The rain in Rochford rescues couple from renting

It’s not often that a heavy rain shower in England is welcomed, but it was by newly-weds Jason and Amanda Watts, because it led to them buying their first home!

Jason and Amanda had recently moved to the UK from South Africa, where Jason was born, and were renting a flat in Epping; they had no immediate plans to buy their own home, until the weather intervened!

It was during a visit to Amanda’s father, who lives in nearby Southend-on-Sea, when the ‘lucky’ shower occurred. As Jason and Amanda walked through Rochford seeking shelter from the rain, they came across Barratt’s popular development, The Square, and went in to have a look. “It was brilliant timing,” says Jason, “We instantly loved the look of The Square, it’s really unique. We were fed up with renting, so we enquired about buying a home and couldn’t believe how much help Barratt gives first-time buyers!”

In fact Jason and Amanda were so impressed that they returned the following weekend to reserve a two-bedroom apartment. “The sales team at Barratt were great,” comments Jason. “Barratt has paid our deposit and included the carpets within the price; they even helped us find a mortgage with a very good rate.”

Located next to the market square in the centre of Rochford, The Square is a delightful development of around 115 sophisticated one and two-bedroom apartments some within a colourful horseshoe-shaped building arranged around a courtyard and others above a new Somerfields supermarket.

Jason and Amanda love their new home. Like all the apartments at The Square, it is bright and modern with a roomy open-plan living/dining/kitchen area, smart fitted kitchen with plenty of appliances and classy white bathroom. The main bedroom comes with fitted wardrobes and the second bedroom is a good size for guests. “There’s plenty of space and the rooms are deceptively large,” says Amanda, “we particularly like the fact that it’s so quiet around here at night.”

The Square is in the perfect position for easy living. Being near the centre of town means that

Jason and Amanda are close to all the amenities, and when the Somerfields supermarket at The Square opens this summer, shopping will literally be on the doorstep. “I can’t wait, it’ll be so convenient!” says Amanda.

Rochford is a historic market town with a lively social scene and lovely surroundings. “There are great pubs with live music,” says Jason, “and we love the surrounding area and going for walks around the estuary.”

The station is just a few minutes’ walk away from the Square, which is a great advantage. Amanda commutes into London every day for her work as an oncology nurse in Harley Street and although Jason works from home as a landscape interior designer, he too often travels into London for meetings. “The journey into central London work is much shorter than it was from Epping,” comments Amanda. “It only takes approximately 52 minutes from Rochford to Liverpool Street.”

One coincidence is the fact that Amanda’s step-grandfather worked on the building site of The Square; he recognises the potential of the area, particularly with the expansion of nearby Southend Airport, which is expected to include a new terminal building and hotel, as well as new routes to European capitals in time for the 2012 London Olympics. “We’ll have to invest in more properties round here,” observes Jason, “It’s obviously an up and coming area!”

Homes at The Square are selling very swiftly; all the homes in the first phase have been sold and over half the apartments above the supermarket have already been reserved. Prices start at £149,995 for a one-bedroom apartment and from £188,995 for a two-bedroom apartment. Incentives are available for first-time buyers.

For further information, visit the website at Barratthomes.co.uk.