First-Time Olympian Becomes First-Time Buyer

Ben, originally from Exmouth in Devon, moved to Milton Keynes around five years ago, to be close to the GB training centre. Ben has been part of the national team since the age of 10 and had started playing professionally by the age of 16. He’s a double junior European medallist and junior national champion.

He’d been renting in a shared house in Milton Keynes with his brother and a friend, but having saved since he started his professional career, he was keen to start investing in his own place instead.

Bellway’s modern new build apartments at Wavendon Chase caught his eye, and having reserved a two-bedroom property, he is in the process of choosing all the furnishings and finishing touches before he moves in at the beginning of next year.

Ben, 24, says: “It feels great to be able to get onto the property ladder at my age and the closer it gets the more excited I am. I think because I’ve been so busy with the Olympics, it is only just starting to sink in. I think my mum was more excited than me when I first bought the flat. But I can’t wait to move in now. I’m really looking forward to decorating the whole place just how I want it.”

Ben had been looking for his own place for a while when he came across Wavendon Chase.

“As soon as I saw the apartments at Wavendon come up, I went for a viewing,” he continues. “The building really stood out to me as it has a modern design which is what I was looking for. The fact it’s a new build gives it that modern look which was important to me.

“I also loved the fact that the apartment itself has an open-plan kitchen and dining area – I really liked that element. The bedrooms are both good sizes, especially the master bedroom, and I’ll more than likely be using the second room as a games room in my free time.”

Ben is also happy with the location, as he knows the area reasonably well from living in Milton Keynes for several years, and the apartment is the same distance from the GB training centre as his old, rented home.

Ben continues: “The location is great. It only takes me 10 minutes to get to training and you are just off the M1 so it’s great when I need to travel for work. The train station is only a five-minute walk from the town centre – which is also only 10 minutes from Wavendon Chase – which will come in handy if I need it.

“The area is picturesque with a few nice places within walking distance, such as Woburn Sands which I’ve been told has a few nice pubs and restaurants. There is also a really nice golf course in Woburn which I will be going to.”

Ben used the government’s Help to Buy scheme which allows buyers to purchase a new build property with just a 5% deposit and a 75% mortgage. The remaining 20% is provided as a government-backed equity loan, which is interest free for five years.

Ben says: “The Help to Buy scheme was recommended to me by my accountant and my parents and was really straightforward to use. Everything is self-explanatory and the scheme itself really helped me out a lot. It would have taken me a few more years to be able to afford to buy my own property if it wasn’t for the scheme, as I’m moving in on my own. Having this apartment is also a lot more cost effective than renting which is what I’ve previously been doing in Milton Keynes.

“What I’ve been previously paying in rent is around £500 a month not including bills, for a house share. You are effectively paying that money straight into someone else’s pocket. Whereas with my new home, I will be paying around £400 a month before bills for a whole apartment and I will be investing in myself.”

The customer service Ben has received from the sales advisors and site team at Wavendon Chase has also been positive.

Ben says: “I’m really happy with the customer care I’ve received from Bellway. Everyone has been amazing, especially Colin in the sales office. My mum has dealt with a lot of stuff whilst I’ve been out of the country and Colin has been so helpful and accommodating. Everyone has been great, and I can’t wait to move in. I’ve had no problems and I would 100% recommend buying with Bellway.”

Wavendon Chase includes a range of one- and two-bedroom apartments and two-, three- and four-bedroom houses. There are currently show homes and a show apartment available to view by prospective buyers.

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