Invest in the best
Location is every bit as important as the building when it comes to putting down roots. Find out more about the homes we sell in the best-loved parts of England.
Reaching that first rung of the property ladder
Stepping onto the property ladder isn’t easy. First-time buyers face challenging circumstances on their journey to home ownership. If you’ve saved money for a deposit, you might be feeling impatient to finally claim your very own housekey. There are some important considerations to make sure you iron out first.
I’ve saved a deposit, but what next?
A recent report* has found that, in their desperation to have someplace to call their own, up to 82% of the UK's first-time buyers have some secret regrets about their home purchase, with many admitting they wish they’d spent longer considering location and not ‘settling’ for an area they don’t love. We understand location is every bit as important as the building itself when it comes to laying down roots, which is why we sell homes in some of the best-loved parts of England – including one northern city that has topped London as the official First-Time Buyer Capital of Britain…
Manchester
New research* has revealed that 75% of house purchases in Manchester in 2023 were first-time buyers – a huge 65% increase since 2020. Across the rest of the country first-timer buyers represent just 49% of home purchases (excluding London).
So why are all the first timers flocking to Manchester? Well, it’s a world-class UK city at a more affordable cost. It boasts robust employment opportunities, excellent transport links and a thriving youthful cultural scene. Plus, it has some fantastic neighbourhoods to choose from…
Our homes at Islington Wharf in Central Manchester are just a stone’s throw from Cutting Room Square – named one of the coolest streets in the world**. Or base yourself in an international hub for the creative and digital sectors at High Definition in MediaCity. In Salford Quays our apartments and duplexes at Furness Quay overlook the water and Old Trafford.
* Report compiled by Halifax
York
Put simply, York is a beautiful place to live. This carefully maintained city is almost an open-air museum, with its web of narrow medieval streets hiding a trove of quirky and inventive boutiques. And when you want a break from the city, there’s the rolling Howardian Hills and Yorkshire Dales a short drive away.
When it comes to living in York, you can be part of the city’s unique history at The Cocoa Works, a new community set within the former Rowntree’s factory. The building oozes art deco charm on the exterior, and the newly renovated interior apartments boast high ceilings and huge windows. On the same site, Cocoa Gardens is a collection of contemporary two, three and four-bedroom houses and townhouses, inspired by the characterful details of village cottages.
Plymouth
Sherford is a friendly new town in the south west of England, located on the edge of Plymouth and nestled into the south Hams countryside. But Sherford is more than a place to live, it’s a thriving neighbourhood of community-minded people. When complete, Sherford will be made up of three distinct neighbourhoods, four schools, community facilities and shops, and a 500-acre country park. It's also just a short drive into central Plymouth, recently named Britain’s best city to live and work in thanks to its economic performance and quality of life*, and the cathedral city of Exeter is not too far away.
*PwC’s annual index
London
Fast-paced and fun, London’s ever-expanding roster of activities, eateries, galleries, museums, sights, parks, theatres and more, make it an exciting and diverse place to live.
You can make the most of having the capital on your doorstep at Alta at Consort Place in Canary Wharf. Nothing quite says ‘wow’ like views of the Thames and the Shard from your balcony, which is one of the many reasons it received ‘Best Medium Development’ at the First Time Buyer Readers’ Awards in 2023. Or, a little further out in leafy north west London, Brunswick House in Neasden is located in a secure gated community boasting spacious one, two and three-bedroom apartments with large balconies, peaceful courtyard gardens, and excellent transport links with the Piccadilly line just a quick three-minute walk away.
Chichester
The pretty market town of Chichester in West Sussex is made up of wide pedestrianised streets lined with independent cafes and boutiques, or you can wander through town spotting all the beautiful Grade II listed buildings. Saddlers Reach makes the most of city and countryside. This landmark collection of homes is less than a mile from Chichester city centre, but also nestled on the edge of sprawling Graylingwell park, where you can explore nature trails, pick up local produce, play sports, or stop by a café.
