Public relations professional Rob van der Meulen, 38, purchased a three-bedroom house at Laureate Fields in Old Felixstowe.
Rob, a first-time buyer, had been renting in Twickenham, West London and purchased his new home using the Help to Buy scheme. He put down a 5% deposit and Help to Buy provided a 20% Equity Loan. He then took out a mortgage for the remainder of the purchase price.
Rob purchased the property alone but wanted a home for the next 10 years that he could grow in to, together with the space to work from home. The company he works for is based in London, but they are happy for Rob to work remotely for the foreseeable future.
“My employer said they didn’t want anyone back in the office until Summer 2021,” says Rob.
“I spoke to my boss and said it doesn’t make sense for me to be renting in London if you don’t want me to be in the office. He said I could work remotely so I decided to buy a place in Suffolk as that’s where I grew up and where my family still live.”
Laureate Fields was the first development Rob looked at, but he was wowed by the architecture and peace-of-mind of owning a new home. He chose a spacious three-bedroom home, known as The Tate.
“There is nice space between the houses. I like the open-plan feel and how the living space opens out onto the garden. Also, the kitchen is nicely finished with Bosch appliances.
“Help to Buy was a big factor in pushing me towards a new house. My outgoings compared to renting in Twickenham have been reduced by about 50 percent and I’m owning my own house and have more space. It makes a lot more sense for my future.”
The Tate is a collection of contemporary three-bedroom houses comprising a luxurious master bedroom with a ‘his-and-hers’ dressing area and en-suite. The open-plan downstairs space is stylishly finished in white satinwood and engineered oak floors, with bi-fold doors opening to the garden from the vaulted dining area.
Brushed steel sockets and light switches are used throughout as well as oak veneered doors with stylish chrome handles. Bathrooms are fitted with high-quality sanitaryware and finished with ceramic wall tiles with a feature wall, while the contemporary German-engineered designer kitchens benefit from composite stone worktops and a full-range of integrated Bosch appliances.
Rob first visited the property at the beginning of September and managed to exchange and complete on his purchase by early December. He is looking forward to meeting his neighbours when lockdown ends and taking a ferry over the River Deben to go on bike rides and hikes through the countryside.
Laureate Fields offers a premium collection of one and two-bedroom apartments and two, three and four-bedroom houses, with prices starting from £174,950. The development is situated next to an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty that stretches north from the sea along the banks of the River Deben. From your door, you can enjoy picturesque country rambles or take a leisurely walk to Felixstowe Ferry, with its clapboard cottages, houseboats and ancient fishermen’s inn.
Call 01394 763047 to enquire.
