Despite the challenges of life under lockdown, an Oxford family have taken the first step on the property ladder – after renting in the city for nine years.
Jan and Doris, who both work at the University of Oxford, were delighted when they discovered their ideal family home was just down the road.
Originally from Germany, Jan and Doris moved to London in 2007, where they lived in a rented property for five years, while continuing to put money aside for a house deposit. In 2007, the pair moved out of the capital to Oxford, where they rented a three-bedroom property in Marston.
After 20 years of saving, and now with two children aged six and nine, Jan and Doris decided it was time to take their first step onto the property ladder, and began looking for their dream family home.
Jan commented: “We’d outgrown our rented property, and had been talking about buying for many years. With lower interest rates, stamp duty reductions and increased job security, we decided in 2020 that it made financial sense for us buy our next home, rather than continuing to rent.”
With their sights set on a newbuild, Jan and Doris decided to visit several new developments, including The Lawns, near Kennington. Impressed by the showhomes, but keen to live closer to Marston to enable their children to remain at the same school, the couple were delighted to discover there were properties available to reserve at our latest development, The Steeples, in Headington.
Jan commented: “We were keen to find a well-laid out, spacious home where we would have the freedom to choose our own fittings and fixtures, which is why a new-build property made perfect sense. There were no showhomes or completed properties to look around at The Steeples at the time, but we have several friends who work in the building industry and spoke highly of Redrow, and so we decided to reserve off plan.”
With a deposit built from carefully saving over the years, Jan and Doris were able to secure a loan to value ratio on their new property of less than 50 per cent.
A rental valuation on the property revealed its monthly rent would be £2,200 per month, meaning although buying can be expensive initially, purchasing rather than renting this type of home will prove cheaper in the long run.
Jan and Doris’ home, the four-bedroom Blenheim, which is available from £783,000, is a stylish property that offers all of the necessities needed for modern family life. Downstairs, an open-plan kitchen adjoined to a dining area offers the perfect area to socialise, while a separate lounge provides a peaceful space to unwind.
Upstairs, there are four generous double rooms complete with high ceilings, one of which could easily be used as a home office, playroom or gym, and the master bedroom also boasts a balcony and ensuite, adding an extra touch of luxury.
Part of an exciting and carefully designed new development to the north east of Oxford, The Steeples gives you the very best of both worlds. With three and four bedroom homes available from £537,000, with upgraded specification and incentives available, the development is the ideal location for couples and families alike.
Bordered by stunning Oxfordshire countryside, yet with the culture, colleges and community of the city within easy reach, there is already a thriving new community being established, supported by the creation of a new primary school, community pavilion and sports pitches, as part of our commitment to the regeneration of the local area.
Not only is there a selection of excellent private and state schools nearby, but the John Radcliffe Hospital is also within walking distance. Just off the A40 and a short distance from the M40, travelling couldn’t be easier, and with direct trains to London from Oxford or Oxford Parkway in less than an hour, you couldn’t be better placed.
For further information about homes at The Steeples, or to register your interest, please call 01865567433 or visit: www.redrow.co.uk/thesteeples
