New residents, the Mayor of Swindon and the McCarthy Stone team joined together recently to celebrate the official grand opening of Wichelstowe’s newest retirement community.
McCarthy Stone’s Locks View opened its doors to local retirees to mark the completion of this stunning Retirement Living development, at what was an exciting occasion for both new homeowners and the team who’ve worked so hard to get the new homes ready to move into.
The celebrations took place at the development on Peglars Way and guests were treated to a glass of fizz and light refreshments, as well as enjoying live music from singing duo Belle Street. Mayor of Swindon Councillor Fay Howard was guest of honour at the event, and there were specially decorated cakes to mark the occasion. NHBC award-winning Site Manager Gareth Lewis and Area Sales Manager Emily Storer were on hand to show the mayor around and highlight the clever hidden features that make retirement living that little bit easier.
The Retirement Living development by McCarthy Stone has been designed to help to meet the needs of local retirees looking to ‘right-size’ by moving into specialist housing, in turn freeing up much-needed housing stock in the area for first-time buyers and families. It’s already proved incredibly popular with 70% of the apartments now sold. Anyone interested in a move to Locks View is encouraged to get in touch as soon as possible before the development sells out.
Rebecca Johnson, Sales Director at McCarthy Stone, said: “The team were so excited to celebrate Locks View opening, with both Wichelstowe’s newest residents as well as local retirees and their families. As the first homeowners get settled into their new homes, this event was a great way to kickstart their retirement at Locks View.
“This new community provides a unique brand of retirement living in the local area with independence and community at its heart. With a wealth of social activities on offer and a friendly house manager on-hand, homeowners and their families can enjoy peace of mind that everything is taken care of, and help is nearby.”
The stylish apartments are conveniently situated close to all the amenities of this beautifully designed residential area, including a Waitrose and many shops, pubs and restaurants. Locks View is within a stone’s throw of nature too. Close to the wildlife haven of the Wilts and Berks Canal, Wichelstowe has over 200 acres of open space, thousands of trees, 1.5 acres of allotments and over 12 kilometres of walkways and cycle paths. There’s a thriving community too, with the nearby StoweAway Community Centre offering activities such as yoga, fitness classes and board game nights.
Purchase prices at Locks View start from £253,500 for a one-bedroom apartment. Apartments are also available to rent, with one-bedroom apartments from £2,035 per calendar month. Renting an apartment provides a quick and convenient way of moving to what may be a more suitable and manageable home, but without the commitment of ownership, and incurring the costs involved in selling and purchasing another property.
Additionally, for those aged 55 and over, the Older Persons Shared Ownership (OPSO) scheme is a government-backed initiative which helps to reduce the costs of buying a retirement property, making it possible to enjoy a safe, secure and independent lifestyle for less. Key to shared ownership is that purchasers do not pay the full market value of the property, with a range of ownership options allowing them to purchase up to 75% at which point there is no rent to pay on the remaining share. At Locks View, a 75% share of a one-bedroom apartment is £180,000 with no rent to pay on the remaining 25% share. Alternatively, a lower percentage share can be purchased, with an affordable monthly rent payable on the remaining share. For example, purchase a 50% share of the same apartment for £120,000 and pay a low monthly rent of £275 per calendar month.*
Bringing with it many opportunities to prioritise homeowners’ wellbeing, the development houses a spacious, well-appointed lounge, ideal for forging new friendships, and beautiful, landscaped gardens overlooking the canal. Meanwhile, a handy guest suite offers the perfect solution to hassle-free hosting.
For peace of mind, a House Manager is on-site during office hours to oversee the day-to-day running of the development, with 24/7 emergency call points and a door camera entry system to provide additional reassurance.
More than nine out of 10 customers would recommend McCarthy Stone to a friend, ensuring it has received the full Five Star award for customer satisfaction from the Home Builders Federation. McCarthy Stone is the only UK housebuilder of any size or type to achieve this rating every year it has taken part in the survey.
To discover more about Retirement Living at Locks View please call 0800 153 3076 or visit www.mccarthystone.co.uk/locks-view.
*Shared Ownership prices are subject to availability. Other shares are available. For terms and conditions, click here: www.mccarthystone.co.uk/shared-ownership
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