News

Help to Buy enables local family to buy their first home at Westvale Park

Eve and Neil Joyce, and their two children, aged six and nine, have recently moved to Crest Nicholson’s Westvale Park development in Horley. Having previously rented in the nearby town of Reigate, the family decided that now was the time to take their first step onto the property ladder to provide more space for the children.

Eve, a childminder, and Neil, a banker, purchased a two-bedroom property at Westvale Park, commenting that:

“We both wanted to own our own property, and were instantly attracted to Westvale Park. It’s really quiet here and is surrounded by open space for the children to play. We have a dog called Frankie too, which we take for walks around the local fields.”

Get Yourself 'Mortgage Fit' With David Wilson Homes

Warwickshire housebuilder David Wilson Homes is offering advice on how house hunters can get themselves ‘mortgage fit’ in preparation for purchasing a new home.

The five star housebuilder currently has a selection of properties ideal for first time buyers at its Heathcote development Poets Meadow and Nuneaton development The Long Shoot, and is reminding those looking to get onto the property ladder what’s involved in getting a mortgage.

Bev Hall, Sales Director at David Wilson Homes East Midlands, said: “We know that taking that first step onto the property ladder can seem daunting and you may not know where to start.

Rise in apartment living in Bedfordshire at great Denham park

Apartment living is becoming a popular choice for a range of different property seekers in Bedfordshire, from first time buyers taking the first step onto the property ladder to those looking to downsize to a more manageable home.

Barratt Homes Northampton has recognised the growing need for apartments at its Great Denham Park development. It is currently expertly crafting a range of two bedroom apartments at the Greenkeepers Road development that are expected to be in demand with a range of buyers.

Alison Raine, Sales Director at Barratt Homes Northampton, said:

Dremel’s how to guide for making a spice rack

Herbs and spices are perfect for adding flavour to your dishes, and with summer in full swing, investing in your own spice rack will come in handy when you’re looking to impress friends with your barbeque specialities. However, you don’t have to splash the cash to have the luxury of owning your own spice rack – why not upcycle that long-forgotten wooden shelf left abandoned in your shed by giving it some TLC and transforming it into something both stylish and practical?

Create your one-of-a-kind, space-saving piece to see you through the summer season and beyond with these simple steps from Dremel – you’ll be sprinkling spices galore, just in time for National Herbs and Spices Day.

Housebuilders show support for local community with Yate Relay for Life sponsorship

Andrea Pilgrim developer at Ladden Garden Village

Barratt Homes and David Wilson Homes are gearing up for their new Ladden Garden Village developments in Yate, by backing an important community fundraising event.

The five star housebuilders are sponsoring the forthcoming Yate Relay for Life, which takes place on 7 and 8 July - and the £1,000 donation will support this local fundraising event for Cancer Research UK.

“We know how important Yate Relay for Life is, in terms of raising money for this vital charity, and we want to show our support for those taking part,” said Barratt Homes sales director, Andrea Pilgrim.

VIVID’s celebrating Rural Housing Week

It’s Rural Housing Week and VIVID is celebrating by getting ready to welcome the first customers into their brand new rural housing scheme in Wokingham.

The housing association’s adding the finishing touches to 14 affordable homes near Spencers Wood, with 34 more coming, ready for next summer

Rural Housing Week is a campaign from the National Housing Federation which shines a spotlight on the housing that offers a lifeline to people living in our small towns and villages. And the VIVID newest rural homes do just that, by offering much needed affordable housing options in the area.

Make your Cornell house a home with leading developer David Wilson Homes

Making your house a home is truly one of the most exciting things about moving to a new build property and it’s important to put your stamp on your home even if this can often be hard to get right at first.

Leading housebuilder David Wilson Homes South Midlands is helping new homeowners in Northamptonshire settle into their new homes with a guide on how to make it their own.

So whether it’s a minimalistic and modern look you’re hoping to achieve, or you’re thinking of covering your walls with pictures of your smiling children, this guide has everything you need to know.

Jason Hearn, Sales Director at David Wilson Homes South Midlands, said:

Couple prepare for new home in the country

As the UK celebrates Rural Housing Week, a Staffordshire couple are preparing to move into their first home together with the help of the area's leading provider of affordable homes for rent and shared ownership.

Thanks to a partnership between Stafford and Rural Homes (SARH) and a leading house builder, Stacey Robinson and fiancé William O'Hara now have the keys to a brand new, one-bedroomed apartment in the village of Eccleshall.

Stacey, 24, has lived most of her life in the area but she says she was facing a move away from family and friends due to the increasing cost of housing in and around the village.

Help is at hand with LG Harris

DIYers laughing and joking after painting

Before DIYers get started this summer, Harris, the UK’s leading decorating brand, has launched an online help guide so even the most inexperienced DIYer can gather top tips on tools and techniques to give them the confidence to create the perfect finish.

The decorating experts looked at different personality types among DIYers, from the ‘Obsessive’ to the ‘Overwhelmed, to create a comprehensive guide to achieving the perfect finish and that all important sense of pride from a job well done.

Harris Brushes spokesperson, Sonia Sanghera, explains: “Those who regularly carry out DIY jobs at home usually have the tools and know-how to successfully complete home improvements and bask in the praise of those who visit to admire their handiwork.

DI-Do or DI-Don’t? The professionals weigh in on the cost of a dodgy DIY job

Putting up shelves, mirrors or pictures

· Potential damage costs: £200

Whether you’re looking increase storage space or add some character to a room, putting up shelving or artwork can seem like a quick and easy solution. However, care needs to be taken when it comes to the location of pipes and cables that you can’t see.

Andy Porter, Multi-Trade Engineer said “I saw someone recently who put a nail straight through a cold feed when fitting a bathroom mirror and flooded three floors of flats!