RACE FOR SPACE MEANS THREE BEDROOM HOMES ARE IN DEMAND FOR FIRST TIME BUYERS

The latest data from Rightmove suggests that three-bedroom homes are ‘like gold dust’, as families and first time buyers seek more space following lifestyle changes as a result of the pandemic.[1] For couple Camilla Smith (33) and her husband Jon (34), the pull of the countryside combined with a spacious home was hard to resist. They decided to put down roots in Haywards Heath and recently purchased a three-bedroom townhouse at David Wilson Homes’ Wychwood Park development.

Camilla and Jon relocated to the UK nearly a decade ago, due to a job relocation for Camilla. After settling in York for five years, the couple moved down south for work purposes, most recently renting in Rickmansworth before moving to a rented apartment in Haywards Heath two years ago. They decided to get onto the property ladder in the market town thanks to its convenient location and spacious homes.

Camilla, a Senior Project Manager, comments: “We have always rented but knew that we wanted to buy so have been saving for several years. We always thought we would need a 10 per cent deposit but after finding out about Help to Buy, we realised we could move much sooner with just five per cent. Using the scheme meant that we could buy a three-bedroom townhouse with a large garden and a spacious downstairs study, which is ideal for me as I work from home regularly.”

For Camilla and Jon, the location of Haywards Heath was too good an opportunity to turn down. “I lived in Scotland for several years as a child and have always loved the British culture, so when I was offered a relocation to the UK it was an easy decision,” says Camilla. “My company’s headquarters are near to Gatwick Airport, so we decided to move to Haywards Heath as we could be close to work but near to the coast too.”

Camilla adds: “Location is everything, and we feel that we have such a good quality of life as we are surrounded by beautiful countryside – our bedroom window even overlooks the South Downs! Haywards Heath really is perfect for us as we have miles of countryside, but are also close to Brighton for a daytrip. Myself and Jon are both French, so being close to Gatwick Airport is useful when we visit family.”

Lynnette St-Quintin, Sales and Marketing Director for David Wilson Southern Counties, comments: “Three-bedroom homes are more popular than ever before, as first time buyers look for more space in their first home, and access to the outdoors. Across our developments in Sussex, we are seeing increasing numbers of buyers skipping the traditional first rung on the ladder and purchasing a larger home with a garden and space to grow. Help to Buy and the stamp duty exemption accelerated this trend in the first half of the year, and we see no signs of it slowing down anytime soon.”

Aside from more space in their home and garden, Camilla and Jon were drawn to Wychwood Park thanks to the green space both within and around the development.

Camilla says: “We love that there is ancient woodland on site and lots of green spaces – it was definitely a key factor in deciding to move here. We are also close to Ashen Ground Nature Reserve where I walk every morning before work, and Ditchling Common. Being within walking or biking distance of such beautiful open spaces is fantastic, and especially during the lockdown has been essential.”

Wychwood Park is located in Haywards Heath, West Sussex, in the midst of an Area Of Outstanding Natural Beauty, with many of the homes overlooking the picturesque South Downs. The development is surrounded by 3.7 acres of ancient woodland and will also incorporate two play areas on site.

Haywards Heath itself boasts a range of shops, bars and restaurants and its railway station is on the main London to Brighton line. Commuters can reach London Victoria by train in just 44 minutes, and Brighton is a 15-minute rail journey away. For international travel, nearby Gatwick Airport can be reached in 11 minutes by train, or 25 minutes by road via the A23.

Currently on offer at Wychwood Park is a collection of four-bedroom homes, with prices starting from £634,995 for a four-bedroom detached family home.