A family of four recently found a spacious property in Hatfield Peverel that perfectly met all their criteria. Now, they’re sharing advice with prospective house-hunters to encourage them to take the plunge and make a move.
Originally from India, partners Dina Pinto (44) and Srinivas Hunasgi (46) and their four-year-old twins have upsized into a new home at David Wilson Homes’ Mortimer Place development.
The family had previously been living in Galleywood in Chelmsford for five and a half years and, prior to that, were renting in Wimbledon.
Offering advice to those who are considering to take a step up on the property ladder, Dina said: “If you love something, take the leap. You won’t always find something that fits the bill so if you really want a property and can afford it, I’d say go for it.
Srinivas added: “Buying a house in the current market is a big commitment – it wasn’t an easy decision for us but the fact we were getting a nice property that ticked all of our boxes, we decided to go for it. The opportunity was right, so we jumped on it.
“We are very happy with our decision and would advise others to go for it too. We have to accept mortgage rates for what they are at the moment, and they might well come down in the future. It shouldn’t stop people from achieving their dreams in moving into the right home.
“For first time buyers especially, if you want to get on the property ladder – do it. Brand new homes are a really good investment which makes the move worthwhile.”
On their property search, the family explored various developments showcasing brand new homes but found a match in Mortimer Place, having appreciated the quality and spaciousness.
Dina said: “With our previous property, we had looked for a four bedroom home with a garden, but our move was a little rushed because our rental agreement on the previous home ended.
“We wanted more space for ourselves particularly with the twins growing, and especially since our last home was slightly dated.”
The family’s new home at the development, the four bedroom Holden style property, provided the ideal mix of space and adaptability for their evolving requirements.
Dina said: “It’s our first brand new home. We liked the fact there wouldn’t be any issues, and the warranties and insurance gave us confidence in buying.
“The Holden is amazing. We use one room upstairs as an office and we’ve got a guest bedroom whilst the twins are together in one room. The benefit is we’ve got the flexibility to give the children their own rooms in the future.
“The spacious rooms were the key factor, and we don’t have any maintenance costs so the upkeep of the property is much easier.”
Proximity to the train station was another factor influencing their decision, making the daily commute to London more convenient, where the couple work at City Bank.
Srinivas said: “Being close to the train station really helps us, as we both commute to London for work.
“Even though we’ve moved from Chelmsford, the difference in our commuting time hasn’t really changed and we’ve saved more money in having the train station in walking distance.”
Opting for the developer’s Part Exchange Guarantee scheme, the family found it eased their transition.
Under the scheme, David Wilson Homes buys a homebuyer’s existing property, which means they have a guaranteed buyer and could move sooner. Plus, if the home sells for more than the housebuilder’s agreed offer, it returns the profit to the customer.
Dina continued: “Part Exchange was a weight lifted from our shoulders. It made the move much easier, and we didn’t have to worry about the sale or the timings of moving our belongings. Once our new home was ready, we could go and pick the keys up straightaway.”
While still assessing the energy efficiency of their new home, the family observed a positive impact on bills.
Srinivas said: “So far, we’ve noticed it’s warmer than our previous house. The attic is properly cladded and we noticed that straightaway, so there are certain features that contribute to the energy efficiency. In general, the bills have gone down a bit.”
Local amenities around Mortimer Place have added to the positive community experience.
Dina added: “We absolutely love the development and area because we have the play facilities onsite, and there are pubs in the local area which are child-friendly – so even the twins enjoy a trip to the pub.
“We’ve got the library, nurseries and the Co-op in the community, so we’ve got everything we need.”
Speaking about their experience, Srinivas highlighted the positive customer service during the move, and said: “The after-sales support has been really good – and David Wilson Homes made sure we’ve settled in well.”
The family valued the considerate gestures, such as holding deliveries even before their official move-in date.
