Having gone through the chills of another winter snap, the approach of spring is bound to raise the spirits of many housebuilders who are determined to see the choice of new homes first-hand and to take advantage of the launches, events and special offers of the moment…
Launch of new homes in Maidstone this weekend
Taylor Wimpey South East is launching the third phase of homes at Langley Park in Maidstone, Kent on Saturday 24 March, a new collection of two-, three- and four-bedroom homes.
With the previous two phases almost completely sold out, the new range of homes will appeal to many house-hunters in the area. The weekend launch will see prices released, and give visitors a chance to learn more about purchase assistance schemes open to them, such as Help to Buy.
Jason Stokes, sales and marketing director for Taylor Wimpey South East, says: “We hope that the new two-, three- and four-bedroom homes will appeal to a wide range of buyers and, thanks to the availability of the government-backed Help to Buy scheme, a home in the new phase at Langley Park can be secured with a deposit as low as 5%.”
The site is open daily from 10.00am to 5.00pm and is in close proximity to a selection of shops, amenities and a range of leisure facilities such as a golf driving range and a cinema. A local country park and a number of primary and secondary schools are also nearby. The M20 and Maidstone East train station are both within easy reach.
Find out more about all Taylor Wimpey’s new homes
Release of final phase of apartments in Greater Manchester
The McGoff Group has released final phase of apartments at its flagship residential scheme Downtown for sale, a chance for buyers to secure a property on the banks of the River Irwell, on the Salford and Manchester border.
This phase is known as The Alchemy and is a 14-storey tower with 75 two-bedroom apartments designed with open-plan kitchen, dining and living areas and spacious double bedrooms with en suites. They also feature floor-to-ceiling windows, with some units having private terraces. There is a 24-hour concierge and dry and cold storage rooms for deliveries, with the whole development also benefitting from landscaped gardens, a gym and fitness centre, business suite, postal centre, private dining room, media room and rooftop terrace.
Director at The McGoff Group, Chris McGoff, says: “With a large percentage of the development sold before the first brick was even laid and purchasers from all over the world interested in Downtown, it made sense to release the final properties earlier than planned. Reservations are already being taken and I envisage all apartments at the Alchemy to be sold in the next two or three months.”
These new properties are just a few minutes’ walk from Manchester city centre, close to the Metrolink station at Cornbrook.
Find out more at www.thealchemymanchester.com
Help to Buy seminar at Berkshire development this Saturday
Bellway is assisting house-hunters looking at the choice of new homes for sale at Amen Corner, its development in Binfield, Berkshire, by hosting a seminar focused on the government-backed Help to Buy scheme this weekend.
Taking place on Saturday 24 March in two sessions – scheduled from 11.00am to 12.30am and 2.00pm to 3.30pm – it gives attendees the opportunity to find out more about how Help to Buy works and will also provide: financial advice, such as a guide to the mortgage process; information on new homes l, with a conveyancing experts’ step-by-step guide to the buying process what it costs; and interior design, with tips on current trends and how to turn a house into a home.
Greg Allsop, head of sales for Bellway Homes, says: “Many first-time buyers are nervous purchasing their own home or have delayed their search simply because they don’t know where to start. We want to show first-time buyers that the dream can become a reality if you are armed with the right knowledge. While there are a number of steps to buying a property, we want to fill first time buyers with confidence so it doesn’t detract from the excitement of making that jump onto the ladder.”
The Amen Corner development offers a range of new homes, with three-bedroom houses starting at £409,995. Many of the homes there are under the £600,000 threshold of the Help to Buy scheme.
Find out more on 0333 202 5181
New retirement homes available at top South Coast destination
With Dorset one of the UK’s best places to retire to, Platinum Skies is offering a range of properties for over-55s at its Monterey development in Christchurch.
Last year’s Prudential name Dorset as second on the list, and Monterey’s age-exclusive offering of one- and two-bedroom apartments not only offers a choice to suit a range of older buyers, but also the opportunity to move there on a part-buy/part-rent deal. Prices start at £140,000 (a 50% share, based on a full market price of £280,000) and the cheaper stamp duty and the opportunity to release equity through a tax-free lump sum from the sale of your old home might be the perfect choice for many older purchasers.
David Hines, chairman of Platinum Skies, says: “For too long, downsizing in retirement has been associated with negativity and difficulty. We are turning this around. Using a government backed scheme we are able to offer high specification homes in the heart of Christchurch, and not just for the well-off few. At Monterey, 50% of the development is already sold, with 40% of those buyers having relocated from outside the area. Residents have moved from as far afield as Lincolnshire, central London and even France, to affordably enjoy Christchurch’s immeasurable natural beauty and quality of life.”
This development has been built in a design that echoes the Victorian hospital building on the same site, but complements that with a very up-to-date specification suited to senior buyers. Potential purchasers can visit the Monterey show home from Tuesday to Saturday, 10.00am to 5.00pm.
Find out more at www.platinumskies.co.uk
New show home at Borough Green development
Fernham Homes has opened a new show home at its Pearsall Place development in Borough Green, Kent – but house-hunters looking for a new home there need to hurry, with only five properties left for sale on the first phase there.
Pearsall Place is a collection of two- to five-bedroom homes and two-bedroom apartments with ‘The Redwood’ the new show home to give visitors to the site a first-hand look at the design, layout and specification they can expect. Prices for the last properties on the first phase start from £299,950 with Phase 2 being launched this summer.
Sharon Budd, sales director at Fernham Homes says: “We are proud to continue delivering new homes to prime locations in the South East. Our new show home showcases the level of quality on offer at Pearsall Place - the success of Phase 1 has been incredible, and we already have extensive interest in Phase 2.”
Pearsall Place is just minutes from the shops and amenities of the high street and to Borough Green & Wrotham Station, which offers regular services to London Victoria taking 43 minutes. A new Thameslink service, due to start later this year, will run from Maidstone East to Cambridge and will be stopping at Borough Green and London Bridge. The M20, M25 and M26 are all a short drive away.
Find out more at www.fernham-homes.co.uk
New Barratt show homes to open in Cambridgeshire and West Sussex
This Saturday 24 March, Barratt Homes will open show homes at two popular developments: Northstowe in Longstanton, Cambridgeshire and Warren Grove in Storrington, West Sussex, which will give potential buyers in those areas a chance to see what is being built there.
There will be two new show homes to view at Northstowe, which offers an extensive range of two-, three- and four-bedroom homes with prices currently starting from £242,995. The new show houses are the three-bedroom ‘Chesham Special’ and the three-storey, five-bedroom ‘Stratford’. Jason Colmer, sales director at Barratt Homes Eastern Counties, says: “Both the ‘Chesham Special’ and ‘Stratford’ style properties are two of the most in demand homes in our portfolio and we’re delighted to present house hunters with the opportunity to view them.”
There will also be show homes At Warren Grove, which launches for the first time this Saturday. Another collection of two-, three- and four-bedroom homes, this will have wide appeal and offers a range of purchase assistance schemes including Help to Buy. Prices on this first release start at £339,995 for a three-bedroom property. Lynnette St Quintin, sales director for Barratt Southern Counties, says: “The homes at Warren Grove have already attracted a lot of interest since they were released for sale off-plan. Our lovely new show homes and sales suite will allow potential buyers to see first-hand the thoughtful design and high-quality finishes available in the properties here and also get to know the village.”
Find out more about all current Barratt Homes developments
New collection of pub conversion apartments available in Essex
Estate agent Beresfords is marketing a collection of one- and two-bedroom apartments in a newly converted historic landmark pub in Billericay, Essex at the Garlands Court development.
The properties are priced from £295,000 for a one-bedroom apartment to £400,000 for a two-bedroom top-of-the-range apartment. They have been created within the building that was once The Rising Sun, a pub on the prime London-to-Southend route in the days of horse-drawn travel which opened in 1810 and spent decades as a local landmark pub, finally closing down in 2014.
Aaron Breakwell, director of Beresfords Land and New Homes, says: "This select development has been sensitively designed from the outset, comprising a block of five completely new build homes and a block of eight homes within a carefully considered restoration of the former Rising Sun pub. Along with the charming exteriors, impeccably finished interiors and sophisticated specifications, all the homes within this genuinely unique development also boast on-site allocated parking – a very desirable asset for town centre living."
These homes are situated at the end of Billericay's High Street, with its range of shops, pubs restaurants and amenities. It is around 10 minutes walk from Billericay station, which has a 30-minute commute into London
Find out more at www.beresfords.co.uk
Just two homes still for sale at London conversion development
The Malins Group has just two remaining homes for sale at its development, The Metalworks, a conversion of a refurbished factory once used by Arts & Crafts pioneer William Bainbridge Reynolds, which is located in Clapham Old Town in south London.
The building has been restored and made into 24 loft-style apartments set around a private gated cobbled courtyard and garden. Originally sold out within two weeks last summer, two of the properties have returned to the market this week, giving buyers a last opportunity to acquire one of these new homes.
Managing director of The Malins Group, Lauren Atkins, says: “It was fantastic how quickly The Metalworks sold off-plan last summer, and, as our first residents get ready to move in, we have a studio and a one-bedroom apartment returning to the market. We have completed a number of projects in London now, and we particularly enjoy working on buildings with an interesting history or provenance, which allows our design team to really flex their creativity and produce truly unique, inspired homes. We want to build the period homes of the future!”
The two available units are a one-bedroom apartment on the ground floor, on the market for £460,000, and a studio on the first floor, now available for £435,000. Clapham Common tube station just a five-minute walk and Wandsworth Town railway station just nine minutes away on foot.
Find out more at malinsgroup.co.uk
New show home at Hertfordshire village development
High-end developer Heronslea has opened a new show home at The Ridings, its flagship project in Aldenham, Hertfordshire, being built on the site of the former Patchetts Equestrian Centre in the sought-after village.
The development comprises 50 family homes in a range of styles with a luxury specification and proximity to transport links, amenities and good schools – including Haberdashers’ Aske’s, voted Independent School of the Year 2017 in the Sunday Times. The ‘Serpentine’ show home has been dressed by Heronslea’s interior design team and this four-bedroom/two-bathroom house has kitchen/breakfast room to the front and a spacious family and dining room to the rear, opening onto the landscaped garden. Prices at The Ridings start from £899,950 for a four-bedroom home.
All homes feature premium hardwood flooring with underfloor heating, walnut doors, LED lighting to complement contemporary designer kitchens (with composite stone worktops, contemporary glass splashbacks, instant boiling water and Siemens built-in appliances) and elegant bathrooms and en suites.
Jason Rishover, CEO for Heronslea Group, says of the development: “Buyers searching for a family home are sure to find what they are looking for here. Patchetts Green is an idyllic place in which to live and the combination of the village setting and our superb specification have contributed to its early success, where we have reserved several homes off-plan. This is our first show home at The Ridings and we anticipate that the opening of a finished product will inspire further sales.”
Find out more at www.heronslea.net
New Shared Ownership properties available in Elephant & Castle
Peabody, the renowned housing association and a major builder of new homes in London, still has apartments available under the Shared Ownership scheme at Castilla, its development in Elephant and Castle in Zone 1.
The site offers 64 one- and two- bedroom apartments, all with underfloor heating and their own private outdoor space, and 75% have already been sold. All residents will have use of the 24-hour concierge service in the lobby of the development, as well as a one-year free entry to a local gym. For the properties still on the market, prices start at £112,500 for a 25% share of a one-bedroom apartment (full market price £450,000) and £143,750 for a 25% share of a two-bedroom (full market price £575,000). Buyers need to provide a 10% deposit on their share to.
Andrew Peglau, head of marketing at Peabody, says: “Peabody is proud to provide first-time buyers with a unique opportunity to live in Zone 1 through Shared Ownership. Residents at Castilla will not just benefit from a fantastic new home but also the thriving Elephant & Castle community right on their doorstep. We’re also pleased to now offer free gym membership on all available apartments. Castilla has proved to be highly popular with first-time buyers so far and we anticipate the remaining homes to be snapped up quickly.”
These new homes are situated a four-minute walk from the Elephant & Castle rail and tube stations, making The City, West End and the rest of the capital and beyond very accessible.
Find our more at peabodysales.co.uk
More for your money in Barnet with Linden Homes
Linden Homes has recently released the Cedar Collection at its Elmbank development in Arkley, Barnet. The collection is a luxury range of just 21 three-, four- and five-bedroom spacious houses offering contemporary fixtures and fittings, designer kitchens and bathrooms and the latest heating and insulation systems.
The properties offer residents more space, gardens and garages compared to similar priced properties in central London. The development is located just over a mile away from High Barnet underground station, and there is plenty of open space in the surrounding area, including sixteen local parks and eight nature reserves. Prices for a three-bedroom house start from £740,000.
Amie Winter, sales and marketing director at Linden Homes Chiltern, says: “The one thing that a million pounds will not buy you in Central London is space. However, just thirty minutes’ commute away, people will enjoy a substantial, brand-new home with multiple bedrooms in a peaceful area. All come with their own parking areas and gardens – something which many Central London residents are not used to, and are welcoming with open arms.
“As the Cedar Collection is a brand-new development, there are no need for repairs, refurbishments or extra DIY projects. You are therefore free to concentrate on the things that you want to do and enjoy your new home.”
Find out more at lindenhomes.co.uk
Telford Homes launches Bow Garden Square in the heart of Bow
Today (Thursday 22 March) sees Telford Homes launching Bow Garden Square, a new landmark development of 83 homes built above a brand new primary school.
Most of the collection at Bow Garden Square will be one-bedroom suites and one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments. There will also be 12 two- and three-bedroom sky villas on the top two floors which will give residents impressive views of Canary Wharf and East London. First completions are due later this year, and properties for sale for less than £600,000 will be available to purchase using the Help to Buy scheme. Prices for a one-bedroom suite at the development start from £390,000.
David Campbell, group sales and marketing director for Telford Homes, says: “Bow Garden Square will offer first time buyers, young professionals, families and investors alike a stylish home in the creative arts neighbourhood of Bow with the added benefits that come with a brand new development. The villas and sky villas residing on the upper floors also offer spectacular views across Canary Wharf or other iconic London landmarks including The Shard and The City.”
The primary school will occupy the ground floor of the development and will have 420 places available, as well as a games area and free play space.
Find out more at bowgardensquare.co.uk
A home by the sea in Lymington
Pennyfarthing Homes has just revealed a new show home at its Renaissance Mews development, located in the sought-after Georgian market town of Lymington. The development is located within walking distance of the High Street and Town Quay, and the river, Royal Lymington Yacht Club Lymington Town Sailing Club and Lymington Rowing Club are all within easy reach. Renaissance Mews is a collection of eight terraced two- and three-storey townhouses with a private garden or balcony.
Matt Dukes, managing director at Pennyfarthing Homes, says: “Homes in locations such as Lymington are hard to come by and situated this close to the Quay makes it a yachting haven for those who enjoy life on the water. With exceptionally easy access to Lymington’s amenities, these homes are likely to be very popular for those wanting the space to entertain and enjoy all the benefits a new home has to offer. The collection is now completed in terms of build so interested buyers can have the benefit of moving in to their new property really quickly.”
These exclusive homes start from £750,000.
Find out more atg pennyfarthinghomes.co.uk
Homes snapped up following successful Winchelsea Gate launch
Mulberry Homes’ collection of new homes at Winchelsea Gate in the village of Weldon in Northamptonshire has generated a lot of interest from buyers. After a very successful launch 50% of the properties from phase one have already been reserved.
Winchelsea Gate is a collection of 27 two-, three- and four-bedroom homes, blending traditionally inspired stone and brick exterior and high specification throughout.
Kerry Jones, head of sales for Mulberry Homes, comments: “Since the launch, interest in homes at Winchelsea Gate have remained strong. This close knit new community offers a selection of properties that will appeal to first-time buyers, families and downsizers alike.
Corby train station is just three miles from the homes and serves London Kings Cross, every hour. Road links include easy access to A43, A14, M1 and M6 for further afield travel. Prices start at £264,950, with Help to Buy available.
View more from Mulberry Homes
Shared Ownership properties from Hyde New Homes
Hyde New Homes has recently launched Hyde New Homes at Harrow Square, an impressive selection of 21 Shared Ownership homes.
The collection is made up of one- and two-bedroom apartments and prices start from just £124,250 for a 35% share of a one-bedroom apartment. Ideal for first-time buyers, it is located just two minutes from Harrow-on-the-Hill station.
Minnie Dando, head of marketing at Hyde New Homes, says: “This is an exciting scheme in a great location– convenience, space and style are the three words I’d use to best describe the apartments at Harrow Square. We anticipate they will be snapped up quickly, so buyers must register their interest soon if they’d like to be in with a chance to secure one of these homes through Shared Ownership.”
Harrow is quickly becoming one of London’s most popular spots for urban living, and purchasing a home through the Shared Ownership scheme allows people to get a foot on the property ladder with a much smaller deposit.
Find out more at www.hydenewhomes.co.uk
Move in for summer with CALA Homes
With limited availability, time is running out for those looking to secure a new property in Scotland’s sunniest town, Dunbar. Castle Bay, one of CALA Homes’ prime developments still has homes available to reserve in time for a summer move.
Located in the picturesque village of Belhaven, which was originally the ancient port of Dunbar, Castle Bay is a collection of four- and five-bedroom detached homes. It is situated within walking distance of the East Lothian coastline and Belhaven Bay, and Edinburgh is just 25 minutes away by train. The development is centred around a village green, and features a play area, open spaces and connecting paths, perfect for weekend walks. Good schools are within walking distance and there are plenty of local shops and supermarkets.
Prices at Castle Bay start from £360,000 for a four-bedroom home.
View more about Castle Bay from CALA Homes