Aldershot Regeneration Is Smart Investment For First-Time Buyers

Research reveals house prices within a 750-metre radius of regeneration zones in London are growing faster than the wider market by up to 3.6% per annum on average.

First-time buyer Samuel Gobli, and his girlfriend Brittany James, have tapped into the benefits of buying a new home in a regeneration area, and have purchased a two-bedroom apartment at Barratt Homes’ Bruneval Gardens development in Aldershot, Hampshire.

Samuel, 27, and Brittany, 24, came across Barratt Southern Counties’ Bruneval Gardens development, which is part of the wider Wellesley regeneration scheme, during his hunt for his first home. Purchasing at the development forms part of Samuel’s five-year homeownership plan to future-proof his money.

Samuel, who is a carer, comments: “For me, homeownership is as much an investment as it is a lifestyle choice. I’ve been saving for two years as I was determined to get onto the property ladder, so my decision was made with my future plans in mind. I took on extra hours at work to save and cut back on luxuries and little expenses to streamline my savings. I know Aldershot well, having lived here when I first moved to the UK five years ago, so I knew that homeownership here would be a safe way to secure my money. I’m hoping that the value of my home will increase over the next few years to allow me to upsize into a larger home in the future.”

Kimberley Benson, sales and marketing director for Barratt Southern Counties, comments: “We are already seeing the benefit of regeneration schemes in the capital, but these trends are starting to replicate outside of London. Savvy buyers hoping for a strong return on their investment are turning their attention to schemes like Bruneval Gardens. With regeneration comes wider economic growth, employment and investment in the wider area, and Bruneval Gardens is set to complement a separate regeneration initiative in Aldershot’s town centre.”

Samuel is already reaping the benefits of homeownership, as the mortgage on his two-bedroom apartment is cheaper than the rent on his old one-bedroom flat. “Just getting a mortgage has meant instant savings for me. My payments are £70 a month less than rent, and I have a bigger home than I did before. When I did the numbers, I couldn’t afford not to buy. Now I can continue to build my savings while I live here,” Samuel adds.

Samuel made the most of the schemes available to him in order to jump onto the property ladder at the earliest possible opportunity. Thanks to Help to Buy, he was able to put down a 5% deposit of just £13,700, with the full value of his home at £274,995.

Samuel adds: “Homeownership has set me on the right financial path, as every pound paid into my mortgage is a pound invested in my future. Coupled with fast inflating property values in Aldershot, I know that my money is safely tied up in bricks and mortar.”

Bruneval Gardens is part of the wider new Wellesley neighbourhood, which will see a large proportion of Aldershot’s iconic former military barracks transformed into a collection of modern homes and public spaces, including two new schools. The development has been commended in the ‘Built for Life’ industry awards, a quality mark that recognises well-designed new homes, neighbourhoods and communities.

The new neighbourhood features Wellesley Woodlands, which is made up of 110 hectares of interlinked woodlands, wildlife habitats, canal-side walks and lakes. For commuters, Aldershot Rail Station is just 1.2 miles away and offers direct connections to London Waterloo in as little as 46 minutes.

Barratt Homes is currently building a selection of one- and two-bedroom apartments at Bruneval Gardens, where prices start from £219,995 for a one-bedroom apartment, which can be purchased with a 5% deposit of just £11,000.

View more developments currently available from Barratt Homes

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