Parents give kids a leg up on the property ladder

Hard-working mum and dad Stephen and Lesley Hunt (both 50) found the perfect solution to keep their grown-up offspring close by and help them on to the housing ladder – by buying them a two-bedroom apartment to share.

Mechanical fitter Stephen and childminder Lesley wanted their children to have their independence, but realised it would take them a while to raise the deposit needed to buy their own homes.

So to give them a leg-up on to the housing ladder they bought an apartment for them at George Wimpey’s St Martins Court development in Ruislip.

“We have the best of both worlds,” said Lesley. “They have their independence, but are just around the corner.

“It just makes so much sense – they wanted to move out, but couldn’t afford to buy anywhere. They have worked hard for what they have, so for the first couple of years they can live there until they can save enough for their own houses in the future.

“The location is excellent and really appealed to both of them – there are plenty of shops and bars close by and Ruislip tube is in walking distance – ideal for busy young people!”

Tom (23) works on oil and gas rigs in the North Sea, so he makes use of the convenient connections to London’s airports to get to work, while Francesca (21), who is a graduate trainee for a major UK bank, uses nearby tube stations to travel into Central London.

Stephen and Lesley, who are both Ruislip born and bred, found the two-bedroom apartment just a few minutes’ walk from the family home, where their youngest, 19-year-old Douglas who is studying chemistry and currently living in halls of residence at Imperial College, London, returns during the holidays. They chose the property because of its large rooms and also liked the plans for future development on the site where some of the homes are allocated for over 55s.

“I can’t speak highly enough of the sales staff – nothing was too much trouble for them and they seemed to find it a pleasure to talk to you. I am very impressed with St Martins Court itself,” added Lesley.

“We looked at a couple of other developments but the price was not right and we have a really good square footage here,” she said.

Prices start for the exclusive, high-spec apartments start at £189,950 for a one-bedroom design and £242,500 for two bedrooms. Each includes integrated kitchen appliances, downlighters in specific rooms, chrome heated towel warmers in the bathrooms and en-suites, and CCTV within the private parking areas.

Apartments such as this are ideal homes for siblings or friends who want to share a home – but not a bathroom – and live-in landlords can rent out a room with a bathroom for their tenant’s sole use.

Buyers benefit from shops, bars and restaurants on their doorstep, while Ruislip tube station is adjacent to the development, providing quick links to Central London.

Enjoying one of Greater London’s prime locations, St Martins Court is close to an abundance of leisure opportunities, including Wembley Stadium and Arena, Ruislip Lido, Ruislip Common and a choice of health and fitness centres and golf courses.

In addition to excellent rail links, the M40 and M25 are approximately six miles from the development, and Heathrow Airport just nine miles by road.

Purchasers can currently take advantage of George Wimpey’s Easymover programme, offering a range of special incentives on selected plots including support for first time buyers – while customers with a property to sell can reserve their new home and then sit back and relax while the housebuilder helps to find a buyer for their current home.

Incentives can be tailored to homebuyers’ circumstances and are subject to availability.

To see the show apartment, visit the Sales Centre, located at 32-46 Pembroke Road, Ruislip and open seven days a week, from 10am to 2pm on Mondays and 10am to 5.30pm Tuesdays to Sundays.

For more information, log on to Georgewimpey.co.uk.