A couple who have been struggling to get back on the property ladder since January have finally purchased a new home at The Green at Fortuna Park in Colchester thanks to developer Countryside Properties. Phillip and Denise Parkes sold their previous home six years ago to finance their son through a golf academy and found that the change in economic climate meant they were unable to re-enter the market, until Countryside Properties offered them five per cent of the purchase price towards their deposit.
The Parkes had been renting since they sold their family home before the recession, however their landlord’s decision to increase the rent meant that the couple started to consider re-entering the world of home ownership. The trouble started when they began looking for a mortgage and they could never have predicted that bank lending criteria would change so dramatically while they were renting. They started looking for help in January but were unable to find the support they needed and even their own bank, where they have been loyal customers for 40 years, turned them away.
Denise Parkes was incredibly impressed with the support they received from Countryside Properties, commenting: “Countryside was our last hope. They automatically took the situation into their own hands and arranged everything. Nothing was too much of a problem and they made the whole process very painless for us. If it wasn’t for Countryside Properties we’d be stuck in a very difficult situation.”
Within six weeks of their initial meeting with Countryside Properties, mortgage providers had been organised, the deal agreed and the house sale was completed with a fully fitted kitchen and carpets and flooring laid throughout. The couple are now thoroughly enjoying living in their new three bedroom semi-detached house at The Green at Fortuna Park.
Since moving in the couple have continued to be impressed with Countryside Properties’ customer service team, which has constantly provided support as and when they need it. Denise Parkes continues: “We have nothing to worry about because the slightest problem is sorted out straight away by Countryside’s team.”
The Green at Fortuna Park is the latest collection of homes at the popular development created by Countryside Properties, just two miles outside Colchester town centre. The development offers a diverse selection of two, three and four bedroom houses and is positioned close to local amenities including shops, restaurants, sport and leisure facilities, schools and doctors’ surgeries.
Further information about homes for sale is available by contacting the Fortuna Park sales office on 01206 549 760 or emailing fortunapark@cpplc.com.
Housebuyers recently rated buying a property as more stressful than having a child*. Purchasers not only have to find their ideal property, but there is also the added strain of complex chains which are causing problems throughout the second hand market. Many buyers have had the misfortune of spending months actively seeking the right property only to have the sale fall through, which is why many housebuyers prefer to buy a brand new home.
Luke Frances, 24, a primary school teacher, and his fiancée Amy, 23, are two first time buyers who were left exasperated when the property they found, after two years of searching, fell through because of a difficult chain. It prompted their decision to consider new properties which have the advantage of being chain free. Luke and Amy were thrilled when they were recently able to buy a brand new two bedroom house at Countryside Annington’s development, The Green at Fortuna Park, Colchester.
Luke, who grew up in Colchester comments: “When my father and I first drove past the development, I immediately knew it was for me and we looked into buying a house. I was not familiar with newly built properties, but the homes at The Green at Fortuna Park are traditional family houses with lots of character and with many appliances included, which is exactly what we were after! Amy and I realised we could buy here without the worry of another offer falling through, which made us feel very relaxed about the whole process. We’re really excited about moving into our first home together and can’t believe what an easy process it has been.”
The Green at Fortuna Park is a stylish collection of two, three and four bedroom houses which feature spacious rooms and open-plan living spaces. These modern homes have been finished to a high standard both internally and externally and all benefit from French doors leading out to the generous sized gardens.
Beautifully designed fully fitted kitchens incorporate a range of stainless steel integrated appliances, gloss oak finish doors and sleek laminate worktops. Stylish bathrooms include crisp, white sanitary ware, chrome fittings and heated towel rails.
Colchester is ideally located for commuters who work in the Capital, with regular trains to London Liverpool Street from Colchester Railway Station taking just 50 minutes**. For those who drive to work the A12 and M25 are easily accessible and allocated parking spaces have been provided at the development.
Local amenities are situated close by and Colchester town centre is just 2 miles** away and provides a range of restaurants as well as independent and high street shops.
The sales and marketing suite is open from 10am to 5pm Thursday to Sunday and from 1pm to 5pm every Monday. For further information call: 01206 549 760 or visit: www.fortunapark.net
The Green at Fortuna Park is being built by developer Countryside Annington (Colchester) Ltd., a joint venture partnership between Countryside Properties and Annington.
Source of information:
*Homeowners rate buying a house as more stressful than having a child, Unbiased.co.uk, 25th January 2010
** National Rail
***RAC Route Planner
Statistics recently released indicate that the amount of first time buyers increased by 32% between the second half of 2008 and the same period in 2009.* With first time buyers accounting for almost 40% of all mortgages* it is encouraging to note that the housing market is making a steady recovery. One of the reasons for this key increase is the private funding offered by many developers. Jessica Haley is a first time buyer who was only able to invest in a new home at Countryside Annington’s development, The Green at Fortuna Park in Colchester, because of the financial support provided by the developer.
Jessica, 25, is a childrenswear designer and her fiancé Robert, 24, is a music teacher. They currently live with their parents and plan to move into their new home after their wedding in August. Jessica comments: “Robert and I desperately wanted a place of our own. We are in our mid-twenties and both have good jobs, but getting a mortgage was a real struggle. When we looked into buying a newly built property, Countryside Annington offered to pay some of our deposit. Without that support I doubt we would have been able to invest in a home at all, and I don’t know what that would have meant for our marital plans either!”
Chris Crook, Subsidiary Managing Director, Countryside Properties, comments: “At Countryside Properties a key part of our business is assisting first time buyers with their deposits. This is more crucial than ever before given that mortgages are in short supply and financial institutions are often unwilling to lend. Some private developers such as ourselves are able to bridge the gap and offer incentives to first time buyers to ensure the momentum continues in the marketplace.”
The Green at Fortuna Park offers young couples and families a choice of two, three and four bedroom houses. All of the properties at the development are finished to a high standard and benefit from spacious rooms and open-plan living spaces. The fitted kitchens feature gloss oak finish units with sleek dark worktops and include a range of stainless steel integrated appliances. There are gardens to the front and rear of these stylish new homes, and in the terraces and courtyards allocated parking spaces have been provided.
The Green at Fortuna Park is being built by developer Countryside Annington Ltd., a joint venture partnership between Countryside Properties and Annington. The development is ideally situated within walking distance of a selection of restaurants and shops. Colchester’s vibrant town centre is also just 2.7 miles away,** providing a greater variety of shops and eateries. The railway station in the town also provides commuters who work in the Capital, regular train services to London Liverpool Street, which take approximately 55 minutes***.
The sales and marketing suite is open from 10am to 5pm Thursday to Sunday and from 1pm to 5pm on Monday. For further information, please contact Countryside Properties’ sales office on telephone: 01206 549 760 or visit: www.fortunapark.net
* Halifax: Housing affordable for first time buyers in four in ten areas, 3rd January 2010
** Google Maps
*** National Rail