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 With house prices having come down this year, first-time buyers Andy Boyle and Lyndsay Weemes are in no doubt that it's a great time to get onto the property ladder.
They recently purchased a three-bedroom semi-detached home at George Wimpey's The Parks development in Bracknell, having rented locally for 18 months.
“Although we were happy with our old property,” explains Andy (27), “we did feel we had nothing to show for paying just short of £800 on rent each month. Now, for a little bit more, we can make our house a home and have been decorating and putting up pictures. We are also going to landscape the garden so the extra outdoor space we have is ready to enjoy when the weather warms up next year.”
Lyndsay (30) works at PepsiCo in Reading and Andy for a software development company based in Winchester, although he mainly works from home, having turned the third bedroom of their two-storey property into a comfortable office.
“When we were looking for a place of our own we didn't look at second-hand properties. As first-time buyers we had more buying power with a new-build company,” adds Andy.
“We hadn't managed to save up a deposit, but then we saw George Wimpey's adverts saying that they were paying the 5% deposit and stamp duty for first-time buyers, and this was ideal for us.
“Our new home is an investment - there is a lot of redevelopment going on in Bracknell at the moment, and so rather than spend more on moving to Reading or Windsor, we think house prices will rise more significantly here in the long-term as the town improvements continue.
“For us, the changes in the market made us even more keen to get on the property ladder. We are both really happy to have moved at what we really feel is the right time for first-time buyers.”
Customers can currently choose from a range of three and four-bedroom houses at The Parks, priced from £289,995. The three-bedroom ‘Danson', for example, comprises a spacious living/dining room with French doors to the rear garden, a contemporary kitchen and a downstairs cloakroom.
Upstairs, the landing leads to a second bedroom with Juliet balcony, a further bedroom which could also be used as a study, and a main bathroom. The top floor of this townhouse design comprises a stylish master suite with en-suite bathroom and Juliet balcony.
Like all new homes at the development, the ‘Danson' enjoys a high standard specification including central heating, double glazing and a fully fitted kitchen with built-in oven, hob and hood.
As an alternative to stamp duty and 5% deposit paid, the First-Time Buyer Initiative offered in association with Government agency English Partnerships, offers affordable homes at The Parks through a programme that is exclusive to the area.
Through the initiative, which sees the government contribute up to 50% of the price, aspiring buyers can purchase a brand new three-bedroom home from only £145,000 (subject to English Partnerships criteria, please ask the Sales Executives for further details).
Further information is available by visiting the Sales Information Centre, located off Halifax Road, Bracknell Forest, Bracknell, and open every day from 10.30am to 5.30pm. The Sales Executive can be contacted on 0845 026 5046.
Information on all George Wimpey developments across the region is available by calling 01256 745 203, or by visiting the web site at www.georgewimpey.co.uk. |
