Couple find two floors and their own front door

Like many young couples, David Rendell and Natalie Drane both aged 22, were keen to have their own space and to get a foot on the property ladder. They had both been living with their families in Braintree and didn’t have far to look to find their ideal first home, at Bocking Mill, a new development by Barratt Eastern Counties on the outskirts of Bocking, near Braintree.

The couple had set their heart on a new build home so that they wouldn’t have to spend precious leisure time working on renovations. They originally had a two-bedroom house in mind, but were attracted by the quirky style of the duplex apartments at Bocking Mill. Natalie comments: “We didn’t want an apartment, but this is a great alternative. We’ve got an upstairs floor, as well as our own front door, patio and carport, so it feels more like a house. There’s nobody else around us which makes it very private and peaceful too.”

Buying a home can be especially challenging for first-time buyers and David and Natalie appreciated the support they received from Barratt. David comments: “Our apartment cost £168,000 and Barratt helped us by paying our five per cent deposit and £500 towards legal fees. It was originally the show home and so Barratt included the carpets, flooring and light fittings in the price. The kitchen already had an oven, hob, fridge/freezer and washer/drier, so we had very little else to buy and it saved us masses of money.”

Bocking Mill is in a very picturesque setting. The River Pant runs through the heart of the development, giving some of the homes riverside views, and it is surrounded by glorious Essex countryside. From David and Natalie’s apartment there are lovely views of St Mary’s Church, a beautiful Grade I Listed 15th century church opposite the development.

Getting around is easy. Natalie, a physiotherapist, has a half-hour drive to Colchester Hospital. David, a mechanical buyer, commutes into London Liverpool Street from Braintree station in around an hour.

Both David and Natalie were brought up in Braintree and know the area well. They enjoy living on the outskirts of Bocking, a delightful village with quaint pubs and shops suitable for every day needs. Braintree, just a couple of miles away, has a good range of high street and independent shops, and plenty of coffee shops, bars and restaurants.

Currently available for sale at Bocking Mill are two-bedroom apartments starting from £154,995, three-bedroom homes from £239,995 and four-bedroom houses from £274,995. Barratt has plenty of incentives to help homebuyers and is offering to pay five per cent towards the deposit or, for homebuyers with an existing property to sell, to take their home in part exchange.

For more information, log on to Barratthomes.co.uk.