With the average age of first-time buyers currently at 32 years old , Molly Grant (30) and George Leonard (29) have defied the odds by buying a three-bedroom home together at St Luke’s Park in Runwell. The couple spent 18 months saving, working overtime, limiting their social life and living with Molly’s parents to save their deposit and were delighted to utilise Countryside Homes’ Share & Save scheme to secure their ideal family home for their future together.
First-time buyers Molly and George had already seen three of their friends buy homes at St Luke’s Park and were determined to make their way onto the property ladder at the stunning residential development. Surrounded by extensive, mature parkland and offering a great range of amenities including a Co-Op, cafe, nursery and primary school and a refurbished Grade II-listed chapel, the homes at St Luke’s Park , Essex have attracted a wide range of residents. There is also a wealth of open countryside which is perfect for connecting with nature, meandering through the woodland and enjoying the thousands of new trees, shrubs and plants that Countryside Homes has planted.
Molly and George knew they would need to make some sacrifices if they were going to save up a deposit. The couple worked hard to save up, with George – a Junior Contracts Manager for Jones Facilities Management – taking on as much overtime as he could get and regularly working weekends. He also moved into Molly’s family home with her parents Mandy and Lee and sister Grace in Elm Park in Hornchurch for 18 months.
“We did all we could to save up,” explains Molly. “We restricted our social plans to meals and BBQs at friends’ and family’s houses, and I sold my car. It was a long process but so worth it, as it put us in a position to buy a home of our own.”
By making these changes, the couple saved up enough deposit which meant that they were finally in a position to buy a home of their own. However, Molly and George, who first met through a dating app during lockdown in 2020, had endured a run of bad luck with trying to find a property. The first house they found was undervalued and the purchase fell through. With the second, the developer went into liquidation and the sale fell through once more.
Finally – third time lucky – and thanks to their lifestyle changes and the Share & Save scheme on offer, Molly and George were able to buy a three bedroom, semi-detached house known as The Birch. Using Countryside Homes’ Share & Save scheme, the financially savvy couple were able to buy the home at just 70% of the full market value. The scheme means that Molly and George pay no rent on the remaining equity for 10 years and they have committed to saving the remaining 30% share, as they are able to purchase the remaining shares.
Molly comments: “The Share & Save scheme at St Luke’s Park was a game changer for us and allowed us to not only get on the property ladder, but secure a perfect family three bedroom house for our future together. We really felt that Countryside Homes want to help first time buyers like ourselves and we would recommend the scheme to anyone looking to secure their first home.”
Molly recalls: “We were drawn to The Birch’s spacious layout and the home’s excellent energy efficiency. I really like the fact that every home here is different. Other than our immediate next-door neighbours, I don’t think I’ve seen another home the same as ours. The opportunity to make our own mark on a brand-new home also appealed, particularly having seen three of our friends do so at St Luke’s Park. The south-facing garden and peaceful location on the outskirts of the development were the icing on the cake.”
Not only did the location provide the rural bliss and ready-made community they were seeking, but it was also well positioned for travel to London. The London connection was important for the young couple. Buying at St Luke’s Park meant that Molly, a receptionist at Rawlings and Hunter on Chancery Lane in Blackfriars, could travel into Liverpool Street on the train from nearby Wickford train station. George, whose work requires him to travel to a range of central London destinations, can either get the train or drive – both are easy journeys from St Luke’s Park.
The couple completed their purchase in May 2024 and received the keys the next day. A whirlwind of activity then ensued.
“We haven’t stopped,” laughs George. “We moved bit by bit over the course of about a week. The first night, we slept on a mattress on the floor as our bed hadn’t arrived. Then we got the bed in and then the wardrobes. I think it was once we’d moved all our clothes in that we really felt like we were fully living here.”
In addition to the three bedrooms, Molly and George’s house has a separate kitchen, open plan living / dining area, a stylish bathroom and a spacious rear garden.
Molly and George are delighted with their new home and with the support provided by Countryside Homes, noting how helpful the team were during the purchase process. They also love the friendly feel of St Luke’s Park. Molly comments: “There’s a lovely family-friendly vibe here. There are lots of places to walk and it feels very safe. Plus, there’s a nursery and a school on-site. It’s the ideal place to raise a family, which we want to do in the near future. Everything is super convenient and everyone is so helpful – the manager of the on-site Co-op has even arranged to stock my favourite gluten-free bread!”
A selection of homes remains for sale at St Luke’s Park, ranging from one-bedroom apartments to four- and five-bedroom detached houses. Available using the Share & Save Scheme, apartments are priced from £167,997 (70% of full market value), with no rent to pay on the remaining equity for 10 years. For those looking for something bigger, prices for the four-bedroom Holly house type, meanwhile, start from £684,995, while five-bedroom homes that are ready to move into cost from £779,995.
For further details, including information on the Share & Save scheme, visit stlukespark.co.uk
