When paediatric nurse Kimberley (25) and her partner Johnny (26) visited a relative’s new apartment at SO Resi Forster Oaks in Stevenage, the couple found more than they bargained for – a new home of their own. With shared ownership, the couple were able to secure a two-bedroom apartment at the development, but when the UK’s imminent social lockdown caused uncertainty around their moving in date, SO Resi stepped in to ensure they had a place to call home.
Kimberley comments: “We knew as soon as we visited SO Resi Forster Oaks that it was somewhere we wanted to live. From first viewing the apartment in January 2020, the buying process had gone quickly and smoothly – up until social distancing measures made moving in on our planned date of 31st March seem impossible. We needn’t have worried as SO Resi were so understanding of our situation; everyone knows it’s a very busy time at the NHS at the moment and there were changes to my rota, but SO Resi rearranged everything so we could move in a full week earlier to accommodate my hospital schedule and make sure we were settled as quickly as possible.”
Johnny, a courier, adds: “It is a strange and sad time for everyone at the moment so being able to celebrate this milestone was a really amazing, positive thing for us. Having rented before, we wanted somewhere that felt like ours, now we feel so lucky to have our new home; a safe place.”
Their two-bedroom apartment cost £248,000. They bought a 35% share for £86,800 and secured it with a deposit of just £4,375. Their monthly mortgage repayment is £389 and the monthly SO Resi payment on the share they don’t own is £449, including service charges.
Kimberley says: “One of the brilliant things about shared ownership is that the deposit required is just for the share you’re buying, not the full market price; we’d saved for just four months and were able to cover it.”
She continues: “Since moving in, I feel more relaxed. Coming home to somewhere and someone I love is something I won’t ever take for granted now. The overall feel of the development is great – our neighbours seem really friendly and we are looking forward to getting to know them properly, once we’re able to. Even with social distancing, it’s also comforting to have a family member close by.”
Johnny says: “It’s not just the property, our surroundings are beautiful too. We like making the most of the beautiful parks, woodland and green space nearby during our daily walk.”
Kimberley and Johnny’s apartment has an excellent specification; the living space is open plan and the sleek kitchen is complete with a great range of appliances. An allocated parking space was also included within the price.
Kimberley explains: “I drive to work and Johnny drives for work, so having an allocated parking space is brilliant for us. Being close to my place of work was important when we bought our home, but it has become something I value even more now.”
SO Resi Forster Oaks is brilliantly connected: Stevenage train station is just seven minutes’ drive away and trains to King’s Cross take as little as 23 minutes. The A1(M) motorway is minutes away and Luton Airport is within a 24-minute drive.
To find out more about SO Resi Forster Oaks or to arrange a virtual tour, contact the sales team on 020 607 0550 or visit https://soresi.co.uk/.