‘I thought buying a house wouldn’t actually be possible, until now,’: first shared owner gets on the property ladder at Middleton development
05/12/2023
A first-time buyer in Middleton has been helped on the path to homeownership, thanks to our latest new affordable homes.
Through shared ownership, NHS Radiologist, Ekenedilichukwu Godslove Onovo has bought a three-bedroom house at the Eden Park development in Langley.
Shared ownership is a government initiative which makes it easier for eligible homebuyers to get on the property ladder. It allows purchasers to buy a share in a new home through a mortgage and savings, and pay rent on the share that they don’t own.
"It feels like a dream."
The scheme means buyers need a smaller deposit, which can make a big difference to those like Ekenedilichukwu, who want to make owning a home a reality. He says:
“I thought buying a house wouldn’t actually be possible, until now.
“The shared ownership route was good for me because it reduced the amount of deposit I needed.
“I didn’t really believe this place was going to be mine until I had the keys in my hand. It feels like a dream; I’m so happy.”
Mr Onovo’s home is among 19 shared ownership properties that we have secured at the Eden Park scheme, which is being built by Lovell Homes.
Of these 19 homes, 14 are three-bedroom houses and 4 are four-bedroom houses and 1 two-bedroom house, which are ideal for first time buyers and growing families alike.
Each property has light, practical living spaces, a contemporary fitted kitchen, modern bathrooms including an en suite to the master bedroom, off road parking plus an electric vehicle charging point.
The development also offers open green spaces and a play area for residents to enjoy, and has local amenities, schools and parks right on the doorstep.
Shared ownership homes at Eden Park are being marketed through our Fabric Living brand, with the first properties reserved and phase two homes recently released for sale. Further homes will be listed between now and early 2024.
Joel Owen, our Director of Development said: “High house prices and private rents in Middleton, coupled with significant demand for affordable housing, mean getting on the property ladder is out of reach for many first-time buyers.
“That’s why we are building a range of property types and offering products like shared ownership to help people secure a home of their own.
“Working in partnership with major housebuilders, as we have done here with Lovell, is among the ways we are scaling up delivery of desperately needed new homes and moving closer to our target to build 1,100 new, high quality, energy efficient properties in Oldham, Rochdale, Tameside, Kirklees and Calderdale 2020-2026.
“I congratulate Ekenedilichukwu on his new home here at Eden Park and wish him all the best.”
For enquiries and to register interest, email sales@fabricliving.co.uk or call 0161 524 1699.
In addition to homes for shared ownership, at Eden Park we are also offering 17 houses for rent to buy and 11 for affordable rent to meet local housing need.
Homes for rent-to-buy are being advertised via www.mymoveoldham.co.uk. Initial properties have been allocated to residents and the remaining homes will be listed in the coming weeks.
Homes for affordable rent will be allocated through Rochdale Borough Council’s housing register.
Read more about Eden Park and all our other new developments.