News

At Golding Homes (Golding) we're focused on responding to the demand for quality homes in and around Maidstone. Right now, our shared ownership apartments in the centre of town are attracting customer interest especially from those living and working locally and looking to enter the housing market. 

Resident Liliana’s first home is a 2-bedroom flat in Maidstone, which she bought through Shared Ownership after working hard to save up for the deposit while renting. 

Liliana said: “I’m very happy. For years I’ve been renting but I wanted somewhere of my own. A home that I could decorate as I want, get all cosy and Bella, my cat, and I could freely enjoy, without being anxious about the landlord asking me to move without warning. It’s something I worried about quite a bit during lockdown.” 

In 2021 she finally realised her home ownership dream when she secured 25% of a brand new flat with Golding Homes, and by ‘staircasing’ she has, in less than two years, increased her share of the home to 90%. 

Shared Ownership helped Liliana, who works as a mobile cleaner/caretaker, onto the home ownership ladder and adapt as her earning circumstances changed and she was able to raise the mortgage to increase her share. She said: “Through Shared Ownership I now have a place of my own. I pay a minimal rent on the share that I don’t own, and I’ve taken out a mortgage to cover the rest”.    

The flat is in the centre of town, close to everything Liliana needs.  

“My flat is perfect and I’m very glad I used shared ownership to buy. I’m working with my independent mortgage advisor to own 100% by next year. It hasn’t been easy as a single person trying to buy, but it’s worth it. I’d advise anyone thinking about it to just go for it, with careful budgeting and planning the shared ownership model can help you make your home ownership dream come true.”   

With great connections to transport links, including quick access to the M20 and direct trains into London, Maidstone and its surrounding village locations attract couples and families, looking to move out to a country location and those who want to stay in the area where they have grown up. For some, this wouldn’t be possible without shared ownership as an option. 

Golding’s shared ownership customer base is wide and varied, attracting single people buying their first home, to couples, families and even dads and sons and mothers and daughters buying a home together. 

For Liliana, owning her own home is important and something she’s worked hard for and her advice to anyone who's thinking of buying their own home, is to look into Shared Ownership as a possible way forward. 

Visit our Golding Places website to find out more about Shared Ownership.

For our existing Shared Ownership customers please come along to our special Staircasing events on Wednesday 18 October, 6pm – 8pm or  Saturday 11 November, 10.30am – 12.30pm to  learn more about buying extra shares in your home.

Please email property.sales@goldinghomes.org.uk or call 0300 777 2600 to let us your preferred date.