Gary (42) and Sarah (40) Wise were recently able to step onto the property ladder thanks to Crest Nicholson’s Home Reach part buy-part rent scheme, in partnership with heylo. The couple, who had been renting for over 15 years, decided to invest and purchase a two bedroom flat, for themselves and their eight-year old son Samuel, at Spectrum in Southborough, Kent.
Gary and Sarah were looking to purchase a home as their tenancy agreement was coming to an end and stumbled across Crest Nicholson’s Spectrum. Gary, who works as a Parts Manager at BMW, and Sarah, who works as a teaching assistant, said: “We knew we wanted to remain in Southborough as we both work in town and love the feel of the area. We had been looking at various developments for a while now and the Spectrum show home really caught our eye. Home Reach was exactly the help we needed to step onto the property ladder, so we decided to take the plunge.”
Home Reach provides the security of home ownership with a lower initial financial commitment, making it a more affordable way onto the housing ladder. Shared ownership is a part-buy, part-rent process that allows buyers to purchase a share in a property, with the possibility to increase the share over time up to 100% ownership. The remaining interest in the property is owned by heylo, which acts as the landlord and grants buyers a 125-year lease.
Gary explains: “We wouldn’t have been able to get on the property ladder if it wasn’t for the Home Reach scheme; it allowed us to purchase 50% of the £327,500 property. We were very impressed by the quality of the new build home. Having everything brand new and without the worry of renovations offered us peace of mind, especially when moving with a child.”
Spectrum offers the best of modern living, and speaking about the apartment’s design, Gary said: “What really stood out for us was how open, bright and airy the apartment was. We were looking for an open plan kitchen and dining area where we could gather together as a family after a day’s work.”
Southborough is located near the bustling town of Royal Tunbridge Wells, where homebuyers can enjoy historic boutiques and a variety of high-street shops. Families also have access to a selection of schools like Southborough CofE Primary School, rated ‘Good’ by Ofsted, and Two Bridges School, rated ‘Outstanding’ by Ofsted. Gary continues: “We are in such a wonderful part of Kent and are well served with all the amenities we need right on our doorstep. Southborough is an ideal location to bring up Samuel, we are lucky enough to be able to walk him to school every morning and there are a multitude of parks where he can play outside with his friends.”
Residents at Spectrum will benefit from excellent travel links, with trains reaching London Charing Cross and Cannon Street in approximately 50-minutes from the nearby High Brooms station. Travel by car is simple too with the A21 just a short five-minute drive away, and the A26 close by, leading to the nearby town of Tunbridge Wells.
One ‘Burbank’ apartment remains at Spectrum available to purchase with the Home Reach scheme from £172,500. For more information call 01892 629315, or visit: www.crestnicholson.com/spectrum
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