How to recycle your house! Daughter moves in as mum buys retirement flat

Dorothy Sewart, 66, saved money when she sold her large family house to her daughter and bought a retirement apartment – and discovered a new way of life into the bargain.

Last summer Dorothy had been thinking for sometime about downsizing from her four-bedroom detached house in Easingwold, North Yorkshire, to a more manageable property.

So when her daughter Kathryn suggested a McCarthy & Stone apartment at Rowan Court 10 miles away in Long Street, Thirsk, she was happy to go ahead, especially as it meant that she could sell the family home to Kathryn and her husband Jason to give the couple more space.

Dorothy said: “It makes much more sense for younger people to have a house like that than for me to have it, and I’m particularly pleased that we have been able to keep it in the family.

“The other advantage is that because I own my apartment here, there will be something for my children to inherit when I’m gone.”

Dorothy’s method of selling her house had financial advantages for her, because although she still had to pay for a valuation, stamp duty and solicitor’s fees, she avoided the expense of using an estate agent.

Kathryn bought Dorothy’s house in Easingwold for £245,000 and Dorothy then paid £165,000 for her two-bedroom apartment at Rowan Court. She has thus freed up some spending money and is planning a trip to Australia.

For Kathryn and Jason, who moved to the four-bedroom Easingwold house from a three-bedroom semi in York, the advantages of the new arrangement go further than simply having more space. They now enjoy greater peace of mind, knowing that Dorothy is in a safe and supportive environment.

Kathryn, 37, said: “We like to know that Mum has people around her. When she was first thinking of moving we looked at some bungalows but she would still have been on her own and we didn’t want that. At Rowan Court there is a sense of community and someone to help if she needs it. She’s been there fore three months now seems to be as happy as Larry.”

Like all McCarthy & Stone developments, Rowan Court is designed to offer a combination of security and independence. Each apartment is a self-contained and private home but residents can also use a central lounge with an adjoining kitchen for social events as well as a laundry room and a landscaped garden. There is even a guest suite for friends and family to stay overnight.

The main entrance of Rowan Court is protected by TV camera security and a 24-hour Careline system is installed throughout the building, allowing residents to summon help in case of personal emergency.

The resident house manager, Kina Snowden, gives support to the people who live at Rowan Court makes sure everything is running smoothly in the development.

Dorothy said: “I enjoy the company of the other residents at Rowan Court. Where I was living before I’d go out and I’d see people but not necessarily talk to them. Here, you always bump into someone to have a chat with even if you just go out for a paper. And if there’s an emergency you just pull red cord!”

A good selection of apartments is available at Rowan Court, priced from £150,950 for a one-bedroom and from £178,950 for a two-bedroom. Apartments in phase II, which is due to be finished in May, are available to buy off-plan.

For further information, visit mccarthyandstone.co.uk.