Name and business title: Leighton Morgans, Land Director, Waterstone Homes.
What regions do you cover? From Saundersfoot in the west to Newport in the east, we currently cover the whole of South Wales.
What are housing market conditions currently like in those areas? We are experiencing a good footfall across our sites and continue to outsell other housebuilders as a high percentage of our properties are sold off-plan due to superb development locations. Therefore I would consider market conditions to be quite positive whilst working within the global funding issues and constraints.
What types of properties is your firm developing? We have two particular models which fall into two categories, namely ‘middle-market' and ‘top-end'. With our middle-market properties, we have filled a gap in several locations where there a disparity between entry-level housing and top-end housing. This allows people to move up the property ladder gradually. Our top-end products are built in the very best locations.
How much does a new home by Waterstone Homes cost to buy? Our new homes currently range from £300,000 to £800,000.
Is your company currently offering any incentives or discounts to homebuyers? We offer a sales service that helps our buyers become proceedable to purchase one of our properties. We do find most of our purchasers aspire to own a Waterstone home, instead of us having to chase them with sales incentives.
Why should more buyers consider buying a new build home as opposed to older property? In modern life, many people are ‘time-poor' and so concentrating on the maintenance and upkeep on a house are not high priorities. By purchasing a new home, a buyer can ensure that they will not need to overly worry about upkeep for at least ten years - with the exception of a coat of paint.
Is it worth buying property during the off-plan stage of construction? It certainly is with a Waterstone home. Buyers are advantaged by our flexible spaces and ability to carry out certain modifications fitted to their requirements, especially if they are involved in the construction process at an early stage.
Which of Waterstone Homes current developments do you think stands the best chance of winning a What House? Award? There are a couple of projects we are particularly proud of. The site at Fynnon Ganna in Pontcanna and St.Andrews Grange in Dinas Powys, are prime examples of the quality and effort that goes into constructing a Waterstone Home in a wonderful location.