Emily Lyle, a 24-year-old professional on the BP graduate scheme, recently found her dream home at Weston Homes’ development Manor Lane in Feltham with the aid of her family and the Help to Buy scheme. For many young people like Emily, buying a home can seem like an impossible feat, yet there are many ways in which getting onto the property ladder can be made easier.
Weston Homes is committed to assisting individuals in taking their first steps onto the property ladder and purchasing their first home at a Weston Homes development. They offer a range of schemes to potential buyers, including their own First-time SecureBuy (FTSB) initiative, as well as the Discount Market Sale (DMS) programme and the Deposit Unlock scheme which are available at select developments.
In March, Emily made her move into her Weston Homes apartment. However, the initial steps of her journey onto the property ladder presented formidable challenges. Emily faced imminent deadlines, including her expiring mortgage offer, the end of her rental flat contract, and the withdrawal of a promising job offer. She recalls this demanding period, saying, “It was an anxiety-inducing situation. But through unwavering determination, I managed to secure all the necessary approvals and moved in with just one day to spare.”
Emily, the eldest of three, had the support of her family throughout this journey. Her mother, Caroline, a chartered surveyor, played a crucial role in helping Emily make the right decisions. Emily emphasises the importance of their teamwork, stating, “with our backs to the wall, you wouldn’t bet against us finding a way through.”
When choosing a location, Emily knew she did not want to be in the centre of London, and together with her father, they explored various options. Emily’s job with BP, located just a 10-minute drive from Manor Lane, made it an ideal choice for her. Emily highlights the convenience, saying, “I do a three-day week in the office. If I get up at 7.20 am, I can be in my office by 8.20.”
Financially, Emily and her family planned carefully for the purchase. Years of saving cash gifts from family had almost given Emily a deposit, which her parents topped up. Emily explains the financial benefits, saying, “I now pay £600 a month plus bills and service charge, totalling £1,000 a month, significantly less than my previous rent of £1,500 a month.”
Emily’s keen sense of style also played a role in her successful transition to homeownership. She completed an online interior design course during the Covid lockdown and understood the importance of scaling down furniture to suit her new space. Emily shares her experience, saying, “My mother and I thought through every detail. It’s a masterclass in design planning that has paid off in what is now a delightful, space-controlled and totally harmonious home.”
Whilst Manor Lane is now fully sold out, there are still apartments available at nearby development The Venue in Hayes, which offers stylish apartments in a well-connected area of West London, making it the ideal place to live for first- time buyers like Emily.
The Venue is a £70.5 million (GDV) collection of 181 new homes with the first residents already moved in and enjoying the lifestyle on offer. The one- and two-bedroom luxurious apartments all have a private balcony or terrace, access to a large central podium garden and allocated parking to selected plots.
Buyers at The Venue could benefit from the Discount Market Sale (DMS), a scheme where Weston Homes, working in partnership with Hillingdon Borough Council, has allocated a number of one and two-bedroom new apartments that are available to buy at just 80% of their market value but still giving their buyer 100% of the ownership. This means that buyers are able to save 20% of the market value of their new home.
Alongside the Discount Market Sale (DMS) scheme, Weston Homes also provide their unique worry-free First-time SecureBuy (FTSB) scheme, which allows first-time buyers to reserve and then conditionally exchange contracts on a home off-plan for just a £500 reservation fee, with a requirement of only a 5% exchange deposit and then, six months before build completion, the buyer can apply for a mortgage. The FTSB scheme can be used in conjunction with the Discount Market Sale scheme.
With prices for Discount Market Sale homes starting from £255,000, buyers can not only enjoy the savings but also live in a well-connected area of West London just a six–minute walk to Hayes & Harlington Station with trains to Heathrow and London Paddington.
Suzanne Aplin, Group Sales & Marketing Director at Weston Homes says: “We are thrilled with the remarkable sales success at Manor Lane which has resulted in the development now being fully sold out. Weston Homes continues to offer affordable, well-designed homes in convenient locations. With a limited number of apartments left available at nearby development The Venue in Hayes, homeowners like Emily looking to secure the opportunity to find their dream home must act quickly.”
The Discount Market Sale prices at The Venue start from £255,000 for a one-bedroom apartment (price reflects the 20% saving, subject to eligibility criteria). For buyers not eligible to buy a home with the help of Discount Market Sale, there is a further range of private for sale new one-bedroom apartments priced from £300,000. The marketing suite and show home are open 7 days a week from 10am to 5pm. For further information or to book a viewing, contact Weston Homes on 020 3976 8245.
