Sales negotiator buys at Dalston Square

Sales Negotiator Richard Gordon's first job for Barratt East London was in the marketing suite at Dalston Square in Hackney, one of London's key strategic regeneration schemes. Now he's decided he likes the development so much that he has bought his first home there, and will be moving in during the summer of 2009.

"Dalston has got everything going for it, a really bright future. The new East London tube line will make the transport links fantastic and the 2012 Olympics will give it a real lift" said Richard, 23.

"Having worked here for a while, it's clear to me that a revitalized Dalston will lift Hackney into another league. It's surrounded by areas that were once run-down corners of the East End but are now really fashionable, like Hoxton, Shoreditch, London Fields and Bethnal Green. It's a really happening place."

Richard, who joined Barratt in January after previously working in estate agency, currently lives with his father in Hornchurch, Essex. As a single gay man, he's looking forward to living closer to the London scene.

"Quite often, the first people to recognize and move into up-and-coming urban areas are the arts and gay communities, which often overlap anyway. It's significant that both are already quite well-established around Dalston" he said.

Richard purchased a one-bedroom apartment with a full market value of £245,000, but as a first-time buyer working in the area he was able to take advantage of the Government's First Time Buyer Initiative (FTBI) which is designed to help people get onto the property ladder.

FTBI enables aspiring first-time buyers, who cannot otherwise afford to buy a home outright, to purchase a minimum of 50% of a new home with Government agency English Partnerships providing the remainder of the funding.

Through the FTBI, Richard bought a 50% share in his Dalston Square property, worth £122,500. His spacious ninth-floor apartment will have a fully-fitted bathroom and an open-plan living/dining space with fully-fitted, integrated kitchens, plus a roof terrace and balcony.

Dalston Square is regenerating the heart of Dalston with over 550 new homes, shops, a library and archive, plus a brand new station for the East London line extension at Dalston Junction. The square itself is a major new town centre space around which the homes, shops and restaurants are being built in a range of striking modern buildings.

All homes available through the FTBI scheme at Dalston Square have now been allocated, but the current phase of the development offers one-bedroom apartments at prices from £249,995. Two, three and four-bedroom apartments are also available, from £299,995.

A range of assistance plans is still available to purchasers, including help with deposits, part-exchange on existing properties, or help with Stamp Duty and legal costs.

The stunning multi-media marketing suite and show apartments are now open off Roseberry Place, Dalston (E8).