Share and share alike

Making those first steps onto the property ladder can be a tricky business, especially with house price to income ratios now higher than ever. One solution is to join forces with a friend and pool your resources to buy a property together and share the monthly outgoings.

The concept of ‘buying with a buddy’ is becoming increasingly more common and whole websites have sprung up to help would-be home owners pair up with like-minded individuals.

Finding the right property is crucial to the process and a brand new home like those being built at The Paddocks @ De Montfort Park, in Ashford, could be just the thing.

The two-bedroom apartments and three-bedroom houses recently released for sale lend themselves to co-ownership in a number of ways.

Caron Hutchins, sales manager for Redrow Homes (Eastern), says: “The two-bedroom apartments are competitively priced from £152,995, while the three-bedroom houses include en-suite to master bedroom, as well as a main bathroom and a downstairs loo, which makes them ideal for professionals sharing. The houses start at £195,000 for a three-bedroom Galway mid-terrace.

“A brand new home is great for first time buyers as it comes complete with a 10-year Buildmark warranty and requires little or no maintenance and none of the renovation or repair that goes with buying an older, run-down terrace. New homes also tend to be more energy efficient than their second hand counterparts which makes for fewer arguments over the heating bills!”

The smaller properties at The Paddocks have all of the design features and quality fixtures and fittings of the larger four-bedroom homes that have already proved so popular. They include fitted kitchens with a choice of contemporary cabinets and worktops plus built-in stainless steel oven, hob and cooker hood.

The mix of two, three and four-bedroom accommodation and convenience of the location make this development an ideal choice for everyone from first time buyers and young professionals to growing families and empty nesters, whose children have all grown up and who now want a more manageable home.

For those seeking a larger family home, the Tamar is a great four-bedroom detached property, at £285,000, which includes en-suite to master bedroom, a spacious lounge and separate dining room, fully fitted kitchen with an adjoining utility room, and a ground floor cloakroom.

The Paddocks is located off Tithe Barn Lane, in the Singleton Hill area of Ashford.

There are doctors, a dentist, post office and local schools within walking distance and Ashford is a thriving town that offers easy access to the M20,connecting to the M26 and M25. London can be reached by train in about an hour from Ashford and Ashford International stations, which are both approximately three miles from the development

Redrow has a new information leaflet, ‘Mortgaging with a mate’, which is available at developments and provides useful information and advice on buying a home with friends. Details can also be found on the company’s website at Redrow.co.uk.

Whether buying with a buddy, going it alone or looking for a new home for your expanding family, find out more by visiting the fully furnished show homes and marketing suite, which are open daily from 10am to 5.30pm.

Alternatively, go online at Redrow.co.uk/developments/view/99.

Other useful reading: Smartsharedhomes.com or Firstrungnow.com/find-property-co-buyer.