New apartments in Norwich available with FirstBuy
The Government-backed FirstBuy scheme is available at Taylor Wimpey’s NR1 development of brand new homes in Norwich – and is proving invaluable to first-time buyers like Billy McCluskey.
Lady Luck was smiling on Billy McCluskey when he attended Taylor Wimpey’s ‘Cool Britannia’ bash at NR1, the leading housebuilder’s sought-after city-centre development of apartments for sale in Norwich.
The first-time buyer entered a prize draw for a luxury weekend for two in London during the special launch of the new NR1 show apartment, where Norwich property-seekers were offered the first glimpse of its beautiful Brit-chic decor.
Billy’s name was drawn out of the hat, but as he was about to reserve an NR1 apartment, he opted to receive the cash equivalent of the prize – which came in handy when he put a deposit down on his new Taylor Wimpey property in Norwich!
“It was pure luck that I went along to the Cool Britannia event, because I had already visited NR1 and made my mind up that I wanted to buy there, so didn’t really need to see the show apartment,” says the 21-year-old, who manages the homeware department in a local branch of Marks & Spencer.
“But my mum Louise was insistent that she wanted to have a look at the show home before I bought at NR1, so I went along with her – and it was lucky I did!
“Mum was really happy with what she saw, and I was really blown away by the show apartment which gives you a real idea of how you can choose from Taylor Wimpey’s range of interior Options to really make your home stand out from the rest.”
Like many first-time buyers, Billy feared a lack of a sizeable deposit may have counted against him when it came to securing an affordable mortgage. But, after speaking to the team at the NR1 development of properties for sale in Norwich, he discovered he was eligible for the Government-backed FirstBuy scheme.
Under FirstBuy, selected new homes at the development can be accessed by eligible purchasers for 80% of their full price, including a 75% mortgage and a 5% deposit, subject to status.
“FirstBuy is a fantastic initiative that makes it possible for first-time buyers such as myself to be able to afford their first home,” says Billy.
“The whole process of signing up to FirstBuy and buying my home couldn’t have been more straightforward thanks to all the guidance and support I received from Taylor Wimpey. Everybody was so helpful and I was really impressed with their product knowledge, which meant I could make an informed decision to buy.
“In fact, my mortgage repayments are actually £30 cheaper a month than I pay in rent, on a place that I share with a friend. So not only do I now have my own home, but I’m better off too!”
With his apartment due for completion in November, Billy is now looking forward to setting up home in one of Norwich’s most sought-after locations.
He says: “NR1 has pretty much everything on its doorstep. It’s got great views of the river, is handy for the waterside bars and restaurants, there’s a cinema and bowling alley nearby plus a retail park and supermarket for shopping.
“The railway station is a five-minute walk away and it’s just 10 minutes on foot to the city centre.”
There’s a superb selection of one and two-bedroom apartments currently available to purchase at NR1, with prices starting at £132,995 and £152,995 respectively.
Selected plots can be accessed by qualifying first-time buyers for 80% of their purchase price under the FirstBuy scheme – that means from £106,395 for a one-bedroom apartment and £122,395 for a two-bedroom design. Full details are available at the development.
Apartments at NR1 each feature a spacious open-plan lounge/kitchen/dining room, good-sized bedrooms and a bathroom off the internal entrance hallway, while two-bedroom plots include en-suite facilities to master bedrooms. All apartments also benefit from attractive private balconies with access from both the living area and bedroom.
Superbly located in landscaped surroundings and appointed to present fantastic views over the River Wensum, NR1 offers city living at its best.
The Riverside leisure and entertainment complex is right on the doorstep and Norwich’s main shopping district is just a short walk away, with the home of Premier League football club Norwich City only a stone’s throw from the development.
Home to the renowned University of East Anglia, the city also has a thriving cultural scene, with several theatres as well as arts and live music venues.
For commuters, Norwich railway station is only half a mile away from NR1 for frequent services to London, Peterborough, Cambridge and the seaside towns of Great Yarmouth, Lowestoft and Sheringham, while the A47, A11 and A140 provide excellent road routes north, south, east and west.
Visitors to NR1 can explore the Cool Britannia showhome and Sales Information Centre, located in Wherry Road, Norwich, NR1 1WS, and open Thursday to Sunday from 10am to 5pm, and Mondays from 1.30pm to 5pm. Alternatively, visit taylorwimpey.co.uk.
