First time buyer journey

When it comes to making decisions about a new home, it often involves starting with a firm vision of the type of property we want. However, it’s not uncommon for that initial idea to undergo a complete transformation after a viewing experience.

This was the case for Sean and his partner, Jordan, after they viewed Garrison Point, Chatham, a development of one and two-bedroom apartments in Medway, Kent.

“I was dead set on an older property and renovating it but when we were showed the layout of the two-bedroom apartment we purchased at Garrison Point, I loved it,” says Sean. “Being able to walk in on day one and know that you can live in it exactly how it is does really make life much easier.”

The couple initially visited the property in February of the previous year and promptly made the decision to proceed, exchanging contracts on October 13th and moving in on October 19th. The two-bedroom flat they purchased appealed because of the open-plan layout, the high-quality brands such as Bosch appliances and the design which maximises the space and light with the couple also enjoying private outdoor areas with a balcony overlooking the river.

Jordan and Sean, both first-time buyers, had been living at home with their parents in different areas of Southeast London.

When it came to deciding on a location, the couple knew that they would need to be within proximity of good transport links. Although Jordan works locally as a Civil Servant, Sean, an IT Manager works in London and regularly commutes.

“We are actually in the middle of three stations about a ten to fifteen walk away, with a choice of high speed trains that make getting into London very easy,” says Sean.

Another plus is Chatham’s excellent rail and bus links are joined by well connected roads. The M25 is only a 20-minute drive away, allowing you to quickly join many other major routes.

Although the development is tucked away in a peaceful and private location, surrounded by historic parks and woodland, it’s just moments from Chatham town centre with Medway’s main shopping district offering everything you need.

“There’s lots of things to do locally, we’ve been to a couple of places to eat by the Dockside and there’s retail parks and gyms close by,” adds Sean. “We’ve been to a lovely dog-friendly pub overlooking the river and although we are in a flat, we don’t feel like we are missing out because there’s so much greenery and open space near us.”

As first-time buyers, the couple were keen to ensure that any concerns they had were quickly and promptly dealt with, something they are keen to point out has been a positive overall experience.

“The Garrison Point team have been great at keeping us updated with any changes to the timeframe,” explains Jordan. “Since being here, we’ve forged good relationships with the site manager and any snag issues have been quickly addressed. It’s great to know that the team are never more than an email away and understanding that we will always receive a quick response has taken away a lot of the stress normally associated with home moves.”

Now settled into their new home, Sean and Jordan appreciate the freedom of having their own space and making it uniquely theirs. “Even doing simple things like cooking dinner together in our own kitchen is enjoyable,” adds Sean. “This is a great starter home for us and has ticked all our boxes.”