James Frater bought an apartment in Horlicks Quarter.

For anyone buying their first home, the process can feel overwhelming – especially when comparing renting vs buying. First-time buyers share why they chose an apartment in Horlicks Quarter, Slough. From Elizabeth Line links to expert Berkeley support, see how easy it is to trade renting for a luxury new home. 

The Process of Buying a Home  for First-Time Buyers

James’ Story

Choosing and purchasing a home is a major life decision, especially for first-time buyers who’ve never gone through the process and are renting elsewhere. But it doesn’t have to be complicated. 

We spoke to first-time buyers who found the home-buying process much easier than expected. James Frater purchased a studio flat off-plan in Horlicks Quarter in Slough and moved in in 2024, and Julius Pablo and his partner Raquel Robes recently bought a two-bedroom apartment in the development.

Renting vs Buying: What First-Time Buyers Need to Know

Before choosing a home at Horlicks Quarter, James, a production and location manager for film and TV, had been renting for over 20 years, mainly in the west London area. But the decision to buy became more of a priority after his landlord increased his rent by 40%.

James had a number of priorities for his ideal property. He wanted it to be close to his job in Moorgate and near transport links, so he could commute into central London with ease.

“My office is in Moorgate [in the City of London] and what I started doing was just working out where I could get to on the train within an hour from there,” says James. “I was genuinely drawing circles on a map.”

Why Horlicks Quarter Stood Out

His research started in Reading and eventually, he put a pin in Slough and discovered Horlicks Quarter. It fit his transport needs, with London Paddington easily accessible on the Elizabeth Line. For longer-haul adventures, Heathrow Airport is a short 20-minute drive away.

Formerly the iconic Horlicks Factory and clocktower, Horlicks Quarter has been developed into apartments and houses and features a range of amenities, including an onsite nursery, a co-working space, a gym, a cinema and a rooftop terrace.

Initially, James was surprised to find properties within his budget at Horlicks Quarter. As a first-time buyer, the affordability, transport links and the range of amenities is what led him to purchase a home in the development.

"I was astonished... I genuinely hadn’t expected to find something in Horlicks Quarter within my price range,” he says. “I was first struck by the high-end kitchen and bathrooms being installed and the quality of the finish planned for each of the properties,” he says.

“But it was everything else that Horlicks Quarter development offered that really appealed! The amenities available to residents are truly remarkable.” Horlicks Quarter’s co-working space is what really sold it to James, who had had the choice to work remotely since the pandemic.

James bought a 55 sq m studio flat off-plan in the Horlicks factory building for £280,000. His mortgage is around £1,400 per month.

Ease of Buying with Berkeley

So how was the entire moving process? “The Berkeley sales team have been exceptional; they have provided support and guidance at every stage of the process, including recommending suitable mortgage lenders and solicitors,” says James.

“They were incredibly patient and supportive whilst I deliberated over whether entrusting my life savings as the deposit was going to be a sound investment. It was a monumental decision for me, so it had to absolutely be the right choice.”

Why Couples Choose Horlicks Quarter

Julius and Raquel’s Story

Supply chain analyst Julius and teacher Raquel approached buying their first home from a similar angle to James. They wanted to invest in their own property, rather than continue paying rent.

Before purchasing their apartment in Horlicks Quarter, Julius was living with his parents in Uxbridge and Raquel was renting a room in Finchley Central for £1,100 per month excluding bills. “Our decision to buy a property together was driven by personal and financial motivations,” the couple say. 

“We wanted to have our freedom and the chance to start building equity in our own property, rather than wasting money on rent, having spent a number of years building up our savings.”

Taking their commutes and love of travel into consideration, initially Julius and Raquel wanted to buy a property in London. However, the properties they viewed were out of their budget. They discovered Horlicks Quarter after looking for new developments near Julius’ parents in Uxbridge.

What Makes Horlicks Quarter Ideal for Your First Home

As well as great transport links to London and Heathrow, a number of aspects contributed to the couple’s decision to purchase a home within Horlicks Quarter. 

“We were particularly drawn to the development because of the Berkeley Group’s excellent reputation as a trusted and quality developer. What stood out to us was the unique blend of history and modernity of the development. The site’s past as a factory, along with restored features like the iconic clock tower and the factory’s external facade, definitely adds character,” says Julius.

“A number of key features stood out – the area, the apartment itself and the onsite facilities, plus the nearby retail parks and supermarkets add to the convenience of doing our food shopping and picking up anything we need for the house. 

“We love the fact our home is so unusual, the chance to live in a converted factory. The apartments here are beautifully designed with high-quality finishes, well-thought-out plans.

“We’ve also been impressed by the lovely resident facilities which include an onsite gym, concierge, a communal area, workspace, a cafe, a rooftop terrace and even a cinema room – far greater than anything offered in other developments we viewed,” he adds.

A Seamless Buying Process with Berkeley

The couple described the purchasing process as “incredibly quick and smooth” due to Berkeley’s guidance.

“We were recommended a mortgage provider and solicitor who were already familiar with the development, which streamlined everything and made the process much more efficient,” they say. 

“Berkeley’s team was very supportive and proactive, ensuring everything progressed seamlessly making for a stress-free experience.”

Keeping It in the Family

In fact, they were so amazed by Horlicks Quarter that Julius recommended it to his sister and her boyfriend, who also purchased a property there. 

“The community, facilities, and overall atmosphere of Horlicks Quarter make it an easy place to recommend to anyone looking for a new home,” says Julius.

Julius and Raquel paid £425,000 for their two-bed, two-bathroom apartment in Horlicks Quarter. With their savings, they were able to put down a deposit of 10%, with an extra 5% contributed by Berkeley. The couple opted to go for a five-year fixed rate with Lloyds TSB.

“Horlicks Quarter in Slough ticks all the boxes for us – we are very proud of our new home and have been so happy since settling in,” say Julius and Raquel. 

“We’ve enjoyed inviting family and friends over who have been really impressed by what a great place it is to live.”

Ready to Start the Process of Buying Your First Home?

There are homes ready to move into now at Horlicks Quarter. Want to start your journey to owning your first home? You can explore availability and pricing on the development page.