insideKENT Magazine Issue 26 - May 2014 | Page 156

PROPERTY ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE Benefits of buying a new home Spring has sprung and the weather is warming up – as is the housing market. Gardens and the countryside are bursting into bloom and house sales are flourishing too. What could be better than marking these new beginnings by moving to a brand new house, to be the first to live in it and be able to give it a special identity that reflects you and your tastes, transforming it from a house to your home. Typical Hillreed Homes street scene Woodland Place executive houses at Kings Hill The benefits of brand new homes are many: they can be built using the latest designs and building techniques which makes them more energy efficient than older homes, reducing bills. New homes are also easier to keep clean, tend to be lower maintenance and have a flexible layout, so you can live in the way you want to. Typically, they are built in convenient locations, close to amenities. Of course most reassuringly for the buyer, a new home comes with a National House Building Council Certificate (NHBC) – a form of consumer warranty which is effective for 10 years. international companies such as Marsh, KimberlyClark and Rolex, to small businesses. There is also serviced office space and some existing residents find this range of office space attractive when wishing to establish a new business close to home so avoiding it taking over the home. However, as the supply of new homes suffered during the recession, they are relatively rare and competition for them is keen. In fact, last year only 122,590 new homes were built in England, less than half the figure needed to meet demand. Kings Hill is an established garden village, offering a range of homes in distinct residential neighbourhoods. Buyers can choose from pretty weather-boarded cottages, impressive family homes overlooking the golf course, contemporary airy apartments to cosy squares and terraces. At Kings Hill, a steady supply of new homes is available, each phase providing design and budget choice. It is a ‘live, work, play’ development in the countryside near the pretty Kentish village of West Malling, near Maidstone. Kings Hill already has a thriving residential community with many clubs, societies and events offering opportunities to meet new friends. These range from running clubs and pilates, to baby signing and street dance. Set in 800 acres of landscaped parkland, the development has excellent amenities – Waitrose and ASDA plus many other independent shops; two primary schools with a third planned; plus restaurants, coffee bars and a pub; an 18-hole golf course; sports park; David Lloyd, a 24-hour gym; allotments and miles of walking trails; doctors’, vets’, opticians’ and a thriving community centre – in fact, every amenity you could need for every day life. The design of the houses and layout of the development is carefully planned and overseen by Kings Hill masterplanning developer Liberty Property Trust UK. The advantages of this leadership are obvious to anyone visiting the community as it results in a carefully planned, well thought through and cohesive feel to it. In fact, Liberty has formed a marketing forum, Kings Hill New Homes, to which all house builders currently building on site are invited to contribute ideas and the latest developments in housing. At the moment Bellway, Crest Nicholson and Hillreed are actively delivering three brand new neighbourhoods with show homes scheduled to open soon. There is also a business park at Kings Hill, separate from the residential neighbourhoods but offering job opportunities within walking distance. There are a range of businesses, from Bellway is launching Signature, a collection of 40 properties including two and three bedroom cottages with four and five bedroom homes. The Douglas boasts a spacious living/dining area at 156 Bellway Homes Signature homes at Kings Hill ground level with French doors out to the rear garden. The Gibson offers flexible living space incorporating a generous living room on the first floor. The Nicholson is a substantial family home with three of the five bedrooms benefitting from their own en suites. Prices will range from £246,000 - £650,000 Crest Nicholson is launching Woodland Place, a development of two and three bedroom cottages and four and five bedroom homes. Prices range from £260,000 to £625,000. Located in an exclusive enclave on the periphery of Kings Hill, Woodland Place comprises an array of house styles including mews, semi-detached and detached properties, reflecting the broad demand present in the local area. Hillreed is launching The Poppies, a development of two, three, four and five bedroom homes, all of which are new designs to Hillreed’s portfolio. Potential purchasers can take advantage of the government’s Help to Buy scheme and the developers may be able to help with part exchange or assist with the sale of your existing property. “We have continued building throughout the recession and have helped make Kings Hill one of the most aspirational places to live in the area,” said Andrew Blevins, Liberty’s managing director on behalf of Kings Hill New Homes. “New homes are at a premium and we are very fortunate in having the land and the on-site amenities to support this growing community.” For more information on Kings Hill and availability of new homes visit www.kings-hill.com