Hannah Godwin, Author at Pocket

Enjoying life on our rooftop terraces

March 27, 2023October 4, 2023 Hannah Godwin Leave a comment

London’s first time buyers have made it clear that having access to outdoor spaces is really important. In our post-COVID-19 world, city makers have felt first-hand the difference this can make.

Our design ethos is to build homes designed for city living, and a key element of this is to include shared spaces in every Pocket Living development. Ample communal spaces encourage a sense of community, and our rooftop terraces have become particularly popular. Here are a few of our favourites.

Bridget’s story – Harbard Close IG11

March 23, 2023March 23, 2023 Hannah Godwin Leave a comment

Bridget (37) has always dreamed of putting down roots in London, but for the past three years she has struggled to find a home within her budget.

“I am originally from North London, and most of my friends and family still live here, so it was always a goal of mine to be able to afford my own home nearby. I rented on and off for 10 years and found searching for affordable and suitable apartments became quite hard work, which really forced me to start looking for my own home. But it wasn’t easy”, says Bridget.

10 Tips To Make Spring Cleaning Your Home A Breeze

March 16, 2023March 16, 2023 Hannah Godwin Leave a comment

It’s that time of year again where we all start thinking about sprucing up our homes for the warmer months ahead. If the thought of spring cleaning fills you with dread, then read on for 10 tips that will make the process a breeze!

How to buy a home [home buying timeline checklist]

February 21, 2023March 1, 2023 Hannah Godwin Leave a comment

So, you’re a first time buyer. You dream of getting onto the property ladder but it seems totally overwhelming… sound familiar? We can help! Buying your first home can be daunting, but it needn’t be. Here we have broken down the process so you have a step by step guide on how to buy a home.

Saving for your first home: ISAs, bank accounts and more

December 13, 2022December 19, 2022 Hannah Godwin Leave a comment

For many first time buyers, the most daunting part of the home buying process is saving for a house deposit. In particular, many wonder how to save for a house on a lower income and whether it’s even possible to do it at all.

Pocket Living is built around the idea that everyone should have a fair opportunity to get onto the housing ladder, so we’re going to share our best tips on saving for your first home, whatever your circumstances. We’ve included a range of information on ISAs, bank accounts and more to show you that there are plenty of options to consider to get yourself onto the housing ladder. Let’s get started.

How to support homes being built in London

October 15, 2021March 23, 2022 Hannah Godwin Leave a comment

We strongly believe that communities should have a say in the housing being built on their doorstep. Here at Pocket Living, we aim to build more homes that are actually needed, helping middle earning Londoners get onto the property ladder and put down roots in their local areas. A lack of affordable homes shouldn’t be the reason that people leave their communities, so we campaign every day to get permission to build more discounted homes across London.

What you may not realise is that we rely on the support of local communities to put through successful planning applications. If you live in a borough where we’re trying to build more discounted Pocket homes, your voice could have a big influence on whether we get permission to build.
With that said, it’s important to demystify how the planning system works so that you can understand how to support planning applications should you decide to do so.

Read on to find out how to support homes being built in London in a few simple steps.

London boroughs ranked by accessibility

October 11, 2021March 23, 2022 Hannah Godwin Leave a comment

The question of which borough is best for first time buyers is a hotly contested one. Affordability is undoubtedly an important factor, but so is the availability of local amenities and access to transport links. Where buyers choose to invest in their first home is one of the most important decisions they’ll ever make, so it’s crucial that the borough ticks all the boxes that matter most to them.

We conducted research to rank London boroughs by accessibility for city makers, taking into account annual house price growth, access to Cycle Superhighways and Green Flag parks and number of train stations and bus stops. Read on to find out which boroughs came out on top and why they stand out.

The government’s mortgage guarantee scheme explained

September 8, 2021August 25, 2021 Hannah Godwin 2 Comments

The onset of the pandemic in the spring of 2020 quickly lead to the withdrawal of low-deposit mortgages, as property valuations ground to a halt and lenders looked for ways to manage business levels.

Over the last 12 months, the market has gradually opened up again, and the budget announcement in March saw the Government confirm its intention to support the housing sector by increasing the availability of 95% mortgages.

Here, we have broken down how the government’s mortgage guarantee scheme works.

Packing checklist for moving home

September 1, 2021August 25, 2021 Hannah Godwin Leave a comment

Packing – one of the most dreaded aspects of moving home. Luckily, there are things to consider when packing for a move so that you can take a smart approach and streamline your efforts.

We’ve put together a packing checklist for moving home to take all the guesswork out of it. Start by gathering the moving supplies you’ll need, and then work systematically until the job is done. Read on to find out more.

First time buyers stamp duty exemption explained: how much can I save?

August 25, 2021August 25, 2021 Hannah Godwin Leave a comment

First time buyers may qualify for a stamp duty exemption, with some getting a reduced rate and some not having to pay the tax at all. We know the ins and outs can be a bit confusing, so we’re breaking it down for you to understand how much you can actually save.