Renting in London can be costly, as first-time buyer Callum Noad (24) was finding when he decided to start his search for a first home to buy. In common with many first-time buyers, Callum preferred to pay a mortgage than to pay rent and with savings from a book he wrote when at University, he was able to buy a new two bedroom apartment at Anthology’s Wembley Parade development.
Callum explains: “I started a new job last September after I returned from Madrid, where I had been working for a football team. I am from Bath originally so had to find somewhere to live and rented a place in Willesden Green. I work in Dollis Hill as an Account Manager in the sports industry, so the commute was easy from there.”
Being a football fan, Callum had visited Wembley Stadium many times for matches and had noticed over the years the huge improvements that were taking place around Wembley: “Wembley Park has become such a lively place and had transformed since I started going to matches at Wembley Stadium.
“As I worked in Dollis Hill, I was looking at places along the Jubilee Line, so all over London, as long as the commute wasn’t too long. I looked at Wembley as an area as it is only 15 minutes on the tube to Dollis Hill, so I was delighted to find Wembley Parade. I had viewed so many different places and was getting tired of seeing apartments that looked nothing like their photos. I first saw Wembley Parade online and liked what I saw so I went to have a look the next day and thought this is the one.”
Initially Callum had been looking for a one-bedroom home but buying at Wembley Parade would mean he was able to afford a two-bedroom home in Dunn House and have the extra space he wanted and a balcony: “The apartments at Wembley Parade were more affordable compared with others I had viewed and so I was able to buy a two bedroom home, somewhere I could have friends to stay and have the extra space, plus I love having a balcony. I have bought on my own as I have been able to save up the deposit thanks to the book I wrote when I was at university which was bolstered with a little support from my parents. I love owning my own place and being able to pay a mortgage is a much better investment.”
Callum was also able to find his perfect spot along the Jubilee line for his commute to work:
“Wembley Parade is only a two-minute walk to Wembley Park Station, so it’s been a great choice for my commute, which is still quick and easy, being just a couple of stops on the Jubilee Line. Wembley is also a fantastic area to live, there’s Boxpark right on the doorstep with loads of great restaurants and bars and a lot going on. When friends from Bath come to stay, we can pop round there and then, because the development is set back, when we come home it is quiet and secluded. Best of both worlds.
“Viewing Wembley Parade was like night and day compared with all the other places I had viewed. When I came to view the development in February, Andrew from the sales team, showed me all the different types of homes available and it was like a breath of fresh air. I made an offer on a two-bedroom home situated on the fifth floor of Dunn House within days but then lockdown happened. I had to go back to my parent’s house in Bath while my purchase proceeded as I had already given notice on my rental home. I was able to move in at the start of July, just after I completed and just in time to go back to working from my office which had opened again. The whole process was straightforward, even with lockdown. Andrew and Anthology were fantastic throughout and always answered my questions quickly and explained each stage of the buying process to me, which as a first-time buyer I found a great support.”
Callum has been enjoying his new home since he moved in: “I was really looking forward to moving in, buying furniture and putting my own stamp on my new home. I like the fact that it was a blank canvas and completely ready to move in to. Normally my life revolves around football and my writing, but I have really got into buying furniture and new things for my home and having the time to enjoy making it my own. I have also started writing a new novel and this is a great space where I can do my writing.”
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Wembley Parade development, designed by GRID Architects, will comprise a collection of five buildings including a twelve-floor tower, providing 195 one, two- and three-bedroom apartments. The mix of homes will provide social rented, shared ownership and private homes amongst a new landscape courtyard. All homes feature a private balcony or terrace and prices start from £399,000, Help to Buy London is also available on selected homes.
For those interested in moving to the Wembley area please call 020 3308 9814, visit anthology.london or email wembleyparade@anthology.london