House price fall means it could be a good time to buy

The fall in house prices is triggering new sales from people looking to take advantage of the reformed property market and move up the housing ladder. Gary and Sue Chapman, both 41, and their two sons, have taken advantage of the fall in house prices and moved up to a three bedroom house at The Orchard in Ifield Green, Higgins Homes’ award winning development near Crawley, West Sussex.

Gary, a Support Manager in West Sussex, comments: “Our family home had fallen in value, but this has worked to our advantage. Moving up the property ladder now has meant the gap between the value of our old home and our new one is smaller. Because of this, we have been able to buy a truly fantastic new home which we otherwise wouldn’t have been able to afford.

“Our new home is completely different to anywhere else we have seen and it’s great for the children. We love the size and design of our house and the quality of the build is excellent. Most importantly for us though, there is a fantastic friendly community and very little traffic, so we feel safe enough to let our younger child play outside with his new friends, which we would never have done before. The fields and mature trees also give The Orchard a country feel and it actually feels like the air is cleaner at The Orchard! We really couldn’t be happier with our new home and feel quite excited about getting to know our new neighbours.”

The Orchard comprises 176 three and four bedroom houses situated in the rural area of Ifield Green, less than two miles from Crawley town centre. The development combines traditional sloping roofs and rectangular architecture, which is contrasted by the modern use of ruby red brick work, blocks of crisp white rendering or wooden cedar panelling and large contemporary windows or French doors.

Internally, each property is fitted with a designer Urban Myth kitchen and Smeg appliances, which include a stainless steel oven, gas hob, integrated fridge/freezer, dishwasher and washer/dryer.

Crawley is the largest inland town in West Sussex and a million pound regeneration project is underway which is transforming the town. The regeneration will include a high profile department store, new restaurants, shops, bars and the general gentrification of the high street and transport systems. Crawley train station has regular direct trains to London Victoria Station which take approximately 50 minutes**.

Prices at The Orchard start from £287,500 for a three bedroom house and from £349,950 for a four bedroom house. Special purchase incentives are available for reservations taken before the end of August 2008 including stamp duty refund, flooring and 100% part exchange or 5% assisted deposit. For further information, visit Higginshomes.co.uk.

* Savills May 2008 figures for London
**National Rail