James didn’t think homeownership in London would be an option
Finding himself newly single and sofa-surfing, London resident James Dance was facing the reality of rented life again, believing that it would not be financially viable for him to purchase a property in London until he found his dream apartment at Peabody New Homes’ sought-after Zone at Oval Village development. James was able to purchase a 30% share of a 1 bedroom Shared Ownership apartment.
“Zone at Oval Village is an incredible development in the perfect location, there are so many pubs and restaurants right on my doorstep and the nightlife is great. Market Place by Vauxhall Station is an incredible venue, with loads of different food and drink stalls to choose from, it’s a great spot for a date! So far my favourite place locally for drinks has to be Mother Kellys at Albert Embankment in the railway arches, it’s a great bar with a wide range of craft beers and ales on offer.”
Zone: a commuter’s dream with easy access to the city
James is familiar with this corner of South London and has friends living close by and had previously rented in Stockwell. “I am definitely a south of the river person, I love it here”! Like many young Londoners, James hadn’t heard of Shared Ownership and was only made aware of it when discussing his options with a friend who had recently purchased in Wandsworth through the scheme.
He had been saving for about 4 years and with a deposit of £40,000 he began the process of searching for a place to call home. From the initial viewing to completing his purchase, receiving the keys and being able to unpack his moving boxes, took less than 3 months. “The whole process was a positive experience. Lydia the Sales Negotiator was always prompt in communication, access for viewings was seamless and I even had a home demonstration when I moved in so I know how everything works!”
Zone at Oval Village offered impressive amenities and energy efficiency
Lockdown saw James take up a new hobby: the piano. His new home offers plenty of space for the piano and also entertaining. James comments “I am really looking forward to having friends round, my kitchen is lovely and the space is great for hosting. I’ve spent the first month accumulating furniture and figuring out the vibe I wanted, now I’m just making the final stylistic touches. It’s been a fun process!”
“My private terrace is such an amazing feature, it’s so much bigger than I thought would be available for the area and I am looking forward to making the most of it during the summer months.” Residents at Zone also have access to a communal rooftop, so there is plenty of outside space to enjoy. James says: “There is a 24-hour concierge and the development has a luxury-hotel feel to it.”
Shared Ownership is a dream for people who cannot afford to buy outright
“Buying a new build was very appealing to me, I am not a practical person and the thought of renovations or DIY projects was terrifying. With the rising costs of energy bills, buying a new build seemed a sensible option. Shared Ownership is a dream for people who cannot afford to buy outright. I highly recommend everyone explore the options available to them; Peabody New Homes were friendly and efficient!”
The homes at Zone range from one to two bedrooms and all come with a private balcony, concierge service, secure cycle storage, residents only pay-per-use gym access, communal rooftop and areas of green space and landscaping providing habitat for local wildlife.
