First Time Buyer - February/March 2022

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

WIN!

TWO VIP TICKETS TO THE PUB IN THE PARK FESTIVAL

CHECK OUT RENTPLUS SPOTLIGHT ON SHARED OWNERSHIP AND HELP TO BUY

GO GREEN! A ROUND-UP OF ECO-FRIENDLY PRODUCTS WE LOVE!

“It is very hard to get on the ladder, so make the most of the different Government schemes” Jasmine Harman

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TV presenter

9 771758 973014

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EDITOR’S LETTER

E D I T O R I A L – 020 3488 7754

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

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

Director of Advertising/Exhibition Sales LYNDA CLARK

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

Welcome Happy New Year! Even though the situation in the country is still quite serious I do hope you managed to have a wonderful festive time with friends and family at Christmas.

Many of you will be planning on buying your first home this year, which is a very exciting prospect. We know how hard it is to save for a deposit and that is why the Government schemes – shared ownership and Help to Buy – are so important to first timers. Do turn to pages 2630 where we explain how both schemes work and highlight some lovely affordable homes.

Everyone is looking forward to spring and it is always a time when everyone starts thinking about house hunting. The process can be challenging, especially for first time buyers, as there are many steps to take on the route to homeownership. Our National Home Buying Week, which we launched last year, was very successful and so in March 2022 we are kicking off the week with a Live London Home show on 19 March, followed by an exciting week of online activities and ending with a Live Manchester Show on 26 March. I do hope that many of you will be able to come along to either show. We have a dedicated website – nationalhomebuyingweek.co.uk – which will have lots of information about the stages involved and during the week there will be podcasts from leading housing experts, which I am sure you will find both interesting and fun! So, do make a date in the diary and we look forward to seeing you there.

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

@firsttimebuyer

firsttimebuyeronline

Accounts accounts@ultimateguidecompany.com Managing Director SARAH GARRETT sarahg@spmgroup.co.uk Public Relations RACHEL COLGAN rachel@building-relations.co.uk

EDITOR’S PICKS…

Stick to your guns, keep saving and let’s hope 2022 is the year!

SUBSCRIPTIONS 020 3488 7754 SWITCHBOARD 020 3488 7754 All advertising copy for April/May 2022 must be received before 25 February 2021.

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 2008-2021. 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.

Don’t let your heart rule your head and keep your feet on the ground and not your head in the clouds.

Richard Black, At home with, page14

Jonnie Irwin, Jonnie’s World, page 9

It would be so exciting to move into a brand new home and really make it my own.

Faye Morris, House Hunter, page 18

What particularly attracted us to the homes by BoKlok was the sustainability element.

In December 2021, for the first time in three years, the Bank of England raised interest rates.

Simon Scott, Developer’s Doctor, page 20

Aisling and Lewis, Real Life, page 66

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CONTENTS

FEBRUARY/MARCH 2022 / ISSUE 93 / FIRSTTIMEBUYERMAG.CO.UK

What’s in…

67

For sale – the best FTB properties

66

Attracted by the Scandinavian architecture and the sustainability of the homes, first time buyers Aisling and her partner Lewis have not only secured themselves a brand new, three bedroom home in Bristol, but they are the very first people in the UK to purchase a BoKlok home at its flagship UK scheme.

HOMEPAGE

9 Words from Jonnie

fill your home with 1970s prints, bright colours and curvy shapes to get you in the groove!

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

14 At home with…

Richard Black

10 FTB loves…

A round up of our favourite hot buys.

12 Living Retro style is right back in fashion, so

Richard is an accomplished property developer and interior designer, who after working in broadcasting for many years has just launched his exciting new property podcast, Home: Work, which will focus on real properties and real solutions.

He talks to Lynda Clark about his first home, his brand new state-of-theart self-build home and gives some excellent advice for first time buyers.

FEATURED

22 The View: Jasmine Harman Jasmine Harman is a regular host on A Place in the Sun and she talks to Lynda Clark about her exciting and unexpected career, and with her property knowledge and experience gives some great advice for first time buyers.

26 Shared ownership vs Help to Buy: Equity Loan

Debbie Clark looks at how the two Government schemes, shared ownership and Help to Buy: Equity Loan, work and compares their merits and disadvantages. She also highlights some homes available via these affordable options.

32 A helping hand Struggling to buy your first home?

Then turn to Rentplus, which lets you pay a reduced rent on a new build property so you can save for a deposit to buy it.

18 House Hunter We try to find Faye Morris a one or two bedroom home in Oxford or the surrounding areas.

20 Developer’s doctor Simon Scott, Assistant Director, Commercial & Property Marketing for Origin Housing, answers your property question.

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CONTENTS

ASK YOURSELF LOTS OF QUESTIONS ABOUT WHAT IS IMPORTANT TO YOU, AND IF YOU HAVE CHILDREN, OF COURSE, THERE WILL BE A VERY DIFFERENT LIST OF PRIORITIES 48 Cream of the crop

22

Jasmine Harman

Photo © A Place in the Sun/Freeform Productions

JASMINE HARMAN, PAGE 22

REGULARS

Lynda Clark talks to Hellyn Fairbrother, Regional Sales Manager for London and South East (Interim) with Guinness Partnerships/Developments about its exciting new development, Leaside Lock in Bromley-by-Bow.

80 Finance

34 Hotspot We look at what Wembley is like as a place to live.

74 First home, first meal Sarah Hayward, Head Chef at The Coach in Marlow, creates a sticky toffee pudding – perfect for those cold winter days.

Deposit Unlock is a new way to get a foot on the ladder with a small deposit. Kay Hill finds out the details of the scheme and how it compares with other options.

82 Market The world’s global climate crisis has never needed a more urgent solution and housing is coming under scrutiny. Ginetta Vedrickas looks at the issues.

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

73

Competition Win two VIP tickets to Pub in the Park 2022 festival. The ultimate prize for music and food lovers alike!

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

75 Inspector Gadget A new series highlighting some of the best gadgets on the market – all perfect for setting up your first home.

76 A simple guide to legal jargon Lesley Price FCILEx of CGM Solicitors guides us through the legal jargon that is involved in the conveyancing process.

78 Buying a shared ownership home Censeo Financial offers some handy tips when buying a shared ownership home.

92 Common questions from a first time buyer about conveyancing Adam Crawford, Partner at Prince Evans Solicitors LLP, answers some common questions from a first time buyer about conveyancing.

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

102 20 Questions We ask 20 quick-fire questions to a property expert and in this issue Ben Mole, Marketing Manager at Optivo, is in the spotlight.

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LETTERS

Mailbox GUARANTOR MORTGAGE

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

What is a guarantor mortgage and is it something I should be looking into to purchase my first home?

Sarah-Jane Unger FTB says: The fundamental requirements for securing a mortgage are a good credit history, a steady and reliable income, plus a cash deposit of a minimum 5% of the value of the property being purchased. Lenders then assess your suitability, taking into account your employment record, credit history and general finances.

If you’re struggling to meet any of these basic criteria, then it can be a major barrier to you obtaining a mortgage. When this is the case, it might help to have a mortgage guarantor to support your mortgage application.

A mortgage guarantor is generally, but not always, a parent or close family member who takes on some of the mortgage risk by acting as a safety net for your borrowing. To be a suitable guarantor, this individual will need to meet the eligibility criteria of the mortgage lender, have sufficient disposable income available to cover your monthly mortgage commitment, and/or have cash savings or equity in property available to offer as security in case you can’t afford the repayments.

This issue’s star letter wins this Masha electric potato masher from Lakeland worth £45.99.

Mashed potato is so much more delicious when it’s smooth and lump-free, and the Masha is an electric potato masher that gets perfect results in as little as 20 seconds. The dishwasher-safe foot is easy to clean and is great for making other sides such as hummus or guacamole, and baby foods. For more information check out page 75. lakeland.co.uk

RESTRICTIVE COVENANTS While sorting out the final details to secure my first home I came across a document that mentions restrictive covenants. What are these and how do they affect me?

Noah Martin FTB says: A restrictive covenant could prevent you from altering the appearance of your property to ensure the development remains uniform throughout. It is really important that you find

out whether you will be affected by restrictive rules before you purchase your home, otherwise you might not be able to make any changes to the appearance of your property in the future. Not only this, restrictive covenants can also have an impact when the time comes to sell the property, so make sure this is explained clearly. A good developer should not restrict you from making sensible additions and alterations to your home.

MOVING DAY! I am going to be moving into my first home very soon and will be moving my belongings myself in a van. Do you have any hints or tips to make the moving process a little less stressful?

Fatimah Zimmerman FTB says: Moving your belongings to your new property can be stressful. Firstly, think about timing. Generally, keys will be handed over in the afternoon so take this into account. If you are using a small van you may need several trips. This can extend the day and make it more expensive in fuel. It is worth buying proper removals packing materials – boxes, tape etc – as these materials are purpose-built for moving, are strong enough, can be easily stacked and will protect your belongings. You might need to find some blankets or other items to help protect your things in the van. Unboxing can take a while and a bit of prior planning can help. Label all your boxes clearly and if you can make an inventory of each box as this will help you put them in the right rooms and find that item you need in an emergency. Good luck!

TRACKER RATE MORTGAGES I am looking at buying my first home soon and have been doing some research. I have recently heard about tracker rate mortgages. What are these and are they worth looking into?

Jemima Moony FTB says: Tracker rate mortgages are where mortgage rates follow the Bank of England base rate.

This means your rate could either increase or decrease, depending on what the Bank of England

interest rate does. Lenders each have their own standard variable rates (SVR), which your tracker may follow instead of the Bank of England base rate. These tend to be risky, as each rate differs depending on the lender and could change at any time.

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

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OPINION

WORLD

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

Moving house for the first time as an adult is exciting. I remember my first move after being a student and I could fit pretty much all my possessions in the back of my company hatchback.

Fast forward to the present day and I’m faced with shifting the amount of stuff you take with you to launch a foreign military campaign! I admit I’ve got too many clothes, but there are some things I just can’t bear to part with, like my CD collection. I don’t even have anything to play them on, but they aren’t represented on web-based music sites. Trouble is, I’ve moved six times in just five years so they’ve just gone needlessly from one loft to another.

But while lugging these shifting boxes (needlessly) I’ve come across another issue – decorations. My wife has accumulated a number of large boxes of, wait for it, Halloween… stuff!

I hardly recognise the day, but she is obsessed with it, along with many others I’ve learnt since we’ve been together.

The love started when she was in New York for Halloween – and we know how they love it over there. So now our house has to be covered in skulls, pumpkins and other such nonsense, but, to be fair, the boys love it. It’s not the only American date that seems to be becoming part of our national calendar – take Black Friday, that has exploded (led by retailers) into a national event.

I confess, I’m not immune to this hype either. I recall filming in the Caribbean (I know, but it wasn’t as glamorous as it sounds) midway through renovating my flat in London. It coincided with the Black Friday sales and I wanted to take advantage when purchasing a new bathroom suite. I had to call the retailer to place the order and when I returned, I realised any savings I’d made had been dwarfed by the astronomical mobile phone bill. Doh! And last in this Americanisation of our traditions is Christmas.

We’ve managed to duck Thanksgiving, although having been invited to one I thoroughly recommend it. It’s like all the fun of Christmas dinner without the arguments!

But Christmas still has a fairly British feel to it. Sure, Santa Claus wears red instead of green thanks to American giant Coca Cola, but I feel we still own our version.

From a home perspective the decorations are different between

when you rent a place and own it. As a renter, the decorations were often bought that December and fairly scant. As an owner, you’ve probably got a few boxes safely stored away from previous Christmases and instead of sticky-taping decorations to walls you might have a few nails and screws to fix, having no fear of financial retribution from a landlord. That, for me, is when owning your own place strikes a chord. Having rented for the past 18 months, I’ve been surprised that rather than enjoying the lack of responsibility that comes with ownership, it’s been replaced by paranoia that we live in someone else’s house. Every mark on the wall fills me with fear of losing some of my deposit, especially with three boys charging around with crayons and any permanent marker someone has left lying around. Of course, everything is paintable and repairable, but I’m often on edge.

Compare that with the comfort you feel in your own place and it’s palpable. It might be smaller than your rental or in need of work, but it’s yours. You can plan or daydream about changes you’d like to make. Even putting a screw in the wall for that decoration is a good idea as it will be there next year and so will you.

Now getting to this point isn’t easy. Interest rates have recently risen in an effort to check inflation, and saving for a deposit over Christmas may have understandably taken a back seat. Add to this that Christmas afternoon is one of the busiest times on Rightmove and you know the new year will bring plenty of like-minded first time buyers to the table. Traditionally, you’ll be told that the market picks up in the spring. My advice is to not wait until then if you can. Mortgage rates fluctuate and when a developer is close to completing a unit they want it sold. I’m not suggesting there are January sales in property but when the market is quiet you may not have such a choice of properties to consider but there might be less competition. As someone who has lived in both rented and owned property in the last few years let me assure you that owning is a very special thing. Stick to your guns, keep saving and let’s hope 2022 is the year – I can’t wait to be an owner again.

Happy New Year!

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FTB LOVES

This issue FTB loves is all about products that give back. We’ve looked for some of our favourite items that not only look great, but they also give back in some way.

So, whether you’re looking for eco-friendly packaging, or a gift that gives a little more, we have you covered

Go wild!

Take a trip to the wild side and liven up your home interiors with this gorgeous printed cushion cover. Designed with environmental policies in mind, the cushion cover features organic cotton and eco-friendly dyes. Plus, with each purchase from this range, Accessorize contributes to the WWF’s global work to protect and restore our planet.

So not only does your home look stylish, but you also keep the world looking good too.

Tiger cushion cover WWF collaboration, £15, Accessorize accessorize.com

ess waste l , d o o g Smell just want an easy Let’s face it, sometimes we we love this natural way to help, which is why stylish-looking The d.

Wil deodorant from made from aluminium and able reus are tors lica app you to cut down ing help tic, and recycled plas only good for the on bathroom waste. Plus, not good for you as is ant dor deo environment, the cruelty-free, and free well as it is vegan-friendly, abens, sulphates and par ces, ran from artificial frag can pick it up with your aluminium. All this and you and eco-friendly. y eas – p sho weekly grocery Mandarin Blossom Wild refillable Jasmine and ys sbur Sain £8, natural deodorant, k co.u rys. sbu sain

Bee friendly

Sometimes it’s the little things that matter, and although they’re small, bees are an important part of our eco-system, pollinating our crops and flowers.

If you want to give them a helping hand, this kit contains everything from wildflower mix seeds to a biodegradable planter to ensure our buzzy friends stay around for a long time. Pop a few of these in your garden and enjoy the bright colours while feeling happy you’re helping the planet.

Sow & Co Save the Bees, £15, Oliver Bonas oliverbonas.com

In the pink

Homesense is a national partner of The Prince’s Trust and has been part of the “Get Into” and “Achieve” programmes helping to develop young people’s skills and support them in positive outcomes. As part of that ongoing support, Homesense has designed a soft, luxurious blanket alongside interiors brand Andrew Martin, which is woven in Portugal using recycled cotton blend. Plus, £4.50 from every blanket sold goes to The Prince’s Trust.

Pink blanket, £14.99, Homesense homesense.com

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FTB LOVES

Teapigs has its own ethical scheme and supports local communities such as the Point Foundation in Gisenyi, Rwanda, through making a donation for each pack of Everyday Brew sold, as well as matching customer donations.

Funds support projects including a disability programme with the Gallagher Trust, which provides a home with specialist care for nine children and young adults with disabilities in Rwanda. Tony’s Chocolonely is crazy about chocolate and serious about people. Its mission is to create 100% slavefree chocolate, not just its chocolate but all chocolate worldwide, and the company has even started a petition for a law to hold companies accountable for human rights violations. All of this comes together to create the perfect tea and chocolate break that is guilt free and good for everyone!

Tea and chocolate bundle, £7.99. teapigs teapigs.co.uk

Take a break

Keep this fire burning

Your home is your sanctuary, and you should enjoy being there. These uplifting candles with gorgeous scents allow you to relax and unwind as if you were at a spa. More than that though, each part of the candle has been thought through to create them as eco-friendly as possible, with 100% natural wax, and scents from pure natural essential oils. Each of the candles is handmade, with a pure cotton wick, and recycled paper labels. Plus each candle can be refilled, keeping your home smelling lush and helping Mother Earth by reducing waste.

Nom refillable eco-friendly essential oil candle midi midi, £22, Little Karma Co. littlekarmaco.com

Who oo d thougw ht it?have

Smol but mighty

Eco-effective and great value for money, smol makes cleaning products that are convenient and affordable. The brand offers several products, from laundry tablets to dishwasher capsules, delivered in the post to your home, packed in plastic-free packaging. All smol products are cruelty-free, and they are even 100% free of any animal-derived ingredients.

Eco-cleaning products, from £4.50, smol smolproducts.com

We all know how bad single-use plastic can be for the environment, so we love this utensils set from Wild & Stone, that aims to replace throw-away cutlery. Each of the utensils is made from bamboo, which is known for its high strength and anti-microbial properties.

The set also includes a stainless steel straw and cleaning brush, meaning you will never need a plastic straw again. The whole set comes wrapped in a cloth carrier making it easy to pick up and pop in your bag wherever you are going.

Reusable Bamboo cutlery set 8, £10.99, Wild & Stone on Suusco suusco.com

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Homepage LIVING

Funky House

Fashion always comes full circle, and now interiors do too! Retro style is back in the groove and fun 1970s prints, with bright colours and curvy shapes, are the perfect way to give your new home that funky feeling

Cushions, from £9.99; mushroom lamp, £12.99; side table, £39.99; purple velvet throw, £19.99; yellow throw with tassels, £16.99; orange bedding set, £19.99; gold candle, £8.99; swinging chair, £249.99; rug, £89.99; metal side table, £39.99; glass head ornament, £12.99; glass bowl, £9.99; leather ottoman, £99.99, Homesense

Retro alarm clock, £12.95, Rex London

Retro TV storage cabinet, £95, Red Candy

Disco Delights Rhodes retro rainbow cushion, £15.99, Wayfair amber tealight holder, £1; block Industrial hanging bulb lamp, £12; se plant, £10; sausage dog chee photo frames, from £2; artificial £8; Ralph cushions, £10 from ions, cush fur faux n planter, £5; Aspe ter, £5; ribbed candle plan face each; Finnley rug, from £70; retro holder, £4, B&M

Retro telephone, £44.95, Cuckooland Swinging chair, £249.99, Homesense

Premier Housewares Inventivo side table, £189, Very

Gold detail sideboard, £249.99, Homesense

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Homepage LIVING

Cane sideboard, £120, B&M

Camper fairy lights, £14.99, Lights4Fun

Groovy Baby wallpaper, £42, Lust Home Retro five piece pan set, £78.99, Very

Inaluxe jazz flute rug, £249, Furniture Village

Sound and Vision David Bowie art print, £28, Fanclub Clothing

Retro blocks cushion, £22.99, Very

Mustard velvet Soho pouffe, £99, Cult Furniture

Pair of bar stools, £279, Very

Yellow Mandala print round floor cushion, £20; yellow tufted sun print cushion, £8; cross weave cushion, £10; black bamboo hanging floor lamp, £45; hippie floral cushion, £7; large woven vase, £20, George Home

CONTACTS » B&M bmstores.co.uk » Cuckooland cuckooland.com » Cult Furniture cultfurniture.com » Fanclub Clothing fanclubclothing.com » Furniture Village furniturevillage.co.uk » George Home asda.com » Homesense homesense.com » Lights4Fun lights4fun.co.uk » Lust Home lusthome.com » Red Candy redcandy.co.uk » Rex London rexlondon.com » Very very.co.uk » Wayfair wayfair.co.uk

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Homepage LIVING

At home with:

Richard Black Richard could never have foreseen where his adoration for building entire towns out of Lego when he was six would take him. But, as an accomplished property developer and interior designer, and having worked in broadcasting for many years, he has just launched his exciting new property podcast, Home: Work. He talks to Lynda Clark about his first home, his brand new state of the art self-build home and gives some excellent advice for first time buyers FTB: Tell us about your very first step on to the property ladder?

RB: I had just got a job on an ITV regional programme for Anglia, but it didn’t come with a very big salary and I wasn’t permanent staff and I didn’t have a contract, so getting a mortgage was an uphill struggle. I really wanted to buy a home of my own but I didn’t have a deposit. I didn’t let that deter me though, as I was able to convince my solicitor to use the cashback on a mortgage. This is a type of mortgage that pays you a cash lump sum when you successfully buy a house. It was tricky but it worked! So, I bought a top floor apartment in the centre of Norwich, which was pretty beaten up at the time. I bought it for £41,000 and it was a real journey – I still own it now and absolutely love it! I stayed with Anglia for two years and then eventually worked in London and in the Midlands. The flat was my baby and my sanctuary and I remember when I first rented it out for 18 months when I was working in London I was so devastated as it didn’t seem right to leave it.

FTB: Where do you live now?

RB: I got married in 2013 and we thought we had found our forever home in north Suffolk. It was a 500-year-old chocolate box thatched cottage. We even had our wedding cake shaped like the cottage as we truly believed it was going to be the perfect place to live. But we renovated it and then decided that actually it just wasn’t for us and started looking around at other properties. It was very sad but we were really not happy living there. Then, by sheer coincidence, I visited the village that my parents had moved to when I was a teenager. I loved the community there and had a great life growing up. By accident I saw a plot of land which was around two acres with a dilapidated cottage on the edge of it which was for sale. I didn’t think we could buy it but I just couldn’t get it out of my head and one day my husband, Steven, suggested we both go and look at. He thought it was amazing too, but it came with a hefty price tag, which was out of our league. We

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Homepage LIVING

“IT WAS A 500-YEAROLD CHOCOLATE BOX THATCHED COTTAGE. WE EVEN HAD OUR WEDDING CAKE SHAPED LIKE THE COTTAGE AS WE TRULY BELIEVED IT WAS GOING TO BE THE PERFECT PLACE TO LIVE”

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“W PR BY CU W CU FE

Homepage LIVING

“I HAVE JUST LAUNCHED A FORTNIGHTLY PODCAST CALLED HOME: WORK, WHICH IS FOR ANYONE WHO IS INTERESTED IN PROPERTY. IT’S DONE LIKE A MAGAZINE AND AIMED AT REAL PEOPLE, REAL PROPERTIES, REAL PROBLEMS AND REALISTIC SOLUTIONS” decided to beg and borrow to get the money to buy it, which somehow we did and we moved in the summer of 2017. We lived in the old wreck of a cottage and started building our dream home. We now have the most amazing detached house, on the riverside with woodland surrounding it and two acres of land. It has a thatched roof and is made from traditional red Norfolk brick and it looks stunning. Inside, it’s very modern with large south-facing windows which our two Beagle dogs, Oscar and Bobby, love to sit by. The house is quite a show-stopper – people take photos from the road as it is so charismatic and sits perfectly in the landscape. This is definitely our forever home!

FTB: Can you tell us about your career?

RB: I went travelling after I finished school as I didn’t really know what I wanted to do, although I always had a great interest in broadcasting. My careers adviser was very disparaging about this idea and said the only way into broadcasting is if you knew somebody who was already in the business and told me to do something more conventional! So, I decided to go away and see what happened. When I was in Australia I decided to pick up the phone and search for a job. I was very lucky as I ended up on Sky News Australia as a researcher for a discussion programme called Viewpoint.

I absolutely loved it and when I eventually returned to the UK I managed to get a job on BBC local radio answering the phones for a phone-in programme, which led on to

16

me becoming a researcher. I then headed to London and did a stint working for Carlton Television. I also presented the news for BBC Radio Norfolk and was a producer at TV Centre for Breakfast for BBC One and the BBC News Channel. Although I love London, I wanted to return home to Norfolk and needed to take a step back as London can be quite unforgiving.

My first flat had been my guardian angel and when I was renting it out, the money helped me to buy another place and I eventually became a property developer with quite a sizeable portfolio. I have sold most of the properties now as I felt it was morally wrong to own my home and lots of flats and know that there are first time buyers who were struggling to get on the ladder and were desperate to have a home of their own. It just didn’t sit right with me.

FTB: You then had a complete career change. Can you tell us about that?

RB: During my career on radio and television I was lucky enough to do some amazing things. I went undercover with the police, worked on the launch of Strictly Come Dancing, worked with celebrities and even reported on Whitney Houston’s funeral.

But I wanted to do something completely different. I had always been interested in the legal side of broadcasting and property and so I went back to university and studied law. It was such a complete change and I was suddenly surrounded by 20-year-olds! I got rather frustrated because in broadcasting you

have to sum up the story in a few seconds, but of course with law they expect you to theorise and expand and do lots of research, so I always felt a 6,000 word essay could be done in 100 words if you got straight to the point. But thankfully I passed and I am now a qualified solicitor although I don’t practice.

FTB: Tell us about your podcast RB: I have just launched a fortnightly podcast called Home: Work, which is for anyone who is interested in property. It’s done like a magazine and aimed at real people, real properties, real problems and realistic solutions. I am so excited as I have interviewed some fascinating people who I know the audience will love listening to.

There is a couple in their early 70s who have bought a home on an island in a National Park which will take between five and 10 years to renovate. They said that all their contemporaries were downsizing but they wanted to do something mad and take on this incredible project – their story is so inspiring.

The podcast is ideal to listen to in the car or on the commute on the train, and because it’s like a magazine there are lots of different stories, news items and lifestyle features.

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

RB: Don’t let your heart rule your head and keep your feet on the ground and not your head in the clouds. If a home is not right, or if it falls through, always remember there will be another one on the horizon.

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Homepage LIVING

Home: Work is available at thehomework.net or from your chosen download platform

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Homepage FIRST RUNG

The

HOUSE HUNTER

What we found…

THE NEW NEIGHBOURHOOD Heyford Fields at Heyford Park Bicester, Oxfordshire

FROM £290,000

THE COUNTRY VIEWS Poppy Fields at Yew Tree Gardens Cholsey, Oxfordshire

FROM £245,000

This month FTB goes on the hunt with Faye Morris, who is looking for a one or two bedroom home in Oxford and the surrounding areas

PROFILE

Names Faye Morris, 39 Occupations Advertising executive Maximum budget £300,000 Requirements A one or two bedroom home with good commuter links to Oxford and London, shops and facilities close by, private outdoor space and a good mix of town and country

What she wanted…

Last year I moved in with my sister and her family after breaking up with my long-term partner. It was wonderful reconnecting with them after the lockdowns and we’ve had a great time, but I’d like to buy a place of my own. I want to be in or close to Oxford, but am open to where exactly that is. As long as I can quickly drive or bus it to see my family, and the location works for getting to my two offices, I’ll be happy. I work for an advertising agency and am often either in the Oxford or London offices or travelling around the country for shoots. Good road and rail links are important, and being close to shops, supermarkets or a town centre is also high on my list of must-haves.

I love to cycle when I can, so somewhere within cycling distance of the city centre would be great. I’d also like easy access to country and river walks and adventures – as well as some outdoor space to enjoy long, summer evenings and totally chill out at the weekends. I have a deposit of £30,000 so have a budget of around £300,000.”

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Set in more than 1,200 acres of land, this major new development makes the most of its surroundings in the heart of the Oxfordshire countryside. This latest phase will create a new neighbourhood within the Heyford Park area – which, along with new homes, will see a village centre, schools, leisure centre and hotel created.

The properties range from contemporary two bedroom apartments to four bedroom houses. Bicester is within easy reach and a 30-minute drive takes you to Oxford, Banbury, Milton Keynes or the Cotswolds.

This popular development is in south Oxforshire, surrounded by countryside. One bedroom maisonettes and two bedroom bungalows are currently available, with well thought-out, spacious layouts. The maisonettes have open-plan living areas, with French doors opening to private outdoor space for the ground floor homes.

There’s ample extra storage space in the hallways. An ideal spot for commuters, direct trains to London Paddington and Oxford run from nearby Cholsey station. A supermarket, pharmacy and local shops lie within a 10-minute walk.

heyfordpark.co.uk

bellway.co.uk

What she thought…

I’d certainly get my fill of beautiful Oxfordshire countryside if I was living here – the homes really are surrounded by green space. This development is pretty exciting, as there’s so much being created – so there’d be lots of brand new facilities right on the doorstep. The apartments are beautiful – they’re really stylish, modern and sleek – and I could afford a two bedroom place, which is great!

Oxford is around a half-hour drive, which is totally do-able for when I’m working there, and trains from Bicester reach London in under an hour.”

South Oxfordshire is beautiful, and it would be amazing to live in such a pretty area. Though it’s a little further south than I’d first thought of, it’s really good for commuting to London and Oxford – and it’s only a 20-minute drive to Reading, where there’s loads to do. It’s a really good location for running and walking – the Thames Path is nearby and it’s only a few miles from the Living Rainforest, which would be excellent for my nephews. Although it’s quite rural, it’s still very well connected, with shops within walking distance – ideal!”

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Homepage FIRST RUNG

THE LAKESIDE LOVELY Bankside Gardens Reading, Berkshire

FROM £290,000

THE WILDCARD L&Q at Willow Grove Wixams, Bedfordshire

FROM £140,000*

First choice!

S

BEST OF BOTH WORLD Newman Place Littlemore, Oxford

This collection of one and two bedroom homes is just half a mile from the new Reading Green Park station. The contemporary apartments, created around a beautiful lake, are finished to a high standard, with sleek kitchens, open-plan living areas and floor-toceiling windows. On-site facilities include a co-working space, a gym and cinema room. Residents can also enjoy landscaped gardens and waterside walks. Reading centre, from where rail services run to Oxford and London in just over 20 minutes, will be reached in six minutes from the new station.

Located on the outskirts of the historic town of Bedford, these new homes enjoy a great balance of laid-back village life and contemporary living, mixed with convenient amenities and commuter links. The new range of two and three bedroom homes available through shared ownership forms part of the brand new village of Wixams, complete with shops, schools, playground, ponds and village green. Bedford, for great shopping, riverside dining, parks and schools, is a short drive, while trains to London take around 40 minutes.

berkeleygroup.co.uk

lqhomes.com *Based on a 50% share of the full market value of £280,000

Reading is a great town, and a place I have visited a lot over the years. The shopping and eating out is amazing – and it is very easy to get to both Oxford and London, which makes it a hot contender when it comes to commuting. I am seriously impressed with this development, too – the on-site facilities look incredible. I love the waterside vistas and communal gardens – it really is a lovely looking place. The railway station makes it so easy to get into town, I know you’d never be short on things to do here.”

I worked and lived in Bedford for a few years and I thoroughly enjoyed it! It is a really great place to live, I used to love the riverside, and there are some lovely parks and cafes to explore. I particularly like the aesthetic of these homes, and they definitely have a country feel about them, plus the village has been created very thoughtfully. Travel to London is super easy from here, but Oxford is a slightly longer drive than I’d hoped for – meaning it might be a bit far from my sister to consider.”

FROM £69,375*

the of Oxford’s city centre, Just over two miles south orlds th-w -bo t-of Place offer a bes new homes at Newman y eas hin wit life ntry and cou setting – with both urban munal com h wit ok, bro tty pre a reach. Situated alongside to four properties range from one landscaped grounds, the areas g livin lan n-p ents, bright, ope bedrooms. In the apartm en ture fea es hom er larg and the lead to private balconies, be can main bedrooms. Oxford suite bathrooms from the ning utes by bicycle, while stun min reached in around 15 ched rea be can s s riverside pub Thames walks and gloriou in no time on foot. catalyst.homes *Based on a 25% share of the full market value of £277,500

THE NEXT STEP

“I am very interested in this property, have already registered my interest and made contact with a mortgage broker. I will take my sister along for a viewing to get her seal of approval, and will probably do some test commutes to makes sure it works for me, location-wise.”

This is a really good location – it’s a very quick cycle or drive into Oxford, has some lovely scenery on the doorstep, and it’s only a few miles from my sister. The style of the development is really nice – the apartments have been designed beautifully. I’m particularly keen on the floor-to-ceiling windows, which make the living spaces look so light and bright – essential when you’re working from home. The styling and fittings are also super stylish – it would be so exciting to move into a brand new home and really make it my own. The river is lovely and close and I just know I’d make the most of riverside runs and days out with my family, with lots of popular riverside pubs to choose from close by.”

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ADVICE

Simon Scott is Assistant Director, Commercial & Property Marketing for Origin Housing and has been helping first time buyers on to the property ladder for more than 20 years. One of the industry’s most influential sales and marketing operatives, Simon has worked for some of the UK’s largest housing associations. He places an emphasis on exceptional customer service, and is a true expert in his field

Q

I have been saving for a few years and I am now ready to purchase my own home in London, but I have heard that interest rates have increased. What does this mean for first time buyers like me, and should I be concerned?

A

As a prospective first time buyer, you are right to keep your eye on the news.

In December 2021, for the first time in three years, the Bank of England raised interest rates, increasing them from 0.1% to 0.25%.

So, why does this matter to first time buyers like yourself? Put simply, the interest rate is the fee you pay when you borrow money, for example when you take out a mortgage. In the UK, the Bank of England sets the national interest rate. Individual commercial lenders, such as banks and building societies, use this rate as a guide when setting their own interest rates on their mortgage products. The good news is, even with this increase, rates are still extremely low, compared to what they have been historically. Also, keep in mind that, as this announcement only came out at the end of last year, it will take a while for the impact to trickle down the commercial lenders.

As a first time buyer, it’s important to look at all the options open to you – such as shared ownership, which is a part-buy/ part-rent scheme. Shared ownership allows eligible first time buyers to buy a percentage share of a property, usually between 25%-75%, while renting the share you do not own at a subsidised rent level. Shared ownership can be a great option if you are concerned about interest rate rises. You will have a smaller mortgage, as you only need a mortgage for the proportion you own.

Therefore, if rates rise again, you may feel the impact less acutely when it comes to your monthly outgoings.

While there are an increasing number of shared ownership homes on the market in London, demand is high, so homes sell fast. It’s always worth considering buying a home in a major regeneration area, such

as Harrow, particularly if you are looking to buy in London. A regeneration area is an area where an organisation, usually the local authority, is investing in new facilities and improvements in the area. Buying early in a regeneration area can be a great investment.

If you’re interested in shared ownership, I would always advise you to keep an eye on developments you like and register your interest early to secure one of the first viewings. For example, here at Origin Housing we are holding a pre-launch event for a flagship development in Harrow, at Harrow

Simon Scott, Assistant Director, Commercial & Property Marketing, Origin Housing

and Wealdstone Heights – allowing eligible buyers to secure their dream home early.

Registering your interest early is especially important with smaller developments and in property hotspots, such as central London. At Origin’s development Camley Street, which is located right on the Regent’s Canal near Kings Cross and Camden, purchasers can buy 25% of a one bedroom apartment for £150,000 through shared ownership. With a minimum deposit of £7,500, it means this fantastic central Zone 1 location is suddenly on the cards for first time buyers.

FROM

Located in the heart of a popular north London neighbourhood, Origin is launching a brand new collection of 81 contemporary one and two bedroom shared ownership apartments at Harrow and Wealdstone Heights.

The impressive development features two dramatic towers, finished in high-end Portuguese limestone. At 18 stories at its tallest, Harrow and Wealdstone Heights’ modern, open-plan apartments will deliver Origin’s exceptional standard of finish, with every home offering access to a private Harrow and balcony – many with panoramic views across Wealdstone Heights London’s skyline.

A communal roof terrace will create a sense of community, and the development will be set among landscaped green spaces, with play areas and mature planting.

Harrow is currently undergoing a multi-million pound regeneration scheme, which will deliver a wealth of new cultural facilities, commercial premises and green spaces. Origin’s new shared ownership apartments are ideally situated for new purchasers to benefit from the vast investment into the local area.

Perfect for commuters, the development is located just a few minutes’ walk from Harrow and Wealdstone station which is serviced by underground, Overground and mainline trains.

Residents will benefit from easy connections into central London, with journeys to Euston taking just 15 minutes.

£TBC

You can register your interest ahead of the new launch at originhousingsales.co.uk/harrowwealdstone-heights

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THE VIEW

s y a D y n n Su Ahead!

Jasmine Harman trained as a fitness instructor and never dreamed of being on the TV. However, there was a twist of fate and she’s now a top presenter and a regular host on A Place in the Sun. She talks to Lynda Clark about her exciting career, and with her property knowledge and experience gives some excellent advice for first time buyers

J

asmine is a very busy lady and with two young children and a full schedule of filming to organise she hardly has a spare moment. She regularly presents A Place in the Sun and has also presented a host of television shows on prime-time TV. She was born in Hackney, east London, and comes from a “big Greek family". Her father is British and her mother Greek Cypriot, and Jasmine has six younger siblings, so home life was always very hectic.

“Even though my parents separated, I’ve always been close with both of them. When I was growing up, I wanted to be a vet until my mum told me the job involved putting animals down. I was so upset at the thought of it that I went right off the idea and decided to become a vegetarian. Then I wanted to be a pop star, even though I can’t sing!

“I was quite academic at school, but I was also very creative. I enjoyed science and maths as much as drama and English literature, but in the end, I decided to focus on the more creative subjects. After taking my A-levels, I decided to train as a fitness instructor. It’s an involved process as there are many different components to it, like

20

anatomy, nutrition and of course the physical side of things.”

Jasmine got her first job in a health club in Islington, north London, and stayed there for a couple of years before becoming assistant manager in another club in Muswell Hill. “It was 2000 and I was offered the opportunity to go to Portugal and become marketing manager of a health spa. I was headhunted for the position and as I have a real sense of adventure and love travelling I decided to go. It was a very exciting opportunity and although I had never been to Portugal before, I felt that with the right attitude I would make it work. It was absolutely amazing and I loved every moment of it. The lifestyle, social life and the people were all fantastic. It really made me broaden my horizons, and having grown up in Hackney, I suddenly felt that the world was my oyster and I could do and achieve anything I wanted.”

Jasmine was responsible for the marketing budget and decided to advertise on the Algarve’s popular radio station, Kiss FM. “I went along to the meeting to sort out what we were going to do and requested we have a female voiceover for one of the ads.

They suggested that I do it myself, and after securing a good discount for the adverts, I agreed. A week later I was left in the studio, live on air, and it was a real baptism of fire! I coped though and managed to get through it, before staying there for three years to present a twice-weekly magazine-style show!”

It was at the end of 2003 that Jasmine had a life-changing birthday. She explains, “I was turning 28 and had been thinking I needed a new challenge. I was out for my birthday with friends and after a few margaritas we were feeling a little merry and they suggested that I return to the UK and become a TV presenter!

It may have been suggested in jest, but it put a thought in my head.

"I had the idea of making a travel show, so I made a pilot in the Algarve. When I returned to London I decided to approach a production company asking if I could go in and talk to them. When I phoned them, the girl who answered spoke Portuguese and, as I speak the language too, we chatted away and I think it broke the ice. She asked me to do a screen test and a couple of months later I was back in the Algarve filming A Place in the Sun: Home or Away? It couldn’t have

First Time Buyer December 2021/January 2022

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THE VIEW

"ALWAYS GET PROFESSIONAL FINANCIAL ADVICE SO YOU GET THE BEST MORTGAGE FOR YOU, AND WORK OUT YOUR BUDGETS, BEING REALISTIC OF COURSE, SO YOU HAVE A GOOD IDEA OF WHAT YOU CAN AFFORD" First Time Buyer February/March 2022 23

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THE VIEW

"LIVING AT HOME MEANS YOU WILL BE ABLE TO SAVE, BUT AGAIN THAT IS NOT ALWAYS POSSIBLE. BUYING WITH A FRIEND, PARTNER OR FAMILY MEMBER IS GREAT, ESPECIALLY IF YOU CAN’T AFFORD TO BUY ON YOUR OWN"

"NOW WE ARE BACK IN FULL SWING AND PEOPLE ARE DESPERATE TO BUY ABROAD. I HAVE BEEN VERY SURPRISED ABOUT THE INTEREST, BUT IN PLACES LIKE CYPRUS, FRANCE, SPAIN AND ITALY, PROPERTIES ARE GOING LIKE HOT CAKES" 24

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THE VIEW

worked out better, as I knew the area, so I could really advise the house hunters about living in Portugal and give them some inside information. I’ve been presenting the show ever since."

Although Jasmine lived at home with her family until she moved to Portugal, she had the insight to save for a deposit. “I was in my early 20s and a close friend and I decided we would buy a large house together and maybe rent out a couple of rooms to help with the costs. But we ended up in a contract race and didn’t get it. It took about four or five months and during that time the prices had gone up so much that a three bedroom house went from around £150,000 to £200,000, which we couldn’t afford.

"When I went to the Algarve, I was given an apartment as part of my contract so I was able to save quite a lot of money while I was there.

I eventually came home and rented a room for a couple of months. I started dating Jon, my future husband, who was a cameraman on A Place in the Sun, and soon afterwards we moved in together. Jon gave up his flat and we were planning to rent somewhere together but as we had managed to scrape together enough for a deposit, we decided to buy instead, which made more sense.

"It was quite a whirlwind and just to be on the safe side we saw a solicitor who drew up a trust deed, which ensured we would both be covered if anything went wrong. We bought a Victorian three bedroom garden flat in Tooting, which we still own and let out.”

After a couple of years, the couple decided to buy a house in Sutton and found the perfect one. Jasmine says, “We bought it with the intention of moving in, but then got the news that we were going away filming for a long stretch and it seemed too much of a hassle to move in and then go away for six months, so we decided to let it out instead.

Finally, we really did want to move as we needed a home which didn’t need much maintenance as we were always away and never had the time to do all the various jobs.

We found a house that had been built by an Australian lady. It was a complete one-off and didn’t look like a typical British house at all because of her influence. There was a huge concertina glass door at the back, which allowed the outside space to become part of the living room.

“We then went on to buy another house, which was exactly what we had been looking for but needed a lot of renovation. It is in an area that we didn’t know very well, but it ticked all the boxes so we decided to buy it. It’s just into Surrey, and even though it is just a 15-minute drive to our old home you get so much more for your money. I took my own advice and looked further afield and was pleasantly surprised as you wouldn’t normally get anything like this size of house

at the price we paid. Living in the suburbs has proved to be lovely and we’re close to the station, so it only takes half an hour to get into central London.

"It’s a beautiful detached 1930s house, which originally had six bedrooms, a swimming pool and a big garden. The area is great, with a lovely little high street, some great parks and several excellent schools nearby too. Initially we planned to rent it out so we could save up to do some work on it, but things didn’t quite go to plan and so we moved in instead. Again, I took my own advice and we lived in the house for about a year before making any major changes, which is very important as you get to know the place and see it in all the different seasons.

"It had been extended in the 1980s and was typically decorated in that era. The en suite off the master bedroom was enormous and had pink carpet, which had actually been custom-made and stitched into place. There were curved steps leading up to a Jacuzzi and even though it was certainly not to our taste, it was the perfect example of what would have been very fashionable at that time.

“We decided to move out so the builders could start with the renovations and actually moved back into our first property. It was perfect timing because the tenants who had been there for around seven years were moving out and buying their own home. It was different living there this time as we now have two children, but there are three bedrooms and a garden so we managed very well.”

Jasmine and Jon completely changed the house and knocked through walls so it’s now open plan, with a huge family space. They also have a new kitchen, bathrooms and the annexe, which was only accessible from the outside, has been turned into a utility room and Jon’s office. Jasmine continues, “We also changed the layout of upstairs and we now have five double bedrooms, which is fine for what we want. We did think about also doing a loft conversion, but we decided we really didn’t need any more space or bedrooms.

“Even now, though, we haven’t quite finished renovating and it is certainly not a finished project. I am always doing something in the house but I found a wonderful virtual interior design company called My Bespoke Room, who are very affordable and lovely to work with. Now we are working more at home I needed an office space and they did a superb job creating a space for me for around £250."

Jasmine, who has two children, was able to travel abroad for A Place in the Sun with the children, and her mother also went on location to look after them when she was filming. “It was so lovely for us all to be together and a very bonding experience.

But when my daughter started school I had to change my work schedule and I couldn’t be gallivanting around the globe, so I had

to make a work-life balance so I could be a parent and also a jet-setting TV presenter. I live a sort of double life but somehow it all works very well. During lockdown, it was quite tough as we couldn’t do any filming, although we did manage to do some in 2020, albeit socially distanced. We also had Brexit to deal with at pretty much the same time, which meant getting visas to go to certain places and dealing with restrictions on how long you could stay in certain places.

“Now we are back in full swing and people are desperate to buy abroad. I have been very surprised about the interest, but in places like Cyprus, France, Spain and Italy, properties are going like hot cakes! It is a complete mixture of first time buyers who can’t afford to buy in the UK but still want to get a foot on the ladder and people who are retired and are determined to make it happen. You can still get a very decent home for under £100,000 abroad, which is very affordable.”

Jasmine has some excellent advice for first time buyers and says, “It is very hard to get on the ladder, so it is important to make the most of the different Government schemes and incentives. Not everyone has the option of getting help from their parents and it is very hard to save for a deposit. Living at home means you will be able to save, but again that is not always possible.

"Buying with a friend, partner or family member is great, especially if you can’t afford to buy on your own. But, it is really vital to draw up a trust deed so everything is very clear if any issues do arise. Another important point is to make a Will, as once you have bought a property you will have assets.

I know it is not something any of us think about but it does give you peace of mind.

“Also remember that it’s not just buying the home that costs money – you have to remember there will be other costs like removals, Stamp Duty and solicitor’s fees, and everytime you move it will cost money again.

So, I think first timers should look to the future and find a place for the longer term.

Ask yourself lots of questions about what is important to you, and if you have children, of course, there will be a very different list of priorities. Finally, always get professional financial advice so you get the best mortgage for you, and work out your budgets, being realistic of course, so you have a good idea of what you can afford.”

As we finish our chat I feel that Jasmine has the best of all worlds, with a wonderful family, beautiful home and a great job. She says finally, “I’m always so busy but I love and enjoy every new challenge that comes along.”

Personally, I think we are going to see Jasmine on our screens for many years to come.

A Place in the Sun broadcasts weekdays at 3pm on Channel 4

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GOVERNMENT SCHEMES

SHARED OWNERSHIP VS HELP TO BUY: EQUITY LOAN

Buying your first home can feel like a daunting prospect, but there are Government schemes designed to help you along the way. Debbie Clark looks at the support available from the shared ownership and Help to Buy: Equity Loan schemes; what are the benefits of each and does it really pay to take advantage of them?

SHARED OWNERSHIP What is it?

Shared ownership is a Government-backed scheme which allows buyers in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland to buy a share of a home and pay rent on the remaining share. The aim is to make it more affordable for those with lower incomes or small deposits to buy in areas that without shared ownership might not be possible.

Buyers can, if they wish, then buy additional shares as their situation allows based on the value of the home when they apply. The scheme is available on selected new build homes, and secondhand shared ownership homes where the owners wish to sell, which are called resales.

Am I eligible?

Shared ownership is designed for first time buyers, and for those who need support to upsize to suitably accommodate a growing family. To be eligible: 9 You must be at least 18 years old 9 Your annual household income must be less than £80,000 (£90,000 in London) 9 You cannot own another home (if you do own another property you must be in the process of selling it) 9 You should not be able to afford to buy a home suitable for your housing needs on the open market 9 You must show you are not in mortgage

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or rent arrears and not have any bad debts or County Court Judgements 9 You must be able to demonstrate that you have a good credit history and can afford the regular payments and costs involved in buying a home.

The homes are sold through housing associations, councils and developers, and under planning obligations some local eligibility criteria may apply for an initial marketing period to allow those with a location connection of either living or working in the area having initial priority, alongside Armed Forces personnel.

Why should I do it?

Shared ownership is designed to help you get a foot on the ladder at the lowest possible cost. The initial outlay is lower than buying on the open market or through Help to Buy as you only need a deposit for the share you are buying, and the annual income required to get a mortgage for a share of a property is obviously significantly less than if you were to purchase the whole property. For those who are struggling to save a deposit, shared ownership can be a sensible choice.

What’s the catch?

There are other costs involved, so make sure you have budgeted for them. You will need to budget for solicitor’s fees, moving costs and any broker or mortgage arrangement fees. You may also need to pay Stamp Duty,

though first time buyers purchasing a share worth less than £300,000 of a home worth up to £500,000 will not be liable for this.

Once you move in, as well as your mortgage repayments, you will pay rent on the remaining share plus a service charge that pays for the upkeep of communal areas of the building, including buildings insurance, cleaning, repairs, garden maintenance and window cleaning. In some cases, you will also pay ground rent. You are also responsible for any repairs to your home (under new changes, the housing provider will contribute up to £500 annually).

There are further costs involved if you choose to purchase a larger share of your home through “staircasing”. The property will usually need to be revalued by a surveyor, as the cost will be based on the current market value. This can be expensive, so it’s worth staircasing in larger increments if you can afford to. Changes to the scheme will allow staircasing of 1% a year without a survey for 15 years, which will make this process more manageable for many.

Anything else I should know?

You will have a financial assessment, to determine the share you can afford to purchase and, more importantly, sustain.

This is usually a minimum of 25% and maximum of 75%, but changes will mean it will soon be possible to start with a modest 10%. If you are buying a resale home, you

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can only buy the same amount as the existing owner or a larger proportion.

If and when you come to sell, you must first allow your housing provider to offer the home for sale to eligible shared ownership buyers for a fixed period of time. The provider will charge a fee if a sale is made, in the same way an estate agent does when selling a home on the open market, but if it doesn't secure a buyer for you in a given time, you can put it on the open market with an estate agent, either as a shared ownership home, or using a process called “simultaneous staircasing” where your solicitor uses the buyer’s money to staircase your ownership to 100% at the point of sale.

How do I apply?

The first thing you will need to do is visit an affordable home property portal like sharetobuy.com, keaze.com or the regional Help to Buy agents' portals and create an account. You can then search for suitable homes in your chosen area and find out how much of a deposit you would need.

When you find a home you like, you register your interest with the housing provider and arrange a viewing. In London, you can also go direct to the housing provider.

Assuming you like it, and meet the eligibility criteria, you can then put down a reservation fee to secure the home and the financial assessment is completed. You will then need to arrange a mortgage and instruct a solicitor to handle the conveyancing.

CHANGES TO SHARED OWNERSHIP The Government has announced some changes to the shared ownership scheme that apply to developments granted planning permission after April 2021. It is therefore worth checking which rules apply to the development you are interested in. The key differences are: 9 The minimum initial share will be reduced from 25% to 10% 9 Staircasing in smaller increments of as little as 1% a year for 15 years will be allowed, with decreased costs that are based on the House Price Index for the relevant property type classification calculated by the Office for National Statistics and published by the Land Registry by local authority 9 The minimum staircasing transaction has reduced from 10% to 5% if you wish to buy a one-off share with the cost based on a Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) valuation 9 The housing provider will be responsible for essential repairs and

maintenance for the first 10 years or until the shared owner staircases to 100% ownership. The shared owner will be able to reclaim costs from the landlord for these repairs and maintenance up to £500 per year for the first 10 years, carrying forward any unused money to the following year 9 The shared ownership lease will increase from 125 years to 990 years (999 years in London) 9 When selling a shared ownership home, the housing provider has an exclusive marketing period to find a suitable shared ownership buyer. This will reduce from eight weeks to four weeks.

HELP TO BUY What is it?

The Government’s Help to Buy: Equity Loan scheme is designed to help those struggling to save for a deposit to get on the housing ladder by giving them a loan worth up to 20% of the property value (40% in London), which is interest-free for the first five years.

Regional price caps restrict how much the property you’re hoping to buy can cost, with a significant difference between the two ends of the scale – from £186,100 for a home in the North East to £600,000 in London.

Am I eligible?

Help to Buy is only open to first time buyers, defined as someone who has never owned a home or residential land in the UK or abroad. You must also be: 9 Aged 18 or over 9 Able to afford both the fees and the interest payments.

The property you are purchasing must be a new build home, built by a Help to Buy registered housebuilder.

Why should I do it?

Buying with the support of a Help to Buy: Equity Loan means that even with only a 5% deposit, you will have access to more competitive mortgage rates; if you have a 5% deposit and a 20% equity loan you’ll only need to apply for a 75% mortgage, which will have a significantly better rate than a 95% mortgage. If you were able to put down a 10 or even 20% deposit, these rates would be better still. The interest will also be on a smaller sum, as the mortgage will be for a lower amount. You will, of course, be taking out two loan agreements with the equity loan too, but one of the biggest draws of Help to Buy is that the loans are interest free for the first five years.

What’s the catch?

If you don’t repay your equity loan within

five years, you’ll start being charged interest on it. The initial rate in year six is 1.75%, but that then increases every April until the loan is paid off. While interest is only charged on the original amount you borrow, it can still add hundred or even thousands of pounds to your annual costs. There are also other risks to an equity loan; if property prices rise, you’ll owe more when paying the equity loan back, as the percentage owed remains the same regardless of your home’s value. It could also be harder to "trade up" if property prices rise, as the extra you need to borrow will be more than if you had been able to buy initially without the support of a loan.

Anything else I should know?

The scheme is only available for select new build properties by participating developers in England only.

It is important to be mindful of how and when you pay off your equity loan so the initial savings aren’t offset once interest starts mounting following the five-year interest-free period.

You always have to repay the same percentage of equity loan that you borrowed, so if the value of the property has dropped, then it may a good time to pay the loan back if you can, as the value of the loan will be less. You don’t have to pay off the whole equity loan in one go, or at all until you come to sell your property, but if you choose to do so you will need to repay at least 10% of the property’s current value, and do so in multiples of 10%.

As with shared ownership, you’ll need to have the outstanding loan amount assessed via a valuation by an accredited surveyor.

If you are in a position to afford higher mortgage payments or are now eligible for better rates, you may find the easiest way to repay the loan is by remortgaging your property, but we would always recommend consulting a broker to help you determine the best course of action.

How do I apply?

The first thing you’ll need to do is find and reserve a property. The easiest way to find eligible properties is to search online through your local Help to Buy agent. Reservations should be no more than £500, and are refundable if you’re not approved for the loan.

You’ll then apply for the equity loan itself, again through the Help to Buy agent. You will need to provide personal and financial information, including details about your income. If you’re approved for the loan, the next step will be to apply for your mortgage.

If you already have a Help to Buy ISA or Lifetime ISA (or if you’re thinking of applying for a Lifetime ISA), these can also be used with a Help to Buy: Equity Loan.

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GOVERNMENT SCHEMES

CASE STUDY - SHARED OWNERSHIP

MILL HILL, NW7 Twenty Millbrook Park

FROM £106,250*

Just 20 one and two bedroom apartments are available in this leafy Mill Hill development. Twenty Millbrook Park offers a number of on-site amenities, including secure underground parking, concierge services and a landscaped podium complete with picnic benches and tables. The contemporary apartments come fully equipped with integrated kitchen appliances, as well as built-in wardrobes.

Homes benefit from fully decked, private balconies.

Excellent transport links provide swift access to central London; residents can easily reach Charing Cross in just 32 minutes, and Bank in 36 minutes from Mill Hill East tube station, approximately five minutes’ walk from the development. nhgsales.com/sales-developments/millbrook-park 020 3925 6175 *Based on a 25% share of the full market value of £425,000

EALING, W13 SO Resi Ealing

FROM £108,125*

SO Resi Ealing is a collection of contemporary one and two bedroom apartments situated in the heart of vibrant West Ealing, with Ealing Broadway just a 10-minute walk away. The large, high-spec apartments boast private balconies in addition to open communal areas and a beautiful rooftop terrace offering panoramic views of London. Ealing is well connected, with numerous public transport options, including the Central Line and National Rail services, in addition to cycle routes and pathways. The arrival of Crossrail will mean residents will reach Paddington from West Ealing station in just 12 minutes and Canary Wharf in just 29 minutes. soresi.co.uk/find-a-property/ealing 020 8607 0550 *Based on a 25% share of the full market value of £432,500

SOUTH WEST LONDON The Switch

FROM £102,500*

Located equidistant between Earlsfield, Tooting and Wimbledon, The Switch offers one, two and three bedroom apartments in one of the most sought-after locations in south west London. Offering ample space to work from home, residents can easily divide up the expansive open-plan living space. Nearby Garratt Lane offers an array of shops, bars and restaurants and for those who enjoy the outdoors, the popular Wandle Meadow Nature Park with open space and country walks is only an 11-minute walk away.

Public transport options into the city are plentiful. Tooting Broadway tube station in Zone 3 is within easy walking distance and offers direct routes to London Bridge and King’s Cross on the Northern Line, or you can take the District Line from nearby Wimbledon Park, or hop on the Overground from Earlsfield Station to London Waterloo. catalyst.homes/development/the-switch/ 020 8131 3668

Australian-born Daniel, 33, has cemented his move to London, purchasing a 28% share of a new two bedroom apartment through shared ownership at Union Walk at The Green Quarter in Southall.

After six years of renting, and spurred on by lockdown, the TV producer left a flat share in West Hampstead. Daniel explains, “Covid gave me the push I needed to get myself on to the property ladder. I realised I didn’t want to continue living like a student any more!

"I was seriously yearning for green space and decided that I never wanted to be in that situation again.’’ He adds, “I’ve gone from pokey, old, draughty windows which get jammed when you try to open them to lovely floor-to-ceiling, double-glazed windows, which let in lots of light, and a balcony with great views.”

Daniel had been saving casually since 2018 but, with reduced spending in lockdown, increased his monthly savings from £250 to £600-£700. Initially he was looking at one bedroom apartments, but he received some inheritance allowing him to secure a two bedroom home. “The extra cash injection means I have space for my parents to stay with me when they visit, so they can avoid extortionate hotel bills for month-long stays in London,” Daniel says.

Staying in London was a priority for Daniel, but he was open to where.“I crammed viewings in over one weekend and when I came to Union Walk, I could see myself living here immediately. The apartment’s practical layout, spacious hallway and high-quality finishes were the best I’d seen. I brought friends along to a second viewing as a sounding board, chose the apartment I wanted and went for it.”

Daniel has found that, despite the increase in his monthly bills due to mortgage repayments and rent costs, other expenses have decreased considerably: “Living in a new, modern building, my monthly electricity bill has gone down from £45 a month to just £16. I have a brilliant smart meter and am walking around indoors with just a T-shirt on, despite the temperature really dropping outside. My water bill has also reduced.” An incentive offered by Latimer Homes at the development meant that Daniel also saved £3,000 on legal fees.

*Based on a 25% share of the full market value of £410,000

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GOVERNMENT SCHEMES

CASE STUDY - SHARED OWNERSHIP

FROM £115,625*

HARROW

EALING, W13

The Elms

Ealing Bond

Claire, 34, has recently moved into a two bedroom apartment at SO Resi Times Square in Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire.

Claire, an NHS physiotherapist, was desperate for own home but was struggling to save up a big enough deposit. However, moving in with her parents during the Covid-19 crisis meant that putting money aside was easier. She quickly saved £10,000 and started looking for a home to buy; however she found that, despite the size of her deposit, her options were still limited.

She had some reservations about shared ownership but, with her dad’s encouragement, decided to find out more.

Claire comments, “Shared ownership sounded really complicated, but it’s actually easy to understand. It’s a really helpful way of getting on to the housing ladder. And you don’t need a massive deposit to afford a nice home.” Claire bought a 40% share of her apartment. She could have bought a slightly bigger share but didn’t want to stretch herself too far financially.

Claire’s new home was formerly an office building so it has lots of big windows allowing plenty of natural light. She says, “The building design is really unique, and although it was previously an office, you wouldn’t be able to tell as it feels really homely. My friends are very complimentary about the space and how open it is. I don’t have a lot of furniture yet, but I’m getting there, and it feels really good to have my own space. The second bedroom is becoming my walk-in wardrobe!”

She loves the convenience of Welwyn Garden City: “I have a car, but the 30-minute train journey into central London is really useful.

The area has a countryside feel but is close to London, so it’s the best of both worlds.”

When Claire bought, she signed up for SO Resi Plus, which enables her to buy an additional 1% share each year at a fixed price without having to pay valuation and legal fees.

She plans to live at SO Resi Times Square for a while and buy more shares with a view to eventually owning outright.

FROM £88,125*

This contemporary collection of 17 one, two and three bedroom apartments from Octavia is located just a six-minute walk from West Ealing station. Each apartment benefits from a spacious open plan living area and modern fully fitted kitchen. Ealing Bond residents will benefit from the upcoming Crossrail completion, putting Bond Street just a 13-minute tube ride away. An impressive range of shops, bars and restaurants can also be found within a 10-minute walk at West Ealing Broadway. Applicants must live or work in the Borough of Ealing.

Conveniently located just a short walk from the shopping centres, cafes and restaurants of Harrow on the Hill, The Elms from Octavia is a collection of one and two bedroom apartments, all with well-proportioned living areas, and contemporary fully fitted kitchens and bathrooms. The development is within walking distance of both Harrow-on-the-Hill and Harrow & Wealdstone stations, boasting quick connections into London Euston, Baker Street or Marylebone stations. Priority for this development will be given to applicants who live or work in the London Borough of Harrow.

sharetobuy.com/properties/165486 020 8354 5500

sharetobuy.com/properties/156106 020 8354 5500

*Based on a 25% share of the full market value of £462,500

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

HELP TO BUY HOMES FROM £260,000

BURNHAM, BUCKINGHAMSHIRE Burnham Court

FROM £TBC

CRESSING, ESSEX Templar Green

This collection of one and two bedroom apartments features bespoke matt-finished kitchens with integrated Bosch appliances and contemporary porcelain tiled bathrooms.

Each apartment also includes private off-street parking. The high street in nearby Burnham village has a comprehensive range of shops, gastropubs and independent eateries. Burnham station is a 20-minute walk away, with regular services into London Paddington taking just 36 minutes, and Crossrail is due to arrive soon.

This picturesque development, surrounded by open fields, offers contemporary two, three and four bedroom homes. Residents benefit from easy access to all the amenities of nearby Braintree, including the Braintree Village shopping centre less than three miles away. For travel into the capital, Cressing station offers services into London Liverpool Street in 55 minutes, while for travel further afield, London Stansted is 20 minutes away. Families will love the 100 acres of Great Notley Country Park nearby, with cycle and walking trails, a fishing lake and wildflower meadows.

chanceryhomes.co.uk 01628 674 234 or 01344 753 110

inlandhomes.co.uk/developments/templar-green 01245 500 599

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CASE STUDY - HELP TO BUY

THAMESMEAD Southmere

Sam, 25, and Sallie, 26, had planned to travel and work in Australia for two years, but when coronavirus hit, their plans were turned upside down. The pair were forced to return home in March 2020 after only 12 weeks. The couple’s priorities soon shifted, and they set their hearts on finding their first house together instead. Nine months later, they put down a reservation for a three bedroom detached house at Linden Homes’ Finches Park development in Frinton-on-Sea. Sam, an electrician, and Sallie, a support officer at Essex County Council, used the Help to Buy scheme to buy the property, meaning they could secure their home with just a 5% deposit. Sallie says, “We’re so glad we got the opportunity to use the scheme and were able to put down a smaller deposit – we wouldn’t have secured a three bedroom detached house without it!”

The couple – who were previously living with their parents – were won over by the quality of Linden Homes’ properties at Finches Park. Sallie says, “If I’m honest, I was against buying a new build to begin with. But after Sam convinced me to look around it late last year, my opinion completely changed. The houses are so spacious and all of the gardens on the estate are a great size – which is the complete opposite of what I expected. I’m the biggest new build convert going!” The location was also perfect for the couple. “Not only is the area quiet, but we’re also a four-minute drive from the beach and a five-minute drive from both of our parents’ houses,” says Sallie.

Sam and Sallie had the pick of a variety of different house types, and ended up reserving the three bedroom Mountford 2 off-plan as it ticked every one of their boxes. Sallie says, “We decided to wait for the Mountford to be built as it had the exact layout we wanted – a large kitchen and dining area with a separate living room.”

The couple’s travel plans may not have gone as expected, but they couldn’t be happier with how things have panned out. Sallie comments, “The pride and excitement we feel to own a house together now far outweighs that disappointment.”

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FROM £297,500

Peabody has launched a new phase of 88 apartments at its flagship development. The one, two and three bedroom apartments boast elegant kitchen/living areas, with extensive storage and built-in appliances, and spacious balconies. Residents will have access to a concierge service, residents’ lounge, meeting rooms and workspaces. Alongside these amenities is a new library, shops, restaurants and community facilities, all sitting moments from Southmere Lake. The nearby Abbey Wood Overground station makes London Bridge accessible in only 22 minutes, Bond Street in 25 minutes and Waterloo in 35 minutes. When Crossrail arrives at Abbey Wood, commuters can expect to be in Canary Wharf in just 11 minutes. southmere.co.uk 020 8740 2060

CHERTSEY, SURREY Eldebury Place

FROM £274,995

Help to Buy is available on one and two bedroom apartments at this impressive development, which also features three and four bedroom homes. Having launched off-plan, Eldebury Place is set just a stone’s throw from Chertsey high street.

The development has been commended in the Built for Life industry awards, a quality mark that recognises well-designed new homes, neighbourhoods and communities. For commuters, Chertsey railway station is just a short walk away and offers direct connections to London Waterloo in as little as 48 minutes. All homes offer access to fibre optic broadband. barratthomes.co.uk/new-homes/dev000293-eldebury-place 0330 057 9257

HARINGEY Evergreen

FROM £440,000

Latimer Homes is offering an exclusive collection of one, two and three bedroom apartments and duplexes, situated in Green Lanes, a vibrant quarter of north London.

The development has been designed to complement the character of the local area, while providing the latest in 21st century style, comfort and convenience, including a new health centre. The homes benefi t from generously proportioned spaces and private balconies, many overlooking a landscaped garden square. The development is just a short tube ride from central London. Shared ownership options will also be available. forevergreenlanes.com 020 7118 0671

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RENTPLUS

A HELPING HAND

Find your place to call home with Rentplus, which lets you pay reduced rent on a new build property so you can save for a deposit to buy it

EXPERT COMMENT It looks like 2022 will be another positive year for Rentplus. We have approaching 25,000 quality homes under development or in review and we have another tranche of renters who will become homeowners after

Living in a rented property while trying to save for a deposit has become almost impossible for so many people on middle-to-lower incomes. As rents have risen exponentially, an entire generation of renters has felt excluded from buying their own properties. For most, monthly mortgage repayments are cheaper than their rent – but being able to raise a deposit to get a mortgage in the first place is the biggest barrier of all.

moving in with no deposit in 2017 and renting for just five years.

The days we sell our homes to tenants, turning renters into homeowners, make it all worthwhile.

Steve Collins, CEO, Rentplus

32

RENTPLUS Rentplus was introduced to solve this problem for renters – to remove the deposit barrier and make homeownership achievable for working professionals and families alike.

Rentplus is a private provider of the long running rent-to-buy scheme. It allows those on low to middle incomes to move into a beautiful, brand new home with no deposit, and pay a reduced affordable rent for 5-20 years, giving them time to save for a deposit.

Doing so has helped many renters

restore their credit scores in preparation for homebuying.

FOREVER HOMES Homes are rented for lease periods of five to 20 years. After a set time, with savings built, renters are able to get a mortgage to buy their properties. Rentplus also gifts 10% of the purchase price to boost savings.

In 2021, the first of Rentplus’ renters bought their homes after five years in their properties. They had paid five years of affordable rent (20% less than private rent), cleared debt, restored credit ratings, saved money and then become homeowners with high street mortgages. All these things had seemed so far out of reach before moving into a Rentplus home.

Here we meet some of Rentplus’ happy renters and learn about their journey towards homeownership.

Rentplus works in partnership with housing associations, and offers homes in new build developments all over the country. For more information, visit rentplus-uk.com

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RENTPLUS

CASE STUDY – JAMES & VICTORIA

CASE STUDY - NICOLE RICHARDS

When nurse Nicole Richards’ landlord in Wellingborough decided to raise her rent, she knew that she would have to downsize. Unable to save the deposit she needed to buy her own home, she started looking for a smaller rental property. Just one week later she moved in to her brand new house, paying affordable rent, and was on course to owning her own home.

Nicole, 27, had long thought about buying a home. She’d moved to Northampton after renting in Cambridgeshire and looked into shared ownership, but had found it impossible to save any money for a deposit.

Renting seemed her only option.

“When I started looking for a smaller house, I was happy to see the new one bedroom houses Rentplus was offering in Kingsthorpe, through Greatwell Homes,” says Nicole. Very quickly, and without the need for any deposit, Nicole moved in to a brand new one bedroom house, leaving her just enough time to get carpet laid.

“I’m loving living in my new home. It’s really quiet. The neighbours are lovely and Greatwell Homes was very, very helpful. I plan to be in a position to buy the house in five years’ time. I have an ISA set up and I can already see that growing each month. Rentplus is a fantastic opportunity to help people such as myself to save to purchase their first home, and I am so grateful to find this opportunity.”

Both children of serving Army parents, and then an Army family themselves, James Mead and Victoria Penketh-King had moved in and out of Army homes around the world all their lives. Neither felt they’d ever been able to call anywhere a “proper home”. In 2015, a life-changing back injury saw James medically discharged from the Army, so they needed to find a new home very quickly. Victoria heard about Rentplus, the affordable rent-to-buy scheme, and realised it was very possible to own their own home.

They were accepted for a three bedroom house in Derriford, Plymouth – with room for children Masie and her brother Harry. They moved in without any deposit, and immediately felt at home. “This is the first proper home we have had in our lives,” said Victoria. “It’s lovely to know that we are part of a long-term community, to be able to join in and be part of something.”

The couple are both working, have been able to save, and are looking forward to buying their property after the five-year period. “The drive to buy is not just the pride of working hard to own your own home. It’s also for our children and leaving them something, and somewhere they can put down roots and be part of the community. Rentplus hasn’t just given us a house, it has given us a real home.”

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LOCATION

HOTspot Wembley

5 REASONS WE LOVE… WEMBLEY

1 Wembley Stadium and its impressive arch 2 Vibrant "Little India" 3 Wembley SSE arena 4 Bustling Boxpark 5 Contrasting green spaces

Host to countless historic football fixtures and acclaimed live music events, Wembley has welcomed millions of visitors over the decades. But there is a lot more to this suburban town, which has enjoyed an impressive regeneration in the 15 years since the new Wembley Stadium was first unveiled

UNDER THE SPOTLIGHT

OUT AND ABOUT

Wembley in north west London was reached by London and Birmingham Railways in the mid19th century and by the 1920s had become an established suburb. Wembley Park was chosen to host the British Empire Exhibition in 1924, resulting in developments including the original Wembley Stadium. In 1965 the town became part of the new London Borough of Brent.

Dominated by the iconic arch of Wembley Stadium, the town now has a population of over 100,000 across the neighbourhoods of Alperton, North Wembley, Preston, Sudbury, Tokyngton and Wembley Park, which is almost unrecognisable from the unsightly industrial land and multi-storey car parks which greeted visitors in the early noughties. Brimming with new homes, offices and leisure facilities, the area has been transformed into one of the most exciting new neighbourhoods in London. Beyond the newly developed Wembley Park, Wembley is a vibrant, cosmopolitan town with a large South Asian community; the area in and around Ealing Road is fondly known as "Little India", with dozens of restaurants, cafes and specialist stores offering the foods and fashions of South Asia.

Wembley is popular with families; there is a good choice of schools, with over 15 primary schools, including independent and faith schools, and secondaries including the highly rated Preston Manor School. Young

professionals are also attracted by the area’s reasonable property prices, high-quality new build homes and accessibility to the city.

Located just 10 miles north-west of central London, one of Wembley’s biggest selling points is its proximity to the capital. The town benefits from three stations – all in Zone 4; Wembley Park on the Metropolitan and Jubilee Lines (12 minutes to Baker Street), Wembley Central on the Bakerloo Line (28 minutes to Oxford Circus) and Overground (fast services to London Euston and Watford), and Wembley Stadium (rail services to Marylebone). Preston Road and Wembley North also offer Metropolitan and Bakerloo Line services.

Wembley Park’s regeneration has seen an abundance of new developments built close to the stadium, offering a convenient and more affordable option for first time buyers priced out of Zones 2 and 3.

Further out, there are plenty of property types to choose from including detached, semi-detached and terraced houses, mainly dating from the expansion in the 1920s and 1930s.

Around seven million visitors flock to Wembley every year, and with good reason!

Wembley Stadium, the country’s largest sporting venue, and the SSE Arena, an impressive art deco-style live music venue, both host incredible events and are right on the doorstep. It is, however, unlikely that you will be spending every weekend there, so what else does the area have to offer?

Troubadour Wembley Park, a flexible 1,000 to 2,000 seat theatre, for a start, making world-class theatre easily accessible. There is also a nine-screen Cineworld multiplex cinema in London Designer Outlet.

Wembley residents are spoilt for choice when it comes to shopping, from the hugely popular Wembley Market to the London Designer Outlet promising up to 70% off RRP of big brands including Kurt Geiger, Superdry and Jack Wills. The High Road between Wembley Stadium and Wembley Central has all the high street favourites, including TK Maxx and Primark, in addition to more specialist independent stores. Wembley Central Shopping Centre also offers a good selection of high street stores.

Slightly further afield, you’ll find Westfield White City with a remarkable 286 high street and designer stores along with 90 dining options.

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LOCATION

FA C T F I L E

Average property price in Brent (October 2021) – £494,976 Property breakdown* Detached – £1,135,422 Semi-detached – £727,495 Terraced – £618,267 Flat – £389,042

HOMES ON THE MARKET...

FROM £88,750*

*According to the Land Registry House Price Index

FA M O U S R E S I D E N T S • Actor and comedian Sir Lenny Henry • Rolling Stones drummer Charlie Watts • Astrologer Russell Grant • Nurse, journalist, broadcaster and novelist Claire Rayner • Actor Riz Ahmed

While restaurant chains dominate the shopping centres and Wembley Park, there is also an impressive range of independent eateries to explore. Locals rave about Young’s Peking Restaurant on Harrow Road, and there are plenty of options to enjoy South Asian food too. Masti, on the High Road, would be a great place to start, particularly if you plan to make a night of it; the impressive venue also boasts a bar and club! Boxpark Wembley, in the heart of Wembley Park, offers an abundance of street food choices in addition to some alternative entertainment options. The dedicated "play" space includes activities such as axe throwing, free-roam virtual reality experiences and crazy golf.

Wembley also has a softer side. The Yellow, Wembley Park’s community hub, gives residents access to a gym, yoga classes, participatory workshops, and a broad range of local community events, while Wembley Park Art Trail is a great opportunity to relax while enjoying the vibrant murals and thought-provoking interactive displays. For a seriously serene experience, the Sanatan Hindu Temple welcomes visitors to enjoy its stunning architecture and elaborate Jaisalmer limestone carvings.

There are plenty of green spaces too.

King Edward VII Park in Park Lane was bought by the local council in 1913 and laid out as a public park in memory of the late monarch. The park has over 250 acres of fields, woods and ponds and incorporates a bowling green, sports pitches, tennis courts and a playground. Barham Park, to the west of the stadium, lets you step back in time to the Victorian era with its beautiful walled gardens and also has a children’s play area.

WEMBLEY

Arc Network Homes Network Homes is excited to be offering a brand new development of shared ownership apartments in Wembley, located beside Wembley Stadium Overground station. Enjoy the best of 21st century urban living with a choice of one and two bedroom apartments. The development offers a chance to be part of a vibrant new neighbourhood at Wembley Park, with a range of shops, world-renowned sporting events and top-flight entertainment on your doorstep. Living here means you have access to excellent transport connections, providing you with an easy journey into central London and beyond. Under construction, Arc is expected to be complete in summer 2022.

0300 373 3000 networkhomesales.co.uk *Based on a 25% share with a full market value of £355,000 (prices are indicative and subject to change)

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HELP TO BUY

NEW HOMES IN GREENWICH – BECOME PART OF THIS ICONIC ADDRESS Greenwich is fast becoming one of the top choices for those looking to buy a home in London, with its unrivalled proximity to the city’s thriving business scene For those looking to step on to the property ladder, Greenwich Millennium Village offers buyers the opportunity to own their first home in this increasingly soughtafter area, with Help to Buy available on selected properties. The Observatory is the latest phase to launch at this iconic address.

Forming part of The Parkside Collection, when complete it will comprise 65 highspecification one and two bedroom homes.

A PRIME LOCATION Perfectly placed adjacent to the River Thames and on-site ecology park, The Observatory boasts a unique position within Greenwich Millennium Village. Residents here will enjoy some of the area’s best views over London and the surrounding parkland – both from the comfort of their own home, as well as from a communal rooftop terrace located on the 10th floor. Thoughtfully designed to include a quiet seating area and beautiful landscaped planting, the terrace provides residents with an urban oasis to escape the bustle of the city, enjoying the breathtaking cityscape from the sun rising over the Thames Barrier to the sun setting over Canary Wharf.

IDEAL FOR FIRST TIME BUYERS Catering for first time buyers, Help to Buy is also available on selected homes at Greenwich Millennium Village, allowing those looking to step on to the property ladder to secure their first home with just a 5% deposit and a Government equity loan of up to 40% on all new homes up to £600,000.

HOMES DESIGNED FOR MODERN URBAN LIVING With a superior specification as standard, each home benefits from open-plan layouts, quality stone worktops, fully integrated Bosch appliances, ample storage space and luxurious floor-to-ceiling windows affording fantastic views over London.

Comfort cooling, engineered timber

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flooring, fully carpeted bedrooms and underfloor heating highlight the quality of furnishings and facilities buyers can expect from homes here.

In addition to the private balconies offered with each property, residents also benefit from access to exclusive amenities, including a dedicated day porter, as well as an impressive residents’ lounge. Whether you are visiting to socialise, work or relax, its flexible design and high-speed internet creates the perfect multi-functional space for use throughout the day.

BEST OF BOTH WORLDS Adding to its desirability, Greenwich Millennium Village is one of the bestconnected developments in the city – perfectly located to enjoy all that London has to offer.

With North Greenwich station less than a mile away, Canary Wharf, Stratford and London Bridge are all easily accessible,

yet it remains moments from the expanse of parklands that are central to life in this urban village. A diverse range of wildlife can be found within the unique four-acre Ecology Park, where the picturesque lakes, ponds, marshland, meadows, woodland and beaches provide a peaceful sanctuary, transporting residents out of the city. At the centre of the development, Southern Park envelops homes in swathes of green space, providing access to nature on the doorstep.

Prices for a one bedroom apartment in The Observatory start from £464,995, and residents can expect to move in from September 2022. For those looking to move sooner, there is a selection of one, two and three bedroom apartments in the other Parkside phase, 67 Park Central, with prices from £449,995 to £739,995. Many of these homes benefit from Help to Buy. For further information, please visit greenwichmillenniumvillage.co.uk or call 020 8023 7177

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HELP TO BUY

HELP TO BUY AT HEART OF HALE – READY TO MOVE IN APRIL 2022

At Heart of Hale in Tottenham Hale, first time buyers are snapping up opportunities to join an up-and-coming neighbourhood with great transport links, independent shops and restaurants, and some of London’s most popular green spaces on their doorstep. With the first Help to Buy homes now available at 2 Ashley Road, the latest building to launch, buyers can step on to the property ladder with a 5% cash deposit and move in spring 2022 2 Ashley Road

A PROPERTY HOTSPOT Heart of Hale is at the centre of one of the most exciting areas in the capital, and this trendy corner of north London is attracting discerning first time buyers who have rented in nearby Hackney, Islington and Stoke Newington.

For young buyers wanting to make a smart decision for the future, Tottenham Hale is currently one of the most affordable locations on the Victoria Line and research from JLL has predicted that house prices will rise by 24% over the next five years, compared with 17% across greater London.

BEST OF BOTH WORLDS Heart of Hale is the perfect choice for those seeking a balanced lifestyle and access to both city and suburban life. Known for its independent spirit, Tottenham Hale is home to a number of well-known craft breweries, independent gastropubs and creative start-ups. Buyers at Heart of Hale will also be able to enjoy Hale Square, the vibrant centre of the development, where plans include restaurants, shops, cafes and a cinema.

It’s all a stone’s throw from the beautiful and sprawling Walthamstow Wetlands, with a 2km cycle path, walking routes and

Heart of Hale

a cafe. Also close by is the River Lea which offers activities including kayaking and paddleboarding – perfect for people who crave the outdoors and want to stay active.

While residents will have many reasons to stay in this buzzing neighbourhood, central London is just moments away. The Victoria Line takes residents to Oxford Street in just 16 minutes and King’s Cross in 11 minutes, and the development is only 31 minutes from London Stansted.

DESIGNED FOR MODERN LIFE Earlier in 2021, 2 Ashley Road, a collection of one and two bedroom homes, launched with Help to Buy available for the first time.

The homes deliver unparalleled quality, designed for open-plan, easy living with oversized windows to maximise daylight and spacious balconies that enjoy sweeping views of north London.

Interiors have a modern, luxurious feel and large double bedrooms are fitted with wool-mix carpets and mirrored sliding door wardrobes. Fully integrated contemporary

2 Ashley Road

kitchens are finished in a timeless and classic style.

Residents at 2 Ashley Road will also have access to the new private roof garden, The Deck. The fantastic space has expansive views of Alexandra Palace, the city skyline and beyond, to be enjoyed while relaxing, socialising or working outdoors.

Prices at 2 Ashley Road start from £442,000 and interested buyers are encouraged to book an appointment to see the new show home. For more information, visit heartofhale.co.uk or call 020 7205 407

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SHARED OWNERSHIP

SHARED OWNERSHIP IS THE WAY AHEAD

One of the Government’s main schemes to help first time buyers over the years has been the Help to Buy: Equity Loan, and newly released figures show that in the year to the end of June 2021, a record-breaking 60,634 homes were bought using the scheme in a single year, taking it to a total of 339,347 homes since the scheme was launched in 2013 The scheme, which gives buyers a 20% (or 40% in London) loan, interest-free for five years, has certainly been a success story for many buyers, but it is in its dying days – it was limited to first time buyers only last year and will close altogether in March 2023 with no plans to replace it.

Meanwhile, house prices continue to rise – despite the fear of an interest rate increase in December becoming a reality.

According to the November Censeo Index, an average of the five leading indices of house price changes, house prices rose by an average of £2,876 in the previous month, bringing the annual increase up to 8% over a 12-month period.

For the average first time buyer, struggling to put away a few hundred pounds of their salary a month while paying ever-increasing charges for everything from rent to fuel to food, it might seem like a gloomy scenario. In fact, inflation recently hit a 10-year high, with a figure of 4.2%, with the Bank of England predicting a figure of 5% by April, while savings accounts have spectacularly failed to follow the upward trend, making the situation for those saving for a home doubly difficult.

Don’t despair! While Help to Buy is on the way out, shared ownership, also backed by the Government, is very much alive and kicking and has no end date – and it presents a realistic solution to the difficulty of saving up for a deposit in such a difficult economic climate. While an ordinary house purchase, or a purchase via Help to Buy, requires the buyer to put down a minimum 5% deposit based on the price of the whole property, the deposit for shared ownership is based on the amount of the share you purchase. With SO Resi, you can buy as little SO Resi Ealing

SO Resi Greenford

as 25% of a home, requiring a much smaller deposit, then pay a SO Resi payment to cover the share that you don’t own, making it a much more accessible way to get on to the ladder and with the opportunity to buy more shares at a later stage.

Here are some very affordable options for taking that first step:

SO RESI GREENFORD At SO Resi Greenford in Ealing, you could move into a one bedroom apartment with a deposit of just £4,125 (5% of £82,500 for a 25% share of a full market value of £330,000). This development of 84 one to three bedroom shared ownership properties is conveniently situated a six-minute walk from Greenford tube station and five minutes from the shops at Westway Cross Retail Park. Most homes have balconies and an en suite and some parking is available.

SO RESI EALING The contemporary one and two bedroom apartments here have access to a beautiful roof garden and courtyard gardens as well as their own private balcony. West Ealing Crossrail station is a seven-minute

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SO Resi Greenford

walk away and all the amenities of Ealing Broadway are close at hand. Deposits start from £5,250 for a 25% share of a one bedroom apartment worth £105,000 with a full market value of £420,000.

SO RESI HOPE GREEN SO Resi’s latest project is an eco-friendly development in Stanford-le-Hope, Essex, where two-thirds of the properties reach net zero carbon. A total of 153 homes, comprising a mix of two bedroom apartments and two, three and four bedroom homes, will be available through shared ownership, prices TBC. For more information visit soresi.co.uk Shared ownership subject to status

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SHARED OWNERSHIP

SOUTH EAST LONDON OFFERS A HUB OF HAPPINESS Community, a sense of belonging, friendly neighbours and being able to be yourself are among the most important measures of happiness for London’s first time buyers¹ – and one district that is sparking joy for homebuyers is the vibrant south-east corner of the capital. For those eager to find a new home here, one of London’s largest housing providers, Peabody, is offering a range of stylish new homes available with Help to Buy and shared ownership across a selection of developments in Southwark, Greenwich and Lewisham – which was recently voted in top 20 happiest places to live in south east London Located in the prestigious SE1 postcode in the trendy London borough of Southwark, Lazenby Square provides an affordable opportunity within a prime Zone 2 location. The development – the only shared ownership in the area – comprises a selection of luxurious one, two and three bedroom apartments with spacious, well-planned layouts, generous private outdoor space and some homes enjoying views across London’s iconic skyline. Buyers will benefit from an outstanding specification, combined with impressive amenities including a 24-hour concierge service, access to a gym, car club and beautiful landscaped gardens. Pricing starts from £135,000 for a 25% share in a one bedroom apartment, with a full market value of £540,000.

Head down the road to Lewisham, London’s Borough of Culture 2022, where the lively areas of Deptford and New Cross intersect, and enjoy the buzzing new community at The Scene, minutes away from popular Greenwich and within reach of Canary Wharf or London Bridge.

The Scene offers a collection of apartments and duplexes, with a selection of stylish three and four bedroom townhouses set to launch in January 2022. With spacious and flexible layouts and high-quality specification, The Scene is ideal for both first time buyers getting on the ladder and growing families seeking more room in a close-knit community. Current pricing starts from £555,000 for a two bedroom apartment with Help to Buy and £120,000 for a 30% share of a one bedroom apartment with a full market value of £400,000.

Positioned between cultural Lewisham, historic Greenwich and picturesque Blackheath is Arden at Parkside – part of the landmark regeneration story of the Heathside and Lethbridge. Here, the last one bedroom apartments available with Help to Buy benefit from an impressive range of on-site amenities

including a concierge service, fitness suite and a co-working space. Prices start from £385,000 for a one bedroom apartment, with a collection of shared ownership homes launching early 2022.

Enjoy a stroll along the River Thames and take a peek at phase 2 of Peabody’s shared ownership homes at The River Gardens in Greenwich Wharf. The development comprises one, two and three bedroom apartments, complemented by a selection of amenities including allocated underground parking, residents’ gym, swimming pool and games court, communal landscaped gardens and a 24-hour concierge service. Interested buyers need to act quickly, as this second phase of homes is already 80% sold. Pricing starts from £121,250 for a 25% share of a one bedroom apartment with a full market value of £485,000.

Launching early 2022 is Peabody’s newest shared ownership offering at The Groves in the leafy south east London suburb of Sydenham. Offering a high-quality selection of one and two bed apartments alongside a collection of three bedroom townhouses available with shared ownership – it enjoys a secluded cul-de-sac setting, with nearby green spaces, good schools, as well as great transport links, making it an ideal choice for families seeking an affordable opportunity without compromising on space or location.

The townhouses come with allocated parking.

Pricing is to be confirmed ahead of the launch in early 2022.

For more information about any of Peabody’s developments available with Help to Buy or shared ownership, as well as those located in south London, please visit peabodysales.co.uk/south

Arden*

Lazenby Square

The Groves*

The River Gardens*

The Scene

¹rightmove.co.uk/news/happy-at-home *Computer generated images for guidance purposes only. Prices correct at time of publication, January 2022.

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SHARED OWNERSHIP

With 2021 now behind us, buyers are looking to the future and considering their priorities for setting down roots. For many, Willesden Junction in west London is the place that ticks these boxes, where homes at Notting Hill Genesis’ Oaklands Rise provide buyers with the right mix of amenities to support these changing priorities

As hybrid and flexible working become the norm, we’re more appreciative than ever of the spaces we inhabit, with the number of first time buyers keen to purchase up 50% from 2019.¹ The most important features to consider when buying a home are also changing, with the ability to work from home, and access to private outdoor and green spaces now topping the list of priorities.

At Oaklands Rise NW10, an exciting new development in the up-and-coming Old Oak and Park Royal regeneration zone, Notting Hill Genesis’ collection of contemporary shared ownership apartments is ideally suited for first time buyers looking to get on to the property ladder.

CONVENIENCE For buyers prioritising convenient modern living, Oakland Rise’s 24-hour reception provides residents with safety and security in their everyday lives.

In addition to a dedicated concierge, the development’s

LOOK WEST FOR CONNECTIVITY, CONVENIENCE AND CALM AT OAKLANDS RISE

on-site facilities include an exclusive residents’ lounge and work hub, as well as the future cafe and community “hangout” space with opportunities for group events such as yoga, lectures and film screenings.

With commercial spaces, a medical centre and a nursery also planned for the development, residents will be able to enjoy the convenience of community on their doorstep.

CONNECTIVITY In addition to co-working facilities, buyers are looking for homes that provide them with the space and ability to stay well-connected in their homes.

In Lysander House at Oaklands Rise, open-plan living, as well as TV and data points throughout living spaces and bedrooms, enable residents to work from home easily.

First time buyers are also prioritising a different sort of connectivity, with continued emphasis on access to fast transport links. On target to become the UK’s most connected area, residents at

Oaklands Rise already benefit from proximity to the Central Line and Overground, both a 12-minute walk away at North Acton and Willesden Junction stations respectively.

In addition, in the future, Old Oak Common station, just a few minutes’ walk away, will be the only place where HS2 and Crossrail will intersect.

The development is also the perfect location for cyclists, with 1,000 secure cycle spaces and a wealth of popular destinations within cyclable distance such as Regent’s Park and Hyde Park, reachable via dedicated TfL Cycleways including along the Grand Union Canal.

CALM Private outdoor space and proximity to green open space have become increasingly important considerations for buyers. At Oaklands Rise, residents have exclusive access to two roof terraces that boast spectacular views of west London, in addition to spacious private terraces and balconies.

Residents can also enjoy the beautifully landscaped gardens and green streetscapes at Oaklands Rise, or head to nearby Wormwood Scrubs, where they can find 200 acres of open space, including a

designated nature reserve, the Linford Christie Stadium, and 20 full-size football pitches.

Lizzie Stevens, Sales & Marketing Director at Notting Hill Genesis, comments, “As we move further into 2022, first time buyers are thinking more carefully than ever about their priorities when choosing a place to put down roots. With hybrid working set to become the norm, buyers want homes that support their changing lifestyles, with an emphasis on convenience, connectivity and green open space.

“At Oaklands Rise, our fantastic collection of shared ownership apartments is perfect for anyone looking to take their first step on the housing ladder.

Our outdoor space, co-working facilities, concierge service and on-site amenities allow residents to focus on exploring what this exciting new area has to offer.”

Homes at Oaklands Rise are available through shared ownership, with two bedroom apartments starting from £105,750 for a 25% share.

For further information, visit nhgsales.com/oaklandsrise or call 020 3815 2222 sharetobuy.com/news/survey-revealsbuyers-post-pandemic-priorities

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AFFORDABLE HOMES

CREAM OF THE CROP

Hellyn Fairbrother, Regional Sales Manager for London and the South East (Interim) with Guinness Partnerships/Developments Ltd talks to Lynda Clark about its largest development in Bromley-by-Bow, Leaside Lock

Hellyn has been in the housing sector for 17 years and has a strong background of working in housing associations and mainstream housebuilders. She is passionate about affordable housing and developing with her colleagues a beautiful place that their customers can call home! She enjoys the complete cycle of her role; from looking at land with development colleagues to ascertain whether it’s a suitable area to provide homes in, to ultimately seeing many happy customers take possession of their keys in what is one of the most exciting days of their lives!

She is incredibly excited about Guinness’ future and its placemaking stance and looks forward to seeing some of the developments that she manages on the sales side become happy homes and communities that they are all rightly proud of.

Can you tell us about your new development, Leaside Lock?

Where do I start Lynda! Leaside Lock is the newest and one of the largest developments to enter the East End landscape and one of several major housing developments on the horizon for Guinness Homes. At Leaside Lock we will be developing 965 new homes over three phases due to complete in 2025. There’s literally something for most people’s style and pocket.

Strident blocks in red brick and a green wash concrete reflect the industrial tones of east London’s history. Relatively undiscovered Bromley-by-Bow, in the borough of Tower Hamlets, has a rich past and used to be called Bromley St Leonards!

Conveniently located in Zone 2 and a mere two-minute walk to Bromley-byBow station with its superb District and Hammersmith and City line services – commuting becomes easy and social life a breeze, accessing Bond Street in just 25 minutes! For those who might work internationally or fancy a weekend break away, London City airport is a 10-minute drive. Want to escape the city? Then hire a

Zipcar and have easy road access to major roads out to the coast and beyond.

There are many special elements about Leaside Lock – it embraces community by enveloping the towers around a large piazza, which will hold local artisan stalls and events to while away those hopeful hazy summer days or festive winter days and nights. Internally, the scheme has been thoughtfully designed around plentiful co-working spaces, particularly apt in the current climate and designed to allow the residents to work independently or in newly found friendships groups. We’ve incorporated plenty of open spaces for all to enjoy and additionally three of the blocks have rooftop terraces/skyline terrace – with stylish seating and a drinks and food bar to prep snacks and perhaps a cheeky cocktail for friends and family. There will be a concierge too – so receiving those deliveries and parcels at a time that doesn’t suit you will be a thing of the past!

We have a wealth of amenity and commercial space and we are delighted to have a well-known gym franchise coming for our residents and the wider community,

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AFFORDABLE HOMES a cafe and patisserie, a health and wellbeing area and an essential and well-known convenience store – plus more to come.

Can you go into a little detail about what sort of homes are available and what makes them so special?

It is a mixed tenure scheme offering shared ownership, Help to Buy and outright sale, with studios, one, two and three bedroom properties. Most apartments have a view over the city or towards Stratford. From some of the apartments you can even see Ally Pally!

Within our first release there are 11 differing layouts. What works or attracts one person might be the complete opposite for another buyer – some have a traditional layout and others offer angular features representing the sharp facades of the various buildings.

The kitchens have clean-lined, custombuilt kitchen units, Chicago-style laminate slim profile worktops and Bosch appliances.

The bathrooms are generous, with large profile tiling and high-quality finishes, plus large, walk-in shower rooms. The two bedroom homes also have a stunning en suite. Every apartment has a light-filled ambiance with floor-to-ceiling windows and spotlights. We’ve incorporated ample space for a working area and considered details such as where plugs and sockets are best placed. It’s that attention to detail that is frustratingly sometimes overlooked in some new build developments. To maximise both wall space and heat and energy efficiency we’ve incorporated underfloor heating throughout our apartments.

Bromley-by-Bow is a super area – are there shops, cafes, green spaces and schools nearby?

Sitting at the foot of our development is the River Lea, offering kayaking and canoe experiences. Many of our buyers have made special mention of the fantastic cycle routes that surround the development. In fact, from the iconic Three Mills Studios that’s right next to our development, you can take a fantastic cycle or walking route to the Limehouse Basin – watching tall masted boats arrive and depart – and you can follow the route north through Bow Common returning circularly to Three Mills (the home of Master Chef!) and continue along the River Lea Navigation to the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. If you’re feeling energetic, this lovely route continues west to Victoria Park but you’ll probably want to stop at some point! So, for local artisan shops and something a little different, head to Roman Road Market and Victoria Park Village. Remaining east, head over to Boxpark in Shoreditch and Brick Lane for a good old bagel, pie and mash, and delicious global culinary delights.

On our doorstep is Westfield Stratford City with shops and eateries to suit all tastes, or you can be in Oxford Street in 20 minutes! There’s also a plethora of excellent schools and universities to choose from.

with the exception of Blue Badge holders, as tube, cycle paths and bus routes are plentiful and can get you all around London – there is a lot to be said environmentally for living in Zone 2.

What sets Leaside Lock apart from other developments in the area?

Our development has singletons, couples and families – in fact our youngest resident so far will be six months old (and he’s gorgeous!) so we haven’t streamlined it to one demographic – we really have built it sensitively and sustainably considering building products and heat efficiency.

Leaside Lock is a car-free development,

020 3288 1907 leasidelock.com Cafe and convenience store subject to contracts which are in progress. Proposed gym subject to planning approval and we are in advanced discussions with an operator. Nail bar and beauty salon is in advanced discussions with an operator. Concierge will be launched in a later phase for all residents at Leaside Lock. All of the proposed amenity spaces are correct at time of release January 2022.

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AFFORDABLE HOMES

GET ON TO THE PROPERTY LADDER WITH SHARED OWNERSHIP

Places for People is making it easier than ever to get the home you’ve always wanted. As a leading placemaker in the UK, it doesn’t just build homes – it invests in places and creates communities where everyone can thrive, including you With over 50 years’ experience creating affordable places to live, Places for People is set to build 6,000 new homes in England over the coming years that are designed to work for everyone, whatever their circumstances. That’s why it offers shared ownership on many of its homes, so if you can’t pay the full price immediately, you can pay a part of it and rent the rest.

So, if you want to make your dream home a reality, look no further…

Lillybank Farm

MODERN APARTMENT LIVING Its award-winning Brooklands Square community in Milton Keynes is perfect if apartment living appeals to you.

Conveniently located just a short commute from London, the contemporary one and two bedroom apartments have been designed with style in mind, with flexible living spaces and a range of fixtures and fittings that are certain to impress.

Plus, you’ll enjoy your own private terrace or balcony and acres of beautiful

Ramsey St Mary’s

green space and woodland right outside your front door – with the last remaining two bedroom apartments from £265,000 with shared ownership available.*

TRADITIONAL VILLAGE LIFE Three bedroom homes in the beautiful village of Ramsey St Mary’s, in Huntingdonshire, are in the perfect spot for those seeking more traditional village life – with local schools, shops, pubs and restaurant just a short walk away. Homes are available to reserve now from £271,500.

“Buying a shared ownership house has meant I can get on the property ladder… I’ve been living back with my parents to help save for a deposit and the scheme has enabled me to buy my first home and with the option to buy my home outright in a few years which is fabulous!”

New homeowner, David Duwell

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NEW PHASE OF CONTEMPORARY COUNTRY HOMES COMING SOON Lillybank Farm gives country living a contemporary twist, with beautiful views across the High Weald. The generously sized two and three bedroom homes have plenty of modern touches, plus the convenience of Battle town just a short walk away.

Plus, there’s a range of two, three and four bedroom affordable homes coming soon to Burgess Hill in mid Sussex.

HELP TO OWN YOUR HOME With shared ownership, you only need to pay part of the price of your home (usually between 25% and 75%) and pay rent on the rest. Your mortgage will be smaller, and you don’t need to save as much for a deposit.

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

GET MOVING So, what are you waiting for? Take the first step toward owning your first home by visiting placesforpeople.co.uk *Shared ownership available. Terms and conditions apply.

See website for details

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SHARED OWNERSHIP

MEET BEDFORD-BASED SELLING AGENT DOMOVO Domovo is part of forward-thinking housing association bpha and it provides homes for people across the Cambridgeshire to Oxfordshire corridor. Domovo wants to help you buy the home you’re looking for at a more affordable price – whether that’s to buy, to rent, or via shared ownership. The choice is yours Domovo was established at the beginning of 2019 as a selling agent for bpha, with new build and resale properties and a sales and marketing team with a wealth of great knowledge on the process of buying a home. The marketing team offers a comprehensive range of high-quality property marketing services supporting all sales activities undertaken by sales advisers, sales progression and sale progression coordinator teams. It understands that buying or selling a home can be a very stressful process, and is committed to making the process easy and simple, assisting you every step of the way.

Since 1 January 2019, Domovo has reserved 557 new homes, 491 completions and generated over £66m in revenue.

Domovo also had 418 shared ownership properties being re-sold through it – known as “resales”. It is predicting over 200 new home completions in the financial year of 2021-2022.

Shared ownership apartment in Cambridge

WHAT IS SHARED OWNERSHIP? Shared ownership is one of the schemes offered under the Government’s Help to Buy initiative and provides an affordable route into homeownership, offering an alternative to renting. You buy a share of a home and pay rent on the share you do not own. Initial shares are between 25% and 75%. You can put down a deposit based on the share you are purchasing, meaning it will be considerably less than a deposit on the open market.

In the future, if you wish to own more of your home, you may be able to staircase, which means buying more shares of your property. You are also able to sell your share of the property based on its value at the time of sale.

Some of the best benefits of shared ownership include: your monthly costs will be lower than if you rent privately, you own part of your home rather than paying rent with no return, a lower deposit is needed, you may be able to purchase 100% of your property, you pay a subsidised rent and you’ll be alongside the thousands of people using this scheme to get on to the property

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ladder. There are approximately 200,000 shared ownership homes in the UK and many more to come.

THE NEXT STEPS...

If you’re interested in buying a shared ownership home, visit the website domovohomes.co.uk, to browse a great selection of homes across the Oxfordshire

to Cambridgeshire corridor. When you find a home you like, get in contact with the sales team on 01234 674 070 or visit domovohomes.co.uk to discuss your eligibility and to register your interest.

The sales team will guide you through the next steps with documentation, fees and registering on the Help to Buy site. domovohomes.co.uk

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SHARED OWNERSHIP

THE BEST OF CITY LIVING AT THE GROVE IN LONDON’S MOST DYNAMIC DISTRICT

A fabulous new collection of shared ownership homes has launched at The Grove, Gateway Housing’s newest development in Forest Gate, east London. Buyers of these one, two and three bedroom apartments will benefit from contemporary open-plan living space, sleek interiors and a fantastic east London location. Prices start from £88,750 for a 25% share of a one bedroom apartment and a 5% deposit of just £4,437.50 is needed

Shared ownership is simple. You buy a share of a home, typically between 25% and 75%, depending on what you can afford based on your household income – anyone with a household income of less than £90,000 in London can apply. The deposit, usually 5%, is based on the share you buy, which is much lower than paying a deposit on the full price.

You then take out a mortgage to cover the rest of your share and pay a monthly rent on the share you do not own.

There is a range of apartment layouts available at The Grove, all providing flexible, open-plan living space and a balcony or terrace. The flowing and light-filled living, kitchen and dining areas provide ample space for relaxing, working or entertaining friends. The streamlined kitchens feature a full range of Zanussi integrated appliances – fridge-freezer, dishwasher, hob, oven, microwave and freestanding washer-dryer – all included in the purchase price. Homes are as practical as they are attractive;

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luxury wood-effect tiling flows through the main living areas and hallways, and bedrooms benefit from carpets as well as fitted wardrobes in the main and second bedrooms. In larger apartments, the main bedrooms include an en suite shower room, and every home has plenty of storage.

The two new buildings are interlinked by a beautifully landscaped courtyard, the perfect space to relax and unwind after a day’s work. Close by are many parks and open spaces that offer a peaceful retreat from the fast pace of London life. Within a 10-minute walk is Forest Lane Park, complete with dipping pond, wildflower meadow and woodland. Residents can also head to Wanstead Flats, a large area of open grassland on the tip of Epping Forest perfect for sports and picnics, or to the parklands and tranquil waterways of Queen Elizabeth Park, which also hosts sporting events, concerts and festivals.

The Grove is situated on an established

leafy road, just moments from the heart of Forest Gate and within easy reach of an eclectic mix of local amenities, cafes and restaurants. It’s a four-minute train ride or 30-minute walk to Westfield Stratford City, one of Europe’s largest shopping centres, which has more than 200 shops, an excellent selection of cafes, bars, restaurants and 20-screen Vue cinema. Forest Gate has long been on the map for its great connectivity with the rest of London. From Forest Gate station, two minutes’ walk away, trains take four minutes to Stratford and 15 minutes to Liverpool Street, with onward connections via the Central, Hammersmith & City, and District lines. The station is also on the new Crossrail Elizabeth Line, which will cut journey times to Bond Street to 19 minutes and Canary Wharf to 12 minutes.

To find out more and to book a private appointment to view the show home, visit newhomes.gatewayhousing.org.uk

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SHARED OWNERSHIP

HALE WORKS: ELEVATED LIVING

Newlon Living has partnered with Anthology to offer 44 high-specification shared ownership homes in a new 32-storey tower, Hale Works. With a selection of one and two bedroom apartments available, you can now get a foot on to the property ladder in London’s next new property hotspot

This captivating building offers spectacular panoramic views of London and the surrounding areas from the stunning communal sky garden – one of the highlights is the capital’s most significant urban nature reserve, Walthamstow Wetlands. As a resident of Hale Works, you will also be able to take advantage of a 24-hour concierge – offering around-the-clock services.

These new homes are light, with spacious open-plan living areas. The sleek, handleless kitchens are tailored to the size of each apartment and come with a composite stone worktop and fully equipped with Siemens appliances, including integrated oven, fridge-freezer and dishwasher.

Hale Works sits within thriving Hale Village, an architecturally unique community collecting multiple awards, including the Green Flag Award for its dedication to green space. The design is inspired by the world-acclaimed regeneration of Hammarby, a waterside

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district in Stockholm, Sweden. Within Hale Village, you will find a range of useful facilities, including a Tesco Express, gym, Italian deli and green community space.

Plus, you will find cafes, restaurants, a brewery, and a large retail park in the surrounding area, where you can access well-known brands from groceries to fast food, and fashion to household goods.

There are many places to explore, such as the nearby Walthamstow Wetlands, which offers everything from fishing to bird watching, with a well-established cafe in a 19th century listed building – all within easy walking distance.

For the more adventurous, the local climbing centre can offer a unique way to keep fit, or pick up the River Lee towpath and look out for kingfishers on the eightmile walk or cycle to the 1,000-acre River Lee Country Park. Why not stop at the Ferry Boat Inn for drinks on the way home?

Tottenham Hale is undergoing one of the most significant transformations in recent

times – soon to be home to over a thousand new homes, dozens of commercial units and modern public spaces. Excellent transport links are another key selling point for Hale Works. It’s just a two-minute walk to Tottenham Hale station, which will undergo a transport revolution with millions of pounds invested in a new tube, rail and bus station all right on your doorstep. From there you can get a train into Liverpool Street in just 15 minutes, or connect with the express train to London Stansted.

Alternatively, you can board the Victoria Line tube, which will get you to King’s Cross in 10 minutes or Oxford Street in 15 minutes, and forms part of the night tube network. There is also a central bus station just moments away, with a variety of routes to surrounding areas and beyond.

For more information about Hale Works, to register your interest and to find out about the other new shared ownership properties Newlon has available, visit the website hale.works

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SHARED OWNERSHIP

Willow Place

Station Road Collins Close

SETTLE INTO A NEW SHARED OWNERSHIP HOME Settle is the proud provider of high-quality, affordable shared ownership homes across Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire and Cambridgeshire. “As the name suggest, here at settle, we want to help you settle into a new community by delivering new homes that meet local needs and create diverse new neighbourhoods that let you live the life you choose. We have some great new homes available for you to reserve now and move into in spring 2022,” says James MacPhail, Head of Sales & Marketing at settle WILLOW PLACE, WELWYN GARDEN CITY, HERTFORDSHIRE With its tree-lined streets, excellent amenities, quick connections to London King’s Cross in under 30 minutes and a community feel, it’s easy to see the appeal of Welwyn Garden City. From Willow Place, it’s just a short stroll to the thriving town centre where you’ll find everything from independent boutiques, a John Lewis department store and essential supermarkets to buzzing coffee shops, restaurants and bars, while the cinema and theatre deliver a cultural fix.

Perfectly positioned to access both town and country, Willow Place has proved a popular location to put down roots in this desirable area since it was launched in August 2021. Each apartment has been designed with comfort, convenience and style in mind. You’ll find light, bright and contemporary interiors with open-plan living space, sleek kitchens with integrated appliances, built in storage and private allocated parking. Just a few two bedroom

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apartments remain from £120,000 for a 40% share and a monthly cost of just £1,061*.

For more information visit settlesales.co.uk/ willow-place

STATION ROAD, HARLINGTON, BEDFORDSHIRE If you’re looking to leave the over-priced London property market behind you, yet still have easy access to London, take a look at our development of one and two bedroom apartments in Harlington, Bedfordshire. Conveniently located next to Harlington railway station, with regular trains to London St Pancreas in 46 minutes, you could be back at your office or seeing a West End musical before you know it!

While at the weekends, when you crave some downtime, you’ll have the lovely Bedfordshire countryside and pretty villages on your doorstep to explore.

Most apartments come with their own private balcony or terrace and are finished to a high standard, including contemporary kitchens and stylish bathrooms and en

suites that you’d expect from a new build apartment. But unlike those expensive London apartments, these come with at least one allocated on-site parking space and at a much more affordable price. Prices start at £88,000 for a 40% share of a one bedroom apartment and a monthly cost of just £791.31#. For more information visit settlesales.co.uk/stationroad

COLLINS CLOSE, SHEPRETH, SOUTH CAMBRIDGESHIRE For those looking for a more rural location yet still with easy access to London or Cambridge, our Collins Close development in the picturesque village of Shepreth is the perfect place to settle. On offer are two, three and four bedroom modern family houses, thoughtfully designed to maximise space with stylish kitchens and integrated appliances as standard, spacious living areas, cosy bedrooms and contemporary bathrooms. Each well-planned home offers two parking spaces and private gardens.

Prices start from £133,000 for a 40% share of a two bedroom house and a monthly cost of just £1,177†. For more information visit settlesales.co.uk/collinsclose To find out more information or to apply for any of settle’s shared ownership homes, please visit settlesales.co.uk * Total monthly cost of a two bedroom apartment at Willow Place includes rent of £413, service charge of £50 and mortgage of £598 (calculated using a representative rate of 3.94%) # Total monthly cost of a one bedroom apartment at Station Road includes rent of £303, service charge of £50 and mortgage of £400 (calculated using a representative rate of 3.94%) †Total monthly cost of a two bedroom house at Collins Close includes rent of £457, service charge of £35 and mortgage of £604 (calculated using a representative rate of 3.94%)

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SHARED OWNERSHIP

A FIRST FOR PLUMLIFE HOMES AS IT LAUNCHES IN LYTHAM ST ANNES

As we start the new year, we’re looking back at one of Plumlife Homes’ recent successes and looking ahead to some exciting future developments that will be launching in 2022

For 25 years, the multi-award-winning shared ownership specialist has been helping people find their forever homes and has an incredible range of affordable properties in carefully selected locations.

With the buoyant housing market and more people working from home, Plumlife has seen a high demand at a number of developments where the majority of properties have been reserved off-plan – even before the launch of the show homes.

This was the case for a recent development launch in Lytham St Annes – Clifton Place, a stunning new development of 16 two, three and four bedroom homes available for shared ownership.

Located close to the idyllic dual seaside towns of Lytham and St Anne’s, the new development was a first for Plumlife, as it launched its first shared ownership properties within the Blackpool area. The off-plan launch took place at the end of November, where a number of two, three and four bedroom homes were released – interest

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was significant, with properties reserved offplan on the day. Since launching, all available three and four bedroom homes have been taken off the market.

Still available is The Formby, a stunning two bedroom home (pictured above), featuring a contemporary fitted kitchen with A-rated appliances and double doors opening on to a private rear garden, as well as ample storage space throughout and private parking – ideal for growing families or first time buyers.

A number of additional three bedroom properties will be coming in phase two, and the remaining properties at this development are definitely worth a look.

Just two miles away from the bright lights of Blackpool, the dual seaside towns of Lytham and St Annes, Fylde, are nestled among a picturesque stretch of coastline with nearby boating lakes and idyllic parks.

As well as an expansive sandy beach, Victorian pier and an historic windmill, there is a stylish high street with a range of

independent shops and restaurants – all conveniently close to the new Clifton Place development.

Closer to the Clifton Place development, there is a Booths supermarket within a fiveminute walk, with all other amenities just a short walk or drive away.

After launching four developments since October 2021, things won’t be slowing up for Plumlife in the new year. Closer to home, it will be launching another two sites in the early part of 2022, including a mixed-tenure development of two, three and four bedroom homes in Heaton Mersey, a sought-after location in the area of Stockport, Greater Manchester. Moss Hey Street will also be launching, with stunning new homes in Shaw, Oldham – which has already seen a huge amount of interest from prospective buyers.

To see all of the Plumlife Homes’ developments, visit plumlife.co.uk or contact the sales team on 0161 447 5050

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AFFORDABLE HOMES

DISCOVER UNPARALLELED AFFORDABILITY IN A VIBRANT POCKET OF NORTH LONDON

Whether you enjoy family friendly suburbia or bustling city life, London has it all.

Brunswick House in Neasden presents an exciting opportunity for first time buyers to put down roots in a vibrant, well-connected north London district that’s home to the iconic Wembley Stadium arch and an array of lively amenities Situated in a corner of the capital that offers affordability and fantastic connectivity, Brunswick House is a collection of one, two and three bedroom modern apartments, available to purchase through the shared ownership scheme.

Buyers can secure a brand new home with a deposit of just £6,781.25* in the centre of the London Borough of Brent, a thriving area which provides an ideal base for families and singletons alike.

While homes used to be a place that we rushed out of first thing in the morning and then slumped back into at the end of the day, lifestyles have changed dramatically and as a result so have our needs and priorities. These apartments have been created with this in mind. Private outside spaces and open-plan living areas provide a balanced living environment, while communal gardens offer an idyllic setting to unwind and relax or stretch the legs after a busy day of home working.

For further outdoor options, beautiful Gladstone Park and its tree-lined avenues, walled garden, duck pond, sport pitches, tennis courts, outside gym and children’s play areas is a five-minute cycle away.

Locals can also walk to Brent Reservoir, a surprising expanse of water surrounded by woodland, a wonderful setting for a stroll. A variety of coffee shops, bakeries, hairdressers and restaurants can be found in Neasden town centre, just a 10-minute walk from home, while Wembley Park and its array of amenities including Boxpark, London Designer Outlet and Wembley Stadium, can be reached in 15 minutes by bike or in just three minutes by tube.

Located just a two-minute walk from Neasden London Underground station, which takes you swiftly into central London via the Jubilee Line, Brunswick House surrounds two beautiful landscaped courtyard gardens. Forging a new community of its own, with tranquil outside space, these gardens create a meeting area for residents to come together or to spend time with friends and family.

Finished to a high specification, externally the use of glass and brick at Brunswick House creates an architecturally striking statement, while large windows flood the living spaces with light and further accentuate the space available to residents. Oak laminate flooring to the living spaces and plush carpets to the bedrooms provide a neutral canvas for any design scheme, allowing residents to paint or wallpaper their new home with their own interior stamp. Kitchens have been well planned, including stunning concrete-effect kitchen cabinets, with plenty of worksurface space to prepare meals, and integrated Electrolux and Zanussi appliances.

Spacious private balconies in each home tick the outdoor dining and living box.

A brilliant location to get a foot on the property ladder and embrace the London lifestyle, Neasden is also perfectly positioned to explore other exciting, wellknown north London neighbourhoods including West Hampstead and Finchley.

Crafted with community at its heart, the exceptional choice of living at Brunswick

House, convenient transport links and a diverse location present a unique choice for first time buyers. latimerhomes.com/brunswick-house *5% deposit of £6,781.25 based on purchasing a 35% share of the full market value of £387,500 for a one bedroom apartment

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REAL LIFE

Help to Buy: Bristol

FA C T F I L E

For first time buyers Aisling and her partner Lewis, they have not only secured themselves a brand new three bedroom home in Bristol, but they are the very first people in the UK to purchase a BoKlok home

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fter looking in the area for a while, the couple were delighted when they discovered BoKlok on the Brook, BoKlok’s flagship UK scheme. Attracted by the Scandinavian architecture and the sustainable nature of the homes, the couple registered their interest and entered the “BoKlok ballot” for an opportunity to reserve one of these exciting new homes.

First to be drawn from the ballot for the three bedroom properties, Aisling and Lewis were excited to attend the sales event where they were able to reserve their dream home.

Aisling said, “We are just so excited. To be the very first BoKlok purchasers in the UK feels like a real privilege and we can’t wait to be able to move into our new home here. We live locally and both work in the city centre, so we were really keen to stay in the area – and the homes at BoKlok on the Brook have made this possible. What particularly attracted us to the homes by BoKlok was the sustainability element – to be getting a new home that is not only built efficiently but one that has been designed to reduce energy use for us as homeowners really appealed to us.”

With Help to Buy available across the scheme, the homes have proved popular among first time buyers. Aisling added, “For us, Help to Buy made a big difference, it meant that we were able to buy a home now rather than having to wait another year or more, to save up a bigger deposit. We have been able to secure a lovely three bedroom home, which we didn’t think was possible.”

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Property: Three bedroom house Full market value: £310,000 Approximate monthly mortgage repayments: £811

“WHAT PARTICULARLY ATTRACTED US TO THE HOMES BY BOKLOK WAS THE SUSTAINABILITY ELEMENT – TO BE GETTING A NEW HOME THAT IS NOT ONLY BUILT EFFICIENTLY BUT ONE THAT HAS BEEN DESIGNED TO REDUCE ENERGY” WHAT IS BOKLOK AND THE BOKLOK BALLOT? BoKlok is an established partnership between leading names Skanska and IKEA. Having operated successfully in the Nordic countries for over 25 years, in 2020 it launched BoKlok on the Brook, its flagship UK scheme in Bristol.

Its aim is to deliver high-quality, sustainable new homes that offer great value for money, while making homeownership more accessible to more people. From enhanced insulation to the highest rated boilers and the provision of electric car charging points, BoKlok is all about enabling future residents to not only reduce their energy consumption, but their energy bills too.

BOKLOK BALLOT Anyone who is interested in reserving a new BoKlok home is invited to enter a ballot. To be eligible you must be in a

proceedable position (ideally a first time buyer – investors are not permitted to enter) and you must have been financially qualified. After a two-week period, the ballot is drawn and then everyone who is drawn successfully is invited (in turn) to a sales event, where they will have an opportunity to reserve a new BoKlok home.

Talking of the ballot process, Aisling said, “The ballot system was really interesting to be a part of. It seemed a very fair approach and it was definitely exciting to watch the video of the draw. Especially when we realised that we had been drawn out first!!

We knew which of the homes was our first choice and we are so happy that we have been able to reserve it.”

BoKlok on the Lake in Worthing is the latest scheme to launch, offering a collection of one and two bedroom apartments, each with access to its own outside space.

For more information on all future BoKlok schemes, visit: boklok.co.uk

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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 very first home at a tidy price, or a pad with super commuter connections, we hope you will enjoy our selection.

REAL LIFE

Open market p66 GREENWICH, SOUTH EAST LONDON

HOIC FIRST C

E

ICONIC

SET★T★I★NG Affordable homes p68-69

THAMESMEAD, EAST LONDON

HOIC FIRST C

E

LAKESIDE

ES HO★M ★★ Commuter connections p70-71

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FOR SALE

AFFORDABLE HOMES GREENWICH, SOUTH EAST LONDON

HOIC FIRST C

FROM £TBC

E

ICONIC SETTING ★★★

Copper Creek Located in the historic south London borough of Greenwich, these contemporary apartments are in a great spot for enjoying London life, with plenty of culture and greenery on the doorstep.

The one, two and three bedroom properties lie a few moments from Deptford Creek and the Thames, with the town of Greenwich and its lively market, stunning park, museum, old pubs and more, a few minutes’ walk away.

The properties are beautifully designed, with bright open-plan living spaces, quality flooring throughout and private balconies – many with far-reaching city views.

Hyde New Homes 0345 606 1221 hydenewhomes.co.uk

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FOR SALE A L D E R S H O T, H A M P S H I R E

FROM £219,995 DEPTFORD, SOUTH LONDON

FROM £125,250*

Bruneval Gardens These new one and two bedroom properties form part of the new Wellesley neighbourhood on the site of Aldershot’s former barracks. Now home to housing, public spaces and two schools, the space is ideal for growing families. The homes are close to 110 hectares of woodland, while an array of Hampshire

S I D C U P, K E N T

countryside pursuits are moments away. Aldershot town centre, earmarked for regeneration, is close by, while Guildford, for a wide range of shops, restaurants and pubs, can be reached in around 15 minutes by car.

Barratt Homes 0330 127 764 barratthomes.co.uk

FROM £TBC*

L&Q at Deptford Landings The best of south London and the capital are just a short distance from these beautiful new homes. Bustling Deptford is home to great bars, cafes and community projects, while Greenwich, Peckham, Brixton and the Docklands are all an easy bus, train ride or cycle away.

The two, three and four bedroom

apartments enjoy plenty of green space – they are built around shared communal areas, which include a new park and water feature. All this with the Thames just minutes’ walk away – stylish London living at its best.

L&Q 0333 999 7836 lqhomes.com

*Based on a 25% share of the full market value of £501,000

H O U G H T O N R E G I S , D U N S TA B L E

FROM £152,000*

Hillcross Place Hillcross Place enjoys a prominent location just off Sidcup high street, and just over a mile from the wellconnected station. The one and two bedroom apartments here are bright and spacious, with openplan living areas that open to private outdoor areas. Off-street parking is available, along with electric charging points and car

club membership. Sidcup sits on the borders of south London and Kent, and is an enviable location – central London is a short commute, while Kent’s beautiful countryside and striking coastline are very accessible by car or rail.

Shanly Homes 01372 225 007 shanlyhomes.com *40% Help to Buy will be available

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

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

Catalyst 01582 787 438 catalyst.homes

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

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FOR SALE

COMMUTER CONNECTIONS THAMESMEAD, EAST LONDON

HOIC FIRST C

FROM £168,000*

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LAKESIDE HOMES ★★★

Southmere With stunning waterside vistas, a range of on-site amenities and good commuting links, residents at Southmere will have everything they need right on the doorstep. The first one, two and three bedroom apartments available through shared ownership have recently launched, and the site will eventually be home to more than 500 properties.

The development will also house a new public square, library, fitness studio and cafe. Inside, the properties have been thoughtfully designed, with open-plan living areas that open to generously sized balconies and terraces.

Nearby Abbey Wood will soon benefit from Crossrail services, making the development extremely well connected.

Peabody 020 7021 4842 peabodysales.co.uk *Based on a 30% share of the full market value of £560,000

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FOR SALE FROM £412,000

W H I T S TA B L E , K E N T

PARK ROYAL, NORTH WEST LONDON

FROM £81,250*

Whitstable Heights A new development in Whitstable is to become the latest part of the newly proposed Garden City, with community and sustainability at its heart. The development currently has a selection of three, four and five bedroom homes available for outright sale, and shared ownership properties are set to launch soon, with prices to

be confirmed. Whitstable station is less than a mile away, with a half-hourly connection to London Victoria, Margate, Faversham and Chatham. There is also a popular bus route, which runs every 15 minutes towards Canterbury.

Hyde New Homes 0345 606 1221 hydenewhomes.co.uk

A N N E S L E Y, N O T T I N G H A M S H I R E

FROM £250,000

L&Q at Regency Heights shops and restaurants nearby.

The one and two bedroom homes at Regency Heights all have private outdoor space. Many of the balconies will benefit from stunning green views, with parks, lakes and canal all overlooked.

This major development by the Grand Union Canal represents a great opportunity to buy a home in a rapidly changing part of the city, a short distance from the Old Oak development that will have the superhub of HS2 and Crossrail stations at its centre.

There will also be new homes, waterside workspaces, museums,

L&Q 020 8189 7580 lqhomes.com

*Based on a 25% share of the full market value of £325,000

BROXBOURNE, HERTFORDSHIRE

FROM £460,000

Forest Park When complete, this collection will include a range of two to four bedroom semi-detached and detached properties. Located in the village of Annesley, Nottinghamshire, the homes have easy road access to Mansfield, Derby, Nottingham and Sheffield.

They are beautifully designed inside and out, with welcoming

front lawns and side returns, while inside, larger homes feature separate living and dining rooms, with French doors opening to rear gardens. Upstairs there are goodsized bedrooms, with an en suite from the main bedroom.

Taggart Homes 0800 917 7404 taggarthomes.com

Scholars Set within a leafy, secluded setting, with a high street within walking distance and great rail links close by, this location offers a great work-life balance. The homes here are a mix of two bedroom apartments and three, four and five bedroom houses. The stylish apartments are surrounded by landscaped lawns, and feature

open-plan living areas that open to private balconies, an en suite to the main bedroom, hallway storage and utility room. The countryside is easily accessible, and trains to London Liverpool Street take less than 30 minutes.

Chase New Homes 01707 660 660 chasenewhomes.co.uk

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COMPETITION

Pub in the Park HOW TO ENTER Answer the following question:

Which celebrity chef originally created Pub in the Park festival?

A. Jamie Oliver B. Tom Kerridge C. James Martin

WIN! KETS WIN TWO VIP TIC RK TO PUB IN THE PA FESTIVAL

To celebrate the return of Pub in the Park for 2022, the festival is offering one lucky winner the chance to nab a pair of VIP tickets to a Pub in the Park event.The ultimate prize for food and music lovers alike!

Following the sell-out success in 2021, Pub in the Park’s 2022 UK tour will feature a huge line-up of world-class chefs, incredible food and chart-topping music – making it the largest touring festival of its kind in the UK. Tom Kerridge will once again be bringing together his band of incredible chef pals – expect to see some of the hottest new talent in the food world, your TV favourites and some highly acclaimed Michelin-starred names. At each location, there’ll be award-winning pubs and restaurants serving tasting dishes showing their signature style – from local favourites to revered eateries from farther afield – giving you the chance to savour food you might not otherwise get to sink your teeth into.

Every event will feature plenty of festival fun – with chef demonstrations, the finest produce, top quality shopping and a kids' area to keep the little ones entertained.

It wouldn’t be Pub in the Park without some top-notch live music too, so expect some returning fan favourites from the likes of Craig David TS5, Kaiser Chiefs, Sophie Ellis-Bextor, Faithless (DJ set), Basement Jaxx (DJ set) and Gabrielle, plus artists never before seen at Pub in the Park, including Rag ‘N’ Bone Man, Supergrass, McFly, Natalie Imbruglia, Human League and Sister Sledge.

Locations and dates • Marlow, Higginson Park, 12-15 May • Warwick, St Nicholas Park, 10-12 June • Bath, Royal Victoria Park, 17-19 June • Dulwich, Dulwich Park, 24-26 June • Tunbridge Wells, Dunorlan Park, 8-10 July • Chiswick, Chiswick House & Gardens, 2-4 Sept • St Albans, Verulamium Park, 9-11 Sept • Brighton, Preston Park, 16-18 Sept

Send your answer with your full name, address and telephone number to: lynda@firsttimebuyermag co.uk Closing date: 25 February 2022

THE PRIZE… 2 X VIP TICKETS TO ONE SESSION AT PUB IN THE PARK. T&Cs • The winner will be contacted via email to arrange which date and location they would like to attend the event. Once the date and location is confirmed it cannot be exchanged.

• The prize is valid for two people for one session at Pub in the Park.

• The prize does not include transport, accommodation and food or drink at the event.

• Music acts mentioned vary by location and are subject to change.

• Should there be a restriction on spectators allowed into the venue due to Covid-19, the tickets will be reissued for another location or the 2023 event.

• To enter this competition you must be over the age of 18 and a UK resident.

• The Pub in the Park products included within this prize are as stated and cannot be exchanged.

pubintheparkuk.com

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FIRST MEAL

FIRST HOME, FIRST MEAL What better way to see in your new house by creating an absolute belter of a pudding. Full of those comforting flavours of dates and sticky toffee sauce. Created by Sarah Hayward, Head Chef at The Coach in Marlow, this really is an easy recipe that will certainly wow your guests

STICKY TOFFEE PUDDING

INGREDIENTS (Serves 4/6 depending on ramekin size )

METHOD To start, pour the rum into a saucepan along with the water and vanilla and bring to the boil.

2 Once the rum liquid base is boiling, drop in the dates and cover with a lid and leave to soak for 1 hour.

3 While the dates are absorbing all of the sweet boozy stock, place the butter and muscovado sugar into a tabletop mixing bowl with a paddle fitted.

4 Beat together until the mix begins to aerate and resembles thick whipped cream, then add eggs in one a time. If needed, add a little of the flour to help the eggs to be absorbed into the butter.

5 To finish the cake batter, sift the flour and bicarbonate together into a clean bowl, then proceed to fold the flour mix into the aerated, creamed butter.

6 Once you have an even cake batter, pour the mixture into ramekin dishes that have been greased and lightly floured.

7 Place the ramekins on to an oven-proof tray and bake in a preheated oven at 190°C for 15-20 minutes.

8 While the puddings are baking, add all the sticky toffee sauce ingredients into a saucepan and bring to the boil, give a little stir with a whisk and reduce to a simmer. The sauce will be ready once it thickens slightly and coats the back of a spoon.

9 Once the puddings are ready, remove from the oven and run a small knife around the edge of each ramekin to release the puddings from the side, this will make it easier to get out of the dishes.

10 Then tip the hot puddings out into serving bowls, add a good ladle of the sticky toffee sauce to each bowl and top off each with a brandy snap and a generous scoop of vanilla ice cream.

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Sarah Hayward is the Head Chef of The Coach in Marlow. She was born in Nottinghamshire and moved to the Isle of Wight when she was eight years old. Inspired to cook by her father, a Royal Navy chef, Sarah grew up around the sights and smells of the kitchen.

At 16, Sarah did a one-year apprenticeship at The Royal Hotel (2AA Rosettes) on the Isle of Wight working under Alan Staley. In 2010, Sarah then worked for Simon Radley at The Chester Grosvenor as an apprentice and left two years later as a Demi Chef de Partie. In 2012 she joined the team at Michelin-starred Lucknam Park and helped open the Cookery School, where Sarah enjoyed both the teaching element and the interaction with guests. She also worked for a year in the Restaurant Hywell Jones by Lucknam Park for a year, gaining invaluable experience.

In 2015, Sarah joined The Hand & Flowers, the two-Michelin starred pub from Tom Kerridge, after just three months she was quickly promoted to Chef de Partie. Then two year’s later, Sarah joined The Coach as Junior Sous Chef, before promotion to her first Head Chef role at The Bull & Bear in Manchester’s The Stock Exchange Hotel which opened in January 2020.

Sarah has worked for Tom Kerridge for seven years and now, coming full circle, she returns as Head Chef of The Coach, the one Michelin-starred pub in Marlow, a kitchen she knows inside out. Sarah will oversee a chef brigade of seven and with a small plate menu and an open kitchen, Sarah’s creative flair for ingredients and refined cooking is on show for all to see.

For the puddings:  140g dark rum  225g water  1 vanilla pod, split in half and with the seeds scooped out  225g chopped dates  110g butter or beef suet  110 soft dark brown or muscovado sugar  3 whole eggs  140g flour  2 tsp bicarbonate of soda  Demerara sugar for dusting For the toffee sauce:  250ml double cream  90g Demerara sugar  80g butter  ½ tbsp golden syrup  ½ tbsp black treacle  Pinch of salt.

To serve:  4/6 ramekins brushed with butter and lined with flour  1 packet of brandy snaps (6 in a pack, Waitrose)  1 tub of best quality vanilla ice cream (eg Green & Blacks)

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TECH

INSPECTOR GADGET "Celebrate Chinese New Year with the help of these clever kitchen gadgets"

"Dreams about the future are always filled with gadgets," says astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson. So if you're looking for a gadget to make your life that little bit easier, our new feature will showcase some of the top tech that you will find useful in your future new home. From steam cleaners to living room speakers and everything in between, we’ll have it covered. This issue we focus on gadgets to use in your kitchen that will help you cook up a storm. Go gadget go!

Lakeland Digital Compact Air Fryer, £69.99, Lakeland Love fried food but hate the number of calories per portion? Lakeland's digital compact air fryer has simple digital controls for no-fuss use and only requires just one teaspoon of oil, making it an ultra-healthy way to cook.

This compact gadget is perfect for smaller kitchen spaces and ideal for cooking for one or two people.

Whether it’s cooking perfect sweet potato fries, seasoned wedges, scampi or even juicy chicken legs, this fryer has it covered. It can also cook frozen foods without added oil and can even bake! With Chinese New Year on the horizon why not create authentic chicken dishes such as crispy sesame chicken?

Masha Electric Potato Masher, £45.99, Lakeland This spudtacular, easy-to-use electric potato masher is amazingly adaptable.

Not only is it great for potatoes, but it can also mash up other food items, and is quick and easy to clean. This Chinese New Year why not experiment and create Lao Nai Yang Yu (Chinese spicy mash potatoes). It is also brilliant for hummus, guacamole and baby food, requiring little effort, making this gadget a must-have kitchen accessory, whatever kind of food you’re preparing. Check out our Star prize on page 7 to find out how you can win one!

Waitrose Chinese Takeaway bag for two, £10 Say “Xin nian kuai le!” and celebrate this Chinese New Year the easy way with a yummy selection of some of the nation’s favourite Chinese dishes. The box includes egg fried rice, chicken chow mein, beef in black bean sauce, sweet and sour chicken and four crispy vegetable spring rolls. This takeaway bag is the perfect way to enjoy the Chinese New Year with some great quality food for you and that special someone. waitrose.co.uk

Lakeland 3.5L Slow Cooker, £32.99, Lakeland Slow and steady wins the race. Slow cookers have become ever more popular in our kitchens. This super-convenient and straightforward to use slow cooker has three heat settings and a stylish glass lid so you can easily check the progress of your cooking.

This gadget is ideal for feeding a family or batch cooking to stock the freezer up with a number of quick and easy meals from tasty casseroles, tender meats, wholesome beans or delicious vegetables. It’s the perfect size for small families and includes a hob- and oven-safe cooking pot.

Prue’s World Stainless Steel Dumpling Press & Cutter, £6.99, Lakeland There is dumpling you should know... Prue Leith’s stunning range at Lakeland includes this stainless steel dumpling press. Perfect to help you prepare authentic dim sum and gyozas at home. If you want to recreate the Chinese delights of fried and steamed dumplings in your own kitchen, this cutter with ridged edges will give you that professional finish to impress any dinner guest.

CO NTA CTS

» Lakeland lakeland.co.uk

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LEGAL

A simple guide to legal jargon If you’re buying or selling a home, you’ll need a conveyancer or property solicitor to deal with the paperwork involved. However, the process can be complicated and confusing and Lesley Price FCILEx of CGM Solicitors provides a quick guide to the steps that you will go through during your purchase and what some of the terms you will hear actually mean EXCHANGE OF CONTRACTS This is the stage at which the seller becomes legally bound to sell the property to the buyer and the buyer becomes legally bound to purchase the property from the seller. At any stage before this either party can withdraw from the transaction. To exchange contracts a buyer has to pay part of the purchase monies (the deposit) which is usually 10% of the cost and a completion date is agreed.

COMPLETION This is the date that the balance of the purchase monies is paid through the solicitors and the buyer can move into the property and the seller must leave the property.

SURVEY If you are obtaining a mortgage to purchase your property you will have to pay for a valuation. However, this is a limited report for the benefit of your lender. You would therefore be advised to have your own survey carried out. This can be a full structural survey or a lesser one known as a Homebuyer’s Report.

DEPOSIT

COVENANTS These are restrictions which affect some properties. If you are purchasing a freehold property there may be restrictions, which were put on the land when it was built or at a later time. They can include uses of the land such as restricting it to a private dwelling house among other restrictions.

DISBURSEMENTS

This expression is used in two ways. First, as the amount of money that a purchaser is putting into the property, in other words the difference between the mortgage amount and the purchase price, and second the sum of money which is paid by the purchaser at exchange of contracts.

When you purchase a property, you have to pay out disbursements. These are simply payments to other people and include such things as search fees, Stamp Duty and land registry fees.

GIFTED DEPOSIT

MORTGAGE OFFER

It is quite common nowadays, particularly with first time buyers, for parents to give their children some money to help them purchase a property. This is known as a gifted deposit. It has to be reported to the mortgage lender who has to approve the gift.

You may receive an agreement from your mortgage lender to lend you money at the beginning of the transaction. However, when a solicitor refers to a mortgage offer they mean a written offer of mortgage which sets out all the details and conditions.

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KEY THINGS TO REMEMBER 9 Know your budget and bear in mind there will often be additional expenses that will arise during the process.

9 Make sure you have saved up some money as a contingency for this.

9 Pick a legal adviser you feel comfortable with and that you can communicate with clearly and effectively.

9 Don’t be afraid to ask questions of the professionals involved. It is their job to make sure you understand what you are committing to.

9 Be realistic on timescales. If you try to rush things, then you may add to your own stress levels if things don’t quite go to plan.

Any questions? We are here to help. We specialise in a wide range of property matters and transactions so please contact us at enquiries@c-g-m.co.uk c-g-m.co.uk

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FINANCE

Buying a shared ownership home Buying your first home can be a massive step, and too often involves stress and uncertainty. However, with proper planning and the right advice, it should be reasonably pain free. So, here are some handy tips to help you get on the housing ladder

For over 14 years, Censeo Financial has been providing an exemplary service to both our housing association and developer clients and our customers. We were set up purely as a mortgage provider specialising in providing homes to first time buyers and since then we have become a recognisable, trusted and award-winning brand.

Since 2007 we have helped over 25,000 people with affordability assessments and around 6,000 people to purchase a property through shared ownership.

1. SORT YOUR FINANCES Work out exactly what you can afford and what your likely outgoings will be.

We’ve developed a simple online financial assessment which will give you a result in under 24 hours – you can find out more at portal.censeo-financial.com.

Making use of this will save you time down the line, because if you pass, you will receive an assessment certificate which can be shared with the organisation looking to sell you a home.

Censeo Financial also has a quick and easy financial calculator app for shared ownership available on Android or Apple which can give you an outline of what you can or cannot afford to buy – given your current financial circumstances.

2. GET PROPER FINANCIAL ADVICE Buying a shared ownership property is different from buying somewhere outright.

Therefore, we always recommend that you seek help from a professional mortgage adviser firm such as Censeo Financial, which specialises in this sector. It could well save you time and money in the long run.

Censeo has a team of full-time professional advisers with an in-depth knowledge of shared ownership. We also have strong relationships with all of the lenders operating in this sector – we even have our own exclusive deals.

Plus, we have a long track record of working with all the leading housing associations and developers in the affordable housing sector.

3. APPOINT A DECENT SOLICITOR Solicitors play a significant role in the whole process of buying a property. From making sure you have everything necessary to help you buy your home quickly, to checking the lease and speaking to both your mortgage broker and the solicitors acting for the housing association or developer.

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In addition, they will also carry out searches, as well as ensuring the developer has all the correct legal documentation for the scheme it is selling.

Ultimately, your solicitor will need to check that all the paperwork and your mortgage are in place to allow you to purchase your new home. A lot of time will be spent liaising with all the different parties – that is why it is so important to choose a good, efficient lawyer with knowledge of shared ownership.

Censeo has a panel of law firms that we work with. You are under no obligation to select one of these conveyancing lawyers, but they do all have significant experience in this sector which should speed up the sales process.

4. BE PATIENT From reserving your property to completing usually takes around six weeks but can take anything up to 12 weeks, depending on

how quickly your chosen property is made available for completion.

5. BE PREPARED Work backwards from your expected completion day. Think about sorting out your change of address, do your homework on the best utility and insurance companies to use and of course book the removal van!

6. PLAN FOR THE FUTURE Buying your first home isn’t the end of the process though, as at the end of two years (or five years, depending on the mortgage you took out) you’ll have the option of either remortgaging or staircasing (where you can decide to buy a larger share in your home). With both of these scenarios, it is a good idea to seek advice from a qualified mortgage adviser. censeo-financial.com

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FINANCE

A new key to open the door EXPERT COMMENT Ensuring people can buy a new build home is key to the industry’s ability to deliver the Government’s housing ambitions. Too many people are unable to realise their ambition of homeownership because they simply can’t afford the deposit required. The industry

Deposit Unlock is a new way to get a foot on the ladder with a small deposit. Kay Hill finds out the details of the scheme and how it compares with other options

has worked hard to develop a sustainable solution that will help more prospective buyers on to the housing ladder, maintain demand and so enable builders to deliver more desperately needed homes.

Help to Buy has played a significant

With saving for a deposit representing the biggest barrier to homeownership, most schemes to help people buy a home aim to make it easier to buy with a smaller savings pot, such as Help to Buy: Equity Loan. This Government scheme allows first time buyers to borrow 20% (or 40% in London) interest-free for five years, enabling them to buy a new home with just a 5% deposit. However, it is only for first time buyers, and is set to end next year.

A new scheme, Deposit Unlock, has recently been launched, which broadens the pool of people who can benefit and doesn’t have an end date. Unlike Help to Buy, which is Government-run, Deposit Unlock was set up by the Federation of Home Builders and reinsurance company Gallagher Re and is supported by housebuilders.

WHO CAN USE IT? The Government’s Help to Buy scheme insists that all participants must be genuine first time buyers who have never owned a property or land, or a share in a property, in the UK or elsewhere. And if you’re married, civil partnered or co-habiting and only one

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is a first time buyer, you can’t apply in a sole name to take advantage of the scheme.

The policy excludes large numbers of buyers – not just second-steppers who may need help to buy a larger property, but first time buyers with a partner who has a share in a property from an earlier relationship, siblings who might have jointly inherited a property or groups of friends where one might have a share in a family holiday home abroad. Deposit Unlock has no such restriction and is available for both first time buyers and home movers, although mortgage companies have some restrictions on lending.

role in supporting increases in housing supply in recent years and has turned homeownership dreams into reality for hundreds of thousands of households. However, with the new Help to Buy scheme now less accessible in some regional markets, including many parts of northern England, and with the programme closing in 2023, a new option was required. This launch is testament to the foresight and investment made by 17 of our members. We are also grateful for the commitment shown by our two launch lender partners and look forward to welcoming others in

WHAT HOMES CAN YOU BUY? Unsurprisingly, given its creators, the scheme can only be used to buy brand new homes from participating developers – at the time of writing these included a number of big names such as Barratt, Bellway, Bloor, Countryside, Crest Nicholson, Hill, Persimmon, Redrow and Taylor Wimpey, with additional companies likely to join during the year. Each participating builder can choose which sites and individual

the coming months.

Stewart Baseley, Executive Chairman, Home Builders Federation

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FINANCE

homes it wishes to include, which are subject to change. Examples include:  Hill Group – a wide range of properties up to £833,250  Crest Nicholson – homes valued at less than £789,000.  Redrow – homes up to £750,000  Countryside – homes up to £750,000  Barratt – homes up to £600,000  Bellway – homes up to £330,000 (but excluding studios and one bedroom apartments)

HOW DOES IT WORK? Deposit Unlock is a mortgage indemnity scheme. A pilot scheme ran on a few sites in the North East in June 2021, but it has now launched nationally. Participating builders pay for an insurance-backed guarantee that will benefit the lender in the event that the property has to be repossessed. Lenders are wary of loaning large loan-to-value mortgages on new builds because brand new homes have a premium attached that disappears once they have been lived in, so they may lose value initially. They may also be hard to sell while the development is still being completed and new versions of the same home are being released. For these reasons, most lenders ask for larger deposits on new properties, especially flats. The insurance policy, which protects lenders from losses, should make them comfortable to loan at 95%.

WHICH LENDERS OFFER MORTGAGES? At the moment there is a conflict with the Government-backed 95% mortgage scheme, which offers a similar indemnity to participating lenders, so at present only companies not participating in the Government scheme are taking part – initially just Nationwide and Newcastle building societies. This obviously limits the options available.

At the time of writing, Nationwide was offering buyers aged 18-72 a choice of two, three and five-year fixed rates (from 2.62% with a £1,499 fee), with terms of up to 40 years – but self-employed people are not accepted. Newcastle was offering two-year (3.5%) and five-year (3.75%) fixed rate loans available to both employed and self-employed aged 18-80, with a maximum term of 40 years. However, Newcastle will not loan on one bedroom or studio apartments, or to anyone who has had

furlough or SEISS income. Deals from both lenders are available through mortgage brokers only and may change rapidly.

HOW DOES IT COMPARE WITH OTHER SCHEMES? With Help to Buy: Equity Loan, buyers only need to take out a 75% mortgage (55% within London), so rates are considerably cheaper than on a 95% mortgage. In addition, the equity loan has no interest to pay on it for the first five years, whereas interest is paid on the whole amount from the start with Deposit Unlock. However, Help to Buy gives the Government a share in the value of your home, which will need to be repaid at a later date and is based on a percentage of the value, so may end up being much more than was originally borrowed if prices have risen. Equity loans can also be expensive after five years, as the interest rate gradually increases.

In addition, the latest version of Help to Buy includes regional price caps which limit the price of the property that can be purchased using the scheme. The cap ranges from £600,000 in London down to £186,100 in the North East, while some developers offer homes of more than £750,000 through Deposit Unlock, so it may provide greater choice for those looking for larger or pricier properties.

The Government-backed 95% mortgage scheme, available to first time buyers and home movers, works in a very similar way to Deposit Unlock, but is valid on both new and pre-owned homes up to £600,000.

There are also a number of lenders offering standard 95% mortgages on pre-owned properties. For example, at the time of writing, Nationwide was offering cheaper 95% loans on pre-owned houses from 2.39% for a two-year tracker or 3.19% for a fiveyear fixed rate with £999 fee.

EXPERT COMMENT The need for more new homes has never been more apparent and we are keen to support the Deposit Unlock scheme – giving those with smaller deposits further hope that they can get a home of their own. The scheme will be a long-term alternative to the Help to Buy: Equity Loan scheme, which is due to end next year. During the pandemic we spent much more time in our homes and for many of us it highlighted the need for a more suitable property. Many people are looking for a home that is energy efficient as climate change becomes a priority and energy bills continue to rise. Our homes are where we have one of the biggest individual impacts on climate change and we remain committed to helping make the homes we lend on greener and more sustainable, which is why we continue to reward those who buy

CONCLUSION

the most energy-efficient properties

If you want to buy a brand new home and only have a 5% deposit, then using a Help to Buy: Equity Loan with a 75% (or 55% in London) mortgage will be the cheapest monthly option over the first five years, providing you are eligible. If you don’t meet the criteria, Deposit Unlock can help you to get on the ladder sooner. Using either a standard or Government-backed 95% mortgage to buy a pre-owned home tends to be cheaper, so you may want to look at this option as well.

Green Reward scheme, which can

with a cashback offer under our be combined with Deposit Unlock.

Henry Jordan, Director of Mortgages, Nationwide Building Society

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MARKET

Will 2022 be the year of greener homes?

The world’s global climate crisis has never needed a more urgent solution and housing is coming under scrutiny. Ginetta Vedrickas looks at the issues COP26 COP26 certainly put sustainability higher than ever on the agenda. Standing for “Conference of the Parties”, the summit was attended by all countries that signed the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, UNFCCC, a treaty that came into force in 1994.

This year’s summit was especially important, as it reviewed the most famous COP – Paris 2015 – which reached an agreement that limiting global warming to under 2° is essential. Experts predict that any higher rise in temperature would have severe consequences for much of the world, even making some regions uninhabitable.

IMPLICATIONS FOR HOUSING The UK has already committed to a wide range of targets designed to cut greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by 2050. But organisations such as Extinction Rebellion say this isn’t enough, calling for an immediate halt to using fossil fuels rather than a plan that spans decades.

Newspaper headlines have been full of Insulate Britain’s tactics as the campaigning organisation flags up the direct impact that

housing in the UK is having on emissions.

Demands include calling on the Government to insulate all social housing by 2025 and retrofit all homes in Britain to make them low-energy and low-carbon by 2030.

One of the biggest challenges facing the UK is that much of its housing stock is old and is some of Europe’s least energy efficient. According to the Committee on Climate Change, housing is responsible for 14% of the country’s greenhouse gas emissions. Around 36% of all housing was built before 1944 with only 17% of stock built from 1990 onwards. Most homes were constructed to different standards to today’s homes and heating them with fossil fuels such as gas, combined with poor insulation, has dire consequences for the planet.

Campaigners want to see climate change tackled by moving to renewables and low carbon heat networks and they call for homes that are well insulated and have less air leakage.

At a meeting specifically on housing and climate change, COP26 attendants heard that it will be expensive, but necessary, to move away from fossil fuel heating methods. David Orr, Chief Executive of the National Housing Federation, told the meeting, “There’s no way

on the planet we can reach net zero without decarbonising homes.”

HEATING & HEAT PUMPS Heating remains a major concern. The Government’s long-awaited Heat and Buildings Strategy presented heat pumps as a key feature as they heat homes with warmth from the air, water or ground rather than using fossil fuels. The Government has pledged to install 600,000 heat pumps per year by 2028. In 2019, a total of 35,000 were installed, versus around 1.7 million gas boilers. In 2020, around 36,000 were installed, just 6% of the target.

Ground source heat pumps are a highly efficient, low carbon renewable heating system. Buried pipework extracts low-temperature solar energy stored in the ground or water and the heat pump compresses this energy into a higher temperature. A ground source heat pump provides 100% of a building’s heating and hot water all year round. Ground source heat pumps produce 3-4kWh of heat energy for every 1kWh of electrical energy used, making them 300-400% efficient. A typical boiler is 90% efficient. And, while modern gas boilers need replacing every 10-15 years and need annual servicing, ground source heat pumps can last 25 years with minimal servicing needed.

INSULATION The Committee on Climate Change points out that insulation rates are currently around a third of what they need to be to cut energy consumption. houzen’s founder and CEO Saurabh Saxena calls for what he calls “green thinking” to be the top priority for the property sector, predicting that insulation will be high on the housing sector’s priority list. The Green Homes Grant scheme launched in 2020 to help people insulate their homes was scrapped in March 2021 after reaching just 6,000 of the 600,000 homes for which it was intended, says Saxena, with the National Audit Office accusing the Government of “botching delivery”.

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MARKET EXPERT COMMENT

HOW TO ASSESS A PROPERTY’S SUSTAINABILITY For anyone trying to establish a property’s green credentials, houzen’s sustainability reports are a good starting point. The PropTech investment platform has collected data about how properties across the UK perform on 27 key issues impacting our climate. Thanks to a combination of AI and experts’ knowledge, buyers and houseowners will be able to see actionfocused reports to help them achieve an eco-friendlier home.

DO BUYERS CARE ABOUT ECOFRIENDLY HOMES? Research from property services group Leaders Romans Group (LRG), found huge demand for eco-friendly homes among consumers. The research found that almost three quarters, 70%, of respondents nationwide would like their property to be more eco-friendly. The study found that eco-friendly features such as wall insulation, renewable energy sources and double or triple glazing were a major draw, with more than half, 56%, of respondents saying they would specifically seek out a property with these qualities. Two-thirds, 66%, revealed they would choose a property with eco-friendly features over one without.

Younger, more eco-conscious respondents, between 25-34, are most likely to want these features, with 61% expressing this wish.

And, as these are the buyers of the future, developers and landlords who ignore their expectations do so at their peril, says LRG.

WHERE TO BUY FOR A LOW CARBON FOOTPRINT? Research by Birmingham agency Barrows and Forrester looked at which pockets of the property market present homebuyers with the best chance of a below-average carbon footprint but with the added bonus of below-average property prices. The agent analysed data on CO2 emissions per capita across each county, as well as the cost of buying a home. England as a whole produces 4.9 tonnes of CO2 emissions per person annually, while the current average cost of a home is £280,921. Just 22 counties offered emissions of less than the national average, with just eight offering cheaper property values. At £120,228, County Durham is the most affordable spot to buy a home for eco-conscious buyers. The county sees just 4.5 tonnes of carbon emissions generated per person annually and is 57% more affordable to buy a home versus the national average, according to the agency.

INCENTIVES FROM LENDERS

We determined to be the leading

Lenders are using the power of global capital to incentivise developers to be more sustainable, says lender Atelier whose Carbonlite Challenge “the more sustainable your project, the cheaper your finance” has thrown down the gauntlet to property developers. Developed with support from the Royal Institute of British Architects, the seven-month pilot programme offers loans up to £10m to qualifying developments.

Atelier’s co-founder Chris Gardner says, “The goal of the Carbonlite Challenge is to use the power of global capital to reduce the cost of development finance and change the way Britain builds homes for the better, and forever.”

Our recently refreshed Building

national sustainable housebuilder.

Sustainably Framework is centred around protecting and enhancing what matters most: the natural world in which we operate, the places we create and our people. And we continue to make solid progress – this year we published our net zero transition plan; launched our zerocarbon home prototype; implemented new water efficiency standards and became a signatory of the Social Mobility Pledge.

Sarah Pratt, Head of Corporate Sustainability, Barratt

GREEN NEW HOMES Buying new build is one way of guaranteeing your home is eco-friendly, and some developers are going the extra mile when it comes to building greener homes. Barratt Developments, the UK’s largest housebuilder, is building a unique flagship zero-carbon home concept, the Z House, which will be occupied and monitored to assess its performance. It will be the first new home in the country built by a major housebuilder to go beyond the Government’s new Future Homes Standard by delivering a carbon reduction of 125%.

Last year Barratt announced that all new homes will be zero carbon by 2030 and this flagship concept house is the first step in achieving that. barratthomes.co.uk Developer Hayfield says that its plans for Hayfield Walk in Buckinghamshire were inspired by COP24 and 25 and the Government’s “green revolution pledge”.

All homes offer a greener way of living with features including air source heat pumps and EV charging points. The scheme’s “green revolution” technology is “striking a chord with eco-aware homeowners”, adds Hayfield. hayfieldhomes.co.uk Stonewood Partnerships’ Orchard Field development offers 88 sustainable, energyefficient homes in the Gloucestershire countryside near Cirencester. Built using individual sealed timber panels filled with recycled glass fibre insulation, these draught-free properties have energyefficient air source heat pumps and mechanical ventilation heat recovery systems to cut energy bills by up to 70% compared with standard new build homes.

Triple glazed windows reduce heat loss and increase interior radiant temperature, and solar photovoltaic panels supply electricity and reduce carbon emissions. stonewoodpartnerships.co.uk

Developments

EXPERT COMMENT As a nation, we’re increasingly more aware of our impact on the planet and the vital role we play in making a difference. It can feel like an uphill struggle, so purchasing in an area with far lower carbon emissions is a good place to start for those who want to surround themselves with likeminded individuals.

James Forrester, MD, Barrows and Forrester

EXPERT COMMENT Earlier first time buyers focused more on the cost and other parameters and the priority was not to have an energy-efficient home, but now, especially after Covid-19, there’s a shift in people’s mindset. People are becoming more aware of their choices, their needs, and having spent a lot of time indoors, they are becoming more conscious about what’s good for them – and for the environment.

Eashita Saxena, Sustainability Analyst, houzen

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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 Sue Dance, Sales & Commercial Manager, Grand Union Housing

Andrew Theoff, Managing Partner, Direction Law

Peter Hawley, Director, Shared Ownership, Leaders Romans

Oak View Court, Milton Keynes, 18 apartments for shared ownership sale, guide price from £205,000 grandunionliving.co.uk

Not enough deposit

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

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Q

My husband and I have been saving for some time to buy our first home together and were hoping to purchase this year, but we just don’t have enough deposit as yet and we’re worried that prices seem to be going up all the time, putting our dream home out of reach. We’re ideally looking for a two bedroom apartment in a modern building with good transport links. We currently rent in Bletchley and I am a nurse based at Milton Keynes University hospital. My husband, Rakesh, is a signage fitter so he travels all around Buckinghamshire and Bedfordshire for his work. We would be grateful for any advice. Thank you.

Akira Chandra, Bletchley

A

Shared ownership is a great solution for a couple who can’t quite reach the deposit needed for a property on the open market, as the maximum salary income cap would be your two combined salaries, allowing flexibility.

Outside of London the cap is £80,000 or inside London it’s £90,000. Also, you’ll only need to provide a 5% deposit of the share you’re purchasing, so you may qualify already!

Remember to allow enough for legal costs and moving expenses on top though.

For example, you could buy a 35% share of a two bedroom apartment at Oak View Court, Walnut Tree, Milton Keynes (very close to your work) for £71,750 (guide price £205,000 full market value). The deposit would be much more affordable than buying on the open market. Speak to an independent financial adviser who specialises in shared ownership to check you can qualify.

With most shared ownership properties, you could purchase more shares until you own 100%, as your careers progress and you are able to afford more. You pay rent on the balance you do not own, and this reduces as you buy more shares.

Good luck with your search!

Sue Dance

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EXPERTS

Fees for conveyancing

Q

I’m purchasing my first home and the housing association I’m buying through has said that I need to instruct a solicitor.

Should I approach more than one solicitor for a quote, or are their prices much the same?

Daisy Moore, Ashford

A

When purchasing a shared ownership property (or any property for that matter), you will need to instruct a solicitor to act on your behalf. I would suggest getting a few quotations from different firms for a comparison of costs and be very careful of cheap headline fees because they often aren’t as economical as they first seem – the cheapest isn’t necessarily the best, and the cheapest isn’t necessarily the cheapest either!

To give you an idea of what to expect, firstly there should be a quote for legal fees, which is the price the solicitor charges for their services. This differs depending on the purchase price of the property and whether it is leasehold or freehold.

There will also be details for bank transfer fees, preparing the Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) form, and a mortgage lender fee. Most firms charge for these items, but the amounts can vary, resulting

Can we afford to buy our first home?

Q

My partner and I are looking to buy a two bedroom house in the Nottingham area; we only have a small deposit and between us earn less than £35,000 per annum.

How can we buy a property and where should we look?

Melissa Palmer, Nottingham

A

Just because you have a small deposit and your earnings are not enough to buy a property outright, this does not mean that you cannot buy at all. With house prices in the UK at a record high, getting on to the property ladder is becoming more challenging for first time buyers, with many feeling that the deposit and income required make homeownership a distant dream; shared ownership can make this dream a reality.

in very different final charges. The quote should also include disbursements, which are expenses payable to third parties and are paid via your solicitor; however, these can still vary from firm to firm. These include a bankruptcy search fee, HM Land Registry Search fee and other search fees. Other disbursements include the Land Registry registration fee and Stamp Duty Land Tax which are based on the property price or share being purchased and whether you are a first time buyer – and the rules are the same irrespective of conveyancing firm.

Other things you should budget for when buying a new build shared ownership

property are further fees payable to a superior landlord or managing agent and possible additional costs from your housing association. These amounts will be the same irrespective of which solicitors you use, but most don’t mention them in their quotation.

Finally, it is worth noting that price is only one factor when choosing your solicitor. Buyers should also consider level of experience in affordable homeownership, expertise, recommendation, and customer service.

Good luck with your search.

Shared ownership provides an excellent alternative, which gives purchasers the opportunity to get on to the property ladder.

Under the new revised model it could be possible to purchase as little as a 10% share of a new home with the option to buy further shares over subsequent years until you eventually own the property outright.

As long as you meet mortgage lending criteria, you will only need a 5% deposit on the share you’re buying, which makes shared ownership a very attractive and affordable option.

At Leaders Romans we can assess your buying capabilities via the Homes England calculator, which will allow our team of expert financial advisers to look at your personal circumstances and help you understand what is affordable and sustainable while letting you know what size percentage of a home you could be eligible to purchase.

When looking for a shared ownership home you can search the traditional property portals, but there are also specialist portals that will give a wider range of choice such as Share to Buy and

Help to Buy. At Leaders Romans we have a dedicated shared ownership division and specific listings just for shared ownership can be found. You will also find that most housing associations and registered providers have their own websites that showcase a full range of both brand new and resale homes.

It is important to consider what you need from a new home when starting out on the journey. Factors to consider could include aspects such as “what size property do I need and why?” along with thinking about the costs associated with buying a property such as mortgage and solicitor fees.

Leaders Romans has specialist shared ownership hubs based in Wokingham, London and Nottingham. Our experienced and friendly team guides purchasers through the whole shared ownership journey, right from the start to handing over keys to your new home. Currently, we have several developments in and around Nottingham, so do go to leaders.co.uk and romans.co.uk and take a look.

Andrew Theoff

Peter Hawley

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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 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).

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.

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.

HOMES ENGLAND This is a Government organisation tasked with increasing housing supply. They also fund affordable homes including Help to Buy.

STAIRCASING

There are a few less well known Governmentbacked schemes; more details of these can be found on ownyourhome.gov.uk:

Rent to Buy or Intermediate Rent With this scheme you rent a newly built property for up to five years and pay a reduced rent. This gives you time to save up for a deposit so you can apply to buy a share of the home later. Homes available with Rent to Buy are few and far between.

Demand for new homes often outstrips supply; this means that new homes are often reserved before their construction is complete, sometimes several months before they are built and finished. This is called “buying off-plan”. Most providers market and sell their homes in this way. Do some careful research to make sure the home you reserve is the right one for you, especially as you may not have an opportunity to physically view inside it before your commitment to buy it becomes a legal obligation.

Older People’s Shared Ownership (OPSO)

PRIVATE INITIATIVES

*NEW!* First Homes

Some builders offer incentives on new build homes such as cashback, free legal fees, help with moving costs or money towards Stamp Duty. Some developers may offer shared equity, a private version of shared ownership.

This is a new option announced by the Government in late 2019. With First Homes, first time buyers and key workers will be offered discounts of 30% on new build homes. Further details are awaited.

This is designed for people aged 55 and over.

Scheme specific details vary, so check with the housing association provider.

Home Ownership for People with Long Term Disabilities (HOLD) HOLD is a specialist option designed to help people with long term disabilities to live independently in a shared ownership property where, in some cases, repairs and maintenance services are offered by the housing association provider.

If you buy a home with shared ownership, you will be given the right to buy more shares at any time in the future. This is called staircasing. In most cases, you can buy shares up to 100% of the property and own it outright.

When you buy more shares, these are valued at the market value at the time. Because house prices tend to rise over periods of time, it is a good idea to think about staircasing right from the moment you move into your new shared ownership home.

FUNDING OPTIONS BUYING ON THE OPEN MARKET & P R I VA T E I N I T I A T I V E S

To buy on the open market or from a house builder you’ll need to get a mortgage from a bank or other mortgage lender. To do so you’ll need to save a deposit and meet the provider’s lending criteria.

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BUYERS’ GUIDE

The ftb process TIPS

Buying your first property can be a daunting experience. It’s a big decision, so it’s important to get it right. We take you through all the steps involved

F

Unless you have enough money to buy a property outright you’ll need a mortgage. A mortgage is a loan used to buy a property and is repayable over a number of years (usually 25-35 years). The loan is “secured” on the property, which means the mortgage lender could repossess your home if you fail to make repayments on time. For this reason, it’s vital only to buy a property you can realistically afford.

Before you start, find out how much money you can borrow. A mortgage adviser will need details of your income, outgoings, savings and credit history – they will then be able to give you an “agreement in principle”, which will state, in theory, how much they will be able to lend you. An agreement in principle, however, doesn’t tie you, or the lender, to anything. Instead, it will just give you a rough idea of how much money you’ll be able to borrow.

You’ll also need a deposit, normally around 10% of the property price. The bigger the deposit, the better the mortgage rate you’ll be offered. Each mortgage product will have a maximum loan-to-value or LTV.

inance

APPLICATION You will need at least three months of bank statements, payslips or tax returns, photo ID such as a passport or driving licence and details of any loans. Lenders will look at your outgoings to assess how much you can afford to pay on your mortgage each month. The bigger deposit you have and the better your credit score, the better mortgage rate you’ll be offered.

BUDGET Work out how much you can afford to repay each month, taking into account your normal living expenses and the bills, insurance and council tax on your new home. Don’t forget there is likely to be a service/ estate management charge on a new home, plus ground rent for a leasehold property, so find out how much they will be.

CREDIT SCORE Get a credit report from Experian or Equifax, and make sure there are no default accounts, CCJs (county court judgements) or missed payments. If you are making lots of enquiries to find the best deal, make sure the lenders log your enquiry as a soft search rather than a hard search as too many applications leave “footprints” on your credit score and can affect your rating.

To improve your score, make sure you’re on the electoral roll, and pay your bills and any loan repayments on time.

MORTGAGE BROKERS VS LENDERS You can apply for a mortgage via a mortgage broker (or financial adviser) or direct from a lender. A broker can look at the deals available and advise you which one would be best for your circumstances.

Some mortgage products are only sold through brokers, not directly to customers.

A broker will help you with the paperwork and deal with the lender on your behalf up until completion. You may have to pay them a fee or they may earn commission from the lender – find out how they are paid before committing to anything.

Mortgage advisers in banks or building societies can only sell you products offered by that company, so it’s unlikely they will be able to offer you the very best deal for your circumstances. It’s important to shop around. You can compare mortgages online at sites such as moneysupermarket.com or SET A BUDGET

FINANCE

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Work out how much money you have for fees, deposit and the monthly mortgage you can afford.

CREDIT SCORE

Make sure your credit rating is sound and there are no mistakes on your file, and pay off any debts you can.

moneysavingexpert.com, then apply directly to your chosen lender.

FIXED-RATE MORTGAGES Some mortgages are fixed rate. This means you’ll pay the same rate of interest for a defined period of time, and your payments won’t change. If interest rates go up, you’ll be protected from the increase, but you won’t benefit from any fall in interest rates.

Normally, at the end of the fixed period your mortgage rate will revert to the lender’s standard variable rate (SVR) for the rest of the term. You can either pay this rate (which is often quite expensive) or remortgage to another lender. Remortgaging to another lender can sometimes mean you have to pay a fee or early redemption charge (ERC).

VARIABLE-RATE MORTGAGES Variable-rate mortgages are either linked to the lender’s SVR or the Bank of England base rate, and the rate you pay can change.

Lenders can change their SVR whenever they want, but they normally only change it when the Bank of England base rate changes. Tracker mortgages are also variable, but they have repayment rates that are directly linked to the base rate so will go up and down with it. With variable-rate mortgages you need to be sure you could afford higher repayments if rates rise.

REPAYMENT OR INTEREST-ONLY Most mortgages available to first time buyers are on a repayment basis. With this type of mortgage, every monthly payment will pay off some interest and some capital (mainly interest in the early years). At the end of the term, you’ll own your home outright.

If you have a larger (25% or more) deposit you may be offered an interest-only mortgage, where you only pay interest on the loan. The monthly repayments are lower but at the end of the term you’ll still owe the original mortgage sum. You’ll need to prove you have a plan in place (such as an investment) to pay off the capital.

SHOP AROUND

Speak to a mortgage broker, but also look at lenders’ direct products and search the internet.

RESEARCH

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BUYERS’ GUIDE

TIPS

RESEARCH AN AREA

T

Buying a property is a big investment. horough You need to make research sure you buy a home that you can afford and one you will be happy living in.

LOCATION IS KEY The first step is to shortlist the locations you feel you’d like to live in, then check if you can afford the house prices in those areas.

It’s also worthwhile visiting places you like: it may be that there’s an up-and-coming hot spot just down the road you didn’t know about that’s much more affordable.

Ideally, you will have rented in the area before buying, but if this isn’t the case, at least spend some time there, check out the commuting time to work, and look at local pubs, shops and leisure facilities. Visit the area at night, too.

PROPERTY SEARCH Once you have found the right location, go online and check out what’s on offer.

Most homes are listed on property portals such as rightmove.co.uk, onthemarket. co.uk, or zoopla.co.uk, plus estate agents’ websites. Properties featured have pictures, descriptions and a floor plan, and DECIDE ON A LOCATION

Be practical.

Think about the commuting time and whether you can afford to buy in the area.

RESEARCH THE AREA

Check out crime statistics, transport links, regeneration and, if relevant, schools.

sometimes a video. Also, sign up with as many local estate agents as you can. They should send you new properties that match your description, but it’s worth phoning them regularly. If you’re looking for a shared ownership property, search online at sharetobuy.com and propertybooking.co.uk.

Aerial shots of an area can be viewed at google.co.uk/maps; switch to “satellite view”.

VIEWING Once you see a property you like, arrange a viewing. Most people see at least 10 properties before putting in an offer. It’s worth bringing a friend or relative and also arranging a second viewing to check out any bits you may have missed. Don’t get taken in by the furnishings and decor too much.

Remember that a property that is slightly run down can still be a great investment and may only need a touch of paint and a change of furniture.

ESTATE AGENTS It’s a buyers’ market, so make use of agents’ legwork in finding properties that fit your requirements. Be aware that estate agents are paid commission by the seller on the sale, so try to inspect the property yourself rather than just the parts the agent shows you. Don’t get sucked in by the hard sell.

SEARCH

Register with local estate agents, and use the internet to search for properties. Set up alerts.

Check online for prices of sold properties in the area, and make sure properties you like fit your budget. You can search for recent sold prices of property in any area at nethouseprices.com, and also on property portals like rightmove.co.uk/zoopla.co.uk.

VIEWINGS

Look at several properties, and visit ones you like more than once and with someone else.

Take a checklist.

Before you put in an offer, visit the street at different times of the day and night. You could also ask neighbours and local shop owners about the area.

BEFORE YOU BUY When looking at buying apartments, check exactly what is included in the service charge and how much it is. Also, ask about the terms of the lease and its length. If the lease has less than 80 years left, use this as a negotiating tool and make an offer below the asking price.

OFFER

If the market is slow, when making an offer, don’t be afraid to offer less than the asking price.

If the property needs work done, you can use this as a negotiating tool.

SURVEY

BUYING

Make sure you have a survey – it could save you money in the long run by spotting any problems.

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BUYERS’ GUIDE

BUYERS’ COSTS

B

uying process

SURVEYS AND VALUATIONS

Once your offer is accepted, tell your mortgage lender. They will do a valuation to ensure the property is worth the money being advanced. At the same time, instruct a surveyor to carry out a survey. If this shows problems, find out how much they would cost to rectify and use this information to renegotiate the sale price. Or, tell the seller certain repairs need to be carried out before contracts are exchanged.

SOLICITOR’S/CONVEYANCING COSTS (ESTIMATED)

£700-£1,500

LOCAL AUTHORITY SEARCH FEES (ESTIMATED)

£200-300

LAND REGISTRY FEES: For an existing property: For a purchase of £80-£100k £40.00

For a purchase of £100-£200k £95.00 For a purchase of £200-£500k For a new build property: For a purchase of £80-£100k £80.00

For a purchase of £100-£200k £190.00 For a purchase of £200-£500k £270.00

SOLICITORS

A QUICK SALE Push the seller to take the property off the market. This will limit the chances of being gazumped (another buyer making a larger offer). The seller can insist on continuing to show the property, especially if you haven’t offered the asking price.

Once the mortgage offer is in place, the contract is satisfactory and buildings insurance has been organised, both parties will agree an exchange date. You will sign the contract with your solicitor, and at the point of exchange of contracts, you pay a deposit and a completion date is set. At this point, there’s no going back – the seller could sue you if you pull out, and you could lose your deposit. The completion date is usually around a week to 10 days after exchange, but can be done on the same day.

On completion, the final paperwork is done, and the property is legally yours.

Never get pressured into an exchange and completion date without knowing all your finances and documents are in place. If you can’t complete, you may have to pay the seller’s costs.

English property law is different to Scottish law: in England, if you put in an offer and then have a change of heart, you can legally back out of the deal or negotiate up until the exchange date. But, in Scotland, an agreed price is binding.

Compare quotes from solicitors, and ask your friends who they recommend. A good solicitor can make a big difference to whether a purchase completes or falls through. Online companies can be cheaper but are less personal.

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STAMP DUTY LAND TAX (SDLT) (UNTIL 31/03/2020):

£0-£500,000 Zero

£500,000 to £925,000 5% £925,001 to £1.5m 10% Above £1.5m12%

Example: on a £600,000 purchase SDLT would be £5,000 – 0% on £0-£500,000 and 5% on £100,000 (being the £100,000 above £500,000)

OTHER FEES TO CONSIDER (ESTIMATED, DEPENDENT ON CIRCUMSTANCES): MORTGAGE ARRANGEMENT FEE

EXCHANGE AND COMPLETION

Use a recommended solicitor who you know to be reliable and who can move fast.

SOLICITORS

For a purchase of £500k-£1m £540.00

After the offer is accepted, you will also need to appoint a solicitor or conveyancer who will oversee the contract, deal with the finances and exchange the deeds. Your solicitor will carry out searches, check the terms of any lease and restrictive covenants and tell you how much Stamp Duty you have to pay. The seller will also appoint a solicitor, and the two legal teams will be in regular contact to make sure the purchase goes as smoothly as possible.

TIPS

INSURANCE

You must have buildings insurance in place for when you exchange contracts (not complete). This will be a condition of your mortgage offer.

MORTGAGE VALUATION £0-£300

SURVEY £300-£700

MORTGAGE BROKER’S FEE £0-£500

BUILDINGS INSURANCE £200-£300 annually

GROUND RENT (LEASEHOLD ONLY) & SERVICE CHARGES £100-£4,000 annually charges for maintenance of communal areas

From offer to completion usually takes about six weeks to three months, but don’t feel pressured or rush into anything you’re not sure of just because the seller or estate agent wants you to exchange.

Look at the results of searches your solicitor has done. They will tell you, for example, if a main road is about to be built at the end of your garden.

£0-£1,500

New freehold homes may also have service/estate

TIME SCALE

SEARCHES

£135.00

For a purchase of £500k-£1m £270.00

REMOVALS

Shop around for a removals firm, and find one that can move your possessions on completion day. You could also look at van hire to do it yourself.

REMOVALS (IF REQUIRED) £1,000-£2,500

COMPLETION

Your solicitor or estate agent will call you to tell you the property is yours. The solicitor will have some final paperwork to do, and you will then have to pay the solicitor’s bill and your Stamp Duty payment (if applicable).

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BUYERS’ GUIDE

Home buying glossary Confused by financial acronyms and industry terminology?

Buying your first house is daunting enough without having to decode property lingo. FTB’s homebuying glossary is here to make the process a whole lot easier to understand AGREEMENT IN PRINCIPLE

DISBURSEMENTS

The initial document that a lender will give you outlining the amount you are likely to be lent if you applied for a mortgage. An agreement in principle is not a guarantee of getting a mortgage.

These are additional charges incurred during the homebuying process such as Stamp Duty and Land Registry charges. You must give the money to your conveyancer or solicitor who will then pay the charges on your behalf.

APR APR stands for annual percentage rate.

It is the interest rate you’d pay over a year. It takes into account not just the interest on your loan but also any other additional charges.

EARLY REPAYMENT CHARGE

ARREARS

EQUITY

This is a term used to describe payments that haven’t been made on time.

The difference between the value of the property and the value of the mortgage you have secured.

BASE RATE The interest rate set by the Bank of England. Lenders usually use the Bank of England base rate to set their own interest rates.

BROKER

This is an amount of money you may have to pay a lender if you decide to move mortgage provider or if you pay off your mortgage quicker than expected.

EXCHANGE OF CONTRACTS This is when you exchange contracts with the seller. When this has happened, both sides are legally bound to complete the transaction.

A broker is someone who gives you advice on your mortgage. Some are independent, while others work for particular lenders.

FREEHOLD

BUILDING SURVEY

When a seller accepts an offer and then later on rejects it in favour of a higher offer from another bidder.

A survey carried out by a qualified surveyor to spot any structural problems or faults in the home you are buying.

COLLATERAL Something of value that is offered as a guarantee against a loan. With mortgages, your home is collateral.

COMPLETION The finalisation of the sale. Completion day is when the paperwork is complete, all money is transferred and you become the legal owner of your new home.

CONVEYANCING The legal process of transferring ownership of a property.

A freehold is when you fully own a property and the land it stands on.

GAZUMPING

GUARANTOR A person, usually a parent, who guarantees that you can pay your mortgage repayments. You often need a guarantor if you are struggling to get a mortgage based on your own income. If for some reason you cannot pay your mortgage, your guarantor has to pay it for you.

HIGHER LENDING CHARGE If you take out a large mortgage on a property, some lenders may charge a one-off extra fee. This funds an insurance policy that protects the lender (not you) from the additional risk.

LAND REGISTRY FEES This is a fee you have to pay in order to register your ownership of the property with the Land Registry.

LEASEHOLD A type of tenure where you buy the right to occupy a property for a fixed period of time. You usually have to pay annual ground rent each year.

LTV This stands for loan to value – the ratio between the amount of money you have taken out as a loan and the valuation price of the property.

LUMP-SUM REDUCTION In order to reduce your mortgage, you can make a lump-sum reduction. This is where you pay more than you owe each month in mortgage repayments.

REDEMPTION Paying off your mortgage in full is known as redemption.

REPAYMENTS The amount you have to pay back each month to your mortgage provider

STAMP DUTY Stamp Duty is a shortened name for Stamp Duty Land Tax, also called SDLT. This is a Government tax you may have to pay when you purchase a new property. Your solicitor or conveyancer will organise the payment for you.

TITLE DEEDS The legal documents that outline your rights and liabilities in relation to your new property. The title deeds also act as proof of ownership.

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LEGAL

Common questions from a first time buyer about conveyancing A first time buyer will of course have no experience of instructing or using a conveyancer. Here Adam Crawford, Partner at Prince Evans Solicitors LLP, looks at some of the common questions a first time buyer may ask

Q What is conveyancing and why do I need a conveyancer?

A Conveyancing is the legal process of transferring a piece of land from one party to another.

You need a conveyancer to advise you on all of the legalities of buying a property such as the terms of the contract, the legal title to the property and the result of any conveyancing searches. Your conveyancer will ensure you have a good and marketable title to the property for both you and your mortgage lender’s interest.

Q Do I need to choose a local conveyancer and how do I choose a conveyancer?

A No, and often it may be wise not to as your local conveyancer may not have the necessary expertise for the nature of the property you are buying. For example, if you are buying a new build or shared ownership property you would be wise to ensure that your conveyancer has ample experience in this area.

Often you will be recommended a specific conveyancer by your agent/ developer/housing association/mortgage adviser. It would certainly be worth talking to the recommended conveyancer as they will, in the main, be recommended as they are trusted by the person recommending them to do a good job or have the specialist expertise required.

Most conveyancers do not require their buyer clients to visit their offices and operate using email, post and telephone, and in this day and age, with the technology available, there is no need for restricting yourself to a local conveyancer.

Finally, shop around and look at reviews and remember the cheapest option is often not the best option and could be reflected in the service you receive. Your relationship with your conveyancer will be crucial for

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LEGAL your homebuying journey and is not one you want to get wrong!

Q How much does conveyancing cost?

A There is no simple answer to this as it can vary depending on the type of property you are buying, and many conveyancers will charge extra for leasehold property (flats) or if there is, for example, a Help to Buy: Equity Loan, to reflect the additional work they will need to carry out. Typically, however, we would suggest as a first time buyer you should budget in the region of £700-£1,200 plus VAT for conveyancing fees. In addition, you need to budget for the additional third party costs and ensure you are aware of any Stamp Duty Land Tax, land registration fees and the cost of conveyancing searches.

You would be well advised to obtain a few quotes to compare in advance of buying a property and familiarise yourself with the associated costs.

Q How long will the conveyancing process take (and when can I get the keys)?

A This is the question a conveyancer gets asked more than any other! The honest answer is we cannot say (and any conveyancer who tells you they can is fibbing!). The conveyancing process is dependent on many elements and the process can only move as quickly as the slowest element. For example, it will depend on the speed of the conveyancing searches, your mortgage offer, any delays in the chain, the complexity of any legal issues and how quickly the seller and their conveyancer deal with any enquiries.

The average time in the UK from reserving a property to completion is typically around 16 weeks but varies depending on the type of the property.

As an example, Prince Evans Solicitors LLP acts for many buyers of new build property where we are targeted to exchange contracts within four weeks of receiving contract papers; and if the mortgage is issued in time we routinely achieve this.

It should be noted that Covid, the Stamp Duty holiday and the high level of activity in the housing market has resulted in a negative impact on timescales for certain services, eg it may take longer to obtain your mortgage or search results than usual.

The best way to gauge how long it will

take is to stay in regular contact with your conveyancer and agent as key stages are achieved (but by that we do not mean call them every day!) and the picture will become clear as progress is made.

Q What is the difference between conveyancing and surveying?

A Conveyancing concerns the legal aspects and the legal process of purchasing a property, whereas surveying looks at the condition of the property. You are highly recommended to consider carrying out a survey when you buy a property as this can identify any issues with the condition of the property and could prevent you from buying a property with expensive defects that may need repairing. We recommend you read the further information on the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors website at the following link: ricsfirms.com/ residential/moving-home/buying.

Q I see some conveyancers offer “no completion, no fee” or similar. What does this actually mean?

A You would need to check the specific terms of any conveyancer that offers this, but broadly speaking it will mean that if you do not proceed with your purchase, whether through your own choice or the choice of your seller, your conveyancer may not charge you a fee for the work they have carried out. This does not extend to any disbursements that have been incurred (ie money paid to others on your behalf such as the cost of conveyancing searches).

If your conveyancer does not offer this (which is not standard) then you would likely be charged an abortive fee based on the approximate time your conveyancer has spent on your file.

You should check any terms and conditions carefully.

Q Why does conveyancing cost more for an apartment than a house?

A An apartment will be a Leasehold Title whereas a house will typically be a Freehold Title. There is a lot more work involved for your conveyancer if you are buying a leasehold property than a freehold, including checking the lease is adequate and checking the management arrangements which are in place.

A freehold purchase is generally less complex than a leasehold purchase.

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

Q Can I instruct any conveyancer irrespective of the type of property that I am buying?

A Yes, you can. However, you are strongly urged to check that the conveyancer you are instructing specialises in the type of property you are buying. If you are buying a typical suburban house then it is true that most conveyancers should have the necessary skills and experience to competently act for you.

However, if you are, for example, buying using the shared ownership scheme, or using a Help to Buy: Equity Loan, which are both popular products with first time buyers, then you are strongly advised to ensure that your conveyancer has a good level of expertise in this area.

Q When should I appoint a conveyancer A There is no strict rule on when you should appoint a conveyancer, but most people appoint a conveyancer once they have found a property that they intend to purchase. However, there is merit in obtaining quotes and choosing your conveyancer prior to this, and it can also put you in a strong position in any negotiations with a seller. For example, if you are competing with another buyer, then having a mortgage in principle agreed and a conveyancer already instructed could give you an edge over any rivals. It is also wise to get quotes in advance of any purchase, as this will help you budget appropriately for your purchase.

Q How often should I chase or contact my conveyancer during the transaction?

A A good conveyancer should keep you updated when something key in your transaction occurs, so hopefully there should not be a need for you to constantly chase them. Of course, it is a good idea to stay in contact with your conveyancer and you should feel free to contact them when you have questions.

However, please resist the urge to contact your conveyancer constantly as they are typically very busy (which is how they keep the fees down for you as a buyer) and if you are over contacting them this will slow down the conveyancing process.

Conveyancers understand better than most the stress of buying a property, but please be realistic and understand that they may not always be able to reply to your email or phone call immediately, but they will respond to you when they can and when it is appropriate. You will be far best served by building a friendly and professional rapport with your conveyancer and having realistic expectations (like you would from any service you pay for) – we are human like you after all!

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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

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Surrey

Nottinghamshire

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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

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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 Ben Mole is Marketing Manager at Optivo, one of the largest housing providers in the UK and a member of the G15 group of London’s largest housing associations. The group operates across London, the South East and Midlands, selling homes through shared ownership, Help to Buy and open market sale. Ben has worked in the housing industry for just under 10 years, with a particular focus on shared ownership

20 QUESTIONS th Wi

Ben Mole

What room at home is your favourite?

I would say the living room. We recently moved into a new house and have been redecorating. The living room was the first room we finished, so we've spent a lot of time in there, away from the mess in the rest of the house! The rest of our downstairs is all open plan, so it feels extra snug, especially since it’s got colder!

What’s your favourite gadget or technology at home?

Our Hive heater. Really useful to control through the app, if we need a little boost to the heating or to turn the heating on just before we get home. Equally, while we’re away on holiday it’s really simple to turn it off, helping to save some money on heating bills.

What colour do you think everyone should have in their home?

We have a lot of earthy colours in our home at the moment; all through furniture and soft furnishings. We whitewashed all the walls as soon as we moved in for a neutral starting point, so our colour comes from elsewhere. A really nice mustardy armchair complements neutral sofas in the living room and we’re quite big on house plants at the moment to bring in those greens and browns.

Which three people would you invite over for a housewarming party if you could have any guests?

Eric Cantona was my idol growing up, but I think for the stories he could tell, Sir Alex Ferguson would have to be my football guest.

I’d have so many questions! Will Ferrell perhaps for the comedy, he’s someone who just makes me laugh. And then I’d say someone like Stephen Fry, as I don’t think the conversation would ever run dry, or maybe Elton John. I’ve just finished his autobiography and he knows everyone and has endless stories and anecdotes to tell.

What’s your favourite memory from your childhood home?

I know this answer should be about something more meaningful but I still remember our first PC, which meant I could buy Championship Manager! I’d always play it at a friend's house and was so excited.

What is your favourite song and why?

This is probably the hardest question for me. I’d say Many of Horror by Biffy Clyro. Great band and one I never tire of hearing.

Would you rather have a garden or a balcony?

Garden. Our new house has a garden and I love it, having moved from a flat with no outdoor space. I love getting the barbecue out and sitting in the sun with a few beers. Roll on the summer.

Do you prefer modern homes or period properties?

I love the architecture and features of period properties but am very much one for all the mod-cons. Can I choose a hybrid?

Would you rather have a library room or media room at home?

Media room. I like to read but watch more TV, especially live sport.

Would you prefer a luxurious bathtub or a sumptuous shower?

I’m more of a shower person but my wife loves her bath, so to keep the peace I’d say both!

Would you rather live in the bustling city or in the country?

City. I’ve always lived in London and love the buzz. With travel being restricted, we’ve explored the UK a lot more and enjoyed country walks and the slower pace, but not sure I could do it full time!

If you were buying a property overseas, in what country would you buy a home?

I’d say Spain I think. Somewhere south, with hot weather most of the year, easy access to the coast and near a proper traditional Spanish old town for evening tapas.

Would you rather have a bigger property or a better location?

Better location. I’d say me and the wife are generally out more than we are in, so location is key for us. Less cleaning too…

What is one thing you couldn’t live without at home?

I’d say my bed. I do like a weekend lie-in.

What’s your favourite way to unwind at home after work?

Normally with a bit of TV; a couple of episodes of whatever I’m bingeing at the time. Currently it’s Succession. It’s brilliant.

What’s your favourite thing about your home?

I’d say the garden. It needs a fair bit of work and I’m slowly learning from my parents how not to instantly kill all the plants, but love being able to work outside when the weather allows.

Where did you buy your first home?

In Kingston upon Thames where I grew up. I bought with my brother and a friend and treated it as an investment. It was an old rental property but in a great location near Richmond Park and 10 minutes from Kingston train station. We gutted the place, decorated everything, managed to extend and add an extra bedroom and get some value from it once we sold. We lived there about three years in the end and I have loads of great memories of living in that house.

What advice would you give a first time buyer?

Speak to a financial adviser so you get a good understanding of the different products available to you and your budget. Don’t be afraid to ask questions at any stage, because it’s new to everyone at one point, and I think I’d say trust your gut; does it feel like home as you walk in, can you see yourself living in the home? You’ll be amazed at how you’ll walk into a space and it’ll just feel right.

What are your views on shared ownership?

I’ve been in this sector, with a particular focus on shared ownership, for nearly 10 years and I’ve seen how it’s helped people achieve their homeownership dreams when they really thought they wouldn’t be able to, particularly where they have low deposits. The thing that really strikes me from my experience working for and with housing associations, is the genuine passion everyone has for it.

What are your views on the property market?

It’s ever-changing. Who knows what the next few months will bring? All that’s certain is the uncertainty! optivosales.co.uk

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