Solo homebuyers flies West to Leeds

Thu, Aug 3rd 2006, 11:00

With its enviable city location, luxurious features and amazingly low prices, it’s no wonder West 12’s latest resident thinks she’s landed in property heaven.

Michelle Kelly was renting with a friend when she decided to jump on the property ladder. She landed at Redrow’s desirable city apartment development, West 12, in Leeds.

“I had previously rented in Leeds with my boyfriend and when we split up I decided to ‘lodge’ at a friend’s place until I found a property I wanted to buy. The day I moved out of my rented apartment I passed West 12 and popped in out of curiosity. I then looked at other properties but just couldn’t get West 12 out of my head, so I decided to revisit the development with my parents.

“There was never a question that I would move out of Leeds. West 12 is in the perfect location as it’s very close to where I work. It is also close to Leeds city centre, which is important to me,” said the 29-year-old commercial banking manager.

Leeds was recently polled at number nine in the ‘Location, Location, Location’ best places to invest list, showing that the city, which has been dubbed the ‘Knightsbridge of the North' by the Lonely Planet Guide to Britain, is fast becoming the place to join the property ladder. Phil and Kirsty, of Location fame, predict a massive jump in house prices from £147,615 to £197,066 by 2010.

With this in mind, West 12 in Lower Wortley is the perfect place for a first-time buyer, who can take advantage of its very reasonably priced apartments, from £110,995, or those looking for that long term investment.

“The reason I couldn’t stop thinking about West 12 was because of what it offered me as a first-time buyer. The style of the apartment is perfect with a light, airy modern feel to it. The grounds of West 12 are also great. The green open spaces and the water feature make the surroundings so much nicer than other developments I have looked at. I like the fact everything in my apartment will be brand new and that lots of items are included which, as a first time buyer, has enabled me to make large savings,” continues Michelle.

Michelle will be just one of thousands, who are ‘solo livers’. A recent survey by Unilever, ‘Going Solo’, showed that more and more people are deciding to live on their own whether it is through choice or circumstance.

Gavin Neath, chairman of Unilever UK says: “Most people like living alone. People develop a taste for solo living. Living alone has become a new rite of passage that people want to experience before they settle down. We predict that the numbers of people living alone will continue to rise, and by 2021 over 35% of all households are expected to be people living alone.”

With that statistic in mind, West 12 is the perfect development for those who are thinking of joining the new trend of setting up home alone.

Michelle says: “Having never lived alone before, it will take some adjusting, but I am looking forward to my independence and the fact that the apartment will be all mine.

“Although I’ve had to find a deposit and legal fees, on a monthly basis it will only cost me the same amount as if I were to rent. Anyway, I love everything about my new home, so it’s well worth it.”

The development features a collection of 157 apartments offering open plan living and Redrow’s impressive standard of specification. Some apartments feature attractive extras, such as Juliet balconies and en-suite facilities.

Julie Rayner, sales director for Redrow Homes (Yorkshire), says: “There’s a real buzz about city living in Leeds and it’s the ideal environment for such urban, contemporary schemes as West 12. There’s a huge number of young professional first time buyers, like Michelle, who are eager to experience its vibrant atmosphere and the convenience of apartment living.

“Thanks to the competitive pricing at West 12, we’ve opened up a whole host of exciting new opportunities so young buyers can elevate their status from home renters, to homeowners. West 12 residents will also have the desirable – and rare - luxury of their own parking space, included in the asking price.”

The up and coming suburb of Lower Wortley, in which West 12 is situated, provides residents with quick access to the numerous attractions of the city centre. The development is also ideally located for commuters, with the A6110 just a short drive away which provides easy access to major transport links including the M621 and M1 motorways. Leeds International airport is just six miles away.

A selection of one and two-bedroom apartments are currently available, priced from £110,995. A brand new show apartment, which will help home buyers visualise the living space on offer, is now open.

For more information about the West 12, call 0845 676 0513.