Pocket - Page 4 of 11 - Starter homes for city makers

How to support homes being built in London

October 15, 2021March 23, 2022 Hannah Godwin Leave a comment

We strongly believe that communities should have a say in the housing being built on their doorstep. Here at Pocket Living, we aim to build more homes that are actually needed, helping middle earning Londoners get onto the property ladder and put down roots in their local areas. A lack of affordable homes shouldn’t be the reason that people leave their communities, so we campaign every day to get permission to build more discounted homes across London.

What you may not realise is that we rely on the support of local communities to put through successful planning applications. If you live in a borough where we’re trying to build more discounted Pocket homes, your voice could have a big influence on whether we get permission to build.
With that said, it’s important to demystify how the planning system works so that you can understand how to support planning applications should you decide to do so.

Read on to find out how to support homes being built in London in a few simple steps.

London boroughs ranked by accessibility

October 11, 2021March 23, 2022 Hannah Godwin Leave a comment

The question of which borough is best for first time buyers is a hotly contested one. Affordability is undoubtedly an important factor, but so is the availability of local amenities and access to transport links. Where buyers choose to invest in their first home is one of the most important decisions they’ll ever make, so it’s crucial that the borough ticks all the boxes that matter most to them.

We conducted research to rank London boroughs by accessibility for city makers, taking into account annual house price growth, access to Cycle Superhighways and Green Flag parks and number of train stations and bus stops. Read on to find out which boroughs came out on top and why they stand out.

Preparing for First Homes: Long term thinking is needed to make sure these homes help the people who need them most

September 21, 2021June 20, 2022 Thomasin Renshaw Leave a comment

A blog by Thomasin Renshaw, Development Director

When the Government announced the First Homes policy, Pocket Living welcomed the ambition. The premise of the policy is identical to what we have been doing for years, namely opening up homeownership to young middle earners by selling at a discount.

The government’s mortgage guarantee scheme explained

September 8, 2021August 25, 2021 Hannah Godwin 2 Comments

The onset of the pandemic in the spring of 2020 quickly lead to the withdrawal of low-deposit mortgages, as property valuations ground to a halt and lenders looked for ways to manage business levels.

Over the last 12 months, the market has gradually opened up again, and the budget announcement in March saw the Government confirm its intention to support the housing sector by increasing the availability of 95% mortgages.

Here, we have broken down how the government’s mortgage guarantee scheme works.

Packing checklist for moving home

September 1, 2021August 25, 2021 Hannah Godwin Leave a comment

Packing – one of the most dreaded aspects of moving home. Luckily, there are things to consider when packing for a move so that you can take a smart approach and streamline your efforts.

We’ve put together a packing checklist for moving home to take all the guesswork out of it. Start by gathering the moving supplies you’ll need, and then work systematically until the job is done. Read on to find out more.

First time buyers stamp duty exemption explained: how much can I save?

August 25, 2021August 25, 2021 Hannah Godwin Leave a comment

First time buyers may qualify for a stamp duty exemption, with some getting a reduced rate and some not having to pay the tax at all. We know the ins and outs can be a bit confusing, so we’re breaking it down for you to understand how much you can actually save.

Sustainable developments – Harbard Close IG11

July 15, 2021July 15, 2021 Hayley Donigan Leave a comment

Our design team is clever – they understand that sustainability goes hand in hand with creating quality homes for modern living. Minimising waste and maximising efficiency is at the heart of what they do; they focus on inventive use of space and efficient planning so that real value is returned to our buyers.

Each of our developments is completely unique, with the team spending a lot of time getting the eco credentials up to scratch – from the methods of construction used to the paint on the walls. Our latest development in Barking, Harbard Close IG11, is a great example of a sustainable housing development in London. Read on to find out more about it.

Our newest Pocket residents – Gardner Close E11

July 2, 2021July 8, 2021 Hayley Donigan Leave a comment

It is officially summer, and we are happy to report that a new batch of Pocket residents have moved into our first development in Wanstead – Gardner Close E11. These affordable Pocket homes are exclusively occupied by first time buyers who live or work in Redbridge, making it an extension of the wider community. Right around the corner from Wanstead Station and Wanstead High Street, they have easy access to a range of local amenities.

Pocket developments are unique because they are filled with like-minded city makers who have often struggled to afford to buy a home in London. With so much in common, we have already seen friendships form amongst neighbours at Gardner Close, and we cannot wait to see the community spirit build as they all get settled in. Read on to find out how we welcomed them to their new Pocket homes and what they are getting up to!

Our favourite up and coming cafés in Croydon

June 8, 2021June 9, 2021 Hannah Godwin Leave a comment

Finding a good local café is important, and we think the best ones combine location, atmosphere, and, of course, great coffee. To help with your search, we’ve compiled a list of the best up and coming cafés in Croydon, all a stone’s throw away from our Addiscombe Grove CR0 development. Some are colourful, some are cosy, but all of them live and breathe the spirit of Croydon, which is why we love them.

Things to do in Barking and Dagenham

June 1, 2021June 4, 2021 Hayley Donigan Leave a comment

East London has a lot to offer, with certain areas becoming increasingly desirable due to rapid regeneration. A vibrant borough that we’re keeping an eye on is Barking and Dagenham, which is seeing significant growth in the arts and cultural sectors and an influx of jobs and new homes. More and more young people are moving further eastwards in search of affordable homes, so we’re pleased to have built a development for first time buyers right in the heart of this exciting borough!