Help to Buy Success Stories: Nina
Barratt London: First time buyer purchases own home in Zone 3
Window dresser stops window shopping and buys her first home!
Nina Thomson, 38, a high street fashion display manager is elated at the purchase of her first home in Upton Gardens, a development by Barratt London in East Ham. After 14 years of renting in London, and with a little help from mum and dad, she has bought a one bedroom apartment with a balcony and views of the City and Canary Wharf.
Nina explains: “I have been renting in London for 14 years. I never thought it would be possible to own my own home, but the stars have aligned and here I am. My parents recently sold their home in Cheshire and were kind enough to help me with my deposit. After years of saving – which is so hard when you’re renting – and with a leg up from Help to Buy, I have been able to buy my first home in East London.
“I have made some good friends on the way during my years as a tenant, but it’s so nice to have a place that I can call my own. It has given me peace of mind. Additionally, its great that after a long day at work, I can walk home and collapse on the sofa, even spill red wine on it without consequences – but seriously, I must not spill red wine on my new sofa!”
As a display manager, Nina has acquired and bought lots of furniture for her dream home over the years, but Nina adds:
“It feels good to dress the room exactly how I want it, it has felt like a real triumph investing in pieces like a sofa and a bed, as when you rent, you get what you’re given.”
Upton Gardens which is a regeneration project of the old West Ham football site, in Zone 3, is a short walk from Upton Park Underground Station (District and Hammersmith & City line). Nina adds: “The redevelopment is in its infancy, but there are some really great amenities popping up and a great coffee shop across the road, it’s so exciting to be part of it. I’m looking forward to meeting my new neighbours, the ones I have met already are very nice and I can’t wait to get involved with the new community that I’m moving into here.”
It took Nina 14 months to find the perfect pad, and once she saw the development she paid the £500 holding fee without seeing the show flat. Nina finishes by saying: “The Barratt Sales team have been so helpful, I’ve spoken to them so many times on the way and each time they were able to update me on progress. I was so thankful that on exchange I had to give them a box of chocolates as a small token of thanks.
“I’ve always read case studies in property pages, and thought, they sound too good to be true. But here I am!”
For more information, please contact 020 7472 0090 or visit www.barrattlondon.com/uptongardens
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!