Their search primarily focused on locations that fall into catchment areas of high-quality state-funded schools. As such, Vishal and Shruti were pleased to be completing in August 2022, coinciding with the school holidays and therefore providing time for their children time to settle in before starting a fresh term at their new school, Cherry Orchard Primary, which is on site in Ebbsfleet.
Vishal explains: “As this was our first home, we took the decision very seriously and spent a significant amount of time visiting different areas, looking around different properties. We were previously living in East London but keen to move elsewhere, with the view of being in close proximity to good schools and my office in Canary Wharf. We had explored parts of Buckinghamshire but later settled on Ebbsfleet because it was a 30-minute commute to work and is close to grammar schools in Dartford and Gravesend. We were keen to find a new build as we didn’t want to have to do any major decorative or structural works after moving in. Buying a new build makes the process much less stressful.
“Once we had reserved our four-bedroom home with Redrow, my wife and I managed to secure two places at a great primary school within Ebbsfleet itself for our children to attend in September. We were really chuffed as everything was falling into place.”
Unfortunately, due to supply chain issues and workforce shortages spurred on by Covid-19, Brexit and the Ukraine crisis, we were experiencing build delays at Ebbsfleet and had to postpone completion timings of Vishal and Shruti’s home to mid-October 2022.
This put Vishal and Shruti’s two-year fixed mortgage offer at risk as it was due to expire on 1st October. On top of this, the couple were also concerned that the school wouldn’t hold places for that long and they would lose these too.
Vishal explains: “We do not blame Redrow for the delays as we knew the macroeconomic backdrop was and continues to be volatile but if we lost our mortgage offer and were forced to apply for a new one, we feared being rejected due to the recent squeeze on mortgage availability, particularly as a first-time buyer and considering that I am the only breadwinner for my family. We had secured a great interest rate of 2.02% and knew we would not being able to renegotiate the same again if we had to reapply, so we were very concerned.
“Once we notified Redrow of the situation, their sales team moved heaven and earth to ensure we had the best possible chance of completing on time. Thankfully, we ended up moving in on 30th September, two days before our mortgage expired. It all happened by the skin of our teeth but we are so grateful.”
Vishal describes the delays as a “blessing in disguise” as the new timings meant they could benefit from the stamp duty reforms announced in the Mini Budget on 23rd September. Before this date, Vishal was expected to pay £15,499 in stamp duty land tax on his first home, which he purchased at £509,995. The government reforms meant this was now significantly reduced to £4,249, allowing Vishal and Shruti to dedicate the funds elsewhere.
Vishal comments: “In the end it was a blessing a disguise as we’ve saved almost £11,000 on stamp duty which we’ve been able to put towards new furniture and fittings. After several weeks of being moved in, we are really enjoying our new home, although the unpacking is taking a while!”
To top everything off, Cherry Orchard Primary were able to offer an extension on Aarav and Shruvi’s places and they are now undertaking the new academic year at their new school.
Vishal and Shruti opted for a four-bedroom Grantham 4 at Ebbsfleet Quarter, benefitting from a kitchen diner, spacious living room that opens out onto a private garden and a separate cloakroom. Upstairs, there are three good sized bedrooms, including two doubles and one private en-suite. Meanwhile, there is also a single bedroom that could double as a home office and a separate family bathroom. The principal suite enjoys the whole top floor, accompanied by a private ensuite and plenty of storage.
Ebbsfleet Quarter is one of six phases at Ebbsfleet Green, our flagship 900-home scheme at Ebbsfleet Garden City. The phase is now sold out but there are a select number of houses and a series of apartments still available at Regent Village and Plaza Central, two later phases. Residents who purchase a home at Ebbsfleet Green get to enjoy a variety of on-site amenities as well as the wider infrastructure being developed across the Garden City project.
As the name suggests, Ebbsfleet Green contains plenty of green space, with over 40% of the development designated as parkland or open spaces, including play areas, allotments and sports pitches. The new homes are set alongside a school that opened last year, shops, pub and hotel. To find out more, please visit Redrow.
