High-flying friends unite to buy dream home

As property prices continue to rise across the country, more and more young buyers are struggling to afford a new home. Many are now opting for ‘group mortgages’ and buying with friends.

Vijay Shapribhan and Edward Morris decided to pool their resources and found their ideal property at Bellway’s stylish Synergy development at Park 25 in Redhill.

Looking to step up from his two bedroom home in Brighton, Vijay has joined finances with friend Edward to buy a bigger home that suits both their needs.

Both are high-flyers – literally. Vijay, 31, a member of the cabin crew for a major UK airline from Bedfordshire and Edward, 30 a team leader for Aeropia LTD in Gatwick and originally from Surrey are now preparing to move into their new home, due for completion in June. They are looking forward to making the most of their new home and free time, now that they have shorter journey times to work as Redhill is only 15 minutes from Gatwick and under 50 minutes from London Heathrow. Park 25 combines the best of all worlds – convenient for travel, being only minutes from the station, the development is contemporary and attractive and is both within reach of Redhill town’s amenities whilst overlooking open countryside. Park 25 even has a wildlife conservation area right on the site.

Vijay says: “We weren’t specifically looking for a new build home, but were really impressed with the show home that we saw at the Synergy development. The three-bedroom house suits us perfectly with the third bedroom acting as a home office and studio for my music.

“Buying off-plan has also proved successful. We have picked our fixtures and fittings and have opted for extras including a fireplace and a shower for the main bathroom. We have also taken advantage of Bellway’s part exchange scheme, which saves me the hassle of looking for a buyer and potentially having to rent until our new home is ready in the summer”.

They have bought their new ‘pad’ for £304,000 and report that the process so far has been painless; even finding the development came easy for them.

Edward, 30, said; “We were initially alerted to the development by my brother who lives nearby and has seen the site go up, and after a visit to the show house we were really taken by the development. The service we received has been excellent and Bellway’s sales advisers have been very accommodating to our needs.

“It’s a great location for us too; not only will I be close to my family, but we’re in the catchments for both Heathrow for Vijay and my office in Gatwick, which is just 10-15 minutes away by car. The convenience of the commute is just right and despite being so near to both airports, we’re not under the flight paths, which was an important factor in our decision”.

The scheme at Park 25, which also involves two other major housebuilders, will comprise a mix of apartment blocks and houses on a site conveniently located for the town’s main train station. Synergy, located on St.Anne’s Drive in Redhill, is set to become one of the most sought-after property developments in the area. Located in a tranquil setting yet boasting excellent transport links, there has already been a high level of interest in the development despite the fact that construction is still in the early stages.

The development has already hit the headlines as it will be one of the first significant housing projects in the south east to use an environmentally-friendly biomass boiler to provide heating and hot water to a large number of apartment dwellings.

Prices range from £2350,000 for a two-bedroom home with parking space to £460,000 for a four-bedroom semi detached home with garage and parking space.

Palvinder Thandi, Sales Director of Bellway South East, said: “Moving home can often be an emotionally draining experience; with purchasers risking losing the new home they want if they can’t sell their property in time. Part exchange takes the stress and hassle out of the home buying process, as, subject to valuation, buyers who use the scheme receive a guaranteed offer within 7 days and contracts can be exchanged quickly.

“As the service is free and as there are no estate agents fees to pay buyers also save a significant amount of money that could be spent on furnishings for their new home.

She continued: “The combination of quality, well designed homes and their proximity to excellent local amenities has ensured a high level of early interest in Synergy at Park 25. With our part exchange offer we are making it even easier for people to own their dream home here.”

For further information visit: bellway.co.uk and click on ‘South East’.