First-time property owners Jo Thompson and Peter Barrett are enjoying their new home together at Heritage Gate in Bexley – thanks to the government-backed Help to Buy scheme.
Without it, Jo said, securing as spacious an apartment with excellent transport links and in an area admired for its village atmosphere and nearby countryside would have been impossible.
The couple were among the first to move into Heritage Gate, a quality collection of one and two-bedroom apartments and three and four-bedroom townhouses delivered in Old Bexley by award-winning Linden Homes.
Jo (24) works in Paddington as a project manager for a logistics company and Peter (32) works for the Bank of England – so the station just around the corner is perfect for them. The direct service to Charing Cross takes just 35 minutes.
“We tried a few developments but it was the government scheme that we needed,” explained Jo. “At Heritage gate we managed to do that. We were one of the first to move in and we really like it.
“We could not have bought at Bexley without Help to Buy. It was a massive incentive. We had a five per cent deposit.
“Help to Buy worked fine and was quite straightforward. The mortgage helpline did most of the paperwork for us so there was not a lot of paperwork left for us to do. It was fairly simple.”
Help to Buy works by the government providing an equity loan of up to 20 per cent of the value of any new-build home worth up to a maximum of £600,000. This can be repaid at any time or when the home is sold, and is interest free for the first five years.
With the equity loan added to their deposit, buyers are in the easier position of only needing to agree a 75 per cent mortgage from a bank or building society to secure their dream home.
From renting in Sidcup, it’s been an exciting time for Jo and Peter moving into their new two-bedroom ground-floor apartment. It enjoys a beautifully landscaped setting with direct access to footpaths alongside the meandering River Cray.
Jo said: “We’ve both lived in Bexley before and we wanted to move into Bexley village, which is so nice. We really like it and there’s the countryside nearby.
“We needed to be close to the train station and we wanted it to be quite roomy. We had seen a few smaller apartments but at Heritage Gate it was much nicer.
“It’s been very exciting buying our new home. My mum and dad have been to see it and we’ve have lots of friends round. They have all really liked it. It’s such an airy and bright apartment.
“I would definitely recommend Heritage Gate. It’s got a bit of a country feel. It’s easy to get out and about for work and leisure – you can get to Greenwich on the bus for the O2 Arena, for example.”
As Jo and Peter have discovered, Heritage Gate is a perfect choice for commuters who enjoy the bustle and opportunity of the city but want a place of peace and quiet to return to and unwind at the end of the day.
The homes also enjoy the security of being in a gated development which ensures parking is preserved and families with young children can let them safely play in the landscaped surroundings. A video entry system to all apartments ensures added security.
Each home comes with a contemporary fitted kitchen with stylish flooring throughout, all appliances are fitted as standard and each home comes with a 10-year NHBC guarantee and two-year customer care warranty give peace of mind too.
A short walk away are many traditional shops, pubs and eateries, as well as local parkland. Heritage Gate also enjoys easy access to the A2 which quickly links to Dover’s ferry terminals, Folkstone for the Eurotunnel, and the M25 for national destinations.
For more information call the sales centre on 0844 417 8842, open daily 10am-5pm.
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For further information, contact Claire McCowan at Remarkable Group on 01962 893893.
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.
