REAL LIFE
Shared Ownership: Coldean, East Sussex
was really impressed with them.” Now fully moved in, Jay is enjoying life in a welcoming and connected community. “Everyone in the block is so lovely. On my first day, my neighbour and I bonded instantly – we’d both come a long way and were so proud to call ourselves homeowners. People here greet each other, bring up parcels, and really look out for one another. The safety of the building was a big selling point for me too.” Outside his new home, Jay has found new passions, supported by Bluebell Heights’ peaceful setting and its direct access to the natural beauty of Stanmer Park Nature Reserve. “My partner and I have recently got into hiking – there’s the South Downs to explore and a brilliant eight kilometre trail right behind Bluebell Heights, which takes us around a nature reserve, which we love doing in our downtime. And The Ruby Pub, just at the end of my road, does the best roast dinners. It’s my go-to spot.” Reflecting on how far he’s come, Jay concludes, “My mental health has improved so much knowing I’ve been able to achieve this. I let so much time slip during the worst of my addiction, years I could’ve been climbing the property ladder. But this means more now than it ever could have then. It’s the best decision I’ve ever made.” Shared Ownership guide prices at Bluebell Heights start from £67,500 for a 25% share of a one bedroom apartment requiring a deposit of just £3,375. At 43, Jay Scutt has officially stepped on to the property ladder – marking the final milestone in his five-year sobriety journey. After renting the same house in Brighton with his three best friends for 12 years, he knew it was time for a space of his own. He purchased a one bedroom apartment with a balcony at Bluebell Heights, in Coldean, near Brighton, through Shared Ownership, securing a 50% share with a £13,500 deposit
FACT FILE
Property: One bedroom apartment Deposit: £13,500 for a 50% share
“L iving in a shared house for over a decade was great while it lasted, but I knew it was time to grow and create a space that was just mine,” Jay explains. “After everything I’ve been through, it hasn’t quite sunk in that I have a home of my own. It’s my little sanctuary.” As a member of cabin crew, Jay needed somewhere with great airport links and a safe, calm environment to come home to. “Bluebell Heights is ideal – I can get to Gatwick airport in 30 minutes. The journey to and from work is so much quicker now. I even picked the apartment with the biggest balcony, so I’d have that extra space to decompress after long-haul flights.” Over the past two and a half years, Jay worked hard to save. “Our rent was £1,275 a month split three ways, so I was only paying just over £500 with bills included. We were lucky – our landlord never raised the rent. I also picked up a second job in a bar alongside my airline work to boost my savings. I managed to put away around £1,000 each month.” Shared Ownership was already familiar to some of his friends, and the flexibility of the scheme appealed to Jay too. He adds, “A few of my crew mates have done it and they have all had good experiences. I needed a buying option that allowed me to budget not just for the deposit, but also for furnishing and decorating the flat exactly how I imagined.”
The journey wasn’t without a pause. After viewing another property that didn’t feel right, Jay took a break. He said, “The seller was really pushy and kept applying pressure for me to say yes. It wasn’t for me, and I decided to pause my search for a couple of months.” It was his partner who came across Bluebell Heights, and from the moment Jay viewed it, he knew. “I looked at several apartments here and instantly knew this one was the one I wanted for my home. I called my partner within 24 hours and said, ‘I’m doing it.’ I just knew.” The sales process with Hyde was smooth and supportive. Jay explains, “From saying yes on 5 December, I completed by 28 March. Hyde was amazing throughout and the quality of my apartment also stands out. I’d absolutely recommend Hyde. The sales team kept me updated the whole way through, and any time I wanted to go back and view the apartment again, they made it happen. I
For further information visit hydenewhomes.co.uk/bluebell
“I NEEDED A BUYING OPTION THAT ALLOWED ME TO BUDGET NOT JUST FOR THE DEPOSIT, BUT ALSO FOR FURNISHING AND DECORATING THE FLAT EXACTLY HOW I IMAGINED”
72 First Time Buyer February/March 2026
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