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Watford homeowners are staying put

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Watford homeowners staying put | Audley Chalfont Dene

21% of Watford homeowners do not think they will ever move to a new house again according to new research from Audley Villages. When discussing their current homes, it was found that those in the town have lived in it for an average of 14.2 years, slightly lower than the national average of 16.2 years.

Research out today from retirement village provider, Mayfield Villages, shows 21% of homeowners in Watford do not think they will ever move to a new house again. When discussing their current homes, it was found that those in the town have lived in it for an average of 14.2 years, slightly lower than the national average of 16.2 years.

When asked about addressing the UK housing shortage, two in five (40%) of those living in Watford pointed to greater support for older people who want to downsize their property as a means of stimulating the housing market. The research also revealed strong support for a reduction in stamp duty and more suitable housing options for older people with 38% and 33% of those surveyed calling for this.

Although there is little current appetite to move home, over two in five (44%) of those in Watford have an unused room in their home suggesting a greater amount of living space than is necessary. Alongside this, well over half (56%) have a spare bedroom and on average they have used it just 8 times in the last six months.

With the number of over 75s in the UK likely to double in the next 30 years1, the issue of limited housing options is becoming an ever more pressing concern. Specialist housing, including retirement housing, currently only accommodates 5% of the over-65 population2 so supply will need to significantly increase to even maintain existing levels of provision as the population ages.

Nick Sanderson, CEO at Mayfield Watford, commented: “For those looking to move, their great motivation can also be their greatest barrier. They are desperately looking for the right property but they simply don’t exist or are currently filled, a fundamental flaw in the UK’s housing system and one that needs immediate attention.

Many in Watford are living in homes too big for them yet have no plans to move. Rather than solely focusing on first time buyers, policy makers should be encouraging downsizing while taking a crucial look at building high quality specialist housing which can meet the demands of the ageing population. This should come hand in hand with other initiatives like a reduction in stamp duty which would support those looking to move out of their family homes. Only with a multi-pronged approach will we be able to solve the housing crisis, and the government need to start by looking at our ever-increasing ageing population and their needs.”

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Home & Property

New ‘Rate Reducer’ Scheme for Bedfordshire First Time Buyers

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Exciting News for First-Time Home Buyers: The Launch of "Rate Reducer"

In a pioneering initiative aimed at making the dream of owning a home more attainable, the new “Rate Reducer” mortgage scheme has been launched. This innovative program, developed through a collaboration between Halifax, Virgin Money, and Barratt Developments, is set to revolutionize how first-time buyers in Bedfordshire approach home buying. This unique opportunity could see eligible homeowners enjoy mortgage rates as low as 1.89%.

How Does Rate Reducer Work?

The mechanics behind Rate Reducer are ingeniously simple and highly beneficial. The scheme uses incentives provided by housebuilders to directly reduce the interest on mortgage payments over a fixed term. For example, if a builder offers a 5% discount on the purchase price of a home, Rate Reducer uses this amount to decrease the mortgage interest. Homebuyers have the flexibility to apply this discount over the first two or five years, depending on the lender’s terms.

Immediate Benefits and Long-Term Gains

The immediate advantage of Rate Reducer is the significant reduction in monthly mortgage payments, making it easier for new homeowners to manage their finances as they settle into their new homes. Eliot Darcy, the founder of Own New, expressed his confidence in the scheme, stating, “Our ethos is to make home ownership and mortgage lending in this country open to more people, and we are confident that the launch of the Own New Rate Reducer will achieve that.”

Exciting News for First-Time Home Buyers: The Launch of "Rate Reducer"

A Smoother Financial Journey

Craig Calder from Virgin Money sheds light on the emotional and financial comfort that Rate Reducer brings to the table. “Buying a home is a major life event, and this first-of-its-kind mortgage product will help customers feel happier about their big purchase,” he explained. This scheme allows new homeowners to focus on personalizing their new space without the stress of high initial mortgage payments.

Supporting Dreams and Providing Choices

Halifax’s Amanda Bryden emphasizes the choice and support offered by Rate Reducer. “This product gives customers more choice in the way they can benefit from builder incentives and is especially helpful to those who want to see a lower initial mortgage payment as they get set up in their new home,” she noted.

Step Forward with Confidence

Rate Reducer not only makes the initial years of homeownership more manageable but also ensures that buyers are making a sound investment. The program requires buyers to consult with regulated mortgage brokers who have been specifically trained to guide them through this new scheme, ensuring that each homeowner makes the best financial decision for their long-term goals.

This partnership between leading lenders and housebuilders is a robust step toward fulfilling the homeownership dreams of many. With thoughtful planning and the right financial advice, stepping onto the property ladder in Bedfordshire has never been easier.

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Home & Property

Mulberry Homes shares top tips on dealing with stress at home

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Eat healthy in your Mulberry Homes property

Luxury housebuilder Mulberry Homes is sharing its top tips on defusing stress at home this National Stress Awareness Day, taking place on Wednesday 2nd November, to help its residents beat the mania of modern life.

Clear out unwanted clutter - Mulberry Homes

  1. Clear out unwanted clutter

There’s never a perfect opportunity to declutter and sort through all your belongings, but it can be a very cathartic experience. Removing unwanted items from your home can help you focus on the things that really mean a lot to you.

A clear and organised space can help you feel more relaxed, and it’ll be much easier to destress without being surrounded by clutter.

Maintain a healthy sleep schedule - Mulberry Homes

  1. Maintain a healthy sleep schedule

During particularly stressful times, it can be easy to slip into bad habits like not getting enough sleep, which can make the stress worse.

A full night’s sleep will help you to recharge quickly, and provide you with enough energy to get through the busy days.

Eat healthy - Mulberry Homes

  1. Eat healthy

It’s easy to take comfort in junk food, especially with the convenience of takeaways. But eating unhealthily will put your body at a disadvantage when it comes to coping with and recovering from stress.

A healthy diet, rich in fruits, vegetables and wholegrains, is a great way to improve wellbeing. 

Make use of your garden - Mulberry Homes

  1. Make use of your garden

Being in the outdoors is proven to be beneficial for your mental wellbeing. Surrounding yourself with greenery and breathing in fresh air is an excellent thing to make sure you do every now and again, especially if you’ve been indoors all day.

Stay Fit in your Mulberry Homes property

  1. Stay active

Many of us nowadays lead very inactive lifestyles, both at work and at home, looking at screens. However, short bursts of physical exercise are proven to boost your mood.

Releasing those endorphins into your system is an excellent way to unwind and to prepare yourself best for dealing with the upcoming stress of the day. Try going for a run in the morning, or a walk after work.

About Mulberry Homes

This year, Mulberry Homes has been running a monthly community fund, called The Mulberry Community Chest.

As part of the programme, charities and public organisations local to its developments are invited to apply to receive a one-off donation of £1 to £1000, and each month, a judging panel will select a beneficiary to secure the requested funding. For more information or to submit an application, visit https://mulberryhomes.co.uk/news/distinctly-local/.

About Mulberry Homes

Established in 2011 and based in Warwickshire, Mulberry Homes is a medium housebuilder that provides quality properties across the wider midlands. It specialises in individual and small developments with their own looks and personalities and builds traditional homes with modern layouts.

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The Almere Milton Keynes launches Neighbourhood Hero initiative

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The Almere Milton Keynes support local businesses

‘All about the community’, The Almere prides themselves on making living easy for their residents. With residents set to move this month, the exciting new community boasts co-working, communal and event spaces within the building.

The ground floor ‘Gathering Place’ is bookable to the local community and to residents, whilst upstairs on the 11th floor sits an amenity space for residents, where part will be for co-working, roof terraces to hang out, barbeques and yoga classes. Additionally, there will also be a fitted kitchen and dining area which can be closed off for a private dining experience.

The Almere Neighbourhood Hero initiative

With community at its heart, The Almere aims to build relationships and work collaboratively with local businesses to guide residents to the best spots and products in town. The Almere’s new Neighbourhood Hero initiative has handpicked local, and predominantly independent businesses to connect residents with the true value of living in Milton Keynes, highlighting all that there is to offer.

Milton Keynes' DeRoka is part of The Almere Local Hero initiative

With the recent COVID-19 pandemic having had such an impact on small, independent businesses it’s key to get people back out there and supporting locally. The Neighbourhood Hero initiative is a fantastic example of this, helping businesses to thrive and regain their position within the economy. Current Heroes include Bogota Coffee Co; DeRoka; Fuuudgelife; Suds; Sweat Studios; Doorstep Cocktails; Mollys Pantry; Pup Club; Headonist Hair and Beauty; and Moxy Hotel.

Benefits of the Almere led scheme include:

  • Feature on The Almere website, with regular spotlights and tags on social media channels
  • Exposure to over 600+ residents, and the ability to send offers and deals to them, without incurring any marketing costs
  • Welcomed as a core part of the community, allowing the businesses to use the communal spaces to hold pop-up events for residents and the local community
  • Include collateral in the ‘move in packs’ for new residents, for free
  • Invited to all community events at The Almere, and work together on collaborative event activations

Community Manager, Holly Birmingham explains, “Community is so important to us at The Almere – it is all about  meaningful connections both within our own four walls and the wider neighbourhood. At The Almere, we aren’t just a building,  we are a new community in the heart of Milton Keynes. We want to support the brilliant local businesses around us, create lasting relationships and of course, show our residents the best our town has to offer.”

The Almere Local Hero initiative

The new scheme offers an exciting experience for local businesses to work on an exclusive basis with the upcoming, Milton Keynes hotspot, offer discounts to residents and in turn help show the rest of the UK what Milton Keynes has to offer!

About The Almere

A pioneering new rental community for Milton Keynes, The Almere, is a collection of 294 rental apartments built across two buildings with neighbourhood and outstanding service experience at its core.

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