Guinness Homes’ new residents of its Signal Park development

“Signal Park was the first development we viewed and we fell in love straight away,” says 29-year-old, Laura Emmet. The nursery manager and her partner, 28-year-old gardener, George Cousins, who currently live with family near Tolworth, were starting to give up on the idea of buying a home together in the area: “We have always been so concerned that the area is not affordable for us and the thought of moving away from family was very upsetting.”

Looking to embark on the next stage of their relationship, the couple were in the market for their first home. With both being close to their families, staying in Tolworth was important, so finding a home that would suit their needs at the right price became a priority.

image007.png“We’re at the stage of our relationship where we wanted to take the next step together and have been looking for a house that will become our family home in the future. It was the right time in both of our lives to make the commitment and live together.”

Finding a first home can be a tiresome journey, but the young couple knew the moment they laid eyes on Signal Park, that it would become their family home, “It [Signal Park] is close to both our families, which is important as those relationships mean a lot to us, and it will help in the future when we grow a family of our own.”

Achieving the dream of homeownership

With the Bank of England interest rates currently sitting at 5% and a cost-of-living crisis gripping the nation, affordability is one of the biggest concerns for many who are looking to buy their own home. Recent research conducted by Guinness Homes found that 49% of Londoners do not foresee a time when they would be able to buy a home in the city. However, Signal Park’s shared ownership apartments offer individuals like Laura and George the perfect opportunity to begin their homeownership journey, without worrying about high mortgages and upfront costs.

“We chose a shared ownership property as it was the most affordable way to get on the property ladder. It has allowed us to own a home in the right location, all whilst being affordable and manageable.”

image009.pngFor many first-time buyers, knowing where to start can be difficult and with so many options available, it can be a daunting process. Laura continues: “We were so nervous to start the process of moving home, but the Guinness Homes team have been nothing but supportive; even down to helping us choose a mortgage broker and a solicitor who specialises in shared ownership. The whole process has been so straightforward and as a couple who work full time, this has really suited our needs.”

The perfect place to call home

The apartments at Signal Park are the epitome of city living, with chic, stylish designs and high-specification finishes, all within a contemporary open-plan space. For those looking for affordable yet luxurious living, Signal Park apartments offer the perfect blend of style, comfort and convenience.

image011.png“The Guinness Home property we have chosen was everything we wanted in a property,” said Laura. “The homes have plenty of space and storage and the interiors are modern and sleek – just to our taste.”

With the apartments freshly built, decorated and ready for residents to move into, the couple can focus on settling into their new home, without having to worry about any expensive renovations. George said, “Signal Park is everything we were looking for in a home. The development is visually beautiful, and our home comes with amenities such as a washing machine, fridge and dishwasher which helps us practically and financially.”

The buying experience

When purchasing a property outright, buyers usually face costly deposits, or even costlier interest rates and monthly repayments. This can be extremely difficult for first-time buyers who may not have enough in savings for a large downpayment. However, by taking advantage of Guinness Homes’ shared ownership scheme, Laura and George were able to buy their dream property in their ideal location, without having to pay out a large downpayment.

With the couple purchasing a share of the property, which is valued overall at £485,000, a low deposit of 4.12% was required, equalling £20,000 – a fraction of what a traditional, whole property purchase would have required.

With spacious rooms, landscaped outdoor space, limited parking spaces on selected slots and excellent transport links, Signal Park hits every requirement for Laura and George, including affordability and most importantly, the opportunity to remain close to their loved ones. With space that will allow them to grow together, Signal Park has presented the couple with the perfect place to call home. What’s not to love?

The apartments and duplexes at Signal Park are ready to move into now, so if you’re searching for your dream home, give the team a call today at 0203 824 9500.