James, 29, Head of the Sales Department at a foreign exchange company in Fenchurch Street, knew he wanted to buy his first home at Weston Homes’ development Brentwood Central. It offered him a spacious, light and high-tech apartment with an entrance lobby like a hotel, two minutes from Brentwood High Street, Essex, and ten minutes from his family. By using Weston Homes’ First-Time Secure Buy Scheme, James was able to purchase the home which ticked all of his boxes.

The homes at Brentwood Central offer a wide variety of layouts, the majority of which have private outdoor space, with top floor apartments featuring spacious private terraces. Set over five storeys with a modern brick façade, the scheme has a central courtyard for residents to socialise and meet their neighbours. The development is ideally located next to the bustling high street for enjoying an array of restaurants, bars, retail and leisure facilities and boutique town ambience.

When he began his property search, with help from his mum, James looked at the luxurious development being constructed by Weston Homes on a neat plot in a perfect position – immediately behind attractive Brentwood High Street and a 14 minute walk from the train station . James says: ‘It is less than a 40-minute journey on the Elizabeth Line to London, and I get a seat.’ He also gets a parking space included with his flat but uses his car very little.

‘I wanted a new build with little to be done, and a good price. I made an appointment with the sales office and was shown the show home. It was everything I wanted. Literally everything I was looking for.’ James is going to model his apartment on the colours used in the show home that he fell in love with, and the same accessories, with his selection from the wide choice of kitchen finishes offered by Weston Homes and the branded goods all included in the price.

The apartment building of 60 one-and two-bedroom flats is arranged around a landscaped courtyard and James was able to buy the second-floor balcony flat he liked most. ‘I knew straight away it was the one I wanted. Sustainability is important; I wanted an air source heat pump and a well-built place, with low maintenance and low bills.’

James was very grateful to the Weston Homes sales team for guiding him through the sales schemes available to help first time buyers; ‘No-one teaches you how to buy a home at school.’ James chose Weston Homes’ unique First-Time SecureBuy scheme. This allows first time buyers to reserve a home off-plan for £500 and a 5% exchange deposit. Six months before build completion, the buyer can apply for a mortgage. Should the value of the property increase in the meantime, buyers will only pay the price they originally agreed when they reserved the property.

James paid £335,000 for a one-bedroom apartment with a parking space. The price pleased him. ‘I looked at a two bedroom but the expenses would have been higher, and the one bed is a good size.’

James pays his mum some rent, and spends a bit going out with his friends locally but his mind was set on saving a deposit. ‘I am ambitious, I always wanted to get on. I was never going to go to university, I wanted to start work and start earning. But I never wanted to live in London. I like it in Brentwood, it is where my life is.’

Thoughtfully designed, every home at Brentwood Central features Weston Homes’ market-leading fully-inclusive specification, with light-filled interiors and open-plan layouts. Weston Homes is focused on maximising energy efficiency, helping to keep energy bills low for homeowners and playing a larger part in Weston Homes’ sustainability focus. Homes are well insulated to minimise heat loss and reduce running costs. Each home is fitted with an air source heat pump hot water cylinder to provide hot water, and electric high efficiency panel heaters to provide heating. Energy-saving appliances have been chosen throughout, combined with UPVC double-glazed windows and external doors.

The bespoke Oakwood kitchens offer a wide choice of units for buyers purchasing a new home off-plan, with quartz stone worktops and splashbacks, an instant boiling and cold filtered water tap. A range of integrated appliances include an electric oven, hob, microwave, fridge/freezer, washer/dryer and dishwasher. The luxurious bathrooms have white suites, walk-in Fascino Smart showers or bathtubs, heated towel rails, bespoke integrated vanity storage, an illuminated mirror with de-mist feature and a choice of porcelain floor and wall tile colours and finishes.

Each home has Forest Oak doors with polished ironmongery, oak effect strip flooring in the open plan kitchen, living and dining areas and carpet to the bedrooms. Hyperoptic superfast broadband ensures connectivity for work and leisure. Buyers can also personalise their apartments with a wide range of designer choices at no additional cost, subject to the build stage at point of purchase.

Suzanne Aplin, Group Sales & Marketing Director at Weston Homes says; ‘We are delighted that James chose Brentwood Central for his first home purchase. Our First-Time SecureBuy scheme is specifically designed to make the buying process more accessible and secure for first-time buyers like James, enabling them to confidently step onto the property ladder. Brentwood Central offers a combination of modern living, high-quality finishes, and a prime location, making it an ideal choice for those looking for a well-connected, stylish new home in Essex.’”

Prices at Brentwood Central start from £299.995 for a one-bedroom apartment, and from £400,000 for a two-bedroom apartment. The show home is open daily, 10am – 5pm. To book a visit to Brentwood Central contact the friendly sales team at Weston Homes on 01277 509707 or click here.

Search our new build homes for sale