There's no place like a new home
Janice Whittaker recently became a homeowner for the first time as a shared owner at our new development Springbank Court. Janice shares her experience of buying a home and how life has changed since moving in.
I had been looking into shared ownership for a while and was regularly checking in with the sharetobuy.com. website. I had been to viewings with other shared ownership schemes but didn’t find anything that appealed to me. Not long after, I checked the website again and saw Springbank Court. Straight away I knew that this was the property for me.
The main reasons that I wanted to become a leaseholder at Springbank was that it was a new build meaning it would come with builders warranties, and the service charge wouldn’t be ridiculous. Also, it was a small block without a lift which would keep the long-term cost down.
What attracted me most to Springbank Court was the outdoor space which had been thoughtfully encompassed into the design. There’s a big communal garden at the back which backs onto the River Ravensbourne. I also liked the fact that it was a duplex living space and the homes are a really good size. It was in a perfect location with parks very close by. The icing on the cake was that it was just minutes from the station!
The good standard of finish and sense of space made me feel that I had definitely made the right choice. It felt modern and well designed with lots of light, which was very important to me.
Moving into Springbank Court has given me a sense of achievement, knowing that it is an investment and I own a home of my very own. The space both indoors and outdoors has had a positive impact on my wellbeing. My job can be stressful working as a psychiatric nurse in a crisis team and coming home to such a nice environment has made a great difference to my wellbeing.
I look forward to coming home from work and opening the door to my new home. It gives me a sense of being in my own sanctuary. The kitchen is equipped with modern appliances that make cooking a pleasure.
I can’t wait for the good weather when I can sit outside. The space is absolutely perfect for enjoying social time and I can’t wait until I can have friends over again.
Being a new build, there were some delays as it can take longer to reach completion due to a variety of reasons. But it was well worth the wait. It feels safe and secure which is very important. The design is unique, and this coupled with the space has made it such a good choice for me.
Since I have become a resident, my communications with Phoenix have been not only friendly and welcoming, but professional which has given me peace of mind. I would definitely recommend others to look at becoming a shared owner with Phoenix. When you find a home that suits all your requirements and it feels right for you, you realise it was well worth the wait.