Working together to get buyers moving through lockdown

Posted 31/05/2020

Although most of the world is currently in lockdown, life still goes on. For Rosie Becker, that meant having to find a new home at the very start of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“I needed to move out of my rental property around the middle of February, when the UK was initially talking about going into lockdown and the pandemic had just started to take hold,” explains Rosie. “At first, I thought that my budget would only allow me to continue to rent, but I spent some time researching properties in the East London area when I came across the White + Green development on Rightmove and realised that it was in my price range. Even though it was a Sunday, I was still able to view the development and the sales team were really helpful and gave me lots of great information.”

This included explaining Help to Buy, which allowed Rosie to purchase her own one-bedroom flat. “I had viewed a lot of rental properties in London but there was always something that would disappoint,” says Rosie. “The location might be good but the specification and design let it down or it just didn’t have the space I wanted. But I loved both of the flats I visited at White + Green and I didn’t hesitate to put in an offer the next day. This is really the dream; to have the exact flat I want and be a homeowner rather than a tenant. Also, my monthly outgoings are roughly the same but this feels like I’m building something for the future.”

White + Green is a Higgins Homes development of 144 properties featuring one, two- and three-bedroom apartments, as well as a range of citipads. It is situated between Whitechapel and Bethnal Green Underground stations and enjoys its location as one of the most vibrant parts of the capital.

Rosie had viewed a number of rental properties but none of them compared to White + Green as she explains: “The specification is really high and there’s a lovely light and bright feeling throughout. I wanted a comfortable space in a great location and this ticks all of these boxes for me.”

White + Green is designed with chic living spaces that feature brand names such as Smeg, Commodore and Hans Grohe. Stylish trends such a composite stone work surfaces and glass splash back in the kitchens and rainwater showers in the bathrooms add the finishing touches.

As a first-time buyer, Rosie was aware that it could be a difficult situation, especially during these strange times. However, she didn’t find it particularly stressful, even when a full lockdown meant there was no more face to face meetings. “We only had a couple of conversations in person but when it was no longer possible, we did everything online or via telephone calls. The team at Higgins Homes and everyone involved worked really hard to make sure that things moved forwards and I think that we were at most a few days delayed. I felt that because of the lockdown, actions were actually taken faster because people were aware that there may be delays in the post.”

Rosie has now moved into her flat and is looking forward to enjoying the local area once restrictions are lifted further. “The flat is in walking distance of a lot of fantastic things,” says Rosie. “There’s Hackney and Shoreditch close by and the green spaces of Victoria Park and Weavers Field is right next door, which has lovely woodland walks. Brick Lane is also just ten minutes away and I’m looking forward to enjoying the Indian and ethnic restaurants of Whitechapel. Central London is also cycling distance away but there are plenty of other travel options to choose from too.”