First Time Buyer October/November 2024

ADVICE

Minnie Dando is Head of Marketing & Communications at Hyde New Homes.With 18 years’ experience in property, in both shared ownership and outright sales, she has successfully built a specialist team with expertise in all areas of branding and marketing. Minnie is passionate about placing the customer at the centre of all marketing activity, as well as helping young people on to the property ladder, or providing a springboard for those taking the next step into a more spacious family home Q We are a young couple buying our first home. Sustainability is important the site.Where possible, existing hedgerows surrounding the site were also buffered and enhanced and mature trees preserved.

Minnie Dando, Head of Marketing & Communications, Hyde New Homes

taken a “fabric first” approach, which simply means by focusing on reducing a home’s heat loss, you can achieve a low-carbon, sustainable home that’s affordable to heat. Riverside Square in Canterbury, for example, has been built with sustainability firmly in mind, with houses receiving an EPC rating of A and apartments at B. Here, a fabric first approach has increased the homes’ energy efficiency, reducing CO2 emissions and lowering energy bills. Further extending the sustainability, natural light has been maximised throughout, reducing the need for artificial light, and water efficiency has also been prioritised. To register your interest in one of our sustainable homes, please visit hydenewhomes.co.uk/wildbridge hydenewhomes.co.uk/riverside-square

to us.What does the EPC rating mean and what other sustainability features should we look out for? A The Energy Performance Certificate – EPC of a property – rates its energy efficiency from A (the highest rating) to G, based on a number of factors including lighting, ventilation, hot water and heating fuel type. It also takes the property’s environmental impact into account.The higher the rating, the more energy efficient the home. As well as helping sustainability conscious buyers make more informed choices about where to buy, you can also use an EPC rating to gauge the likely energy costs of a home. New homes are usually higher rated and you would therefore benefit from lower bills as well as improved sustainability. Our homes at Wildbridge in Yapton, for example, possess the highest EPC rating,A, thanks to their superior insulation, double- glazed windows and the renewable energy generated from solar photovoltaic panels on the roofs of all the homes. Overall, by using best-practice energy efficiency measures and strategically located renewable energy installations, we have reduced energy demand by 33.58% across the development. For residents at Wildbridge, this means utility savings of around £330 per year as a result – another plus for starter home buyers on a budget. The EPC rating is just one aspect of a property’s sustainability credentials.The rating is key to understanding a home’s energy efficiency, but there are plenty of other factors to consider. For those keen to preserve nature and maximise biodiversity,Wildbridge’s sustainable drainage system features five basins that ensure water is collected and distributed gradually and evenly.To enhance wildlife habitats, these “SUDS” ponds feature wet- tolerant meadow mixture planting that has contributed to a biodiversity net gain across

Location is a crucial consideration when choosing a home. Living within walking distance of shops, healthcare services, leisure venues and other daily essentials can significantly reduce the need for regular car journeys. Additionally, homes situated near public transportation, such as a railway station or bus route, make commuting more convenient and eco-friendly. At Wildbridge, for instance, Barnham railway station is just a short 15-minute bus ride away. Furthermore, the inclusion of electric vehicle charging points at Wildbridge promotes greener travel by road, enhancing the community’s commitment to sustainability. For new homes, ask if the developer has

Close to the charms of the coast and the countryside, Wildbridge is a

delightful new community of homes in Yapton, West Sussex. Comprising a variety of layouts and designs, the collection of two, three and four bedroom houses and bungalows, for sale through shared ownership, provides exciting opportunities to suit a wide range of different lifestyles.

In keeping with Hyde New Homes’ reputation, each home features an impressively high specication – from the contemporary, integrated kitchens to the sleek, quality ooring. Extending the development’s rural village-feel, homes are set around thoughtfully landscaped open spaces, with each house having its own private turfed garden. Allocated parking spaces to each home make it easy to get out and about. Explore the Wild Side of West Sussex Positioned between the undulating greenery of the South Downs and some of West Sussex’s most popular coastal hotspots, buyers at Wildbridge can explore the diversity of nature without travelling far from home. Whether traversing one of the area’s many trails or cycle routes, or relaxing with a picnic on a sunny beach, there are plenty of opportunities to enjoy the great outdoors. For day-to-day life, Yapton is well equipped with a range of essentials from well-stocked shops to tantalising restaurants. For young families, Wildbridge is located within easy reach of a selection of schools rated as Outstanding or Good by Ofsted. Prices at Wildbridge start from £110,250 for a 35% share of a two bedroom home with a full market value of £315,000.