidbrooke Square has sustainability at its heart, with active travel routes, green rooftops, and renewable energy embraced throughout. These stunning shared ownership apartments are available to purchase off-plan, with Notting Hill Genesis’ expert sales team, first-class show homes and innovative marketing suite technology taking buyers through the process smoothly.

WESTON HOMES | EDINBURGH WAY Edinburgh Way by Weston Homes is a development of 361 one to three bedroom apartments in Harlow, starting from just £229,000 and available using Help to Buy and Weston Homes First-Time SecureBuy, allowing buyers to secure their first home at today’s prices while saving more deposit. The development, with striking contemporary brick and glass facades, offers superbly equipped homes at sensible prices. Perfectly located two minutes’ walk from the station, the apartments at Edinburgh Way have a wide selection of layouts for every preference. Set in five blocks around a landscaped garden, homes have spacious, open-plan living/kitchen/ dining areas, with almost all enjoying a balcony or terrace. Their specification far surpasses most starter homes; kitchens have quartz stone worksurfaces and are equipped with a boiling water tap, fridge-freezer, washer-dryer and dishwasher, while principal bedrooms have fitted mirrored wardrobes. Buyers can personalise their apartment with a range of kitchens, vanity units and flooring.

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READERS’ AWARDS

FTB 76-103 FTB-Awards August-September22.indd 95

First Time Buyer August/September 2022

95

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BEST LAW FIRM FOR CONVEYANCING

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

CGM SOLICITORS CGM Solicitors is an established Southampton firm with a national reach. We work throughout the UK with first time buyers of shared ownership and new build homes.

Our commitment to providing clear, jargon-free, specialist legal advice to first time buyers has led to us being recommended by many housing associations, developers, and mortgage brokers both locally and on a nationwide basis. We offer expert advice in all matters including shared ownership and new homes. Our dedicated teams are driven by a passion to demystify the homebuying process and to provide a bespoke service which is tailored to each client and development. Our core belief is the client should feel they are at the heart of each transaction. We offer: • Fixed fee packages • Experienced lawyers • Secure online ID checks and payments • Law Society Conveyancing Quality Scheme Accredited.

DIRECTION LAW Direction Law is one of the most established and largest specialist affordable housing solicitors in the country. In 2021-22 alone, we completed almost 4,800 new build purchases. Prospective clients can obtain an instant quotation online or speak to our dedicated new business team who will guide them through the initial stages. While other firms may have conveyancers who deal with a variety of affordable housing cases, we have individual dedicated teams specialising in either new build shared ownership, resale sales and purchases, or new build/Help to Buy respectively; thus ensuring greater expertise. Our aim is to progress cases to exchange and completion as swiftly as possible, not only resulting in a satisfied client, but also ensuring our strong relationships with the many housing associations, developers and specialist financial advisers we are recommended by. Many clients come back time and time again which is testament to the quality of service we provide.

PRINCE EVANS SOLICITORS Prince Evans Solicitors LLP is a full-service law firm operating throughout London and the South East; we benefit from a number of specialist teams covering the majority of legal requirements a private individual may have during their life.

Our teams include Conveyancing, Family & Matrimonial, Wills Trust and Probate, Personal Injury, Landlord & Tenant, Employment and Litigation. Whether you are moving house, dealing with a relationship breakdown, the victim of a personal injury or wishing to ensure your personal affairs are in order for your loved ones, we can offer all of these services under one roof. Our conveyancing team has vast experience and understanding of acting for first time buyers and we were proud to be voted the Best Law Firm for Conveyancing at the First Time Buyer Readers Awards in both 2020 and 2021.

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96

First Time Buyer August/September 2022

FTB 76-103 FTB-Awards August-September22.indd 96

READERS’ AWARDS

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BEST NEW DEVELOPMENT IN THE SOUTH

Sponsored by

FINANCE

THIS AWARD IS FOR THE BEST DEVELOPMENT OF ANY SIZE IN THE SOUTH OF ENGLAND (FOR THE PURPOSES OF THIS CATEGORY – BELOW BIRMINGHAM). A HIGHLY COMPETITIVE MARKET PLACE WHERE THE CONSTRUCTION OF NEW HOMES IS INCREASING, THIS AWARD RECOGNISES AN EXCEPTIONAL RANGE OF NEW HOMES THAT STANDS OUT FROM THE CROWD WHILE REMAINING ACCESSIBLE TO FIRST TIME BUYERS.

BARRATT DAVID WILSON HOMES | LINMERE Linmere is a blueprint for future developments, with an exceptional variety of new homes that appeal to a range of first time buyers, many of which are available through homebuying schemes. Barratt David Wilson will initially deliver 275 private homes and 31 affordable homes to the wider consortium that hosts vast community facilities, including several new schools, a co-working office, supermarket and a community hub.

The homes sit against a backdrop of 90 acres of parkland space, ensuring residents are never more than a five-minute walk from nature. With new infrastructure to accommodate travel locally and beyond including bus routes, footpaths and cycle ways, residents are well connected and perfectly placed for all needs. Linmere truly has it all, and perfectly demonstrates how careful planning can deliver a mixed-used scheme where buyers can enjoy a balanced and healthy lifestyle.

BOKLOK | BOKLOK ON THE BROOK BoKlok is an established partnership between leading names Skanska and IKEA. Having operated successfully in the Nordics for over 25 years, in 2019 it launched BoKlok on the Brook, its flagship UK scheme in Bristol. BoKlok’s aim: to deliver high-quality, modular, sustainable new homes that offer great value for money, while making homeownership more accessible to more people. Built using MMC, BoKlok’s homes can be built faster and more efficiently than traditional homes.

Inside, the homes take inspiration from Scandinavia, with a spacious, light-filled open-plan feel, while a series of additional, energy-saving measures are included as standard, all designed to assist future homeowners to live more sustainably, over the longer-term. Launched for sale via BoKlok’s unique ballot system, BoKlok on the Brook, which is located just a few miles from Bristol’s vibrant city centre, is now all reserved, with 97% of purchasers here being first time buyers.

CATALYST | NEWMAN PLACE Newman Place is a collection of 270 affordable homes, ranging from one bedroom apartments to four bedroom houses, four miles south of Oxford City Centre.

Delivering a remarkable breadth of properties, the development will welcome a brand new community of residents. Offering exceptional choice for first time buyers, Newman Place is a 100% affordable scheme, providing a large number of homes for shared ownership, meeting the demand for housing in the area. Homes are available in an impressive 23 different layouts. These range from one bedroom apartments which offer a viable route on to the property ladder for a single buyer, to three-storey, four bedroom houses that make idyllic family homes. Located on the site of the former Littlemore Park hospital, Newman Place is designed to respect and reflect the site’s heritage, biodiversity and natural landscape, featuring a variety of wildlife areas, including an accessible waterway, walkway, cycle route, play park and allotments.

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READERS’ AWARDS

FTB 76-103 FTB-Awards August-September22.indd 97

First Time Buyer August/September 2022

97

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Sponsored by

BEST NEW DEVELOPMENT IN THE NORTH THIS AWARD IS FOR THE BEST DEVELOPMENT OF ANY SIZE IN THE NORTH OF ENGLAND (BIRMINGHAM AND ABOVE), AN AREA OF THE COUNTRY WHERE HOUSEBUILDING IS INCREASING AND OFFERS A HIGHLY COMPETITIVE MARKET PLACE. THIS AWARD RECOGNISES AN EXCEPTIONAL RANGE OF NEW HOMES THAT STAND OUT FROM THE CROWD, WHILE REMAINING ACCESSIBLE TO FIRST TIME BUYERS.

GLEESON HOMES | RAINSBOROUGH PARK We are pleased to propose Rainsborough Park in Knottingley, West Yorkshire, as the best development in the North. This development boasts an exceptional range of affordable new homes perfect for the first time buyer market, as well as fantastic links to surrounding cities, having an overall positive impact on the neighbouring community. We provide our customers; predominantly young first time buyers, families and key workers, with the opportunity for wealth creation through homeownership, offering a wide range of house types to choose from. We have four show homes at Rainsborough Park, which are all styled by our interior designers to give our potential customers a real feel of what living in a Gleeson home is like.

We truly believe that this development stands out from the crowd of developments in the North due to its affordability, range of buying schemes and overall fantastic design and layout.

VIADUCT HOUSING PARTNERSHIP | BATTERSBY HAT FACTORY Viaduct Housing Partnership is creating a new neighbourhood in Offerton, Stockport, while preserving an iconic, locally listed building that once housed the world famous Battersby Hat Works. The new mixed-tenure development consists of 144 houses and apartments and includes the refurbishment of the retained mill buildings. With multiple house types and various sizes, the development caters for the needs of both first time buyers and households looking to move. The mixed tenure consists of affordable rent, shared ownership and outright sales. All units, regardless of tenure, have the same excellent specification, with quality range kitchens included with integrated appliances and quality vinyl flooring, modern bathrooms and en suites with tiled floors and walls. The new neighbourhood has excellent transport links, and is close to excellent schools and large parks. All the shared ownership units in the first phase were reserved within minutes of being released for sale.

GECKO HOMES | ALLINGHAM PLACE The Allingham Place development by Gecko Homes brings luxury living in a vibrant and fashionable market town centre within the budget of first time buyers through our shared ownership model. Located in a quiet street, just a short walk from Altrincham’s plethora of lifestyle and transport options, the development features 15 contemporary and luxurious two bedroom apartments, all finished to an extremely high standard of specification. Such a perfect location normally comes at a premium, but Gecko Homes is part of the non-profit provider Southway Housing Trust, with a long and demonstrable commitment to providing suitable homes for people whatever their background. Our shared ownership model is part of that commitment, providing full support at every stage of the process from our experienced and skilled housing professionals. First time buyers can access the housing market through an initial 40% share purchase, with the option to increase that in future.

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98

First Time Buyer August/September 2022

FTB 76-103 FTB-Awards August-September22.indd 98

READERS’ AWARDS

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Sponsored by

JUDGES UNSUNG STAR

FINANCE

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

NIALL CLEGHORN | SO RESI Niall Cleghorn began his property career as an estate agent for a large corporate agency eight years ago, where he progressed from a trainee negotiator to a senior sales negotiator, before moving on to an independent agent in London. In 2016, he was inspired to focus his efforts on the shared ownership sector and joined the SO Resi team in north London.

Niall is a quick learner and has consistently made an outstanding contribution to the first time buyer market. He is a hardworking and diligent sales consultant, bringing a positive attitude to the workplace, motivating his colleagues and acting as a role model. Niall goes above and beyond to help first time buyers, ensuring he is always available to provide help, advice or reassurance. Purchaser reviews unequivocally support this, often crediting Niall’s support as being the main reason for their home purchase.

Niall has proven to be an excellent ambassador for SO Resi over the past five years, advocating for first time buyers and the power of shared ownership at every industry event he attends, something which is recognised by everyone around him. Niall’s sales success will remain the bedrock of his future career, but his natural people skills mean that his management career in the future will be something to look out for. He has huge potential for leadership and has the makings of a property industry leader – he is nothing short of a rising star.

SCOTT WALKER | DIRECTION LAW Scott joined Direction Law in 2017 as a member of our New Business Team. From interview, it was clear Scott was going to bring such positive energy to the team. He built instant rapport with colleagues, clients and referrers, so when an opportunity arose for Scott to take a role within Business Development it was a perfect fit.

Scott dedicated a number of years spending weekends travelling across the breadth of the country to both market Direction Law’s services and also to show support for housing associations, financial advisers and sector events, which is where he has made so many connections.

His career has now gone a stage further where he has progressed to Business Development Executive within the BD and marketing team, looking after accounts that refer work to the firm, seeking to deliver on customer service which encompasses Scott’s conscientious nature.

Scott genuinely cares about people. The connections he makes through work he invests fully in. He’ll remember people’s football teams, the names of their kids and he’ll reach out in a human way. Scott’s enthusiasm and energy is unrivalled. He is supportive, kind, bright, caring for his colleagues, proud of his work. He has a heart of gold. He’s an absolute credit to Direction Law and he would never consider himself a nominee, which is why he deserves it so very much.

CRAIG OSBORNE | VESTA LONDON Craig’s passion to help people own their own home is second to none. A true Londoner, he is fully aware of the challenges faced by young people trying to get on the property ladder and he goes above and beyond to assist first time buyers. Craig is one of the most highly respected and hard-working individuals in the housing sector. He is known for his passion and integrity, and believes in creating opportunities for first time buyers and young people. His passion to support youngsters continues outside work where he has been heavily involved in football coaching at his local team.

He started his housing career at SiteSales, where he was soon securing work from a vast range of housing providers and delivered positive impact to everyone he worked with. His career started as Head of Communications, which was a natural role for Craig who is a broadcaster and fundraiser for Radio Northwick Park – a local hospital radio. A person who cares about people and the housing industry, he was soon putting his communication skills to use by building relationships and developing business opportunities.

A true gentleman, he is always willing to support those in the industry, giving a professional and friendly shoulder to anyone needing help – a trusted, loyal mentor for many. Craig is an unsung and much-loved person who has built a successful career supporting housing providers. He has never forgotten his childhood housing arrangements which puts fire into his belly to make positive changes for those who, without the help of affordable homeownership, may never achieve the opportunity to buy a property to call home.

JANE WILLIAMS | OPTIVO With a lifelong career in affordable housing Jane has helped hundreds of first time buyers become homeowners. She has climbed the career ladder predominantly in sales and marketing roles and has gained a reputation for her hard work and consistent level of truthful and honest marketing.

With more than 20 years’ experience in the affordable homeownership market, for Southern Housing Group, Galleons Housing Association, Clarion, Redloft and Optivo, Jane is one of the people in the industry who have pushed for improvements in the delivery of shared ownership.

Jane has been quietly involved in improving the experience of buying a first home. Her work involved working in repairs and defects so she understands that the success of a home is not just the sale but also the way that repairs are undertaken – a wider customer experience that providers must appreciate being the landlord and having a long-term commitment.

Her passion for the industry is second to none. Over the years she has developed and nurtured many staff. Currently Head of Sales and Marketing at Optivo, she is delivering a range of exciting projects across London and the South. She is a very well-known and highly regarded person who has gained a respect from her teams. She is isn’t a person who shouts about her achievements, but now is the time she should be recognised for her work, done with humility and enjoyment.

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Sponsored by

PRIVATE DEVELOPER OF THE YEAR AFFORDABLE HOMES

THIS AWARD WILL FOCUS NOT ONLY ON THE DESIGN AND QUALITY OF THE PROPERTIES BUILT, BUT ALSO ON ALL ASPECTS OF THE DEVELOPER’S PERFORMANCE.

GLEESON HOMES Gleeson builds high-quality, low-cost homes in areas where there is a strong need for affordable housing and where first time buyers, young families and key workers want to live. We believe that not only does the design and quality of a Gleeson home exceed expectations, but the overall performance of the company as a whole does too. From excellent customer satisfaction results, to our number one priority at Gleeson, health and safety, which is supported by our own health and safety subbrand HomeSafe. We are proud to put our customers at the front of everything we do, which is illustrated through our Customer First initiative, which aims to ensure that the customer journey is as exciting and enjoyable as buying a first home should be. We strongly believe that Gleeson is worthy of winning the private developer of the year category.

HIGGINS HOMES Higgins Homes is a family run business with 60 years’ experience in designing and building quality homes across London and the South East. No two of its developments are alike, with homes ranging from compact “Citipad” London micro flats to help first time buyers on to the housing ladder, up to five bedroom detached country homes. What all have in common is attention to detail, with carefully planned exteriors and internal layouts, high-quality fittings and appliances and a focus on fantastic customer service. From its helpful sales staff, detailed brochures and user-friendly website, to the time spent welcoming owners into their new homes, nothing is too much trouble. Higgins Homes has received numerous awards for both the quality of its homes and its care and investment in staff training, and the company prides itself on listening to and acting upon customer feedback to maintain the highest standards throughout the business.

WESTON HOMES Weston Homes, whose motto is “Built with Passion, Delivered with Pride”, delivers quality properties in London and the Home Counties and has won numerous awards.

Its in-house architectural team combines traditional craft skills with modern methods of construction to create beautiful, energy-efficient homes, such as Abbey Quay in Barking, praised by planners for its design quality. The company’s off-site construction complex fabricates components including wardrobes, bathrooms and wall panels, ensuring flawless finishes, customer choice and savings that enable higher quality fixtures and fittings. All Weston Homes properties have a boiling water tap, fridgefreezer, dishwasher and washer-dryer, and buyers can substantially personalise their home, choosing the worktop, cupboards, vanity unit and flooring. Stunning marketing suites, with furnished apartments and scale models, help buyers choose; and initiatives for first time buyers and dedicated customer service ensures they are cared for.

buyer

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Sponsored by

AFFORDABLE HOUSING PROVIDER OF THE YEAR THIS AWARD WILL GO TO AN ORGANISATION THAT HAS SHOWN INNOVATION IN THE WAY IT DESIGNS, BUILDS AND MARKETS ITS PROPERTIES AS WELL AS OFFERING A VARIETY OF SERVICES WHICH CAN HELP FIRST TIME BUYERS ON TO THE PROPERTY LADDER.

THE HYDE GROUP Established over 50 years ago, Hyde is one of the leading housing associations working in England, owning or managing around 50,000 homes in London, Kent, Surrey, Sussex, Hampshire, the East of England and East Midlands. We share how successful the in-house sales and marketing team has been in supporting innovation in design and marketing homes for first time buyers. They have delivered abovetarget sales receipts and a high volume of off-plan sales, averaging 77% across shared ownership, outright sale and JVs, while also collaborating with construction teams to inform design and customer aspirations, ensuring we build the right homes in the right places, and at the right price. The excellent service delivered by Hyde’s sales and marketing team to our first time buyers has been independently endorsed

by In-house Research which has recently accredited Hyde with the Gold award for customer satisfaction, based on feedback across our varied product range.

METROPOLITAN THAMES VALLEY HOUSING Metropolitan Thames Valley Housing (MTVH) formed in 2018 when Metropolitan and Thames Valley Housing joined forces. It owns or manages 57,000 homes across London, the South East, East Midlands and East of England and is a member of the National Housing Federation and the g15, which represents London’s largest housing associations. MTVH creates homes for shared ownership via its SO Resi brand, alongside offering affordable rent and open market sales. Constantly innovating, the group has conducted numerous research pieces to understand the needs of future homeowners and help shape its offering, presents crystalclear marketing materials to demystify the tenure and creates a wide range of new homes from starter apartments to spacious family houses. It forms strategic, dynamic partnerships to promote shared ownership, with the established SO Resi Partnerships helping buyers find a home while supporting the market and working with housebuilders to bring homes into use more quickly.

ORBIT HOMES Part of the Orbit Group, Orbit Homes is one of the largest builders of affordable homes in the UK, delivering over 1,000 new build homes per annum, 65% of which are affordable homes, with plans to build 6,500 new homes by 2025. Our developments range from small schemes in rural villages, through to large urban regeneration projects. By offering a choice of either market dale, Help to Buy or shared ownership, we aim to make homeownership more achievable. Our homes are tenure blind, sharing the same commitment to sector-leading design, specification and safety, coupled with outstanding customer service. Our vision is to lead in building thriving communities, and we believe everyone is entitled to a good quality home that they can afford in a place that they are proud to live.

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AFFORDABLE HOMES

buyer

READERS’ AWARDS

HOW TO VOTE VOTE NOW FOR YOUR FAVOURITE IN EACH CATEGORY AT FTBAWARDS.COM

Voting closes at midnight on 5 August 2022. FTB Award winners will be announced during the Awards Lunch at the London Marriott Hotel, Grosvenor Square on 2 September 2022. A full list of winners will be published in the October/November issue of First Time Buyer.

TERMS & CONDITIONS • •

•

Voting closes on 5 August 2022 Voting is open to First Time Buyer readers, aged 18 and over, with the exception of employees of shortlisted nominees, their immediate families, agents, or anyone else associated with the administration or production of these awards Random authenticity checks will be made

SPECIAL THANKS TO ALL OF OUR SPONSORS HEADLINE SPONSOR

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COMPETITION

Get ready, get set, get healthy!

We have teamed up with HealthKick® to give away a fabulous prize package. One lucky reader will receive an Ice Crushing Smoothie Blender and a family sized XL Digi-Touch™ Air Fryer worth over £220!

WIN !

AH

HealthKick®, which is based in the UK, offers an innovative range of health-inspired kitchen appliances that have been specially designed to help those on their journey towards better health, nutrition, sleep and fitness.

EA PRIZ LTHKIC K E PA CKA ® WO GE RTH O £22 VER 0

Each HealthKick® product comes with an easyto-follow Heath & Nutrition Guide along with a tailor-made recipe book making it the perfect choice for beginners and those setting up home for the first time.

HOW TO ENTER

MORE ABOUT THE PRIZES ON OFFER...

Answer the following question:

What does each HealthKick® product come with?

Ice Crushing Smoothie Blender You can enjoy ice cold, healthy smoothies this summer at the twist of a dial thanks to the 1200w Ice Crushing Smoothie Blender by HealthKick®.

Send your answer with your full

The powerful, long-life copper motor and multiple ice-crushing blades make light work of any fruity favourite on the menu. There is an easy to use LED dial that offers variable speed control and a choice of settings – choose from pulse, ice crush or smoothie for the perfect end result.

name, address and telephone number to: lynda@firsttimebuyermag.co.uk Closing date: 29 August 2022

Like all HealthKick® appliances, this blender is built to last, with a premium, food grade stainless steel cabinet and a durable 1.8 litre glass jug that can be detached for easy pouring and cleaning.

THE PRIZE… AN ICE CRUSHING SMOOTHIE BLENDER AND A FAMILY SIZED XL DIGITOUCH™ AIR FRYER WORTH OVER £220

You’ll be able to top up your fruit and vegetable intake easily for a healthier, happier you.

T&Cs • The prize is non-transferable and no alternatives will be given

Digi Touch Air Fryer The new super-sized 5.5L Digi-Touch™ Air Fryer

by HealthKick® is a must-have for any new home. The rapid heatwave technology allows you to use 85% less oil to cook a versatile range of foods in a much faster and healthier way. The reduced cooking time can even help to keep your energy costs down too!

Like all HealthKick® products, the Air Fryer is easily cleaned thanks to its dishwasher-safe and food-grade stainless steel parts – simply remove the cooking basket for washing once you have enjoyed your delicious, home-cooked meal.

You will love the simplicity the Air Fryer offers, choose from seven pre-set programmes on the Digi-Touch™ control panel to make a quick selection based on what you are cooking. Guiltfree French fries at the touch of a button, what could be better?

Rest assured that your HealthKick® product is with you for the long haul! The reliability of the brand is reflected by the impressive five-year manufacturer’s guarantee offered across all products, impressive when compared to the one to two years offered by most brands.

• The competition is open to UK residents only

Head to HealthKickProducts.com to check out the full range and follow on Instagram @HealthKickProducts for fresh updates

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FIRST MEAL

FIRST HOME, FIRST MEAL Dine in style with this delicious recipe for Cote de Boeuf with tomato and onion salad, created

by Nick Beardshaw, Head Chef at Kerridge’s Bar & Grill. Perfect for a special occasion or with friends and family to celebrate moving into your first new home

HIMALAYAN SALT AGED COTE DE BOEUF WITH HERITAGE TOMATO AND ROASTED ONION SALAD

INGREDIENTS (Serves 2)  1 x 900g Himalayan

              

Salt Aged Cote de Boeuf (remove from fridge 2 hours before cooking). Cote de Boeuf is undoubtedly the king of beef cuts, but if you are looking for a more affordable alternative then rump or bavette will work just as well.

250g Heritage tomatoes, mixed varieties and colours 2 medium red onions 3 spring onions 10g chives Pinch of onion seeds Cracked black pepper Piece of left-over sourdough 1 bunch of organic watercress 2 cloves garlic Sprig of thyme and rosemary 200g tallow (beef fat) 25g butter 50ml aged balsamic vinegar 100ml extra virgin olive oil Maldon salt for seasoning

METHOD 1

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Preheat oven to 180C (fan)/ 200C and melt 100g of the beef fat.

Cut the red onions into wedges through the root, toss the wedges with half of the melted beef fat. Spread them on a baking tray, season with salt and bake for 20 minutes.

Break the sourdough into bitesize pieces and toss in the remaining melted beef fat.

Lay them out on a baking tray and season with salt. Bake for 12 minutes or until they are golden and crispy.

Once the onions and the croutons are cooked, allow them to cool to room temperature.

Chop the tomatoes into nice robust chunks and put into a mixing bowl.

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Finely slice the chives and spring onions and place them in the bowl with the tomatoes.

To cook the beef put the remaining tallow into a frying pan on a high heat.

Once sizzling, generously season the beef with salt on both sides and place into the pan.

Colour for around two minutes on each side or until a really deep colour is achieved.

Add the butter and baste the beef continuously for another 2 minutes.

Add the garlic, thyme and rosemary and place the whole pan into the oven for around 4 minutes.

Remove the pan after 4 minutes and turn the beef. Return to the oven for a further 4 minutes.

This will be medium rare, so

Born in Somerset, Nick started his hospitality career, as so many before him, sweeping floors and pot washing in his local village pub. After his A-levels, he travelled to New Zealand and returned to work at Michelinstarred restaurant The Castle in Taunton under Richard Guest. After two years he was promoted to Chef de Partie.

Nick then joined Daniel Clifford at the two-Michelin-starred Midsummer House as Chef de Partie for one year before settling at The Hand & Flowers where he was promoted to Senior Sous Chef after just six months.

Nick then opened The Coach, Tom Kerridge’s sister pub in Marlow, which won a Michelin star in October 2017 with Nick as the Head Chef.

Seeking new challenges, Nick opened Kerridge’s Bar & Grill at Corinthia London in 2018 which launched to rave reviews including "This place is boss" from Giles Coran.

Nick’s first TV appearance came in 2021 on Great British Menu where he made it to the judge’s chamber enjoying two 9/10s from judges Angela Hartnett and Richard Corrigan who gave his "Comet C" dessert, which paid tribute to Cornish scientist Caroline Herschel, a 10/10.

Nick describes his style as robust, no-frills cooking using only the very best ingredients he can find. When not in the kitchen, he enjoys spending time with his wife and his two young daughters, and eating out.

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continue to cook for longer depending on how you like your beef cooked.

Once ready, remove the beef from the oven, take out of the pan and leave in a warm place to rest for around 15 minutes.

This gently finishes the cooking and allows the juice to be reabsorbed by the meat.

Add the roasted onions, croutons, watercress, and onion seeds to the bowl.

When ready to serve, dress the salad with Maldon salt, balsamic and olive oil, tossing it gently until it is evenly dressed and the ingredients are uniformly distributed throughout.

Slice the beef into ½ centimetre slices and lay out on a sharing platter. Sprinkle with Maldon salt and cracked black pepper.

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TECH

INSPECTOR GADGET “I’m not lazy, I’m on power-saving mode!"

TP-Link Tapo P100 Mini Smart Wi-Fi Single Socket, £12.99, argos.co.uk This smart plug allows you to have peace of mind by checking on devices remotely via your phone or tablet. Forgot to turn off that plug?! Have no fear as you can access the Tapo app and turn off the plug to save that extra bit of electricity. You can come home to a well-lit home or set up times for lights to get switched on or off, to conserve energy and save yourself money on your next bill.

It’s hard to escape the discouraging news that energy bills are increasing; however, there are simple gadgets that you can add to your home to help you to save yourself those extra pennies! Here at FTB we have reviewed energy-saving gadgets which are a great way to boost the balance in your bank account, reserving funds for things that are more important for you and your family!

FTB'S TOP ENERGYSAVING TIPS…  Understand your energy bill. What are you

Philips LED Spot Light Bulb, GU10 Spotlight, 3.8W, £39.98, amazon.co.uk Install these energy-saving LED light bulbs into your home and begin using up to 90% less energy than traditional bulbs. These bulbs also last longer with up to 15,000 hours of usage, saving money in more than one fashion.

Smart meter, free from many energy providers, sse.co.uk A smart meter is an electronic device that records information such as consumption of electric energy, voltage levels, current, and power factor. With a smart meter you are able to see how much energy you are using and how much it is costing you in pounds and pennies. These smart meters are linked to energy suppliers such as British Gas or SSE Energy services so they can get accurate readings for calculating your next energy bill.

paying for? Could you use a comparison site to help reduce your bill?  Switch off standby  Draught proof windows and doors  Turn off lights when you leave the room  Avoid the tumble-dryer  Switch the bath for a shower

Touchscreen Thermostat – Heatmiser Touch Carbon, £66.24, heatmisershop.co.uk The Heatmiser thermostat is simple to use and compatible with most heating systems. Control your home heating from one touchscreen location. With an energy-saving optimum start, this device can have the heating on timer mode to only use the energy exactly when you need it.

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LEGAL

Alternatives to Help to Buy What are the options left for first time buyers now the Help to Buy scheme is closing? Lesley Price FCILEx of CGM Hampshire Limited explains more 1. FIRST HOMES SCHEME If you’re a first time buyer, you may be able buy a home for 30% to 50% less than its market value. This offer is called the First Homes scheme and is only currently available in England.

The home can be: 9 A new home built by a developer 9 A home you buy from someone else who originally bought it as part of the scheme The homes cannot cost more than £420,000 in London, or £250,000 anywhere else in England, after the First Homes discount has been applied

2. SHARED OWNERSHIP A landlord, usually a Housing Association (HA) or other Registered Social Landlord (RSL) will sell a percentage share of a property to a purchaser and retain the remaining share.

A housing association will grant you a lease (either 125 or 250 years) to the purchaser. In return, the purchaser pays a premium, which is a percentage of the market value of the leasehold interest and rent on the remaining share.

A key feature of a shared ownership lease is the right for you as tenant to purchase additional shares until eventually you own 100% of the property.

3. SHARED EQUITY SCHEMES In this scheme, the developer lends you up to 20% of the cost of a newly built home.

This will be secured as a Second Charge (mortgage) on your home and does not have to be repaid if you sell your home on under the scheme at a later date, but the new buyer takes on the discount charge.

4. RIGHT TO BUY Right to Buy allows most council tenants to buy their council home at a discount.

You can apply to buy your council home if: 9 It’s your only or main home

9 It’s self-contained 9 You’re a secure tenant Most housing association tenants do not have the Right to Buy. But if you were a secure council tenant and were living in your home when it was transferred from your council to another landlord, like a housing association, then you may have a “Preserved” Right to Buy.

5. FIRST TIME BUYER MORTGAGES Many lenders offer mortgages exclusively to first time buyers and they are generally available with higher loan-to-values. This means you may only need a deposit of 5% or 10% of the property’s value.

First time buyer mortgages are only available from certain lenders so it does limit the number of products that will be available to you.

6. FAMILY MORTGAGES Parents, or other family members, sometimes help their children to buy a first home.

Guarantor mortgages allow a parent or close family member to stand as guarantor on the mortgage. This means they are putting their name to the mortgage and may

be liable for any shortfall if your property gets repossessed and subsequently sold.

Some lenders also offer family springboard mortgages. These are home loans where a family member uses their own home or savings as security. They do, however, also bear responsibility for any missed payments.

7. THE MORTGAGE GUARANTEE SCHEME The Mortgage Guarantee Scheme aims to increase the number of 95% mortgages available to buyers with a 5% deposit.

The Government-backed scheme is designed to protect lenders offering these loans from potential losses: 9 Mortgages under the scheme are only available on primary residences. This means they can’t be used on a buy-tolet property or second home 9 The maximum value of the property is £600,000 For all these schemes, you will need a mortgage broker and a conveyancer who specialise in this sector to assist you with looking at all the options to find the one that is right for you.

For more information or a no-obligation quotation please contact us at enquiries@c-g-m.co.uk

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FINANCE

Ask Emilia...

I don’t understand what I need to provide for my deposit?

Emilia is the Sales Director at Metro Finance, the largest shared ownership mortgage provider. Metro Finance helps around 2,400 shared ownership buyers each month, working with more than 90 housing associations to make the process for the buyer as simple as possible, and helping to innovate the shared ownership product. Emilia has worked with Metro Finance for over 10 years, specialising in shared ownership When purchasing your property, you will always be asked about the source of your deposit, and you’ll always have to provide evidence of this to your mortgage adviser and solicitor.

It may at times feel intrusive, however it is critical for anti-money laundering purposes that all firms within the homebuying process verify the source of funds, and ensure the money is coming from both a legal place, and also a suitable place for a mortgage lender

SO, WHAT ARE THE MOST COMMON ACCEPTABLE DEPOSIT SOURCES? SAVINGS One of the most common deposit sources and acceptable to all lenders is proof of savings. You will normally need to provide proof of 3-6 months savings accounts, however if the money has been transferred during this time from another account, you need to provide this account as well. There needs to be a full understanding of where the money has come from, which is most likely going to be from your wages.

If the money has been saved in an overseas account you may well be asked to provide translated bank statements.

If the money has originated from the sale of an asset, then you could be asked to provide proof of sale ie receipts.

If the money has been transferred in from someone else, this is no longer savings and treated as a gift.

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GIFTS

INHERITANCE

Some people are lucky enough to have generous people around them who can gift the funds. If this is coming from an immediate family member in the UK, you won’t hit any problems. It can become trickier with some lenders if the gifter lives outside the UK, or is not an immediate family member, but certainly not impossible so don’t panic!

Be honest about the original source of funds so that your adviser can place the mortgage correctly. You don’t want any nasty surprises prior to completion!

Gifters will need to complete a gifted deposit form (always obtain them from your mortgage adviser), as well as undergoing ID checks and also providing 3-6 months of their bank statements. If the money has been transferred from another account, then you will be asked to provide this account as well, as part of due diligence. If a gift is coming from overseas, don’t be surprised if you are required to provide translated bank statements.

Unfortunately, this can feel very intrusive, however again the mortgage adviser and lender would have to satisfy themselves this is the source of funds. If the funds are with a solicitor or have been transferred from the solicitor, then a letter from the solicitor would suffice. However, if no solicitor is involved, then a copy of the Will may be requested. If the money was inherited by someone else who has passed it on, this would be treated as a gift.

INVESTMENTS At the early stages of the process, you can just provide a statement showing the value of your investment. Again, if funds were recently invested there would need to be an understanding of where these funds originated from.

DIVORCE SETTLEMENT A letter from your solicitor or a court document outlining the amount you will be receiving/have received would be acceptable. If the money has been received then the corresponding bank statement would be required.

An unacceptable deposit source would be if you cannot provide evidence for where the funds have originated.

The more detail you provide in terms of where your deposit money has come from early on, the more detail your mortgage adviser can provide in terms of documents, so make sure you disclose as much as you possibly can.

And don’t worry if questions and further documents are being asked for. Mortgage advisers and solicitors are regulated, and they have to hold this information on your file. It’s just the due diligence that has to be done by them.

If you’re unsure about what to provide, always ask your mortgage adviser who will be happy to help. metrofinance.co.uk

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FINANCE

Godsend or gimmick?

EXPERT COMMENT The benefits proposal is a bit left field and I’m not sure lenders will like it. Using benefits, especially housing benefits or Universal Credit, is not ideal to base a mortgage on and even if it is used it is unlikely to boost borrowing eligibility enough

The Government has promised yet more reforms to make it easier to get on the housing ladder. Kay Hill looks at the latest proposals and the industry reaction

to make a big difference. As far as the new Right to Buy scheme is concerned, this may help some but it is a bold claim that every house sold will be replaced by another to ensure social housing does not reduce further. Given the fact that the

Before his resignation just as we went to press, Prime Minister Boris Johnson was once again talking about the housing market. His speech, delivered in Lancashire, came at the end of a week in which he’d narrowly survived a vote of no confidence, so it was important to attempt to convince listeners that it was business as usual.

After a lengthy speech covering everything from stagflation to the price of bananas, the then PM turned to the cost of housing – beginning with some depressing facts and figures, “Just this year alone the price of a home in the UK has soared by an average of 9.8% to an average of £278,000 - £24,000 higher than this time last year.

And in 2021, prices rose faster than wages – so that if you’re one of the millions on the outside of the market looking in, for every week and month that goes by, the dream of ownership recedes further into the distance.

“The average age of first time buyers has been rising continuously, the proportion of young people who can afford to buy their own home has been falling. The challenge facing first time buyers today is far greater than anything we have seen before – 20 years ago, in 2002, a home cost an average four and a half times your income.

Today that multiple has risen to nine times your income. We have a ludicrous situation whereby

plenty of younger people could afford to make monthly payments – they’re earning enough to cover astronomical rent bills – but the everspiralling price of a house or flat has so inflated deposit requirements that saving even just 10 per cent is a wholly unrealistic proposition for them.

First time buyers are trying to hit a continually moving target.”

After playing the usual political blame game, “We’re building as fast as we can, and after a sustained decline in homeownership rates under the last Labour government, that rate is now starting to climb thanks in part to our decisive action to support first time buyers and build more homes,” he also made some promises for the future. These are set out below, although with the Government now in a state of turmoil, and ministers changing by the minute, their current value is as uncertain as everything else in the world of politics!

Government has failed to get close to any housebuilding targets, this seems a big ask. As ever, the devil is in the detail, and the Government has a record of announcing so-called market-changing initiatives only for them to achieve very little. A review of the mortgage market to see if deposits can be reduced borders on farcical. Borrowers can get loans with a 5% deposit already and reducing that further just means that more are at risk of negative equity if things go wrong. The Government would be better to nationalise a housebuilder and build affordable housing in places people want to buy or create new places complete with infrastructure.

Andrew

PROMOTE HOUSEBUILDING

Montlake,

According to Johnson, “Michael Gove has been developing plans to work hand in hand with local communities to build more of the right homes in the right places. We are going to put more publicly owned brownfield land to use and seek to unlock

broker Coreco

MD, mortgage

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small sites that are ideal for the kind of unobtrusive development that communities welcome, with priority for first time buyers and key workers. We are supporting self-build and custom-build homes… and we will sensitively make use of existing planning rights, for example by making it easier to turn disused agricultural buildings into homes for local first time buyers.”

REVIEW OF THE MORTGAGE MARKET Johnson promised a “comprehensive review of the mortgage market” by the autumn. He explained, “It will look at how we can give our nation of aspiring homeowners better access to low-deposit mortgages, and what our own mortgage industry can learn from counterparts around the world who have all kinds of alternative ways of offering finance, managing risk, and unbolting the door to ownership.” In particular, he announced that he wanted to work with lenders to “recognise the credit worthiness of tenants with a track record of paying their rent on time” as well as making it easier for selfemployed people to get mortgages.

EXTEND THE RIGHT TO BUY One of the keynotes of the speech was a promise to extend Right to Buy to those in housing association properties – giving them the same rights as council house tenants to purchase their home at a discount. He said, “It will work for tenants, giving millions more the chance to own their home. It will work for taxpayers: responsibly capped at a level that is fully paid for; affordable within our existing spending plans, and with onefor-one replacement of each social housing property sold.”

REFORM LEASEHOLD Boris maintained that the Government was “dealing with the scourge of unfair leasehold terms, often every bit as onerous as the conditions imposed upon tenants by landlords but applied to those who as homeowners should have far greater control over their homes and their lives”.

He added, “In this Parliament we will supercharge leaseholders’ ability to buy their freehold, helping 4.6 million

households genuinely to own their own home with discounts of up to 90% for those trapped with egregious, escalating ground rents… ending the absurd position where first time buyers spend their life savings on flats, only to find themselves being charged hundreds of pounds for painting their own doors or unable even to own a pet dog.”

TURN BENEFITS TO BRICKS He promised to look at rules on welfare, to allow the 1.5 million working people who are in receipt of housing benefits to be able to put their benefits towards paying a first mortgage instead of only being allowed to spend it on rent. He also promised to look at excluding LISA or Help to Buy ISA savings from Universal Credit eligibility calculations that prevent people with more than £16,000 claiming benefit, “making it easier for hard-working people to put away a little each month until they have enough for a deposit on their first home”.

EXPERT COMMENT Boris Johnson tried to persuade the public to move on from the “partygate” scandal by announcing a slew of new housing measures.

One of those announcements was a review into the mortgage market, which will report in the autumn.

However, the details of what this actually means is yet to be seen.

By his own admission, there is a healthy supply of high loan-to-value mortgages available, so what this

EARLIER HELP WITH DEBTS

review will uncover is anyone’s

At present, if a mortgage payer loses their job they have to be on Universal Credit for nine months before they can access a loan to help pay the mortgage interest. Johnson said, “To help keep people in a home if they’re unfortunate enough to become unemployed, we’re going to let people access support for paying their mortgage that much earlier than is presently the case.”

The reaction to the speech was generally underwhelming, with shares in housebuilders and banks dropping, and many experts pointing out that even with a 95% mortgages available, families on benefits are more likely to be struggling to heat their homes than saving for a deposit. One commentator, Polly Neate, chief executive of Shelter, calling his plans “baffling, unworkable, and a dangerous gimmick… Hatching reckless plans to extend Right to Buy will put our rapidly shrinking supply of social homes at even greater risk.”

Holly Andrews, MD at KIS Finance, was more enthusiastic, “Any steps to help support young people to escape from the trap of rented accommodation will be positive and the industry needs to be ready to adapt to support the proposed changes.”

that it is not the mortgage industry

guess. The crux of the matter is that needs fixing but the housing market and its sky high prices. Part of the reason why house prices are soaring is because there are so few properties out there. Build more stock, and the scramble for properties, which is pushing prices ever higher, will come to a halt. This would in turn help generation rent whose dreams of owning a house are unfortunately just a dream at present. The only tried and tested way of helping people buy their first home is by sticking to the laws of supply and demand. Simply put, if you build more, desirable, houses, prices come down and people have a fighting chance of getting on the housing ladder.

Karen Noye, Mortgage Expert, Quilter

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Will help for renters help get them on to the property ladder?

Legislation is being brought in to help those in rented property, but with rents rising fast along with the cost of living – is there much hope for first time buyers trying to get on the property ladder? Ginetta Vedrickas looks at the situation COST OF LIVING RISES Despite signs of recovery last year, 2022 has seen Brits’ wealth face a sharp decline as the cost-of-living crisis takes its toll, according to the latest data from the LifeSearch Health, Wealth & Happiness 2022 Index.

Compiled by modelling a range of data sources covering health, wealth, and happiness and monitoring changes over time, the survey shows that 2021’s combined annual index score was 84.4, a slight rise on 2020’s score of 81.5, but still 15% lower than 2019’s pre-pandemic score of 99.4 and showing that happiness is decreasing.

In the younger age group surveyed, of 18 to 34-year-olds, the study found that the economic crisis was a prime concern, with 25% saying that the rising cost of living has affected their mental health as well as dented their finances. Of those who had managed to get on to the property ladder, one in 25 (4%) has taken a mortgage holiday and one in 25 (4%) has defaulted on their mortgage. In total, 29% feel worse off than they did a year ago and 68% expect to be

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worse off by the end of the year thanks to inflation. For 8%, they have already put off big expenditure such as buying a house with common fears cited as rising bills, lack of savings and higher taxes.

MORE RIGHTS FOR RENTERS There has been some good news for those worrying about spiralling rents. During the recent State Opening of Parliament, the Queen’s Speech introduced the Renters’ Reform Bill, which outlined several proposals to help those in the rented sector. Delivering the speech, Prince Charles spoke of proposed legislation which is intended to strengthen the rights of tenants and ensure better quality, safer homes. Rental campaigners welcomed the proposed abolition of Section 21 “no fault” evictions and the legislation which aims to provide a “fair and effective market” for both tenants and landlords with the proposal of a national landlord register, a new ombudsman, property portal and a requirement to meet the Government’s Decent Homes Standard.

RISING RENTS Rents in the capital are notoriously high, but recent research from property portal Rightmove showed that national asking rents outside of London have also hit a new record, rising to £1,088 per calendar month.

Average asking rents have risen from £982 per month over the last year, to take annual growth in asking rents outside London above 10% for the first time.

London rents have also reached a new high, rising by 14.3% in a year from £1,919 up to a new record of £2,193 per month, which Rightmove says is the “largest annual jump of any region” that the portal has ever recorded. Demand is growing for areas which have lower rents, while still being in commuting distance of the major cities for work or leisure. Manchester and Liverpool are two of this quarter’s top five rental price hotspots, with asking rents increasing by 19.3% and 17.1% respectively compared to this time last year.

Rightmove puts the increase down to the imbalance between high tenant demand and the low numbers of properties available

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EXPERT COMMENT

which continues to drive growth in asking rents. Across Great Britain, tenant demand is up by 6% and the number of available rental properties is 50% lower than this time a year ago.

This time last year, the number of available properties in London had risen by 19% compared to 2019, when London, the portal says, “temporarily fell out of favour with renters”. Now, demand is up by 81% and available rental properties are down by 47% in the capital compared to the more normal market of 2019. The portal believes that the result of this ongoing mismatch between tenant demand and the properties available to rent means that tenants looking for a new place to move to are being faced with the most competitive rental market that Rightmove has ever recorded.

payday loan and 13% had too much debt.

However, the private renters surveyed pay an average of £753 a month in rent and, with 80% of private renters never missing a rent payment, Canopy believes there is plenty of evidence that renters can keep up with mortgage payments, they just don’t have a record of this on their financial history.

When surveyed, 70% of private renters who have always paid their rent on time believe that their rent payments should count towards their credit score. Canopy believes that this would prove their affordability through the commitment they’ve shown to rent payments, as the average renter has been renting for nine years. However, 27% of private renters don’t know what their credit score is, providing a stumbling block when they come to apply for financial products.

MORE TENANTS MEAN THAT LANDLORDS CAN PICK AND CHOOSE

LIFETIME DEPOSITS FOR RENTERS COULD HELP THEM SAVE FOR MORTGAGES

There are more than triple the number of tenants enquiring as there are rental properties available, meaning a high likelihood of landlords being able to choose between multiple suitable tenants. Despite the mismatch of tenants enquiring and rental properties available, there are some positive signs of more property choice in recent months according to Rightmove. In March, the number of new rental properties coming on to the market rose by 5% compared to January, and 16% compared to the shorter month of February.

In order to improve renters’ financial position so that they can more easily save to buy their own home, Canopy has joined together with Fronted, a partnership which allows renters to move their deposit from one property to another during their rental journey, solving one of the biggest issues in a renters’ experience.

Up to this point, when moving between properties, renters typically have had to put down a new deposit before getting their old one back. On average, this amounts to finding £1,228 for a typical five-week deposit when an equivalent amount of money is tied up elsewhere. To qualify, all customers need is a deposit protected in one of the three deposit protection schemes.

Once Fronted verifies an existing deposit, it pays the new deposit to the new landlord or agent on behalf of the renter. The old deposit after deductions is then returned to Fronted to cover the new deposit.

Chris Hutchinson, Canopy’s CEO, says the current cost-of-living crisis is making it an “incredibly tricky time for renters and aspiring homeowners”. He added, “Their day-to-day living is going up and saving spare cash at the end of each month for a future house deposit will feel like an impossible task, and quite frankly not a priority as they look to make ends meet.”

RENTERS DENIED MORTGAGES Many of those stuck in pricey, rented accommodation want to get on the property ladder, yet recent research shows that tenants are being denied mortgages despite never having missed any rental payments.

Research from Canopy, a platform which aims to help renters, found that 10% of private renters have been unsuccessful getting a mortgage, yet 80% of private renters have never missed a rental payment. Of those aspiring homeowners who haven’t been approved for a mortgage, a quarter, 25%, were rejected due to poor credit history, 24% didn’t have a big enough deposit, 15% had previously taken out a

Traditional deposits are a significant barrier to people becoming renters in the first instance, and then a further barrier to renters moving home.

Renters need to be tracking these rent payments so that they can improve their credit score throughout their renting journey and ultimately put themselves in the best position possible when they apply for a mortgage.

Having an edge over the competition will prove invaluable.

Chris Hutchinson, CEO of Canopy

EXPERT COMMENT While there may be a sense that after two long years the worst of the pandemic is behind us, the nation’s health, wealth and happiness is still not close to being back to levels seen preCovid. In fact, our happiness is at a record low, mental health issues remain high and the energy crisis, inflation and conflict in Ukraine point at another chapter of uncertainty.

Debbie Kennedy, Chief Executive at LifeSearch

EXPERT COMMENT The Renters’ Reform Bill is a welcome – and much needed – piece of legislation for the market. With the road to property ownership still rocky, making sure that future properties are high quality, safe, and affordable is positive for both renters and landlords.

Emma Cox, MD of real estate at Shawbrook

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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 James MacPhail, Head of Sales and Marketing, settle

Asha Agarwal, Interim Head of Sales, Be West

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

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

Can we buy a home with space?

Q

My partner and I have been trying to save up for a deposit on our first home while we’ve been living in a house share in London. Like most of our friends, we no longer need to be in the office every day and during the lockdowns we really enjoyed growing our own vegetables in our garden. So, our first home together needs to have space for a home office and we’d both really like it to have its own garden. We’ve heard about the shared ownership scheme but all we seem to be able to afford are one and two bedroom apartments with little or no outside space.

Will we ever be able to own our dream house or should we give up and accept that renting is our only option?

Laura Knight, Acton

A

The last couple of years have made everyone reconsider what’s important to them, and nothing is more important than where we call home. While in the past, the travel time to the office was a key consideration for many when choosing where to live, the move to hybrid working has meant that we’re no longer tied to our daily commute. If you’re only going into the office a couple of times a week then consider expanding your property search area to include areas where your commute

back to the office is a little longer than you would have previously considered. Look at towns on good train lines back into London.

You’ll be surprised, when you’re used to the London property market, the size of properties you’ll find that are within your budget once you consider areas surrounding the capital.

And once you find that you can afford that house with the home office, the garden and with countryside on your doorstep, you’ll realise that moving out of London offers you the lifestyle you’re after.

At settle, we specialise in shared ownership homes throughout Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire and Cambridgeshire. For example, at our recent development at Collins Close in Shepreth, South Cambridgeshire, just 54 minutes from London King’s Cross, we had two bedroom houses starting from £133,000 for a 40% share and a monthly cost of around £1,177.

Over the next 12 months we have two, three and four bedroom houses available at several different developments across our region which will be perfect for buyers like yourself, who are looking for that extra space yet still have easy access back into London. For more information about buying shared ownership with settle visit settlesales.co.uk James MacPhail

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EXPERTS

What are my chances of getting on the ladder?

Q

I have been saving to buy a home for three years and am eager to take my first step on to the property ladder in London with the money I have put aside. However, with the cost of living rising so drastically, I want to know how I can still afford to put down a deposit at this time. Is this still feasible for me, as a first time buyer?

Tim Ranger, Peckham

A

As a first time buyer, purchasing a new build shared ownership property is a great way to take your first step on to the property ladder. Against a backdrop of the rising cost of living, it can offer a more cost-efficient route to owning a home.

Most shared ownership homes are newly built. One key advantage to buying a new build home is that they are designed to be more energy efficient than older properties due to modern building techniques, newer construction materials and more efficient appliances. This means that as well as having a reduced impact on the environment, buying new almost always saves homeowners money on energy bills. This is good news as fuel prices are rising.

New properties also frequently offer additional extras. For example, at Origin Housing’s new development, Harrow & Wealdstone Heights in north London, buyers enjoy integrated appliances with every apartment, including stainless steel oven, ceramic hob, stainless steel-finished extractor fan, fridge-freezer, and dishwasher. This means buyers can move straight in. There is no need to worry about further additional costs of purchasing white goods, or the expense of renovating an older property.

Shared ownership itself is an affordable route on to the property ladder. It is a part-buy, part-rent scheme which allows eligible buyers to purchase a percentage share of a property. As

Where do I find out about shared ownership?

Q

I am a first time buyer and I have been saving up for a long time. I work in west London and would really like to buy in the area but I know that homes are probably going to be out of my budget.

I have heard of shared ownership but I’m not sure what it is. Is there a good website where I can find all the answers to my questions in one place?

Leanne Conroy, Hounslow

A

West London is a great place to buy your first home and shared ownership would be a very affordable option. If you go to our website bewest.co.uk you will find a wealth of information. We have an informative step-by-step buyers guide where you can

well as allowing you to purchase with a smaller deposit, buying through shared ownership gives buyers more long-term security than they would have when renting on the open market; three very welcome factors as the cost of living increases.

During a time of increasing mortgage rates, shared ownership is a fantastic way to ensure your costs remain as low as possible. The reason this is important is because if you buy an initial 25% share, the other 75% of the property owned by the housing association is rented to you at a discounted rate. Compared to purchasing a home privately, purchasing it through shared ownership means you save 40% on your housing costs and require an income that’s 45% lower too, or approximately £728 per calendar month compared to purchasing a home outright. If interest rates continued to rise, shared ownership buyers are protected as only the share amount bought will be affected.

For more information about Origin’s new build properties, please visit: originhousingsales.co.uk/developments Simon Scott

find everything you need to know about how shared ownership works and there are lots of facts and answers to commonly asked questions, plus there is a very useful shared ownership calculator. The calculator will help you work out how you can afford your dream home.

Based on the information you give, it will provide an example of what your monthly mortgage and rent payments could be depending on the size of your deposit and the percentage share that you are purchasing. Rent is calculated at 4% of the full market value of the remaining share. The calculator also provides the minimum income that is required to purchase your shared ownership home.

The guide simply walks you through the steps needed to buy your first shared ownership home and I am sure you will find it invaluable.

Good luck on your journey and I hope you discover your first dream home in the area you want to live in very soon.

Asha Agarwal

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

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

FIRST STEPS

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

BUYING ON THE OPEN MARKET Many people buy property on the open market. Homes are offered for sale by estate/sales agents or from private developers or house builders.

On new build developments there is usually a show home you can look around and a sales adviser, based on site, to answer your questions.

To buy on the open market, you will need a mortgage deposit of at least 5% to 10% of the full property value.

BUYING A NEW HOME OFF-PLAN

FUNDING OPTIONS

JARGON EXPLAINED

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

EQUITY LOAN

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

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

Shared Ownership or Part-Buy, Part-Rent The Government shared ownership scheme is available for households with an income of up to £80,000 (or £90,000 if buying in London.)

The scheme allows you the chance to buy as little as a 25% share in a property and pay a subsidised rent on the rest. Rent is calculated at 2.75% (sometimes less), with annual increases of RPI + 0.5%. In most cases, you can buy more shares after you move in with the opportunity to own the property outright.

This is called staircasing. The mortgage deposit you’ll need to buy with shared ownership is calculated on the share value; this works out at a lot less than if you were buying outright.

There are a few less well known Governmentbacked schemes; more details of these can be found on ownyourhome.gov.uk:

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

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

Older People’s Shared Ownership (OPSO)

PRIVATE INITIATIVES

*NEW!* First Homes

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

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

This is designed for people aged 55 and over.

Scheme specific details vary, so check with the housing association provider.

Home Ownership for People with Long Term Disabilities (HOLD)

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

STAIRCASING If you buy a home with shared ownership, you will be given the right to buy more shares at any time in the future. This is called staircasing. In most cases, you can buy shares up to 100% of the property and own it outright.

When you buy more shares, these are valued at the market value at the time. Because house prices tend to rise over periods of time, it is a good idea to think about staircasing right from the moment you move into your new shared ownership home.

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

HOLD is a specialist option designed to help people with long term disabilities to live independently in a shared ownership property where, in some cases, repairs and maintenance services are offered by the housing association provider.

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

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BUYERS’ GUIDE

The ftb process TIPS

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

F

Unless you have enough money to buy a property outright you’ll need a mortgage. A mortgage is a loan used to buy a property and is repayable over a number of years (usually 25-35 years). The loan is “secured” on the property, which means the mortgage lender could repossess your home if you fail to make repayments on time. For this reason, it’s vital only to buy a property you can realistically afford.

Before you start, find out how much money you can borrow. A mortgage adviser will need details of your income, outgoings, savings and credit history – they will then be able to give you an “agreement in principle”, which will state, in theory, how much they will be able to lend you. An agreement in principle, however, doesn’t tie you, or the lender, to anything. Instead, it will just give you a rough idea of how much money you’ll be able to borrow.

You’ll also need a deposit, normally around 10% of the property price. The bigger the deposit, the better the mortgage rate you’ll be offered. Each mortgage product will have a maximum loan-to-value or LTV.

inance

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

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

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

To improve your score, make sure you’re on the electoral roll, and pay your bills and any loan repayments on time.

MORTGAGE BROKERS VS LENDERS You can apply for a mortgage via a mortgage broker (or financial adviser) or direct from a lender. A broker can look at the deals available and advise you which one would be best for your circumstances.

Some mortgage products are only sold through brokers, not directly to customers.

A broker will help you with the paperwork and deal with the lender on your behalf up until completion. You may have to pay them a fee or they may earn commission from the lender – find out how they are paid before committing to anything.

Mortgage advisers in banks or building societies can only sell you products offered by that company, so it’s unlikely they will be able to offer you the very best deal for your circumstances. It’s important to shop around. You can compare mortgages online at sites such as moneysupermarket.com or SET A BUDGET

FINANCE

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

CREDIT SCORE

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

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

FIXED-RATE MORTGAGES Some mortgages are fixed rate. This means you’ll pay the same rate of interest for a defined period of time, and your payments won’t change. If interest rates go up, you’ll be protected from the increase, but you won’t benefit from any fall in interest rates.

Normally, at the end of the fixed period your mortgage rate will revert to the lender’s standard variable rate (SVR) for the rest of the term. You can either pay this rate (which is often quite expensive) or remortgage to another lender. Remortgaging to another lender can sometimes mean you have to pay a fee or early redemption charge (ERC).

VARIABLE-RATE MORTGAGES Variable-rate mortgages are either linked to the lender’s SVR or the Bank of England base rate, and the rate you pay can change.

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

REPAYMENT OR INTEREST-ONLY Most mortgages available to first time buyers are on a repayment basis. With this type of mortgage, every monthly payment will pay off some interest and some capital (mainly interest in the early years). At the end of the term, you’ll own your home outright.

If you have a larger (25% or more) deposit you may be offered an interest-only mortgage, where you only pay interest on the loan. The monthly repayments are lower but at the end of the term you’ll still owe the original mortgage sum. You’ll need to prove you have a plan in place (such as an investment) to pay off the capital.

SHOP AROUND

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

RESEARCH

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BUYERS’ GUIDE

TIPS

RESEARCH AN AREA

T

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

LOCATION IS KEY The first step is to shortlist the locations you feel you’d like to live in, then check if you can afford the house prices in those areas.

It’s also worthwhile visiting places you like: it may be that there’s an up-and-coming hot spot just down the road you didn’t know about that’s much more affordable.

Ideally, you will have rented in the area before buying, but if this isn’t the case, at least spend some time there, check out the commuting time to work, and look at local pubs, shops and leisure facilities. Visit the area at night, too.

PROPERTY SEARCH Once you have found the right location, go online and check out what’s on offer.

Most homes are listed on property portals such as rightmove.co.uk, onthemarket. co.uk, or zoopla.co.uk, plus estate agents’ websites. Properties featured have pictures, descriptions and a floor plan, and DECIDE ON A LOCATION

Be practical.

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

RESEARCH THE AREA

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

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

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

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

VIEWING Once you see a property you like, arrange a viewing. Most people see at least 10 properties before putting in an offer. It’s worth bringing a friend or relative and also arranging a second viewing to check out any bits you may have missed. Don’t get taken in by the furnishings and decor too much.

Remember that a property that is slightly run down can still be a great investment and may only need a touch of paint and a change of furniture.

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

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

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

SEARCH

Register with local estate agents, and use the internet to search for properties. Set up alerts.

VIEWINGS

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

Take a checklist.

OFFER

If the market is slow, when making an offer, don’t be afraid to offer less than the asking price.

If the property needs work done, you can use this as a negotiating tool.

SURVEY

BUYING

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

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BUYERS’ GUIDE

B

uying process

SURVEYS AND VALUATIONS

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

SOLICITOR’S/CONVEYANCING COSTS (ESTIMATED)

£700-£1,500

LOCAL AUTHORITY SEARCH FEES (ESTIMATED)

£200-300

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

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

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

SOLICITORS

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

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

On completion, the final paperwork is done, and the property is legally yours.

Never get pressured into an exchange and completion date without knowing all your finances and documents are in place. If you can’t complete, you may have to pay the seller’s costs.

English property law is different to Scottish law: in England, if you put in an offer and then have a change of heart, you can legally back out of the deal or negotiate up until the exchange date. But, in Scotland, an agreed price is binding.

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

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

£0-£500,000 Zero

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

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

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

EXCHANGE AND COMPLETION

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

SOLICITORS

For a purchase of £500k-£1m £540.00

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

TIPS

INSURANCE

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

MORTGAGE VALUATION £0-£300

SURVEY £300-£700

MORTGAGE BROKER’S FEE £0-£500

BUILDINGS INSURANCE £200-£300 annually

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

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

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

£0-£1,500

New freehold homes may also have service/estate

TIME SCALE

SEARCHES

£135.00

For a purchase of £500k-£1m £270.00

REMOVALS

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

REMOVALS (IF REQUIRED) £1,000-£2,500

COMPLETION

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

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BUYERS’ GUIDE

Home buying glossary Confused by financial acronyms and industry terminology?

Buying your first house is daunting enough without having to decode property lingo. FTB’s homebuying glossary is here to make the process a whole lot easier to understand AGREEMENT IN PRINCIPLE

DISBURSEMENTS

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

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

APR APR stands for annual percentage rate.

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

EARLY REPAYMENT CHARGE

ARREARS

EQUITY

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

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

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

BROKER

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

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

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

FREEHOLD

BUILDING SURVEY

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

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

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

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

CONVEYANCING The legal process of transferring ownership of a property.

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

GAZUMPING

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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LEGAL

Shared ownership – the New & Improved Product With a new shared ownership product and lease having recently been launched

by Homes England and bringing the biggest changes to shared ownership in years, Adam Crawford, Partner and Head of New Build Homes, at Prince Evans Solicitors LLP looks at what this means for buyers BACKGROUND – WHAT IS SHARED OWNERSHIP? Shared ownership is a Government-backed scheme that allows you to purchase a share in a property and rent the part of the property you do not own (also known as part-buy, part-rent) from the landlord (which is usually a housing association or a local authority).

Provided you meet certain criteria, such as a maximum household income of £80,000 outside of London or £90,000 in London, and you are a first time buyer or home mover (ie not buying as an investor), then you may be eligible to purchase a shared ownership property.

You will still have to apply for a mortgage and save for a deposit; however, the deposit can be as low as 5% of the share you are buying. As shared ownership is Government backed, your landlord is under an obligation to act responsibly and ensure it only allows you to purchase the property if you can afford to keep up with the repayments on your mortgage and the rent you pay it and other associated outgoings. You will need to meet the affordability criteria, about which the housing association will be able to advise you.

Shared ownership is, generally, considered by most (including the author) as an excellent route into homeownership for those who may not otherwise be able to afford it.

WHAT WAS THE PREVIOUS SHARED OWNERSHIP PRODUCT? Previously if you purchased a new build shared ownership property you would buy the property and be granted a lease on the following basis: 9 You purchase the maximum share you are assessed to be able to purchase of between 25%-75% 9 You pay rent on the share you do not own to your landlord 9 You have the right to buy additional shares in the property in minimum

124

tranches of 10% (a process known as “staircasing”) up to 100% in most cases (some leases restrict staircasing to 80%).

9 For a minimum 99-year lease term (or more typically a 125-year term) 9 When you wish to sell the property, you must first give the opportunity to your landlord to find a buyer for the property – it has eight weeks in which to find a buyer after which you can sell on the open market (this is known as the “nomination period”) 9 The price for a sale agreed by the landlord referred above is set by a valuation, with the valuation being valid for eight weeks (exchange of contracts must take place within eight weeks and if not achieved, a new or extended valuation may need to be obtained).

Please note as per the comments later in this article, this product will continue to be available for new builds constructed from pre-2021 funding and on resales.

SO, WHAT HAS CHANGED? Under the new shared ownership product, you will now buy a new build shared ownership property and be granted a lease on the following basis: 9 You purchase the maximum share you are assessed to be able to purchase of between 10%-75% (25% was the previous minimum) 9 You pay rent on the share you do not own to your landlord 9 You have the right to buy additional shares in the property in minimum tranches of 5% (a process known as “staircasing”) up to 100% in most cases (some leases restrict staircasing to 80%).

Previously a 10% minimum was required 9 In addition, during the first 15 years of your ownership you will now have the right to buy an additional 1% share each year. This will be based on a value adjusted in line with the House Price Index (“HPI”) rather than the need for a valuation and the 1%

staircasing will be subject to reduced administration and therefore reduced costs for you 9 For a minimum 990-year term (previously 99 years) 9 When you wish to sell the property, you must first give the opportunity to your landlord to find a buyer for the property (nomination) – it has four weeks in which to find a buyer after which you can sell on the open market (previously eight weeks) 9 The price for a sale under a landlord nomination is set by a valuation with the valuation being valid for 12 weeks (exchange of contracts must take place within 12 weeks and if not achieved a new or extended valuation may need to be obtained). Previously eight weeks 9 Your landlord will be responsible for the cost of essential repairs to the external fabric of the building and the structure in the first 10 years – your conveyancer will explain in more detail what this means to you (previously you were responsible for these costs) 9 You may be able to claim up to £500 per annum from the landlord for essential repairs/replacement inside the home for the first 10 years – again your conveyancer will explain in more detail what this means to you; (previously you were responsible for these costs without any contribution).

Please note the changes will not be retrospectively applied to shared ownership property previously sold or being sold on the previous model.

WHEN DOES THIS COME INTO EFFECT? This is where it becomes a little tricky as shared ownership is often, but not always, grant-funded (ie the Government provides public funds towards the cost of shared ownership). It is only shared ownership properties which are built and sold from the Government’s Affordable

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LEGAL

Homes Programme 2021 to 2026 which are obliged to use the new shared ownership lease/product. However, some housing associations have already adopted the new model for new shared ownership sales for properties which are grant funded pre-2021 on a voluntary basis.

It is probably the case right now that the vast majority of new sales are still on the old form of shared ownership as it takes time for grant funding to result in a built property ready to be sold and lived in.

However, over the coming months we will see an increasing number of properties sold under the new shared ownership model.

Shared ownership resales (where an existing shared ownership leaseholder sells their property) will not be under the new form of lease and it is likely therefore that this will only be seen on new build properties for at least the next couple of years until there are resales of properties sold under the new model.

I’VE HEARD OF SOMETHING CALLED A RIGHT TO SHARED OWNERSHIP – WHAT IS THIS? This is also a new scheme as part of the Government’s Affordable Homes Programme 2021 to 2026 and only applies to properties that were built for social and affordable rent.

Essentially, if you live in a property built under this grant funding programme, and

provided you are an eligible tenant renting an affordable or social rent home, you will be given a right to buy the property you rent on shared ownership terms, under the terms of the new shared ownership lease outlined above.

If you are unsure if you, or your property, are eligible, you should speak to your housing association landlord which will be able to assist you.

THIS ALL SOUNDS GREAT, IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE I SHOULD BE AWARE OF? You need to be aware, as advised earlier, that this only applies to new grant-funded shared ownership properties. Nongrant-funded shared ownership, shared ownership sales arising from pre-2021 grant funding and shared ownership resales will continue in their current/original form and not benefit from the changes (unless landlords voluntarily opt to sell under the new model). This can create confusion for buyers in understanding precisely what product they are buying.

It is also possible over time, as has happened in the past, that mortgage lenders and the legal and consumer market may come to find the older form of shared ownership less desirable. Hopefully this will not be the case as it is still a very good product for both buyers and mortgage lenders, but it is a risk that cannot be

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

discounted (albeit one would hope Homes England would then dictate a variation to the previous leases as it has done before).

The shared ownership lease has also been subject to a general “tidy up” and modernisation (such as allowing working from home in a home office or the ability to sub-let in some exceptional circumstances) to reflect changes in society.

SUMMARY Clearly the changes will be very welcome to buyers, with a longer lease term, a lower purchase/deposit entry level (enabling more people to take a first step on to the housing ladder), less cost for buyers, reduced administration, a more flexible approach to buying additional shares and fairer resale procedures.

However, for housing associations it does mean they will need to quickly adapt to a new product, new working practices and new financial responsibilities. They will also need to ensure their staff are fully trained in both the old model of shared ownership as well as the new model so they can help prospective buyers on their journey to homeownership.

Introducing a new product also adds another layer of complication to shared ownership with a number of variations of shared ownership now running side by side.

This only highlights more than ever the importance of ensuring you instruct shared ownership specialists when you buy a shared ownership property, none more so than your conveyancer who will need to fully understand and advise you on the new shared ownership model lease.

Prince Evans Solicitors LLP specialises in all aspects of shared ownership conveyancing including the new shared ownership model and we are ready to assist you on the contact details shown.

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

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

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

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

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

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USEFUL CONTACTS

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

NORTH

Shropshire Staffordshire

PlusDane

Warwickshire

Tel: 0300 790 0570

West Midlands

helptobuyagent1.org.uk

Worcestershire

Cheshire

SOUTH

Cumbria Durham

Radian

East Riding of Yorkshire

Tel: 0800 456 1188

Greater Manchester

helptobuyagent3.org.uk

Lancashire Merseyside

Bedfordshire

North Yorkshire

Berkshire

Northumberland

Bristol

Tyne and Wear

Buckinghamshire

South Yorkshire

Cambridgeshire

West Yorkshire

Cornwall Devon

MIDLANDS AND LONDON

Dorset East Sussex Essex

bpha

Gloucestershire

Tel: 03333 214 044

Hampshire

helptobuyagent2.org.uk

Hertfordshire Isle of Wight

Derbyshire

Kent

Herefordshire

Norfolk

Leicestershire

Oxfordshire

Lincolnshire

Somerset

London

Suffolk

Northamptonshire

Surrey

Nottinghamshire

West Sussex

Rutland

Wiltshire

ADVERTISE HERE Speak to our advertising team to find out the best ways to give your organisation maximum exposure.

Call 020 7258 0036 or email lynda@firsttimebuyermag.co.uk

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

LONDON Catalyst Housing

BMA Property Group

Hastoe Housing

Optivo

octaviahousing.org.uk

bmapg.com

Association

optivo.org.uk

020 8354 5500

020 8942 4062

hastoe.com

0800 012 1442

catalyst.homes 0333 444 3500 Clarion Housing

01235 515 900

Octavia Housing

Optivo

Chelmer Housing Partnership

optivo.org.uk

chp.org.uk

Home Group

originhousing.org.uk

0800 012 1442

0300 555 0500

homegroup.org.uk

0300 323 0325

myclarionhousing.com/

Southern Home Ownership shosales.co.uk

0300 123 2250 Origin Housing

0300 555 2171 Sovereign Housing sovereignliving.org.uk

0345 141 4663

0300 500 0926

sharedownership

Origin Housing

CHS Group

020 7378 5638

originhousing.org.uk

chsgroup.org.uk

Housing Solutions Group

Association

0300 323 0325

0300 111 3555

housingsolutions.co.uk

orwell-housing.co.uk

Stonewater

0800 876 6060

0345 601 0030

stonewater.org

Estuary Housing Association

Orwell Housing

01202 319 119

estuary.co.uk

Paradigm Housing

Clarion Housing

0300 304 5000

paradigmhousing.co.uk

myclarionhousing.com/

Hyde New Homes

PA Housing

0845 337 4877

sharedownership

hydenewhomes.co.uk

pahousing.co.uk

Swan Housing Association

Fabrica

Peabody

020 7378 5638

0345 606 1221

0300 123 2221

swan.org.uk

fabrica.co.uk

peabodysales.co.uk

0800 783 2159

020 7021 4842

Crown Simmons

L&Q

Paradigm Housing

crownsimmons.org.uk

lqhomes.com

paradigmhousing.co.uk

Thames Valley Housing

Gateway Housing

Places for People

01372 461 440

0300 456 9997

0300 303 1010

Association

Association

placesforpeople.co.uk

gatewayhousing.org.uk

01772 667 049

Estuary Housing

Metropolitan

Peabody

Association

metropolitansales.org.uk

peabodysales.co.uk

020 3535 2555

020 7021 4842

Moat

Places for People

Fabrica

moat.co.uk

placesforpeople.co.uk

0300 323 0011

01772 667 049

Notting Hill Genesis

Rosebery Housing

Flagship Homes

nhgsales.com

Association

0333 000 4000

rosebery.org.uk

020 8709 4300

0300 303 2500

tvha.co.uk

Sanctuary London

estuary.co.uk

Guinness Partnership

sanctuary-homes.co.uk

0300 304 5000

guinnesspartnership.com

0800 916 1444

0303 123 1890 Site Sales

fabrica.co.uk

Hexagon

site-sales.co.uk

0800 783 2159

hexagon.org.uk

020 8502 5758

020 8778 6699 Shepherd’s Bush Housing

flagship-homes.co.uk

Home Group

sbhg.co.uk

0808 168 4555

homegroup.org.uk

020 8996 4200

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

SOUTH WEST

01372 814 000 Aster Group

Nu Living Guinness Partnership

nuliving.co.uk

Sanctuary South East

buyanasterhome.co.uk

Southern Home

(South)

0800 819 9390

sanctuary-housing.co.uk

01380 735 480

Hyde New Homes

Ownership

guinnesspartnership.com

hydenewhomes.co.uk

shosales.co.uk

0303 123 1890

0345 606 1221

0300 555 2171

0345 141 4663

Islington and Shoreditch

Swan Housing Association

Housing Association

swan.org.uk

isha.co.uk

0300 303 2500

0800 131 3348 Cornerstone Housing

One Housing Group onehousing.co.uk

Soha Housing

cornerstonehousing.net

0300 123 9966

Soha.co.uk

01392 273 462

0300 131 7300 Thames Valley Housing L&Q

Association

lqhomes.com

tvha.co.uk

0300 456 9997

020 8607 0550

Metropolitan

Wandle Housing

metropolitansales.org.uk

Association

020 3535 2555

wandle.com 0300 200 0120

Newlon Living newlonliving.co.uk

SOUTH EAST

0800 058 2544 Accent Group Notting Hill Genesis

accentgroup.org

nhgsales.com

0345 678 0555

0333 000 4000 Aster Group Nu Living

buyanasterhome.co.uk

nuliving.co.uk

01380 735 480

0800 819 9390

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USEFUL CONTACTS HELP TO BUY PROVIDERS CURO

Rooftop Housing Group

Accord

Friendship Care & Housing

Nottingham Community

South Staffordshire

curo-group.co.uk

rooftopgroup.org

accordgroup.org.uk

fch.org.uk

Housing Association

Housing Association

01225 366 000

0800 042 1800

0300 111 7000

0300 123 1745

ncha.org.uk

ssha.co.uk

0800 013 8555

01785 312 000

Elim Housing

Sanctuary Southwest

Acis Group

Home Group

elimhousing.co.uk

sanctuary-housing.co.uk

acisgroup.co.uk

homegroup.org.uk

Orbit

Waterloo Housing

01454 411 172

0800 131 3348

0800 027 2057

0345 141 4663

orbit.org.uk

Association

0800 678 1221

waterloo.org.uk 0800 435 016

Green Square

Severn Vale Housing

Bromford Group

Guinness Partnership

greensquaregroup.com

svhs.org.uk

bromford.co.uk

(Northern Counties)

PA Housing

01249 465 465

01684 272 727

0330 123 4034

guinnesspartnership.com

pahousing.org.uk

WM Housing Group

0303 123 1890

0116 257 6716

wmhousing.co.uk 0300 790 6531

Guinness Partnership

Sovereign Housing

Caldmore Accord

(Hermitage)

sovereign.org.uk

caldmoreaccord.org.uk

L & H Homes

Places for People

guinnesspartnership.com

0300 500 0926

0300 111 7000

landh.org.uk

placesforpeople.co.uk

0345 309 0700

01772 667 002

0303 123 1890

NORTH WEST Accent Group

Stonewater

Clarion Housing

Hastoe Housing

stonewater.org

myclarionhousing.com/

Metropolitan

Riverside Housing

accentgroup.org

Association

01202 319 119

sharedownership

metropolitansales.org.uk

Association

0345 678 0555

020 7378 5638

020 3535 2555

riverside.org.uk

hastoe.com 0300 123 2250

Westward Housing

Liverty

westwardhousing.org.uk

Derwent Living Housing

Midland Heart

dchliverty.com

0300 100 1010

Association

midlandheart.org.uk

Rooftop Group

derwentliving.com

0345 602 0540

rooftopgroup.org

0300 123 8080

MIDLANDS

0345 155 9029

01332 346 477

Places for People

Adactus Housing Group adactushousing.co.uk

0800 042 1800

0300 111 1133 Arcon Housing Association

Muir Group

placesforpeople.co.uk

Accent Group

East Midlands Housing

muir.org.uk

Sanctuary Midlands

arcon.org.uk

01772 667 049

accentgroup.org

Association

0300 123 1222

sanctuary-housing.co.uk

0161 214 4120

0345 678 0555

emhhomes.org.uk

0800 131 3348

0300 123 6000

First Time Buyer August/September 2022

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USEFUL CONTACTS HELP TO BUY PROVIDERS CDS Co-operatives

0117 407 2415

0345 678 0555

cds.coop 0333 321 3030 Eden Housing Association

Equity Housing

Guinness Partnership

Acis Group

manninghamhousing.co.uk

Accent Group

muir.org.uk

acisgroup.co.uk

01274 771 144

accentgroup.org

0300 123 1222

0800 027 2057

0345 678 0555

Places for People

Broadacres

muir.org.uk

Bernicia

placesforpeople.co.uk

broadacres.org.uk

0300 123 1222

bernicia.com

01772 667 002

01609 767 900

Progress Housing Group

Crucible Homes

placesforpeople.co.uk

Castles and Coasts

progressgroup.org.uk

cruciblesalesandlettings.co.uk

01772 667 002

castlesandcoasts.co.uk

0333 320 4555

0114 241 3430

0800 085 1171 Together Housing

Regenda Homes

Equity Housing

togetherhousing.co.uk

Erimus Housing Ltd

regenda.org.uk

equityhousing.co.uk

0845 077 0027

erimushousing.co.uk

0344 736 0066

0300 123 4460

Home Group

0300 111 1000 Sanctuary North

homegroup.org.uk

Riverside Housing

Guinness Partnership

sanctuary-housing.co.uk

Guinness Partnership

0345 141 4663

Association

(Northern Counties)

0800 131 3348

(Northern Counties)

riverside.org.uk

guinnesspartnership.com

0345 155 9029

0303 123 1890

impacthousing.org.uk

guinnesspartnership.com Stonewater

0303 123 1890

stonewater.org Sanctuary North

Home Group

sanctuary-housing.co.uk

homegroup.org.uk

0800 131 3348

0345 141 1663

Association

01202 319 119

Home Group homegroup.org.uk

Wakefield and District

0345 141 1663

Housing

irwellvalleyha.co.uk

Your Housing Group

Leeds Federated Housing

wdh.co.uk

Karbon Homes

0161 610 1000

yhghomes.co.uk

Association

0345 850 7507

karbonhomes.co.uk

0845 618 5008

lfha.co.uk 0113 386 1000

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

0300 111 1000

0344 800 3800

0303 123 1890

Irwell Valley Housing

Thirteen

Places for People

guinnesspartnership.com

0344 873 6290

0800 131 3348

thirteengroup.co.uk

Muir Group

(Northern Counties)

Impact Housing

Sanctuary North sanctuary-housing.co.uk

Muir Group

equityhousing.co.uk 0300 123 4460

NORTH EAST

Association

edenha.org.uk 01768 861 400

Manningham Housing

YORKS/ HUMBER

L&H Homes

0808 164 0111 Your Housing Group yhghomes.co.uk

Places for People

0845 618 5008

placesforpeople.co.uk

landh.org.uk Liverpool Housing Trust

Accent Group

lht.co.uk

accentgroup.org

01772 667 002

0345 309 0700

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20 QUESTIONS Suzy Hollins is Head of Sales at Plumlife Homes, part of Great Places Housing Group, and leads on delivering the group’s new homes sales programme across the North West, as well as shared ownership resales and Plumlife’s range of sales agency services. Having worked in the affordable housing sector for two decades, Suzy has particular expertise in shared ownership and is passionate about delivering a brilliant customer experience at all stages of the sales journey

20 QUESTIONS th Wi

Suzy Hollins

What room at home is your favourite?

Usually I’d say our living room as that’s where we get cosy as a family, however I’ve finally got my own office (after years of working at the kitchen table) which overlooks the garden, so I can see birds, trees, flowers and bees while I’m working – it’s a novelty so it’s my favourite room right now!

What’s your favourite gadget or technology at home?

I spend so much time on the laptop during the day that I tend to stay away from tech in my downtime, but it would have to be my phone.

What colour do you think everyone should have in their home?

I love green and pink right now, lots of green plants and different shades of pink for warmth, optimism and prettiness.

Which three people would you invite over for a housewarming party if you could have any guests?

I live far away from most of my family and good friends who live on the south coast. I don’t see enough of them so it would be three of them – although my seven-year-old daughter loves Ed Sheeran so if I had to choose a celebrity guest it would probably need to be him!

What’s your favourite memory from your childhood home?

Sharing a bedroom with my younger sister, we were always laughing and having fun together.

What is your favourite song and why?

That’s tricky because I have so many favourites, but I grew up in the 80s and one song I love is Ain’t Nobody by Chaka Khan and Rufus – it takes me back to school disco days and dancing around the bedroom.

Would you rather have a garden or a balcony?

A garden, I need room to roam, and enjoy gardening and seeing birds and squirrels hopping about.

Do you prefer modern homes or period properties?

I love the character of older, period homes, but also appreciate the clean lines, modern specification and open-plan design of newer homes.

Would you rather have a library room or media room at home?

I’m a book worm so it would be a library room for me.

134

Would you prefer your home to have a luxurious bathtub or a sumptuous shower?

The bathtub would get taken over by my daughter’s bath toys in no time, so I’d prefer a sumptuous shower.

Would you rather live in the bustling city or in the country?

The country, but with a bustling city within an hour’s travel so you can have the best of both.

If you were buying a property overseas, in what country would you buy a home?

Sydney is my favourite city but too far away from loved ones, so it would probably be Italy or Portugal.

Would you rather have a bigger property or a better location?

Location is really important but with a family having enough space is essential, so a bigger property.

What is one thing you couldn’t live without at home?

The kettle. I can’t be without cups of tea!

What’s your favourite way to unwind at home after work?

Pottering round the garden or a bit of yoga if I can fit it in.

What’s your favourite thing about your home?

We have a 1970s house with large windows and a south-facing garden. I love the light we get into the house and the outlook.

Where did you buy your first home?

Technically I’ve only just bought a home for the first time, as our previous house was one my husband bought in his early 20s – it’s in Congleton, Cheshire.

What advice would you give a first time buyer?

If you are struggling to afford the deposit to buy a home on the open market, do consider shared ownership. It’s not right for everyone but for many it the perfect way to get on to the ladder sooner, in a way that’s affordable.

What are your views on shared ownership?

I’m a fan of shared ownership – I’ve worked with it for two decades and seen the impact it’s had on people’s lives, not just in helping first time buyers afford a home, but also for those going through a relationship breakdown who can’t afford to buy again just by themselves. It’s really important that any potential buyers do their research to understand how the scheme works though before taking the decision to buy a shared ownership home.

What are your views on the property market?

The property market is still strong and we’re experiencing high demand across our range of developments, however there’s speculation that we may see a slowdown as the year progresses with households coming under more financial pressure as the cost of living increases and real wage growth falls. I envisage a broader range of households looking to affordable homeownership schemes like shared ownership and First Homes to help them realise their homebuying ambitions. plumlife.co.uk

First Time Buyer August/September 2022

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