11 Sep Ellen's story: First time buyer at Augustus Park, Fordingbridge

A beautiful new home by Pennyfarthing Homes offering flexible space for first time buyer

"I was so impressed with the look and feel of Augustus Park"

Recent data released by the Office of National Statistics continues to show that young people are waiting longer and longer to take that first step up the property ladder. So when young entrepreneur Ellen Stokes (25) was gifted the money she was delighted to be able to buck the trend and purchase her first home, a three-bedroom semi-detached house at Pennyfarthing Homes’ Augustus Park development in Fordingbridge.

Originally from the area, growing up only ten miles away in Rockborne, Ellen, who set up her own business only a couple of years ago, went in search of a two-bedroom home. Ellen explained: “I was ready to buy my first home so started looking around the area. I saw the show home at Alexandra Meadows in Lymington but Augustus Park was nearer to where my family lives plus I realised that if I bought at Augustus Park I could actually jump to a three bedroom house straightaway, which I hadn’t expected. The three-bedroom properties seemed to offer very good value and the advantage of having the extra room is the flexibility. I can work from home in a lovely space and still have two bedrooms. I was very excited to have my own home-office.”

"I would certainly recommend any first-time buyer to look at a Pennyfarthing Homes development as they made the whole thing stress free and easy.”

As with most buyers, location and amenities are a key consideration and an added advantage to Ellen of Augustus Park is that it is close enough to Fordingbridge for her to be able to walk into town. “I love the layout of the development. The properties really feel as if they were built with people in mind. I looked around a few other properties but was so impressed with the look and feel of Augustus Park and I fell in love with how solid the houses felt. It didn’t feel like a typical new build development, there was a real community feel. Plus, I’m a short drive from my family and just a stroll away from town which is great for a break from my at home working.”

Ellen was also very impressed with the high standard of finish and the fact that there have been no snags since she moved in: “I was expecting to have a few minor things that might have needed putting right but since moving in I haven’t come across any snags at all. I found the whole process very straightforward and Pennyfarthing Homes really went above and beyond.

Now complete, Ellen is enjoying life in her new home, making the most of the space and concentrating on running her busy business designing and building exhibition stands. Ellen added: “I have gained so much space – not only in the house but the garden is huge. I’m looking forward to doing some planting and gardening next summer when I have more time but for now, I’m just enjoying my beautiful new home and getting to know the community around it. I would certainly recommend any first-time buyer to look at a Pennyfarthing Homes development as they made the whole thing stress free and easy.”

Augustus Park, winner of Development of the Year in the South Coast Property Awards 2019 offers purchasers a selection of two, three and four-bedroom new homes plus two- and three-bedroom starter homes exclusively available to first time buyers. Prices start from £225,000.