The Herald - The Herald Magazine
THE VOICE OF PROPERTY
GIVEN headline publicity and talk in the last year or so of unprecedented market activity, escalating house prices, and the ‘race for space’, young people hoping to gain a foothold on the property ladder could be forgiven for thinking their chances are rapidly fading. So it was refreshing to see David Alexander, chief executive of Edinburghbased property firm DJ Alexander, coming forward to say young people can get on the housing ladder ‘if they are flexible, ambitious, and happy to live in areas they may not previously have considered’ - and goes on to reveal Edinburgh this week has 120 properties for sale below £150,000.
“If you go further afield, for example to Dunfermline with its excellent rail, bus, and road links to the capital, there is no shortage of properties below £150,000 and many below £100,000,” he comments. “Buying a property in these locations helps build up equity and enables the purchase of the next property to be easier. It is a property ladder after all so you’re not going to get the home of your dreams the first time but buying somewhere and then living in it for a few years helps to build equity.
“I think many people are too impatient and want the home of their dreams first time around. But the most important lesson in home buying is finding somewhere you want to live and then understanding homeownership is something for the long term.”
THE final phase of 36, two and three bedroomed terraced and semi-detached homes at Cruden Homes’ Croftwood View development on the south side of Glasgow has been brought forward, as a result of demand that saw homes in the first phase sold off-plan in record time. This last phase is
now available to reserve off-plan until the new show home opens in April.
Surrounded by mature trees on a hilltop setting with views across Glasgow, the house styles here are amongst the largest of their kind currently available in the city, which coupled with high energy efficiency, close proximity to open green space, and easy access to the city centre and East Kilbride town centre, underpins demand for this south side development from first time buyers, growing families and downsizers. Prices start from £176,000 (crudengroup.co.uk).