Shared ownership adds up for young accountant
Despite the estimated average age of first time buyers now at 38, Misha Verrall, an accounts assistant for Wysegroup in High Wycombe, has stepped onto the property ladder at just 21 years of age.
She bought a 25% share of her new two-bedroom apartment at Living at Wycombe Mead in High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, through the New Build HomeBuy part-buy part-rent scheme offered by Thames Valley Housing.
“I wanted to move out of my parents’ house as I was working full-time and ready to have my own space,” says Misha. “A few of my friends had already bought their own properties and I wanted the same independence.”
“I couldn’t afford to buy on the open market so I considered shared ownership and Thames Valley Housing was recommended to me by a friend. When I found out they were selling apartments at Wycombe Mead, I was very excited because it has been such a highly anticipated development.”
Misha continues, “I was really impressed by the amount of space available when I visited the show apartment. I never thought I would’ve been able to live somewhere like this on my budget!”
Misha bought a share of a two-bedroom apartment off plan on the first floor for £43,750 and hopes to ‘staircase’ on her property in the future. She financed her mortgage through her own savings, plus a little help from her family.
“My new home has a balcony overlooking what will be landscaped gardens surrounding the development. Having two bedrooms is ideal for friends and family to stay over, plus I’ll have loads of space for studying as I am starting my ATT (Association of Taxation Technicians) studies in December. I should be moving in September and cannot wait!” concludes Misha.
Living at Wycombe Mead in High Wycombe is a development of two-bedroom apartments built by St James Homes.
The new apartments will be part of a larger community, which, when completed, will have six acres of well-landscaped public gardens with the River Wye and one of its tributary streams flowing through the development.
The picturesque landscape will be complemented by the high quality and excellent design of the apartments themselves. Each new home will include integrated kitchen appliances, Alno kitchen units and glass splash backs, an energy efficient boiler with less than 10% carbon emissions, audio entry systems and carpet and ceramic tiles. There is also one allocated parking for every home and many plots have balconies.
High Wycombe is a market town of history and character that has a popular food market on the High Street on Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays. The centre of town is just a ten minute drive away from Living at Wycombe Mead, and new bus links and cycle paths will be added for residents.
The adjacent retail park has a variety of restaurants, a local pharmacy and a Fitness First gym. The new Eden Centre in the town centre has shops, a multiplex cinema, library and bowling alley.
High Wycombe is surrounded by the beautiful Chiltern Hills which is a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty – ideal for outdoor leisure pursuits.
High Wycombe is located on the Chiltern Line with a regular direct service to London Marylebone station. The main station is 2km from Wycombe Mead and the peak journey time to London is approximately 40 minutes. An extensive bus and coach network complements the road and rail links connecting the town with neighboring counties and towns.
Prices at Living at Wycombe Mead start from £45,000 for a 25% share in a two-bedroom apartment priced at £180,000.
All the properties at Living at Wycombe Mead are available through the New Build HomeBuy part-buy, part-rent government-led initiative, aimed at helping first time buyers, and those looking for help to buy their own home, get on the property ladder. To apply for this scheme, purchasers need to have an annual household income of between £18,000 and £60,000, work or live within Wycombe District and can register with their local HomeBuy Agent.
For more information on Living at Wycombe Mead or other HomeBuy schemes, visit: tvha-wycombemead.co.uk
