Help to Buy

Stress-free move leaves Hemel Hempstead couple free to get in shape for wedding

- 15 May 19

An engaged couple in Hemel Hempstead, who are getting into shape for their upcoming wedding, say buying a brand-new home using a Government scheme has freed them up to focus on their nuptials.

First-time buyers Jamie Shaw and Daniella Serrano, who grew up in the town, bought a new-build property at Bovis Homes’ Aspen Park using the Help to Buy – Equity Loan initiative.

The pair, who are now the proud owners of a two-bedroom end of terrace home, have been going to the gym every day before work in the lead up to their July wedding in Santorini.

Jamie, 33, said: “We both go to the gym each morning so we’re in good shape for our wedding! We love eating out and travelling and hopefully now we have our home, we can do a lot more of it. The move was a really smooth process and it feels amazing to finally be in.

“We used the Help to Buy scheme, which is excellent to get young couples like us on the ladder.”

Daniella, 28, added: “"We're really happy, the Bovis Homes team has been amazing! They are so easy to speak with and regularly check in with us to see if everything is ok.

“The properties are built really well and the staff have been so friendly throughout the whole moving process. Everything is new! No-one has lived in our house before, so it’s a blank canvas to work with.”

Jamie and Daniella, 28, also have a regular visitor – Daniella’s mum’s dog, Bella, who regularly stays for sleepovers and they hope to get their own Cockapoo soon.

The duo like being close to family and primary teacher Daniella works nearby while Jamie, an executive assistant for a TV firm who has a passion for photography, enjoys living near to the train station for regular trips to London.

Jamie Shaw and Daniella Serrano in the back garden of their new home at Aspen Park
And the couple have praised Bovis Homes for the quality of build and design of their home.

“Our bedroom space is great!” said Daniella. “We can really move freely around the room, but we love the living room the most - we are trying to keep it very modern, with all the furnishings. It’s also a bonus that we have French doors that lead into the garden!

“Jamie needs to be near the station for work, so this location was perfect and we are so excited about our future here.”

The Help to Buy – Equity Loan scheme is available exclusively on new-build homes to first-time buyers and existing owners.

Using the scheme, buyers can get an equity loan from the Government for up to 20 per cent of the property’s cost, meaning the purchaser only needs a five per cent deposit and to secure a mortgage for 75 per cent.