BUYING A HOME
CASE STUDY
PETERBOROUGH Haddon Peake
Haddon Peake is a new development, by Bovis Homes, comprising two, three and four bedroom homes. Part of the wider Great Haddon Wood regeneration, residents will benefit from new schools, green spaces, shops, and easy access to the A1 and Peterborough station, with trains to London in under an hour. Each modern home features open-plan living, a sleek kitchen, a private garden and two parking spaces.
Phoebe , 25, and her partner Owen , 23, have secured a beautiful two bedroom end-of- terrace house at Whitstable Heights, by Hyde New Homes, purchasing a 40% share with a £12,600 deposit. The couple had been saving for three years, although Phoebe has been budgeting since she was 18. Despite saving hard, buying their first home still felt like a distant dream. However, Shared Ownership turned that dream into a reality sooner than expected. “We honestly thought we weren’t ready yet,” says Phoebe, a conveyancer who works locally in Whitstable. “We were just curious when we came to look, but when we found out we could actually afford it, it was such an exciting moment.” The couple had been living in Canterbury with Phoebe’s mum, her aunt, her little brother, and their cocker spaniel, Bruno. “There were a lot of us,” says Phoebe. “We were definitely ready to move on. There was never a moment of peace. Now when people ask me how the new house is, I always say, ‘It’s so peaceful. It’s just so nice to walk in from work to an empty, quiet house.’ Even Bruno is a different dog now – he’s much calmer!” Owen works in IT, at the same firm as Phoebe, and originally hails from Whitstable. “Owen always wanted to come back to Whitstable, and I totally get it now,” says Phoebe. “We’re a short walk from the high street, the beach, and beautiful woodland – Bruno’s favourite spot. It’s peaceful, but everything we need is right here.” The process, Phoebe says, was smooth. “It was easier than we expected. We expressed interest by email, filled out the forms, paid our deposit, and it all moved really quickly. The team at Hyde were incredible – so efficient. Everyone we’ve met here says the same.” The couple now work from home two days a week and have transformed their second bedroom into a combined office and guest room. “We went from paying minimal rent at my mum’s to full-on real life,” reflects Phoebe, “but the monthly costs are absolutely worth it. We needed to move out, and now we’ve skipped renting and gone straight into owning. Renting would have felt like throwing money away. Now, all the bills are second nature. And to own a house as our first home? It still feels amazing. We honestly thought it would be a flat!”
homereach.org.uk/development/haddon-peake-peterborough-cambridgeshire 020 3744 0415
*Based on a 50% share of the full market value of £330,000
WADDON Parkside Triangle
This development from Hyde New Homes will deliver a first phase of 70 homes, set around a lush communal green space and a children’s
playground. With a mix of apartments, maisonettes and townhouses, with diverse
layouts, these homes are designed to suit everyone from solo buyers to growing families. The homes all have their own private outdoor space, while the interiors are bright and light-filled. The Zone 5 location puts central London within reach in 25 minutes on public transport, while trains from East Croydon also provide easy access to the south coast. A new pedestrian walkway will provide a faster route to Waddon station, as well as direct access to Duppas Hill Park.
hydenewhomes.co.uk/development/parkside-triangle 020 8297 7603
*Based on a 25% share of the full market value of £325,000
WANDSWORTH The 1840, St George’s Gardens
This multi-award-winning development in south west London offers studio, one and two bedroom conversion apartments within a Grade II listed
building, designed to combine original character features with modern specifications. Located
between Tooting, Balham, Earlsfield and Wandsworth Common, it is perfectly located for residents to enjoy the best of several sought-after neighbourhoods. In addition to 32 acres of green space and great connections to the city and beyond, residents will also enjoy exclusive amenities including private outdoor spaces, secure parking, boutique communal areas, landscaped gardens and a newly developed park. Incentives are available and include mortgage contributions or move-in support.
cityandcountry.co.uk/find-a-home/the-1840-st-georges-gardens-london 020 3961 6802
28 First Time Buyer October/November 2025
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