Help to Buy Success Stories: Alice
Fairview New Home: London Help to Buy turns Alice’s dream of buying into reality
Location, location, location; this was the key for Alice Foster when she was looking to take a step on to the property ladder and chose Fairview New Homes’ Hydro development in Rotherhithe.
The 28-year-old accountant is already familiar with this area of Southwark, having lived in both Canada Water and Rotherhithe for the past five years.
Alice settled south of the Thames and saved for over two years for a deposit, and then the keen runner turned her attention to new build homes, mainly because of their low maintenance costs and the availability of the London Help to Buy scheme.
After speaking with the sales team at Hydro, Alice swapped renting a three bedroom property in Rotherhithe she shared with friends to purchase her first home – a spacious one bedroom apartment on the sixth floor.
She said: “I’m very happy living in this area. I have friends here and I’m part of a running club nearby, so I was keen not to leave the area.
“I wasn’t aware of Hydro until Fairview reached out to our runners’ club and handed out leaflets. The development was in a great location for me and if I purchased there, it wouldn’t hamper my commute into Central London or my lifestyle.
“I was actually meant to be viewing a slightly smaller plot but opened the wrong door and ended up in the property I’d eventually buy. As soon as I laid eyes on the spacious open-plan kitchen/dining/living area, I knew that it was the one I wanted.
“The team at Fairview were fantastic. I’d known about the London Help to Buy scheme before I popped into Hydro but after talking it through with Fairview’s sales team, and having all the options explained to me, I knew it was the right decision for me.
“Obviously, this has been the biggest purchase of my life, so to have a great relationship with the sales team was a huge benefit to me. They cut through the jargon, answered all my questions and I was able to see my flat as work progressed – I was always kept in the loop.”
Under the London Help to Buy scheme, a buyer can secure a home with a 5% deposit and a 55% mortgage. The remaining 40% is then paid off as an equity loan, which remains interest-free for the first five years.
Hydro is just a 10 minutes walk to Surrey Quays Overground station, which is located in Zone 2 but, if like Alice, you prefer the more scenic route, The City is accessible in just 15 minutes by bike or an approximately 25 minute run.
Alice added: “Moving to the development was as stress-free as possible and a big part of that was the superb sales team… I now have a spacious apartment I can call my own, with the freedom to change as I feel fit. It’s already starting to feel like home and I’m looking forward to many more happy years here.”
All apartments are equipped with high specification kitchens, a spacious floorplan and a balcony or terraced area.
For more information about the development, call 0208 023 6761 or visit fairview.co.uk
Help to Buy is a government backed scheme which aims to help first time buyers get a foot onto the property ladder. The Help to Buy equity loan enables purchasers to buy a new build home with the help of an equity loan, also known as shared equity.
Please note that the Help to Buy: Equity Loan is subject to eligibility, terms and conditions. For further information about the home-buying and application process with the Help to Buy: Equity Loan, please refer to the Help to Buy Agent in your area.
Share to Buy is a one stop shop for first time buyers looking to get a foot on the property ladder. Start planning your future today and check out our available properties, or visit our helpful FAQs and guides to find out more about Shared Ownership. You can also hear from more buyers via our Shared Ownership Success Stories and Help to Buy Success Stories!