With her heart set on Battersea, 37-year-old Ekta Dedhia used Shared Ownership to buy a 25% share of a two-bedroom apartment for £200,000 at our New Mansion Square development. Ekta, Business Operations Manager, saved a deposit to secure a one-bedroom apartment but a financial gift from her parents increased her deposit to £60,000 and meant she was able to purchase a two-bedroom top floor home. Originally from India, Ekta moved to the UK four years ago, completed an MBA and put down roots. Since then, her time has been spent working to pay off her student loan and save for a deposit.

Speaking about her customer experience with us, Ekta comments: “Tracey from the sales team was amazing. She helped me secure a two-bedroom apartment when I thought it wouldn’t be possible. I started my home ownership journey in March and by the end of July I had moved in!”

With an eye for property and having worked in the real estate industry in India, Ekta was always monitoring the market here and was particularly interested in buying in a Zone 1 location. “The London Home Show was just what I needed as a first-time buyer. I had already done my research, discovered Shared Ownership and was pretty set on the area I wanted to buy in. This is how I found Peabody New Homes. I had a long tick list of requirements and amazingly New Mansion Square ticked all the boxes!”

“The advice I would give to first-time buyers is: do your research, choose a credible developer, gauge your environment, sample the local pub, walk the area both day and night and check out the local community. It’s so hard to make a decision after viewing a home only a couple of times, but the sales team were kind and accommodated of all my requests. They have been human about the process and Tracey was very supportive throughout the process. She let me view my new property multiple times before moving in.”

With sustainability a major consideration for many buyers due to rising energy costs, Ekta says: “I wanted a new build home, something durable and warm. I have always lived in Victorian houses and they are always so cold.”

New Mansion Square homes benefit from mechanical ventilation and double glazing. They have good levels of insulation which keeps the heat inside in the winter and prevents it from entering in the summer. This also means that heating these homes is quicker and less expensive. When it comes to the integrated appliances in the kitchen, they are rated A for the most part. This means that they need less energy to run making them cheaper to use.

“I knew the area well, I had rented in Pimlico, lived in Westminster and have friends living in Nine Elms. Battersea felt familiar and has everything on the doorstep. Battersea Power Station is nothing short of amazing. I even recently watched Oppenheimer in the theatre there.” New Mansion Square forms part of the regeneration project and sits just a few minutes’ walk from the iconic Battersea Power Station. The location is everything and it gives me opportunities. I have cut my commute down to less than 30 minutes door-to-door, and can spend my free time with my partner enjoying all of the new restaurants here.”

Reflecting on her new home and the community she is now part of, Ekta adds: "I feel really lucky to live here at New Mansion Square, everyone in the development is friendly and stops for a chat.”