Homes to fit the future in Lancaster

Francesca, 23, who has moved into a three-bedroom ‘Abode 1100’ property with partner Toby Grimmitt, thought she had seen all that new builds had to offer: “We had already seen Redrow Homes' Heritage Collection homes and they were all gorgeous properties. We absolutely loved them. But when we walked into their Abode show home next-door we just immediately thought 'wow, this is the future of housing'.”

Abode is Redrow's contemporary homes collection; its newer range of modern designs for those seeking a different kind of living, with large open-plan areas and in-vogue features like underfloor heating and wet rooms. 

Francesca says: “It made such an impression on us because it was so stunning, the open plan ground floor, the underfloor heating, and the beautiful kitchen...for us, it was absolutely perfect.

“We also wanted to buy an eco-friendly house which we know will be economical for us too. This was it!”

It's all the more exciting for Francesca, who works at Lancaster and Morecambe College, and Toby, 26, an operative technician at Heysham Power Station, because it is their first own home together.

“We have lived together but always rented,” says Francesca, “but we thought it was time to get our own place and move onto the property ladder. We both have our careers and we wanted to own a home, it makes more sense especially when many places cost more to rent than it would do to pay a mortgage.

“We went for the three-bedroom Abode home because Toby and I have been together for seven years – we met at college – and this home suits us both now and will become our family home in the future.”

Toby's sister and her partner had already bought a Heritage Collection property at the neighbouring Riverside View development.

The couple also used the government’s Help to Buy scheme, which reduces the initial cost of a property by 20% via an equity loan which is interest free for five years and allows the purchaser to put down a deposit of just 5%.

“While we could just about have afforded the full price now we didn't want to over- stretch ourselves when we didn't have to, especially if there was help available to make life easier for us in the early years.

“That's what it's there for, to help people get onto the property ladder and if you know you will be staying there for a while, you can save up and pay off the loan when the interest free period is up, or get the better interest rates after that.”

Built along the banks of the River Lune, Abode at Riverside View offers a range of three-bedroom homes, currently available from £239,995.

The development is only five minutes' drive from Lancaster, and trains from the station just a mile away offer regular services to Preston, Manchester and beyond.

View more information about Abode from Redrow Homes