Wiltshire Park Home residents throw tea party fit for a king
Tea parties took place across the nation this weekend in celebration of the coronation of King Charles III, however, one particular party was transformed into a right royal knees up by park home selling specialists, Quickmove Properties, who awarded £1,000 of Waitrose vouchers to one lucky residential park community.
Quickmove Properties ran their ‘Win a street party’ prize draw for park home residents who were planning on hosting a coronation tea party, with the lucky entrant also set to win a luxury hamper for themselves and £1,000 in Waitrose vouchers to contribute towards the cost of their park’s party.
The lucky resident was Sheila Seward who lives in the over 50’s community of Lillybrook Estate, in Wiltshire. Sheila not only bagged herself a hamper overflowing with an enormous selection of high quality snacks, biscuits, coffee, preserves and wine, but the £1,000 in Waitrose vouchers was used to throw a tea party of epic proportions.
The residents of Lillybrook Estate not only put on a spread fit for King Charles himself, but they also held a raffle, as well as a best homemade crown competition, topping off the day with a fireworks display provided by the park owner.
Sales Director at Quickmove Properties, Mark O’Dwyer, commented:
“We’re delighted for Sheila and the residents of Lillybrook Estate and we’re glad to have helped supercharge the already outstanding party they had planned for the weekend’s coronation festivities.
It really was a momentous moment in the modern history of our nation and one that many communities quite rightly came together to celebrate in union.
There’s no doubt they celebrated in style at the friendly and sociable Lillybrook Estate, and as the pictures show, it was a memorable occasion for everyone involved.”
Competition winner and Lillybrook Estate resident, Sheila Seward, commented:
“I never dreamed I would win as I’ve never won anything in my life and so it was a lovely surprise. We’ve lived here for ten years and everyone is so friendly, we all look after each other and to be able to make this weekend’s celebrations that extra bit special was fantastic.”
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Quickmove Properties takes to the Wiltshire skies in aid of Alzheimer’s Support
On Sunday 7th May, three members of the team from park home selling specialists Quickmove Properties, took to the skies over Wiltshire to complete a 15,000ft skydive in aid of the charity Alzheimer’s Support.
The weekend’s event was a high octane affair, with the fundraisers plummeting from a plane over the Wiltshire countryside, free falling for 60 seconds at an eye watering speed of 125mph.
When their parachutes opened, they were rewarded with a spectacular bird’s eye view of the county as they made their way back down to solid ground.
The event was facilitated by GoSkydive, one of the UK’s leading skydive companies who specialise in first-time tandem skydives.
Each member of the Quickmove Properties team set their sights on raising a minimum of £425 for the skydive, with the total funds raised currently sitting at £3,906 including Gift Aid!
Sales Director at Quickmove Properties, Mark O’Dwyer, commented:
“Alzheimer’s Support is a charity that is incredibly close to our heart as a business and we’re delighted to see such engagement, enthusiasm and bravery from the team in taking on the fundraising events we’ve organised.
The money raised will go a long way in helping the charity support those diagnosed with Alzheimers, as well as those who have been living with the condition long term, whether it be advice, support, day clubs, activity groups and much, much more.”
Community Fundraising Manager at Alzheimer’s Support, Rachel Fear, commented:
“Quickmove Properties are an adventurous bunch who’ve set themselves these impressive challenges to raise funds for us. The Quickmove team also visited Sidmouth Street last year to deliver Christmas gifts to club members – such a lovely gesture. We are enormously grateful for such kindness and support. Good luck everyone!”
Downsizing to a park home can release £128,000 in Equity
Research by Quickmove Properties has shown that silver homebuyers looking to downsize can maximise the equity accumulated in their existing property to the tune of £127,738, by opting for a brand new park home at an average asking price of £182,420.
Quickmove Properties analysed current market data on the average asking price of a new park home, how this compares to the bricks and mortar market, as well as how the two differ when it comes to size and running costs, revealing how those looking to downsize can maximise the value in their existing bricks and mortar property during retirement.
Purchase price of a new park home
The research shows that the current average asking price for a new park home across England is £182,420. With the average bricks and mortar home commanding £310,159 in the current market, this means those opting to downsize to a new park home can maximise the equity accumulated in their existing home to the tune of £127,738.
The North West is home to the most affordable new park home price tag overall at an average of £130,485, while the South East ranks top with the highest new park home price tag at an average of £244,660.
Despite being home to the highest average price for a park home, the South East also offers downsizers the largest potential to maximise the equity they’ve built in their existing home. With the average bricks and mortar property in the region valued at £398,368 in the current market, those downsizing to a new park home (£244,660) would be left with £153,707 to add to their retirement fund.
What’s more, there’s no stamp duty payable on a new park home, which makes the initial cost of securing one even more affordable than a bricks and mortar purchase – £3,008 less on average.
More affordable running costs
But park homes don’t just offer the opportunity to release a 6-figure sum of equity, the ongoing costs can also be considerably cheaper.
Estimated at £1,750, the annual energy bill of a park home can be 43% cheaper than that of a conventional house due to the modern construction methods, insulation materials and a cosy size that requires less energy to heat.
In terms of council tax, the typical band for a park home is A or B, versus D for the typical bricks and mortar home. It means the annual council tax bill for a new park home can be 50% more affordable than a traditional house.
Little compromise on size
The modern day park home also provides value for money in terms of the living space on offer. With the most popular park home coming in at a size of 800 sq ft, it’s only marginally smaller than the 1,033 sq ft of the average bricks and mortar house.
When considering price and size, park homes come in at an average of £168 per sq ft, versus £300 per sq ft for the average bricks and mortar home. A park home also provides the additional outdoor space of a garden area or decking, with a minimum three metre apron in place in between each park home meaning there’s plenty of room for garden sheds, outhouses and man caves.
Sales Director at Quickmove Properties, Mark O’Dwyer, commented:
“The park homes sector is fast becoming the option of choice for many home sellers looking to downsize and utilise the equity they’ve accumulated within their home to enjoy their golden years.
Not only can the average park home buyer benefit to the tune of almost £128,000 in released equity when downsizing, but there’s no stamp duty payable and annual ongoing costs can also be substantially lower when compared to a bricks and mortar property.
This provides those making the move from the bricks and mortar market with a considerable financial cushion without compromising on their quality of life, with new park homes delivering all of the modern comforts, amenities and features that you would expect from any new-build home, and then some.
Park home affordability is also helping many over 50’s to overcome the current high cost of living and in an increasingly difficult bricks and mortar market, a new park home purchase also provides a swift and stress free move into their new home.
But perhaps the biggest selling point is the ready-made community that buyers find when they arrive on park, which provides an additional layer of appeal. While the average size of a park home may come in slightly below that of a regular home, it certainly doesn’t seem the case once you’ve immersed yourself within a friendly community of like-minded people on your doorstep.”
