When a young Bedfordshire couple looked to buy their first home and plan for the future, they thought all they would be able to afford was a tiny two bed semi.
But thanks to sound financial advice and the government backed Help to Buy scheme, Lucy Boniface and boyfriend Josh Greenbank have stepped onto the property ladder and into a three bed semi which they say is for keeps.
The pair moved into their stunning Persimmon Homes property at Berryfields, Wootton, at the end of September. And Lucy says they are absolutely thrilled with their new home.
“I was living at home with my mum in the neighbouring village of Bromham.
“I knew a little bit about Help to Buy, so I was specifically looking for a new build property. But I genuinely thought that even with a maximum mortgage, all I would be able to afford would be a tiny two bed house with no room at all.”
Lucy, 27, and 30-year-old Josh found themselves at the Berryfields development, talking to Persimmon sales advisors Ginny Hughes and Toni Suddards.
“Ginny and Toni were the main reason we got the house,” added Lucy. “They were both brilliant and put us in touch with a financial advisor, who helped us look at all of our options. And it was thanks to their advice and the Help to Buy scheme that we are now in our wonderful three bed house paying the same each month as we would have done for the two bed terrace that we nearly bought!
“I don’t think people realise the options open to them – it’s something that buyers really do need to look into in more detail. We couldn’t have done it without Help to Buy though, nor without Ginny and Toni!”
Once they had bought their dream home, Josh was able to keep an eye on it in his role as Cotnracts Manager for SIG Energy Management.
Lucy said: “Josh was working on the site as our house was being built, and got to see its progress on an almost daily basis as he met with installers insulating the development. It was so exciting.”
The couple are really happy with their new home, which Lucy says is definitely for the long term.
“It was important for us when looking for a new home that we planned ahead; we’re in our late 20s now and children will hopefully follow in a couple of years, so we wanted a village location linked to a good school and Wootton has that.”
Berryfields offers a range of distinctive and diverse one, two, three and four bedroom houses, surrounded by stunning walkways, bridle paths, cycle routes and play areas. Located on Church Road, the development provides easy links to Bedford, Milton Keynes, the M1 and the A1. Wootton itself is a beautiful village offering many amenities including a pub, local shop, post office, dentist, pharmacy and medical centre.