Barratt announces 3% fixed rate in Reading hotspot

A recent Land Registry report has revealed that Reading is one of the top ten performers in the country when it comes to house price growth with the average price of a property rising from £203,407 in March 07 to £212,585 in May 07, an increase of 4.51%.

Reading is second only to Pembrokeshire in the UK top ten, as highlighted in the Sunday Times in July. This news, and the fact that Barratt Homes has just announced a 3% fixed interest rate mortgage for the next two years at its Shinfield Park development in the town, makes Reading a prime target for homebuyers.

Gary Ennis, Barratt regional managing director, says: “Unlike a number of areas in the UK, Reading property prices are still climbing, which is good news for homeowners. However, interest rate rises have also increased this year and that can lead to uncertainty amongst buyers, particularly those planning to move up the property ladder. For this reason we have decided to ‘stop the clock’ by offering a fixed 3% interest rate mortgage for the next two years, making it easier for people to buy a new home in this thriving town.”

Barratt is also offering to pay £1000 towards buyers’ legal fees, and carpets and a fridge/freezer will be included.

Shinfield Park, which won a Gold in the Hot Property awards earlier this year, is a striking development offering three, four, five and six bedroom houses, plus a superb range of newly released two bedroom apartments, all set in 38 acres of parkland in Shinfield.

The development is ideally placed for those who want to be close to Reading town centre, three miles away, but who want to live in a rural location. Great facilities, such as the Madejski stadium, The Oracle shopping centre, supermarkets within a couple of miles and a wide range of schools and colleges, including the private Crosfields School near Barratt’s development, make Shinfield Park a great choice for families.

Reading’s central location plays a major role in the town’s popularity, being within half an hour’s drive of London, Maidenhead, Oxford and Slough. Bath and Swindon to the west, and Basingstoke and Southampton to the south, are also within commuting distance.

The specification of the houses at Shinfield Park, many of which are detached, is exceptionally high. They typically include spacious open plan living/dining rooms, quality fitted kitchens with a range of contemporary integrated appliances and ceramic flooring and en suites to master bedrooms; most styles have separate utility rooms and others include conservatories, dressing rooms/nurseries and additional bath/shower rooms. All houses have gardens and many have garages. With so many layouts to choose from, there is certainly something to suit most busy households with plenty of room for extended families and visitors.

Prices for the newly released two bedroom apartments start from £239,950. Prices for houses currently available at Shinfield Park are from £399,950 for a four bedroom house and from £504,950 for a six bedroom house. Part exchange is now available on selected properties.

The sales and marketing suite, and three striking showhomes, is open seven days a week, from 11am to 6pm, or visit Barratthomes.co.uk online.