THERE IS NO PLACE LIKE WIGAN
SAVVY home buyer Sara Haidari says you can keep the bright lights of Manchester because her heart and family are in Wigan.
In 2005 Sara moved to Fallowfield in Manchester - simply to jump on the property ladder - and bought a one-bedroom apartment through a 50% shared ownership scheme.
Now she has returned to her hometown to graduate to a stylish one-bedroom apartment in Ashton-in-Makerfield, at McInerney’s The Groves, and now owns 100% of her new home.
Sara, aged 25, says: "I decided to move from Manchester to Wigan for a couple of reasons. Firstly, I can now afford to buy a home outright and didn’t want to waste money on rent for the other half of my property, which I didn’t own. I knew I could be putting that rent money towards full ownership of my home and reap the benefits in any future sale.
"Secondly, all my friends and family live in Wigan and after the birth of my second nephew a few months ago, I decided I wanted to be closer to all those who matter most to me."
Originally born in Manchester, Sara moved to Wigan as a youngster and made the Lancashire town her true home. Her move back to Manchester two years ago was to take advantage of the shared ownership opportunity in Fallowfield and it has proven an astute decision by the young marketing professional.
Sara says: "After coming home from university I decided that I wanted my own space and read about shared ownership. It was a fab way to take a half-step onto the property ladder by buying a 50% share in my current apartment and paying rent on the other 50%. That way, unlike renting, I still get half of the increase in value from its sale, which has enabled me to step up to my wonderful new McInerney apartment and own it outright."
When she discovered that McInerney was building The Groves in Ashton, Sara was quick to see what the house builder had to offer to get her up to full ‘homeowner’ status.
The Groves, off Wigan Road, features 36 contemporary one and two-bedroom apartments in three, two-storey buildings and has almost sold out in less than three months. McInerney also continues to invest in Wigan with new homes at Verde Park off Woodhouse Lane.
Carol Nomdedeu, field sales manager for McInerney Homes North West, says: "We’re delighted that Sara has chosen to come home to Wigan and buy a property at The Groves. She’s played the market very smartly and given herself the chance to get onto the property ladder through shared ownership and then our apartment deals. We certainly try and go the extra mile for first-time buyers and people looking to complete their first, 100%, full-step to ownership of their own home.
"Like Sara, we believe Wigan is a great place to live and has a prosperous future. Indeed, our head office is in Standish, so Wigan is our home too, and we’ve invested a great deal to bring new homes and apartments to the town. The Groves is just the latest of our sell-out successes in Wigan and our current development, Verde Park, is measuring up to be just as successful with home buyers. People will have to be quick if they want to be part of it."
Prices start from £167,996 for a three-bedroom detached family home at Verde Park and deposit paid, mortgage subsidy or part exchange will be considered on selected plots.
To discover more about Verde Park visit the show home Thursday to Monday, 11am - 5pm, or call 01942 497 432.