Second and third-stepper buyers have emerged more strongly than any other demographic during lockdown, in search of more - and importantly flexible - living space in a greener setting. However, as many people rush to buy a home as quickly as possible post-lockdown, there's another argument that the right home, in an exceptional setting, is worth the wait.
At Hartland Village in Fleet, a landmark project by St Edward, a new collection of three and four-bedroom homes has just been launched. Buyers have the security of an agreed price and formal reservation from the outset without the worry of bidding wars or gazumping that are now commonplace in the second-hand market. Most importantly, Hartland Village delivers not only a wide choice of house and apartments with well-designed, flexible layouts, but acres of green space and an impressive range of community amenities and services, all nestled in a picturesque woodland location.
Jason Farrimond, Associate Director at Romans, comments: "High levels of demand in the Home Counties mean second-hand home prices have increased significantly, resulting in disappointment for a lot of buyers. For those who find themselves missing out consistently and are seeking security in their purchase, the new-build homes at Hartland Village in Fleet are a fantastic choice. This fabulous development is a rare find. It ticks all the boxes that our buyers are looking for; not least the desire for more living space in the era of remote working, coupled with plenty of access to nature with the 70-acre Hartland Country Park within close proximity.
"The three-storey houses at Hartland Village provide great flexible living options - as they have a large kitchen/dining/living space, the formal living room or one of the bedrooms can easily be converted into a study for home workers, and in addition to the 70-acre park, they all have a good-sized private garden too."
Paul Vallone, Executive Chairman, St Edward, says: "For buyers who are prioritising peace of mind and the ideal home above all, a new property is an excellent alternative to the competitive second-hand market. At Hartland Village, the wide range of chain free homes available means that there is something for everyone and buyers can enjoy the certainty of a reservation.
"Placemaking is at the heart of each and every development we plan and no more so than at Hartland Village. Here, we are not just building new homes but a place where our residents can build a community, with a new primary school, village centre and a 70 acre country park. Buying a new home at Hartland Village isn't just a good decision now, it will be a great decision for the future too."
In addition to a show apartment there is also The Aspen, a new four-bedroom, three-storey show house comprising 1,638 sq ft of beautifully designed living space. The Aspen has been dressed by St Edward's interior design team with John Lewis furnishings and products, providing easily-replicable interior inspiration for homebuyers.
As well as an abundance of green open space, Hartland Village will feature its own two-form primary school, shops, cafes and other facilities, making this development a destination in its own right. The distinctive hump-back bridge over the new lake at the entrance signifies the arrival to the village and evokes an immediate sense of belonging.
Fleet, Farnborough and the outlying villages offer an excellent choice of cafés, bars, gastro pubs and restaurants such as The Exchequer in Fleet, Bel & The Dragon in Odiham, Bill's and Brasserie Blanc in Farnham as well as the renowned Aviator Hotel overlooking Farnborough airfield which offers a fabulous fine dining experience. For families, Fleet is home to a range of great educational establishments including St Nicholas' Primary School, Fleet Infants School and Farnborough College of Technology.
Hartland Village is located a nine-minute drive away from Fleet and Farnborough stations, with services to London Waterloo from 40 minutes and 34 minutes respectively. Trains from Farnborough North station, an 11-minute car journey away have services to Guildford, Reading and Gatwick Airport. A residents' shuttle service has also just launched making journeys to Farnborough station even easier.
Prices start from £520,000 for a three-bedroom house and £610,000 for a four-bedroom house. For more information regarding reservations or to arrange a visit to the new showhome, call St Edward's team on 01252 758844 or visit www.hartlandvillage.co.uk.