Joanne gets on the case and chooses a winner
29 June 2007
When it came to looking for her first home trainee solicitor Joanne Milne could have just been another statistic – one more struggling first-time buyer trying to get her foot on the property ladder. That was until she discovered Barratt’s innovative iPad apartments at Farrier’s Park in Bowesfield, Stockton.
“I looked at several starter homes but what I loved about the iPad was the design and the fact that everything was finished to a really high specification, which had been lacking in other properties I looked at,” said Joanne, 26.
So she borrowed a small deposit from her parents and paid £96,000 for a top-floor apartment in a three-storey block in this attractive riverside location.
Joanne added: “I paid a bit more for a top-floor apartment, which is quieter because you can’t hear people coming and going up here and it’s more secure.
“I like all the chrome light fittings and all the design details. The kitchen is really modern-looking with all the appliances included so you get everything in the price. Best of all is the bathroom. It has a big basin with a vanity unit, which is just what a girl needs, and a proper full-size bath. Many of the more affordable homes come with just a tiny shower room, which isn’t what I wanted.
“I went for an iPad because it is in my price range yet because of the open-plan design it doesn’t feel too poky. Because of the way it is laid out it feels deceptively big and all my friends are really jealous!”
The Barratt iPad measures 381 sq ft and features include a living, dining and kitchen area with the kitchen separated off by the breakfast bar which can double as a desk and comes with a freezer, fridge, oven and hob with extractor hood. There is a space for a dishwasher and washer-drier too.
The living area has French doors leading on to a private balcony while the double bedroom has space for a 1.5m run of wardrobes, plus a dresser, bedside cabinet and double bed with ample room to walk around it. The bathroom features a full-sized bath with shower over, basin and wc.
Barratt is currently selling Barratt iPads at Parkside Gardens in Middlesbrough at prices from £95,000. Further iPad apartments are planned for Hardwick Green in Stockton.
For further information visit Barratthomes.co.uk/ipad.
