Shared Ownership Helps Buyer Purchase Home In Canning Town

After nine years of renting in London, most recently by Tower Bridge, Emily decided that it was time for her to find a home of her own.

Speaking about the decision to take her first step onto the property ladder, Emily explains: “I spent much of the pandemic by myself as my only flatmate went back to live with family. During this time, I realised that I was ready to live alone, but after looking at the price of flats in Central London, I realised that buying on the open market on my single income was impossible. I decided that looking in a more residential area would be the best option.”

At the beginning of her search, Emily had never heard of Shared Ownership. This all changed when she joined her local choir, as she recalls, “I met a girl who had bought through the Shared Ownership scheme and couldn’t be more positive about it. After she showed me Share to Buy, an affordable home ownership property portal, I decided to subscribe to everything and started browsing different property options in October 2021.”

After exploring various areas of London, Emily recalls: “I spent lots of my free time riding the DLR on my way to viewings in late October, eager to find my perfect apartment. I wanted to buy through a major Housing Association, as I knew that lots of their homes would be aimed at first-time buyers. When I received an email bulletin about L&Q at Brunel Street Works, I liked the look of the location and size, so I booked in a viewing straightaway.’

After visiting the development for an initial viewing in late October 2021, Emily decided it was the perfect first home for her. She comments: “After my first viewing, I brought my parents to see the apartment and we all loved the layout - I paid the holding fee the very same day!”

Emily bought a 25% share of a two-bedroom home at L&Q at Brunel Street Works.

Reflecting on her buying experience at L&Q at Brunel Street Works, Emily adds: “My whole buying process through Shared Ownership was incredibly smooth. L&Q recommended lawyers Alexander JLO Solicitors, and financial advisors SRC Financial, who were very helpful and familiar with the development, and the sales team were very flexible, allowing me to move in at a time that worked best for me.”

Soon after, Emily moved into her new home, looking forward to decorating it and making it her own. She says: “I had been in rental properties for so long, that it was so exciting to finally be able to buy my first pieces of furniture and try my hand at interior designing! My apartment is so spacious, and I’ve loved deciding where everything should go. I even painted my own blue feature wall in the bedroom, which I have paired with white furniture”.

The development is ideally located, as Emily says: “The development is ideally located a few minutes away from Canning Town station, so I always feel safe on my walk home. Though I am yet to explore Canning Town, I loved visiting City Island, which has a nature reserve on the creek where you can see wildlife in a green haven of plants. The location of my apartment is so perfect for me that it has even turned into a family joke – as lifelong West Ham fans, they get excited that I live near where it all started! Shared Ownership offered the perfect opportunity to step onto the property ladder in a vibrant East London neighbourhood, with a two-bed apartment that I could make my own. Now that I’ve moved in, I know that I want to live here for a long time, so I would think about staircasing in a few years’ time, to own more of my home. I love being in the city and I don’t plan on leaving any time soon!”.

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