Posted 5 September 2016 by
Helen ChristieThe familiar mantra of ‘location, location, location’ was certainly the key for James, a first-time buyer, as he looked for an apartment in East London - close to the music scene and outdoor life - to put down his roots.
James, a project management consultant, had been looking for a new home for a few months while renting in Camden. He comments: “I had been house-sharing for 10 years including my time at university, so when I moved out of a shared home in Shoreditch, I decided to rent on my own for the short-term while saving towards a deposit to buy my own place. I no longer wanted to be at the mercy of landlords.”
It was a case of New Year, new home for James, when he began his online search for a home in January. Whilst browsing, he came across Guinness Homes’ Regalia Point, an earlier phase of the Bethnal Green development.
He explains: “I saw the development and really liked the location however, unsurprisingly, the one-bedroom flats had been snapped up, so I signed up ready for the next phase Titanium Point to come onto the market. I knew they were coming up at Easter, and sure enough, at the beginning of April, Guinness contacted me to let me know that were launching. Using only the brochure and floorplans, I reserved an apartment straight away on the Friday, and only went to view the show home on the Saturday. It was pretty crazy but I knew I had to get in quickly – the location was spot-on and the apartments themselves were very well-designed.”
James purchased his sixth-floor apartment for £450,000 with a 40% government Help to Buy London loan. He also used money gifted to him from his parents towards a deposit. Within three months of reserving his home, James moved in.
He says: “The Help to Buy scheme with Guinness Homes was laid out very clearly and they have a great reputation, which really appealed to me. It’s so hard for young people to get on the property ladder, so I knew Help to Buy was a good option, and I was really ready to put down some roots.
“I am pretty surprised that despite buying my own home, I have actually halved my monthly outgoings, compared to when I was renting. The process with Guinness Homes and the agents has been really painless, so I would definitely recommend the development to friends and family.
“I was also drawn to the fact that this was a brand new home; the convenience factor – the homes come with all kitchen appliances, and fixtures and fittings, including the blinds, so I didn’t have to worry about a budget to buy my own.”
James, who grew up in Hertfordshire, moved to East London after studying at university. He enjoyed being close to the music scene and to nearby Millennium Park and Victoria Park. In his spare time, he produces music, DJ’s and plays football.
“The location was key for me, as well as having outdoor space and a bath tub for after football practice! It’s also great to have a balcony, and I enjoy being so close to the canal and Victoria Park. I am looking forward to the freedom of putting my own stamp on a place; the artwork, furniture and setting up all my music gear,” James adds.
Titanium Point is tucked away along the tranquil Regents Canal and offers chic, urban living with great outdoor space, underground parking and concierge services. All homes offer a high specification, with cutting-edge style, including either balconies or terraces, fully fitted kitchens, floor-to-ceiling windows, timber flooring and en suites to all master bedrooms.
Bethnal Green is a bustling environment offering a wealth of cultural leisure facilities including a lively mix of cutting-edge creativity and that unique East End charm. There is also plenty of dining, leisure and entertaining opportunities from Victorian pie and mash shops and some of London’s oldest ‘boozers’, to state-of-the-art sports facilities, and swanky lounges, meaning residents have plenty to do.
The homes at Titanium Point and Regalia Point are just 15 minutes’ walk from both Bethnal Green and Mile End underground stations, with tubes into Liverpool Street taking only six minutes. Several bus routes also operate in the local area, and Santander cycles are located a three-minute walk from the development, for those who prefer to get around on two wheels.
One-bedroom apartments at Titanium Point start at £460,000. Two-bedroom apartments at both Titanium Point and Regalia Point start from £570,000. Three-bedroom homes start from £630,000 at Regalia Point and £725,000 at Titanium Point. Help to Buy is available on selected properties. For more information, please visit www.guinnesshomes.co.uk or call 0300 456 0522.