Pocket - Page 5 of 11 - Starter homes for city makers

Is it better to rent or buy in London?

May 20, 2021March 15, 2023 Hannah Godwin Leave a comment

If you rent, deciding whether to take the plunge and buy a property is probably the biggest decision you’ll ever make.

For many people, the decision will be swayed by what’s affordable to them. In most areas of London, average monthly rents are actually higher than mortgage repayments, making buying a better option (as long as you can afford the deposit).

Everyone’s circumstances are different, but if you’re struggling to decide whether it’s better to rent or buy in London, we hope this article will help inform your decision.

The best green spaces near our developments

May 11, 2021May 18, 2021 Hayley Donigan Leave a comment

London wouldn’t be London without its canals, riversides, gardens and parks. In fact, over 18% of the city is made up of parks, which is why it was named the world’s first ‘National Park City’. Beyond Hyde Park and Hampstead Heath, there are many lesser known nature areas big and small dotted around London’s boroughs. We make it our mission to build our developments in areas that have good access to them.

7 ways to make your home more eco friendly

April 21, 2021July 4, 2022 Hannah Godwin Leave a comment

As environmental concerns become increasingly pressing, the way that we live in our homes has become more important than ever. If you are wondering how to make your home more eco friendly, we have some answers for you that are surprisingly easy. By making small tweaks to your lifestyle and the way your home uses energy, it is possible to both have an eco-friendly home and save a lot on energy bills in the process.

COVID-19 update

April 7, 2021April 8, 2021 Hayley Donigan 2 Comments

Despite last year’s challenges there is good news from Pocket: we launched three new developments, helping more of London’s first-time buyers get onto the housing ladder. We still have a full team working to conduct socially-distanced viewings safely and in line with government guidance, or we’re able to offer detailed virtual viewings as an alternative. We’re also now approaching our 1,000th home – with several developments in the pipeline for London’s middle earners.

Interview with first time buyers India and Hallam

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

All of our residents are unique, so we love learning about how they settle in to their first homes. This interview with first time buyers India and Hallam dives into their favourite parts of their Pocket home at Arklow Road SE14.

Working from a Pocket home

March 21, 2021March 22, 2021 Hayley Donigan Leave a comment

Although working from home isn’t a new phenomenon, the pandemic has made remote working a central part of many of our lives. With that said, procuring the right working from home setup is essential to productivity and wellbeing, as small adjustments can help prevent strain, injury and fatigue.

Working from home in a smaller space poses its challenges, but there are many ways you can optimise your living space to accommodate a work station, even if you don’t have a home office. Read on to learn our top tips for working from a Pocket home.

Will mortgage rates go up or down?

March 18, 2021March 19, 2021 Hayley Donigan Leave a comment

Will mortgage rates go down in 2021? We’ve been hearing a lot about mortgage rates trends in light of the Brexit trade deal and coronavirus, so we thought we’d unpack this a bit for all you first time buyers who may be thinking about buying your first home in the coming months.

Bolu’s story – Harbard Close IG11

March 15, 2021September 13, 2022 Hannah Godwin Leave a comment

When Bolu (24) moved home to South East London after graduating from university, she immediately started saving for a place of her own. “Owning a home has always been a goal of mine. I did not want to get stuck renting in London – it’s so expensive and, particularly as a single person, I knew it would be impossible to afford the monthly cost and save for a deposit. When I left university, I decided my best option was to move back in with my parents and save everything I could. I was determined, but even I didn’t think it would be possible by the time I was 24!”

Viewing a home as a first-time buyer: Questions to ask

February 24, 2021February 24, 2021 Hayley Donigan Leave a comment

Buying your first home is likely to be one of the biggest decisions of your life. Preparing the right questions to ask when viewing a home is a key element of the process, but too many first-time home buyers fall into the trap of rushing through viewings and turning up unprepared. This can lead to valuable time wasted and unnecessary stress.

Property viewings are an opportunity to find out everything you can to ensure that you find a home that’s right for you. By maximising every viewing, you will be equipped to make an informed decision about what home to buy. After all – you only get one chance to be a first-time buyer, so get it right!

Can you move home during lockdown?

February 18, 2021February 18, 2021 Hannah Godwin 1 Comment

You have made the commitment to buy a new home – you pick up the keys, excited to start the next chapter. But we are all living in lockdown conditions at the moment in response to the coronavirus outbreak. All but essential activities have been stopped. The big question is, can you move home during lockdown?

The short answer is yes!