HOW HELP TO BUY WORKED FOR US

‘We could buy closer to the centre of London’

Long-time friends Chris Jones, 39, and Shareen Hassan, 40, made up their minds to buy a home together and initially began looking at properties in east London. Surfing Galliard Homes’ website for developments in the area led them to stumble across Wimbledon Grounds, adjacent to AFC Wimbledon’s brand new stadium at Plough Lane, and prompted a rethink.

The pair (pictured) who met in their native New Zealand, were tempted by the prospect of all the open space nearby, a fast commute and the fact that London Help to Buy was up for grabs, providing a loan of up to 40 per cent of the property’s value to purchasers who can pull together a five per cent deposit.

Shareen, who works in corporate finance and as a Crossfit coach, admits that pandemic has given her a different perspective. ‘It definitely did sway me away from buying somewhere much further east,’ she says. ‘It was important to avoid excessive travelling. I was persuaded by Help to Buy, and it made me realise that we could buy closer to the centre of London.’ Chris, an analyst at an insurance company, was also happy to cross the river. ‘I’ve lived in south-west London before and enjoy the open green spaces and opportunity to play sport,’ he explains. ‘I hope to go back to travelling to work by bike. Wimbledon Grounds is the best of both worlds as it’s a relaxed place to live, affordable for its location, and in the right area for commuting.’

They picked their two-bed, two-bathroom sixth floor flat for the amount of light and space. ‘We wanted to get a bit higher and get maximum sunlight. This apartment was big and roomy,’ says Chris.

On top of taking advantage of Help to Buy, they were able to benefit from the stamp duty holiday, paying no tax on the first £500,000. They were among the first residents to move in last December. ‘I can see how the new stadium is bringing

infrastructure and regeneration to the area, and the whole place will come alive,’ says Shareen. ‘Now I’ve got really into football, and even have an AFC Wimbledon shirt!’

WHERE THEY BOUGHT

Apartments are for sale in Wimbledon Grounds’ Stadia Three building, where Chris and Shareen live, and in newly-launched Stadia One, completing later this year. Studios start from £329,000, one-beds from £455,000, two-beds from £570,000 and three-beds from £695,000, with London Help to Buy available on homes up to £600,000. Each comes with a comprehensive furniture package courtesy of New Concept Furnishings. In addition, Galliard is extending the stamp duty holiday incentive to the end of January 2022, potentially saving buyers up to £15,000. galliardhomes.com