A Family Finds Their Forever Home In Kent

For Paul and Karen Turner, the prospect of their daughter Chloe going into further education and potentially moving out one day spurred them into wanting to find a new home for a fresh start close to where they had been living in Dover, Kent. After finding nothing suitable on the second-hand market, the family were recommended Abbey New Homes’ Fitzwarin Place, a new collection of three- and four-bedroom homes in Whitfield.

Paul, a director of finance at Marlowe Theatre in Canterbury, explained: “We initially looked at older houses but they didn’t have the modern open-plan layout we really wanted. As soon as we visited Fitzwarin Place, we were pleasantly surprised with how established the development was and how much of a community it had already become since we knew it was being created. The thought of living near our close friends was an added bonus – we knew we’d found our forever home.”

The Turners paid £410,000 for their four-bedroom house and used the Help to Buy scheme which enabled them to purchase a larger home than thought possible, as they wanted to have enough room to accommodate Karen’s mother when she comes to stay and one day, potentially move in. With £114,000 in equity from their previous three-bedroom terraced home, the family put down an additional £30,000 deposit and the Help to Buy scheme contributed a 20% loan (£82,000), requiring the family to obtain a mortgage of £184,000.

“We could have borrowed more from our mortgage provider and not used the Help to Buy scheme, but as the scheme is interest-free for the first five years, it enables us to have more to spend each month and enjoy our lives, so it was a no-brainer,” said Paul.

'Maxwell' house type at Fitzwarin Place

In addition, the family used Abbey’s recommended Assisted Move Scheme, which helped sell their existing house at full market value through Abbey’s approved agents at no cost; saving the family time and money as well as providing the reassurance that their new purchase would run smoothly.

Paul commented: “Abbey were brilliant throughout the whole process and worked hard to enable us to move in before Christmas last year so we could spend the holidays in our new home. We are so grateful.”

Before moving in, Paul’s daughter Chloe made key interior design decisions, such as choosing the cabinetry in the kitchen and tiling options in the bathroom.

Paul explained: “Even though our daughter may move out one day, we always want this new home to be a special place for her to return to which is why we wanted her to feel involved with the whole moving process, right up to the decorating. We moved without the majority of our existing furniture, giving Chloe a blank canvas to choose new pieces for our new home – she’s done an amazing job.”

The family are now enjoying life in their new home at Fitzwarin Place. Paul added: “One of our favourite things to do at the weekend is take our dachshund Barnes for long walks in the nearby park and afterwards popping into the new dog-friendly café (Boost Cafe). We couldn’t be happier and look forward to this next chapter in our lives.”

Situated four miles north of Dover, Fitzwarin Place is a new collection of detached three- and four-bedroom homes in a family-friendly neighbourhood, all with generous private gardens and access to a new play area. The local village includes all necessary amenities, such as a GP surgery, pub, a small parade of shops and a village hall where many community groups meet as well as a weekly Farmers’ Market. The nearby seaside towns of White Cliffs Country include more entertainment, sports and shopping amenities as well as a peaceful seaside setting to enjoy a sandy stroll.

Whitfield is a few minutes away by car from the A2/M2, while from Dover Priory station it is possible to reach Ashford International in around 30 minutes and London St Pancras in about one hour 23 minutes. For travelling abroad, the Eurostar is also accessible from Ashford International. Ferry services offer an alternative for crossing the Channel.

Prices at Fitzwarin Place start from £270,000 for a three-bedroom house.

Find out more at www.abbeynewhomes.co.uk.

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