Catalyst: Shared Ownership launch of family homes in Bedfordshire
First time buyers can attend a virtual preview of The Printworks in Dunstable
As home buyers make space the top priority in their property search for 2020, the price premium for a three bedroom house has reached record levels. The ‘trade-up gap’ between two bedroom flats and three bedroom houses now stands at £68,000, equating to £4,000 more than this time last year.
Making the move to a family home more achievable, Catalyst are launching The Printworks in Dunstable via two virtual preview events on Saturday 17th October, at 11am and 2pm.
Consisting of 10 two-storey two bedroom houses and 27 three bedroom houses, each property is available through Shared Ownership, minimising the savings and monthly income required to buy a family home when compared to purchasing on the open market.
Central to forming a strong sense of community, green space plays a key role across the development. A richly-planted community garden and dedicated green space for wildlife promotes biodiversity across the site, whilst an additional communal garden provides a further area for children to play.
Thoughtfully designed to celebrate the area’s rich history, architectural features pay homage to Dunstable’s past as a stage coaching town and centre for straw plaiting. Houses feature brick detailing which echo the hand-crafted weaving patterns used in straw plaiting, whilst select homes have archway features inspired by traditional coaching inns.
Markus Kendall-Young, Group Head of Sales and Marketing at Catalyst, comments: “Demand for family homes in the Home Counties has skyrocketed in recent months, as buyers make space the main priority in their house hunt. Shared Ownership is a fantastic solution for buyers with smaller savings to be able to enjoy that same luxury of space, and Dunstable is a prime example of an area where it is really needed. Dunstable property prices have risen by over 30% in the past five years, putting this Bedfordshire town out of reach for many buyers. Through Shared Ownership, we hope to broaden access to the property market in Dunstable, and enable more families to lay permanent rooms here.”
Each house has top-of-the-range specification included, such as integrated Zanussi appliances in the kitchen as well as high quality bathrooms. Contemporary floor to ceiling windows flood light into the living spaces, whilst connecting the homes to the surrounding greenery. Landscaping accompanies every home, with turfing to the front garden, and turfing and a tree in every rear garden, all included in the price.
Dunstable town centre is a 15 minute walk away, with its wide range of amenities including The Quadrant shopping centre, weekly market and wide array of restaurants and pubs. Convenient for family living, there are plenty of schools nearby, including Beecroft Academy, Queensbury Academy, and the Dunstable Campus of Central Bedfordshire College.
Meanwhile, The Dunstable Downs and Whipsnade Estate connects the town to the Chiltern Hills Area Of Natural Beauty, providing 332 square miles of green space on the doorstep.
Commuters can reach St. Pancras International in just over an hour via the guided busway and train. Luton is just a 15 minute journey away, with direct trains into London. For drivers, the A5 runs through Dunstable leading into the M1 a few miles north of the town.
Prices start from £116,000 for a 40% share of a two bedroom house (Full Market Value: £290,000).
To register for the virtual preview events of The Printworks on Saturday 17th October, visit: catalyst.homes.
Share to Buy is a one stop shop for affordable homes. On our website, you can search for properties, compare mortgages and find out all you need to know about alternative home buying schemes such as Shared Ownership and Help to Buy via our FAQs and guides.