Dad of two, Diego, was eager to find a new home with ample space for his children when he discovered Shared Ownership at Harrow and Wealdstone Heights.
Explaining his motivations to move, Diego comments, “I had previously been privately renting a two-bedroom home in North London. Before that, I had owned a property in Bedford but had relocated back to London to be closer to my kids. I was looking at different places in the north of the city so that I could reach them easily. Plus, the building I was renting in was really old and I wanted to find somewhere that was better insulated and energy efficient where I wouldn’t have to worry about repairs.”
Diego searched online for North London boroughs and homes that would be accessible on his single income.
“I was aware of Shared Ownership as a few of my friends had used the scheme as a way to get onto the property ladder but wasn’t sure whether I would be eligible as I had previously owned a home.”
Upon enquiring with the Origin team, Diego learnt that he would be eligible for Shared Ownership as his income fell under the £90,000 threshold for London. He also did not own a property or part of one at the time of application.
I hadn’t previously considered Harrow,” he says, “but when I came across Origin Housing and their new development Harrow and Wealdstone Heights, the apartments looked really great, so I knew I had to check in out. I researched journey times and realised it would only take me 15-minutes by car to reach my son in Burnt Oak and it was also close to my daughter in Enfield which was perfect.
“I knew that the opportunity to secure a newbuild apartment in a great location through Shared Ownership was a fantastic option for me. Plus, Harrow and Wealdstone Heights is pet-friendly which was important as I’ve got an 8-month-old puppy, Elvis.”
With his application approved, Diego arranged a viewing with the Harrow and Wealdstone Heights sales team.
“The whole process was really quick! I had a really positive experience from start to finish, including on my two viewings with Julian from Origin who was really helpful and informative,” Diego comments. “I was impressed how much you got for your money – the apartments were really spacious and I could easily fit two single beds with a desk in the second bedroom for my kids. I took both of them to see the apartment and they loved it as well, so I knew it was the place for me.”
Diego bought a 25% share of a two-bedroom Shared Ownership apartment for £115,000, including parking.
Since moving into his home in November 2023, he describes how he’s found life in Harrow so far.
“I knew that the road links were good when I first found the development, but I’ve also been impressed with the nearby public transport – we’ve got Harrow and Wealdstone Station on the doorstep from where you can get trains to Euston and the Bakerloo line runs to Paddington and Waterloo. My daughter is getting to that age where she can hop on the tube by herself, so that’s going to be really useful.”
“Also, it’s great to be able to walk to the high street so easily. We’ve got a leisure centre, Asda and local shops all just five minutes’ away which makes things that much more convenient. Plus, one thing I really like is the security within the development. We’ve got an intercom system to buzz people in and activate the lift – it’s brilliant!”
Looking ahead to his future at Harrow and Wealdstone Heights, Diego says, “My long-term plan is definitely to staircase in the future – I’d like to own a greater share in my apartment.
“For now, I’m enjoying settling into a routine with having my kids come to stay – it’s fantastic to have more space as they get older.”
Find out more about Harrow and Wealdstone Heights here.