29-year-old actor Chris Leask says that shared ownership was the “only way” he was ever going to be able to buy his own place in London.
Chris, who is currently playing ‘Everyone Else’ in the Comedy about the bank robbery at the Criterion Theatre, in London’s west end, says that as a single actor, there was “no way I would have got a mortgage on a flat, even though I was really lucky to have a large deposit to put down”.
Chris applied for his two-bedroom apartment in Packington Square in May and moved in August.
“I’d been living in Islington and had fallen in love with the area. I wanted to buy here. A friend told me about Packington Square and when I came to look at the show apartment I was blown away, so I decided to apply.
“I’d been living near Exmouth Market and had found that people living in Islington were very welcoming – there was more of a community than where I lived in south London – I loved it,” he says.
“The Packington area is beautiful and, although I don’t go out much in the evenings because I’m working, a massive aspect of living in Islington is there are so many different bars and restaurants. Plus it’s very central, which means it’s really convenient to get everywhere.”
“I walk down the canal every day to go to work, which is great,” he adds. “I’ve also found a few new things since I’ve moved in; for example there is an annual canal festival organised by the local community, which I didn’t know about, and I’ve discovered some parks that are lovely too.”
Chris adds that he was very grateful for the support he received from Hyde New Homes throughout the buying process.
“Buying your first home, particularly if you are on your own, can be quite overwhelming. Hyde made it very easy and, even now I’ve moved in, they are still on the end of the phone and are happy to help if I need anything.”
Despite the added responsibility of owning a home, Chris says it is very “empowering” at the same time. “It’s wonderful and has made me overwhelmingly happy!”
Packington Square
Packington Square has now fully sold – to view more Shared Ownership properties with Hyde New Homes across London please visit the website at http://www.hydenewhomes.co.uk/ or contact the sales team on 0345 606 1221.