...Continental Links
You’d be forgiven for thinking that John Harrison’s two Springer Spaniels might be unhappy to swap their old romps across Yorkshire’s ‘Last of the Summer Wine’ country for their new home at Water Colour, in Redhill, Surrey.
But when John and his partner decided to relocate south from their rural home near Holmfirth – made famous as the location for the world’s longest-running sitcom – the advantages were clear: quick links to London, easy access to the Eurotunnel and, for the dogs, the Surrey Downs almost on their doorstep.
Linden Homes’ Water Colour development is a waterside village offering peace and quiet with its wide, sunny streets, cycle paths and walkways crisscrossing 7.5 acres of open space featuring communal gardens, two lagoons, canals and reed beds.
John (48), who works for a petrochemical company, said they were attracted south by the more plentiful jobs and opportunities, but had initially been thwarted by the difficulty of selling their old property in northern England’s slow housing market.
However, that was solved by Linden Homes’ Part Exchange scheme which enabled them to exchange contracts five weeks after the first viewing at Redhill. They were settled in at their four-storey, four-bedroom townhouse in time for Christmas.
John explained: “We had a house in the countryside in West Yorkshire which we were trying to sell but the housing market is much slower than down here. We had had a few visitors to the house but no offers, so we decided to look at new-build and discovered Linden Homes was offering its Part Exchange scheme.
“I would recommend Part Exchange – I was pleasantly surprised. I was expecting a very poor valuation but the asking price was very close to what we wanted and of course we did not pay any estate agents’ fees.
“They got a valuation for our house and made an offer which was not far from what we had in mind. We also got a little bit off their asking price so consequently we went down the road to exchange contracts five weeks after our first viewing.”
He was attracted by many of the house’s features: “The layout of the house is not typically English; it has a lot of continental style and fresh, clean lines. And being a new house all the equipment is obviously all brand new too – you move straight in and there are few complications.”
The location was another big draw: train links from Redhill station into London Bridge or Victoria in as little as 30 minutes, and about one hour’s journey from the Eurotunnel to reach Germany where John’s partner hails from and John’s sister lives.
John said: “We decided we got more square footage for our money here than in London and it’s only half an hour by train into the capital. The quality of life is better here. Unless one is extremely wealthy there’s no way of getting accommodation in London.
“Water Colour itself is very nice, it’s lovely and open. It’s on the edge of Redhill on one side and on the other, 50 metres away just over the road is the countryside. I like to walk my Springer Spaniels there twice a day.”
Buying a home at Water Colour through the Part Exchange scheme offers one quick, hassle-free agreement that takes out estate agents’ fees and the problems with chains which can scupper even the most secure-looking move.
Eligible home-hunters choose their home and within seven days a valuation on their property will be made by three local estate agents and a cash offer made. The only thing left to do then is set a move-in date and get packing.
Central to Water Colour are facilities including a doctor's surgery, a vet and a Tesco, and beyond are Redhill and Reigate town centres, boasting shops, cafes, restaurants and a train station, linked to Water Colour by its own dedicated bus route.
The countryside surrounding Redhill includes the Surrey Downs with its glorious walks and views, while closer to home, and part of Water Colour, is 25 acres given to the Surrey Wildlife Trust to manage as a nature reserve with its lagoons, woods, wildlife and grassland.
The government-backed NewBuy 95 per cent mortgage scheme is also available at Water Colour, as well as Easy Start which lets you pay 85 per cent of the price now through a mortgage, with Linden Homes giving you a 10-year loan for the remaining 15 per cent.
To find out more visit the marketing suite between 10am and 5pm, call 0844 488 3797.
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For further information, contact Sam Nickerson or Louise Perfect at Remarkable Public Relations on 01962 893 893.
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.
