Local Property Investor Gives Thumbs-Up To Kent Development
With UK inflation on the rise, causing the cost of living to skyrocket, many have been turning to property in a bid to safeguard their savings. David Baldock is no exception. The 38-year-old real estate professional and his wife, based in Greenhithe, Kent, recently started investing in residential property together. When he decided it was time to add one more apartment to his portfolio, Countryside’s new development Ashmere in Kent became an obvious choice.
“We live locally, and know the area quite well,” said David, who swapped east London for Kent seven years ago, way before the ‘London exodus’ became a recognised phenomenon, to be closer to good schools.
Working for a property agency in Greenhithe, he’s been keeping his finger on the pulse of the local real estate market for a while and was pleased to learn that Countryside was building a new development in the area. After an in-depth conversation with one of the sales consultants at Ashmere and careful consideration, he opted for a two-bedroom apartment at the development, mainly because of its location and potential.
“Ebbsfleet has been rapidly developing over the past few years, and I expect the prices to significantly increase over the next five to 10 years, given that more people come out of London to get more space for their money. Ashmere is well located, with fast transport links to London, so would perfectly suit a commuter. It’s also very close to the Bluewater Shopping Centre, with hundreds of shops, so residents won’t have trouble finding everything they need right on their doorstep,” he explained.
Ashmere
Investing in this part of Kent was a no-brainer for David given it’s been growing in popularity among local and overseas buyers. “We’ve definitely seen a lot more interest from people outside of the immediate area,” he added. “As expected, the majority of those looking to buy around Ebbsfleet are domestic buyers, but there’s been a growing number of enquiries from the Far East, attracted to the area because of its good schools and the value it offers compared to London.”
With two other properties in his portfolio, David wanted to invest in a brand new home covered by a warranty, which means any defects are taken care of by the housebuilder and later, the professional body providing the warranty, resulting in a smoother experience for the owner.
“New build properties tend to appeal to tenants more than second-hand stock – when renting, there’s only so much you want to spend on decorating your home, so going with the ‘blank canvas’ option is a safe choice,” he added. “We were also pleased to discover that Countryside doesn’t charge extra for fitted appliances or flooring, which is often the case with other developers.”
David described the buying process with Countryside as “quick and very straightforward”. “Working in the industry, I’ve only ever heard good things about Countryside – they’re a well-regarded developer, and I find that reassuring,” he said.
With completion due in late summer 2022, David looks forward to putting his newly purchased property on the market. “There’s a well-documented shortage of rental properties in London, so it’s reasonable to expect that greater numbers of renters will start considering homes further afield,” he added.
Upon completion, Ashmere will comprise 2,600 homes, of which 25% will be affordable, as well as a range of community amenities, including a new primary school and a village centre, due to be fully complete in 2033.
Prices at Ashmere start from £480,000 for a three-bedroom house. Find out more at countrysidepartnerships.com or [email protected].
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