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Sandy Easdown has several years of helping people to purchase homes on brand new developments under her belt, but says launching and being the first face visitors to Windsor Court in Singleton, Kent, see has been some of her happiest working hours ever.
"The people who come to see the show apartments at Windsor Court know what they want, and are usually so friendly," says Sandy, who lives a few miles away in Rochester and commutes to Singleton. "You really get to know the people; get to see their personality, which is something I have not always found on new developments, especially city developments. You get to know the people's family members, too, who usually come along with them."
Designed for buyers of 55 years and over, the 46 one and two bedroomed retirement apartments that make up Windsor Court have been a success story for Great Homes, the award-winning company behind the project. Over half have already sold with the first residents having moved in a couple of months ago, and the remaining apartments are now being eyed keenly by a steady stream of visitors, which all keeps Sandy very busy.
Much of the success of Windsor Court has been down to the high specification of the building inside and out, its location close to local amenities and bus routes into nearby Ashford, and the fact that it has a whole collection of safety and security measures in place for residents' complete peace of mind.
For instance, the building offers apartments that have been carefully designed for ease of living, are beautifully presented, carpeted and have private hallways with the bedrooms and bathrooms off, leading to a spacious open plan lounge, dining and kitchen area. With a wood effect finish and integrated appliances that include a washer/dryer, fridge/freezer, a double oven, extractor hood and under pelmet lighting, the kitchen creates a focal point to the open plan space.
Neat French doors open out to ground floor terraces or juliet balconies on most apartments, affording them a sense of space and lightness. A 24-hour emergency careline support service provided by specialist management company Peverel is in place, while a day manager ensures the smooth running of the complex and a CCTV entryphone system allows only visitors known to residents to enter the building.
Residents can also enjoy a ground floor terracotta and honey themed communal lounge, its adjoining conservatory and a terrace, which look out over landscaped gardens complete with their own reed pond. Wrought iron railings reminiscent of spa town architecture give the gardens an elegant feel, while a private car park is in place for residents who drive. For those who don't, a small shopping centre for everyday needs is within easy walking distance, together with bus stops for getting into Ashford town centre and beyond with ease.
As with any move, prospective residents who are in the throes of decision, have made their mind up or who are busily making plans for their big move will have lots of questions and it is Sandy to whom they turn. In fact, many new residents who have known Sandy throughout their own purchasing period have even sought her opinion on colours and curtains after they've moved in too!
"I find that some buyers rely on the opinions of their family, and some family members, especially sons, even take over the buying process so that their parent or parents are not stressed by the move," explains Sandy. "When this happens you really get to know the whole family, but you do get to know the resident personally too, and they do involve you in their decisions."
One of the big things that Sandy finds necessary is breaking down the image that a complex like Windsor Court is a retirement home. "I have to explain that residents don't live in rooms, they have their own individual apartments which are private, they can have friends to stay and come and go as they please," says Sandy. "I explain that everyone can sit in the residents' lounge and conservatory if they wish or even sit on the terrace with a glass of wine on a summer evening. Some residents use the lounge and terrace everyday."
Sandy says she finds most people visit Windsor Court, fall in love with it, will probably sleep on their decision overnight and then come back the next day to reserve. "But I have even had one buyer who just enjoyed looking at show homes and came here with no intention of buying but the next minute bought an apartment because she liked it so much," laughs Sandy.
For the chance to snap up one of the remaining apartments at Windsor Court and find out more from Sandy about how you, too, could live an independent lifestyle in such a great environment, contact the sales centre sharpish on freephone 0800 0288177 or visit Great Homes Limited's website on www.greathomesltd.co.uk
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