The easing of lockdown and relaxing of Stamp Duty charges this summer has led to a surge in house-hunter interest around the country, and Hertfordshire in no exception.
From homes which are perfect for first-time buyers to some luxury properties for those with a bigger budget, we’ve been receiving news about a whole array of homes across the numerous towns and villages of Hertfordshire, a part of the country that combines its own character and natural appeal with proximity to the capital and impressive transport connections further afield.
We’ve brought together some of the most recent news and info from the Hertfordshire new homes market.
'The Balmoral' show home
The doors have opened to a new show home at a development in Welwyn Garden City. The two-bedroom ‘Balmoral’ apartment is now available to view at Bellway at QEII, next to the New QEII Hospital and on the site of former hospital buildings, off Howlands. This home is situated in Charlotte Court and is one of multiple apartment types named after royal residences including the ‘Sandringham’ and the ‘Clarence’.
Bellway is building 29 homes in the second phase of this development situated across two apartment buildings, George and Charlotte Court. Over 90% of the homes at Bellway at QEII have now been sold and all homes in the first phase are now occupied by their new residents.
Greg Allsop, sales and marketing director for Bellway North London, said: “The launch of the ‘Balmoral’ is the first time that buyers will be able to see a fully furnished apartment at Bellway at QEII. Interior designers have expertly set up the show apartment to demonstrate what a typical layout would look like, but the open-plan living, kitchen and dining area gives buyers the flexibility to design their own living space to suit their needs.
“We have also included a study area within the show apartment to provide buyers with the vision of working from home, something which many of our buyers are choosing to do more frequently as a response to the lifestyle changes happening in 2020.”
Two-bedroom apartments are available at Bellway at QEII with prices starting from £302,500. Find out more about more of Bellway’s current developments.
Gabriel Square
There are now just 13 townhouses remaining at Gabriel Square, all in a distinctive contemporary architecture with a high standard specification and interiors created by Conran and Partners using modernist design principles and a warm, soft palette of natural materials and tactile surfaces.
Antony Crovella, sales and marketing director at Meyer Homes, commented: “We have seen a complete shift in what buyers are looking for now. They are seeking homes that enable a reasonably easy commute, but satisfy the other purchaser needs of open space, private gardens, home offices, escapism from metropolis and somewhere a bit rural. The townhouses at Gabriel Square tick all of those boxes, from its gardens that allow people to grow their own products and a roof terrace for your virtual yoga classes, to one if not two rooms for studies and plenty of inside space, plus private parking and London being just 17 minutes away by train. Due to the success of our video tours, we shall continue offering it to our buyers.”
Located just a few minutes from the town’s excellent shops and amenities, prices range from £965,000 to £1.3million. Find out more at gabrielsquare.com.
‘The Sycamore’
The Stamp Duty holiday on homes up to £500,000, introduced by the government in July, has led to a very busy property market due to the considerable savings. Storey Homes is going one step further and offering a further bonus on ‘The Sycamore’, a detached five-bedroom home at Birch Meadow in the historic village of Barkway. Priced at £799,950 and ready to move into by Christmas, the housebuilder will settle the remaining Stamp Duty balance, providing a further saving of £14,997.
‘The Sycamore’ comes with spacious rooms and an open-plan ‘statement’ kitchen which spans across the back of the whole house. Additionally, a downstairs study offers fantastic work-from-home space and a south-facing garden creates an easy living environment for the whole family. Two of the bedrooms come with their own en suite.
Katy Jordan, managing director at Storey Homes, commented: “Entertaining might be on a smaller scale this year, but it’s easy to imagine this home buzzing with friends and family. The sleek interior in this property coupled with the generous space creates a fantastic environment conducive to making lasting memories and a wonderfully exciting start to 2021.”
Find out more at storey-homes.co.uk.
Highclere House
For those seeking a retirement living home, specialist developer McCarthy & Stone is selling off-plan the one- and two-bedroom apartments at Highclere House, a new scheme on Great North Road in Hatfield. Currently under construction, this will be a collection of homes complemented by landscaped gardens and spacious communal lounge. There’s also residents’ parking and the homes are close to many useful shops and amenities including the station, Hatfield Park and Mill Green Golf Club.
With a dedicated house manager for the development, there’s the benefit of personal attention as well as a specification that includes fire detection, camera entry system and intruder alarm for peace of mind. The homes have lift and wheelchair access, and there’s the added benefit of a guest suite for when friends or family visit.
Prices currently start at £324,995 for a one-bedroom apartment. Find out more about Highclere House from McCarthy & Stone.
Hedera Gardens
In Royston, Redrow recently opened the doors to no fewer than three show houses at Hedera Gardens. Each is a four-bedroom house type from its much-admired Arts & Crafts-inspired Heritage range of homes which combine traditional exterior design with the modern layouts and features buyers today expect. The ‘Oxford’, ‘Harrogate’ and ‘Stratford’ all offer open-plan areas and the option of using one of the bedrooms as a dedicated home office.
Suzanne Irons, sales director for Redrow South Midlands, said: “Our Hedera Gardens development is a unique location for families, with the traditional market town of Royston just a stone’s throw away and plenty of schools on its doorstep – all set in a stunning part of Hertfordshire countryside.
“It’s great to be able to unveil three new show homes and to invite local house hunters to take a look inside. We’ve taken all the necessary steps to ensure this can be done safely, including mandatory appointments, protective screens throughout the sales centres, and thorough cleanses between visits.”
Find out more about current Redrow developments across the East of England.
Centennial Gate
Centennial Gate, located in Waterbeach area on the edge of Welwyn Garden City, is a development of 21 contemporary, energy-efficient homes which has already seen some plots reserved. However, there are still some currently available, with two to four bedrooms and ranging from £407,000 to £615,000, and a couple of houses yet to be released by housebuilder Chalkdene Developments.
Welwyn Garden City is a landmark of its type, with wide boulevards and lots of green space to provide ‘country-style’ living but with all the benefits of urban convenience and amenities close at hand. The town has great road and rail links (services to Moorgate and King’s Cross) plus access to excellent schools and a wide range of leisure activities, as well as the Hertfordshire countryside.
Find out more at www.centennialgate.co.uk.
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