In the midst of the epidemic, property buyers prioritised gardens, WFH spaces, and a migration from London in their need for space.
Nearly three years after the first lockdown began, and in the face of seemingly ever-increasing expenses and increased knowledge of the consequences of climate change, energy efficiency has risen to the top of our wish lists.
According to Redrow, UK people spend more time debating the expense of living and being environmentally friendly than the last World Cup, and over half would consider moving to a new-build because of its energy-saving features.
All new houses come standard with double glazing, great insulation, and an energy-efficient furnace and appliances, but some go much further.
Garrison Point and Waterfront in Chatham are both gas-free developments, fitted with A-rated appliances, Heatrae Sadia Amptec electric boilers and Hive Active thermostats to minimise their impact on the environment and keep running costs down. One and two-bedroom flats at Garrison Point start at £212,000, and those at Waterfront from £215,000, with some available at a 30 per cent discount through the Government’s First Homes scheme.
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On February 10, Love Living Homes launches the second phase of shared ownership housing at Westwood Acres in Broadstairs. Among the first affordable modular homes to be built, they incorporate thermal insulation, solar panels and air source heat pumps, and fall into the two per cent of new-builds that are A-rated for energy efficiency. Two-bedroom houses start at £29,500 for a ten per cent share of £295,000.
L&Q and Anderson have released another clutch of one and two-bedroom homes at The Quarry in Erith, a sustainable community which won the ‘best large development’ category in the First Time Buyer Awards. They feature air source heat pumps and PV panels, and an on-site ecology area is planned, from £276,000 for a one-bedroom flat.
Research by Zoopla has flagged up high demand for flats in accessible urban locations, as the flight to rural regions runs out of steam and buyers look for more value for money. This trend is nothing new for Pocket Living, which delivers affordable flats for first-time buyers in well-connected parts of London.
January 28 sees the launch of the first phase at Osier Way E10 in Leyton, set to be one of the UK’s biggest developments exclusively for novice purchasers. The one and two-bedroom flats are being sold at a 20 per cent discount compared to the local market to people living or working in Waltham Forest, and start from £274,000. Woodside Park N12 in Barnet and The Heights SE7 in Greenwich are scheduled to launch soon.
Twenty-six-storey Aspect Croydon, by Notting Hill Genesis, consists of one, two and three-bedroom shared ownership flats a five-minute walk from East Croydon station, a major transport hub with buses and trams as well as trains to London, Gatwick and Luton airports and the south coast. They start at £90,625 for a 25 per cent share of £362,500.
If you want to be close to a Tube station, try NINE Brixton, a 10-minute walk from the Victoria line, from £156,250 for 25 per cent of £625,000 or head west and register your interest in the Perfume Factory near North Acton station, which goes on sale this spring.
Islington & Shoreditch Housing Association’s Prospect House is also in a very convenient spot, less than half a mile from central Walthamstow and an easy walk to Walthamstow Central and Queens Road stations. All the one, two and three-bedroom flats have a balcony or terrace and start from £115,500 for a 35 per cent share of £330,000. Alternatively, take a look at North Seven, just off the lively Holloway Road. One-beds are from £154,000 for 35 per cent of £440,000.
According to Purplebricks, a big garden is still at the forefront of buyers’ minds. A home in a development set in large grounds gives you the best of both worlds as you’ll have oodles of outdoor space without the hassle of looking after it yourself.
Fifty-four one, two and three-bedroom shared ownership flats have just been unveiled at Optivo’s Greenside in Roehampton, arranged around beautiful courtyard gardens, overlooking a golf course and moments from Richmond Park and Putney Heath. Each has a balcony or terrace, from £112,500 for a 30 per cent share of £375,000.
Over in North London, Trent Park, by L&G Affordable Homes, sits in a leafy estate enclosed by 440 acres of parkland in a former royal hunting ground. The one and two-bedroom shared ownership homes are priced from £110,625 for 25 per cent of £442,500 and an open day will take place on Saturday January 21, 10am–4pm.
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