Mitch and Sharon Horton made their move to Central Square on Dartmouth Street by Taylor Wimpey West Midlands after 19 years on nearby Brandon Way – and say the warm and positive welcome they received from existing residents gave them confidence to finally take the plunge on a new home.
Mitch explains: “We were made to feel like part of a big family from the first day we visited, with everyone ready and available to answer our questions and with nothing too much trouble. In fact, I commented to my wife, Sharon, very early on in the process that we’d spoken to more people here in an hour than we would in a week back on our own street. It’s already a proper little community at Central Square, where everyone looks out for each other, and we’re very glad to be part of it. The service we got from sales executive Sandra Wadkin also stood out as she was absolutely golden from start to finish and really made it a stress-free process. She is very on-the-ball and always kept us informed and up-to-date and made dealing with the solicitors and mortgage people simple and straightforward – we can’t thank her enough and would recommend her to anyone.”
The move to Central Square began quite by chance for the Hortons, with Sharon one day walking a different way to her nursery manager job at Sandwell College and popping in to have a look at the show apartment. She liked what she saw and heard and on realising there were a few houses remaining quickly called Mitch to join her.
Mitch adds: “We both fell in love with the house, location and development straight away and a move here also meant our youngest daughter (Emma age 14) could continue at her school (George Salter), which was also important. And I must admit I’m a real convert to three storey living, because Emma has her own room on the top floor next to ours, whilst our eldest daughter (Sarah, 21) has the run of the middle floor with her own bedroom, bathroom and personal space. After owning a 1930s property beforehand, I’m also impressed with the convenience of new build, as there’s no maintenance to worry about or dodgy renovations to correct. It’s a lot warmer and more energy efficient and the security aspect is very welcome too, while you just have to move your stuff in and start living as everything’s done in advance for you.”
Central Square is made up of 82 contemporary homes (90% now sold) and these well-designed new properties are set in attractive streetscenes and courtyards that give this development a style and character all of its own. Dartmouth Street is in a designated regeneration area and is within easy walking distance of new arts complex The Public and the town centre, which offers a wide variety of everyday facilities, including a Post Office, banks, supermarkets, newsagents, take-away food outlets and public houses, as well as high street and independent stores.
Commuters will also appreciate that the M5 and the M6 are a few minutes drive from the development and that the local train station, less than a mile away, provides regular services to Birmingham, Wolverhampton and London.
Last availability is made up of designer two bedroom apartments with parking space from just £94,995, plus there are also similar properties available here for just 70% of market value – that’s just £67,897 – via a special government shared equity scheme. ‘HomeBuy Direct’ is aimed at helping purchasers with a household income of less than £60,000 afford the home they want. A timely equity loan is available for up to 30 percent of the value of the property, co-funded by the Homes and Communities Agency and Taylor Wimpey.
No interest is charged on the equity loan for the first five years and the purchaser has to contribute the remaining equity through an agreed mortgage. Buyers are also able to pay off the equity loan in installments at any stage after the first 12 months or sell their ‘HomeBuy Direct’ property on the open market if they wish – with the equity loan being repaid by way of a share of the sales proceeds.
See Also: Property News (5994), West Bromwich (3), Sharon Horton (1), Mitch Horton (1), Central Square (1), Dartmouth Street (1), Taylor Wimpey West Midlands (3), Taylor Wimpey (1571), Brandon Way (1), London (29), Greater London (21), Birmingham (17), Wolverhampton (5), HomeBuy Direct (62), Homes & Communities Agency (5)
Date Published: 17 November 2009
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