For Vicki Lever (34), the Shared Ownership scheme has not only helped her secure her first home, and more recently allowed her to move into a bigger property, this valuable homebuying scheme has also enabled Vicki to return to her hometown of Thornbury in South Gloucestershire. As a strong advocate for the scheme, Vicki has finally found her forever home at Sovereign’s Cleve Wood which she shares with her son Archie and their dog, Molly.
Having grown up in Thornbury, Vicki always knew this was where she wanted to live, however, the Thornbury property market was out of budget so she had to look further afield. Vicki explains: “My previous home was on Sovereign’s Great Oldbury development in Stonehouse about 25-minute drive from Thornbury. This was a Shared Ownership property and I purchased a 50% share. When I had my son Archie, I was keen to move back to Thornbury to be close to my family and to help with childcare. Also, I had always wanted to come back as it’s such a lovely place to live and raise my son.”
Vicki put her home on the market which sold almost immediately and with the profit she made through the sale, she was ready to look at homes in Thornbury. Vicki comments: “Buying a home in Thornbury outright wasn’t an option for me – my budget would probably only stretch to a small flat which wouldn’t be great with a young child and a dog. I enjoyed my Shared Ownership experience with Sovereign previously as I loved being able to own my own home, but only needed a smaller deposit compared to buying on the open market, so I decided to go down this route again. I signed up to a property portal website and kept my eyes open for available properties in Thornbury on Sovereign’s website.”
Vicki’s journey to discovering Cleve Wood was one of luck, fortunate timing and a case of taking the plunge. She explains: “I was walking with my Aunt near Cleve Wood and we were just having a nose around when the sales advisor spotted us. She waved us to come in and have a chat. After discussing what I wanted in a home, the plots available at Cleve Wood and my financial options, I purchased a 40% share and put down a 10% deposit for a two-bedroom home without seeing a show home and without a second thought. Although it was a risk, I was so set on moving to Thornbury that I felt confident to go for it.”
After purchasing her two-bedroom terraced home off-plan, Vicki completed in March. She comments: “Luckily, I was able to stay with my Mum and Dad whilst I decorated and got the home ready for Archie and I to move in and get settled. Since being in the new home, we’ve been so happy. The layout works much better for us and we have recently had the garden fully landscaped which is amazing. The kitchen is stunning and all the rooms are really good-sized. With the profit from my previous home, I was able to decorate and design the rooms exactly how I wanted. Having lived in a new build before, I knew the home would be sustainable; it’s EPC B rated so it’s really warm in the winter months, and economical too.”
On the wider development, Vicki comments: “All the homes here are beautiful and our plot is so well placed – we are just seconds from the woods that the development backs onto which is perfect for dog walks. The neighbours are lovely too.”
Having grown up in Thornbury, Vicki knew the local area like the back of her hand. She comments: “I already knew I loved Thornbury and all it has to offer. We are close to the high street which has lots of great cafes, shops and restaurants, and Bristol is really close by too. There is also a leisure centre and the park is two minutes from us so we go there a lot. Also, there are great schools and nurseries nearby for Archie.”
As this is her second Shared Ownership home, Vicki has proven the incredible opportunities that this scheme can offer those looking to step onto the ladder or upsize. She comments: “I would 100% recommend Shared Ownership to everyone. Some of my friends are looking for properties and I always encourage them to look into the scheme because there’s no similar alternative. We wouldn’t have been able to move back to Thornbury without it. I hope to staircase and purchase additional shares so that I own more of the property in the future, but I’m not putting pressure on myself as this is our forever home, so I have time.”
Vicki concludes: “The sales team at Sovereign were wonderful. They kept constant communication with me and any issues I had were chased and sorted quickly. I’m so happy to be back in the place I love to call home.”
Find our full range of Shared Ownership homes here: https://www.sovereignliving.org.uk/developments