Wedding bells for first time buyers

A couple who have just taken their first step on the housing ladder with Redrow are looking forward to a future as a married couple in their new home.

Personal account manager Chris Lambourne, 22, proposed to his girlfriend Amy Belli on her 21st birthday, just a few weeks after they had moved into their first home together at Kennet Heath, in Thatcham.

Amy, an insurance broker, said: “He’d just brought me breakfast in bed and I was nagging him to bring me my present. He was still wearing his Simpson shorts and I had my ‘morning hair’ and he just brought out the ring. I don’t think it was meant to happen quite like that but it was lovely.”

The couple bought a two-bedroom Calder-style home and received some great incentives from Redrow, including a five per cent deposit paid and fully-fitted carpets throughout. They have spent the last couple of months decorating and transforming it into their dream home.

Amy said: “We didn’t set out to buy a new build home but we got such a great offer we decided to go for it and we couldn’t be happier.

“We both lived with our parents previously but thought now we’re getting older it was about time we got our own place and we knew the longer we left it the harder it would be to get on to the property ladder.

“We’ve only just finished decorating but it looks great now all our furniture is in. We’re using the spare room as a bit of an office and storage room at the moment but we plan to do something with it so we can have people to stay.”

Amy and Chris also took advantage of Redrow’s ‘recommend a friend’ scheme and received £1,000 from Redrow after their friends bought a property too. Amy said: “A few of our friends were looking to buy a house so we recommended that they come and have a look at the development and they found one they liked. We’re going to split the money with them.”

At Kennet Heath in Thatcham, Redrow has released a clutch of two-bedroom Tunstall apartments currently priced from £187,950. Friends or a couple sharing the Tunstall will benefit from its two bathrooms – making queues a thing of the past - and buyers are guaranteed their own personal space.

Holly Finer, area sales manager for Redrow Homes (Southern) says: “We see the struggle that first time buyers face when they want to take a step onto the property ladder and so we aim to help them as much as possible. Our apartments at Kennet Heath are perfect for first time buyers and with the help of our fully trained staff you could become a home owner sooner than you think.

“A brand new home can suit a first time buyer well as there are no repairs or renovations to worry about so home owners can enjoy quality time, plus new homes are inherently more energy efficient that older, draughty properties so bills can be lower too.”

Conveniently located just off the A4, Kennet Heath boasts a range of two, three, four and five-bedroom houses, suited to families and young professionals alike. The development provides easy access to nearby Newbury, Basingstoke and Reading, with the M4 and M3 motorways just a short drive away. Even better, Thatcham railway station is within walking distance and offers frequent trains to Reading and London Paddington.

There are a range of three-bedroom properties from £226,950, four-bedroom houses from £264,950 and five bedroom homes from £379,950.

To be part of the growing new community at Kennet Heath, visit the development, off Station Road, Thatcham. Alternatively visit Redrow.co.uk.