For new Berkshire resident Kath Cresswell, buying off-plan was a different way of securing her family’s next home. The 35 year-old regulatory manager had the choice between sticking with what she knew - a three-storey terraced town house in Bramley - or moving further afield for something more spacious.
“Previously owning a period terraced house meant my family and I knew we wanted our next home to be a new-build, as we much preferred how clean and fresh they are compared to older properties. With our two children at one and three and a half years old, we needed the transition to be as smooth and stress-free as possible, so putting a deposit down on what was initially an empty patch of land was a brave decision for us.”
After less than a month of house hunting, the Cresswells bought a four-bedroom detached property at Linden Homes’ new Berkshire development, Shinfield Meadows. Although Kath and her family had already viewed several new developments, it was an initial visit to the Shinfield Meadows show home that set the wheels in motion:
“We had a really good idea of what we wanted from our new house. As we were moving from a terraced property, space was high on our priority list along with being close to good schools and our workplaces.
“From viewing the show home we had a clear vision of the space and finish of our soon to be new home and thanks to the transparency and helpfulness of the Linden Homes sales team, nothing was a massive surprise when it came to moving in. We were especially impressed with the exceptional customer service, which really separated the Linden team from other housebuilders we’d had correspondence with.”
Those who buy off-plan often have more choice in their type and style of home, moving into a ‘blank canvas’ they can put their own stamp on:
“We upsized to our new home with a garage and garden, and to this day we couldn’t be happier with the amount of space available both in and outside of our property.
“We have fantastic kitchen, living and dining area space, as well as additional space with our playroom and office which suits our busy family well. The kids also love being outside and walking round the development. We were drawn to Shinfield Meadows as it’s so open-plan and there’s no busy through-road - it’s the perfect environment to raise a family.”
The Cresswells also made the most of Linden Homes’ Part Exchange scheme, which Kath explained sped up the process significantly:
“We would recommend Part Exchange to anyone. The price incentive was fantastic, and Linden Homes made it so easy by organising all the valuations and surveys of our old house. All their hard work meant move-in day was relatively stress free – we were sat in John Lewis having a coffee when the Linden Homes team rang to say the deal had completed!”
The Cresswell family will also benefit from the exclusive community of the wider Shinfield Meadows development: a new primary school, sport and recreation facilities and a food store are just some of the amenities currently in construction.
Kath found her experience of buying off-plan wholly positive:
“The whole design of our new house and having the space to raise a family has really made a world of difference. Being brand new, our home is in superb condition and Linden Homes really made moving in as easy as possible.
“We really couldn’t be happier, our decision to buy off-plan initially seemed like a ‘stab in the dark’ but it couldn’t have worked out better.”
To register your interest, or for more information on buying a Shinfield Meadows property off-plan, please visit www.lindenhomes.co.uk or call 01189 145 083.
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Media can contact Emma Cox or Alice Simpson at Remarkable Content on 01962 893893 for more information, images and interviews with Linden Homes.
References to “we”, “us” or “our” are to the part of the Vistry Group (including Linden Homes, Bovis Homes, Countryside Homes, Drew Smith, Vistry Ventures or one of Vistry’s joint venture companies) from which you are intending to purchase a new home. References to "you” and “your” are to the prospective buyer or buyers of a new home from us.
All images are used for illustrative purposes only and are representative only. They may not be the same as the actual home you purchase and the specification may differ. Images may be of a slightly different model of home and may include optional upgrades and extras which involve additional cost. Individual features such as windows, brick, carpets, paint and other material colours may vary and also the specification of fittings may vary. Any furnishings and furniture are not included in any sale. Please check with our sales consultants for details of the exact specifications available at the development(s) for each type of home and the associated prices.
