Shared Ownership helps Steve and Sue enjoy the security and comfort they want in retirement
After renting for years, Shared Ownership has helped Steve and Sue make their retirement dream of owning their own home come true at Swingate Park in Hellingly.
With the tenancy in their previous rented home coming to an end, the couple decided that it was time for them to look for their own home. Steve, a retired photographer, spotted an advert for Shared Ownership with Orbit Homes whilst the pair were out on a day trip, and quickly snapped the advert before contacting Orbit Homes for more information.
As a retired couple, the part-buy and part-rent arrangement of the Shared Ownership scheme appealed to the couple, as Steve explains:
“We wanted to be comfortable in our retirement, and Shared Ownership gives us the security of a home along with the choice of owning more of our home in the future, all whilst being able to afford to enjoy living in it right now.”
A new-build home appealed to the couple, and they were soon drawn to the homes at Swingate Park, a partnership development between Orbit Homes and Taylor Wimpey, as Steve adds:
“We’d both read about the new housing developments around the area where we were living previously, and Sue once worked in Hellingly, so we both knew the area very well. We saw a new-build home as ideal for us – we wanted a modern home that helped us focus this stage of our lives on living and not DIY, repairs or replacing worn out old appliances.”
The couple picked out a two-bedroom ‘Levenstead’ house design at Swingate Park, and its style has already thoroughly impressed their family and friends says Steve. “There was of course a scramble to come and see our new house once we’d moved in and everyone who sees it absolutely loves it.”
Steve and Sue also love the perfect mix of living in the picturesque countryside whilst remaining well-connected to all the everyday essentials they need. Steve has even set up a viewpoint inside their home, where they enjoy watching the local wildlife including birds and rabbits.
“The area is so quiet and peaceful. We have a lovely parkland area with lakes, clean air to breath in and a thriving town a few miles away with a variety of shops and supermarkets – which we can access by public transport.
Steve and Sue were also very impressed with the level of service and communication they received from Orbit Homes throughout their homebuying process, adding:
“We couldn’t fault the sales team at all. They kept us fully informed with monthly progress reports and photos of our house taking shape. They even arranged for us to view a home of the exact same style as ours whilst ours was being built. We’re also very thankful to the sales team for being there to welcome us into our new home and walk us through our home’s instruction manual.”
The couple also recounted the special feeling they had when they first moved into their new home at Swingate Park. “We both sat down on our first night in the home, opened some Prosecco, and exclaimed ‘we’ve finally made it into our own home’. We’d like to thank everyone at Orbit Homes for making our dream come true.”
On their advice for those eyeing Shared Ownership as a pathway to securing their own home, the couple add: “We would not hesitate to recommend Shared Ownership with Orbit Homes, it might not be for everyone but it’s an option that potential homebuyers should explore for themselves and not be afraid to ask questions about.”
A mix of two-bedroom coach houses and two, three and four-bedroom houses are available for purchase through Shared Ownership with Orbit Homes at Swingate Park, and each offers homebuyers a range of essentials included as standard.
As well as solar PV panels and electric vehicle charging points that help make the homes future-ready today, the homes come with integrated kitchen appliances including a fridge/freezer, oven and induction hob, flooring throughout, turf to rear gardens, landscaping to front gardens, and more from day one.
For more information about the homes currently available from Orbit Homes at Swingate Park and to arrange a viewing, visit: www.orbithomes.org.uk/orbit-homes-at-swingate-park
Steve and Sue pictured in front of the new two-bedroom house from Orbit Homes where they’re enjoying their retirement, at Swingate Park in Hellingly.
**This is an incentivised testimonial. We gave our customer a monetary gift as a thank you for taking part in a case study. We only invite customers who have already rated us 9 or 10 on the Net Promoter Score and would recommend us to a friend.**