With news that the housing market recovery has started to spread across the UK, property developer and investor Eric Richford has just purchased two exclusive Redrow villas in Lytham, Lancashire.
With impressive views over the Ribble Estuary, The Villas at Lytham Quays is a luxurious gated development of just ten individually designed homes priced from £1.24 million.
Eric built the last home he shared with his wife Jan, and had intended to do the same again before they found and fell in love with The Villas.
"I had been looking at land in the Prestbury and Alderley Edge areas of Cheshire, with a view to self-building another property for us to live in," explains Eric, "but after discovering Lytham and The Villas we realised that this was home for us!"
Each detached villa offers around 4,500 sq ft of living space, made up of plush living areas, a high-quality kitchen, five bedrooms, several en suites, and balconies - surrounded by landscaped gardens. The split level design of the homes creates a flexible, multi-functional lower ground floor area that could be used as a gym with shower room adjoining, a cinema room, or a home office.
Before their move, the Richfords had lived in the south for many years, but with Jan originally from Chorley they were keen to move up north to be closer to friends and family.
Jan suggested the vibrant town of Lytham as a possibility, a placed she had visited and loved as a child, and they were both impressed when they went to explore there. After discovering The Villas development, they were so impressed by the views, and the style and high specification of the properties, that they decided to buy not just one but two villas there - with the second as a high-end buy-to-let investment.
"The first thing that struck us when we came to view Redrow's properties were the fantastic views, they really are second to none. Being in the property development business, the location was a major plus point as we know there is no possibility of further development at the rear of the properties and the views of the estuary will remain unspoilt."
Other factors that influenced their decision to buy there include the fact that the properties are low maintenance, and are set within a secure, gated enclave - offering peace of mind when they are away.
Eric's own expert knowledge of the housing market also provided him with added incentive to purchase there. "Having been in the property development business for many years, I've built up many contacts within the industry, including estate agents, and all were saying last year that house prices were set to move. This year many have experienced the best few months since even before the downturn, so it felt like the ideal time to invest."