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Stylish and affordable living in Poundbury
Finding an affordable house to buy has never been harder for first-time buyers and families on average salaries in Dorset. That’ s why Stonewater’ s stylish new development of shared ownership homes in Poundbury, starting at £ 68,000, offers excellent value for money in one of the most expensive parts of the country. Just west of Dorchester, and overlooking Maiden Castle and the beautiful West Dorset countryside, these attractively designed and energy-efficient quality homes have been built to a high standard by local contractor Morrish Builders. handed over by Morrish in February with prices from £ 106,000 for a 40 % share, and four three-bedroomed terraced homes and one two-bedroomed coachhouse in the North East Quadrant, due for completion in January 2016.
Perfect location
They love the location:“ Even though we are close to the main road, you can’ t hear it. It’ s convenient for work, schools, parks and cafes. It’ s like being in a town, with a village feel.”
Three-bedroom family homes from £ 106,000
“ Our Poundbury shared ownership homes are specifically aimed at helping local people and families who can’ t afford the high property prices in the area to get their foot on the housing ladder,” explains Susan Berry, Sales and Marketing Manager for Stonewater.“ The beauty of shared ownership is that it enables you to purchase a house on a part buy, part rent basis. This can be anything from a 40 % to 75 % share, depending on how much you want to invest, and for the remaining share you pay an affordable rent. If you choose to increase your share, your rent decreases. It’ s also possible to increase your equity until you own your home outright.”
Happy family Dan, Susan and baby Mia in their Stonewater home.
Leading affordable housing provider Stonewater, already a well-known name in Dorset, was formed in January 2015 with the merger of Jephson and Raglan housing associations. The housing organisation is currently marketing nine new homes in Poundbury. The properties include four three-bedroomed terraced homes in the South West Quadrant,
Stonewater’ s new shared ownership homes at Poundbury
Indicative prices for the threebedroomed houses in the North East Quadrant are likely to start from £ 106,000 * and the coach-house from £ 68,000 * based on a 40 % share. Rent and service charges are payable *. The properties come with a contemporary style kitchen with integrated oven hob, fitted carpets, a bathroom suite along with a garden and allocated parking.
Dan and Susan Thomas and baby Mia are already happily settled at Poundbury. They were renting a onebedroom flat near Dorchester Hospital, where they both work, and had just found out that Susan was pregnant when they first visited the Poundbury homes. Their urgent need for a larger home was answered by Stonewater’ s shared ownership scheme.
“ We couldn’ t have got onto the property ladder any other way,” says Dan.“ We had looked at two-bedroom new-build flats, but we needed an enormous deposit that would have taken us years to save up for. Now, we have a three bedroom home that we own 40 % of, and we pay a really reasonable rent for the remainder.”
Stonewater works closely with partners such as the Duchy of Cornwall to ensure that its homes are designed and built to enhance neighbourhoods and support prosperous communities. This philosophy fits well with Poundbury, which is planned according to architectural principles advocated by The Prince of Wales.
It is home to more than 2,500 people living in a wide variety of homes, including affordable houses and flats; it provides employment for some 2,000 people working in 173 businesses. The policy of mixing residential areas, shops and leisure facilities, with priority for people over cars, has created a relaxed community where children can play safely and residents can walk to the shops, pub and cafes.
Stonewater offers high quality homes and services for people whose needs are not met by the open market.“ Put simply”, explains Stonewater’ s Susan Berry:“ Our vision is for everyone to have the opportunity to have a place they can call home.”
For more information about shared ownership, call the Stonewater Homes Team on 023 8065 8858 or visit www. stonewaterhomes. co. uk
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* Prices to be confirmed at the time of release.