I Love IW
We are extremely proud of the diverse and sustainable waterside schemes we create at ISIS. It is also important to us that the people who buy one of our apartments get the most from their home and community. Let us know your views, as we are constantly looking at ways to improve our service to you. islingtonwharf@isis.gb.com
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Our first Loan2Own purchasers
A couple from New York are the first to complete on the new interest free shared equity scheme called Loan2Own at Islington Wharf, Manchester. Peter Petralia, 37 and Brian Johnston, 39, are now the owners of a stylish 2 bedroom apartment at the stunning waterside development in city centre, thanks to this new shared equity scheme launched in October last year.
Peter, a senior lecturer at Manchester Met University Cheshire and Brian, CEO of Lancashire Global Education, who crossed over the pond 4 years ago, lived in Lancaster until they moved to Manchester two years ago, but were renting in the centre of town while looking for a place to buy. It was while living in the city centre that they encountered Islington Wharf’s striking building, located just to the east of the city near the popular Northern Quarter, and came for a closer look in November last year where they found out more about the new Loan2Own scheme.
“We knew we wanted to buy in the centre as it’s ideal for me to be near transport to the university and for Brian to travel to Lancashire for his job and wanted a contemporary home which offered us something a bit different to your usual city centre apartments which can be quite generic. We liked the look of the development and the Loan2Own scheme made sense financially, as we could take out up to 20% of the property price in a loan from ISIS for ten years, and when the time comes for us to pay back the loan if the value of the property has gone down, the amount we have to pay back will drop too, making it a much safer investment for us.”
“From looking out of the floor to ceiling windows on the 16th floor in our apartment that frames a spectacular view of both the urban landmarks like the Beetham tower and the rolling Pennines, then walking along the peaceful canal to the fantastic restaurants and cultural events in town, I feel that Islington Wharf gives us a taste of the best of the city every day.”
More details of the Loan2Own Shared Equity Scheme can be found here
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Simon Tonkinson, a record and CD distributor moved to Islington Wharf in January 2009. Increasingly frustrated at paying ‘dead money’ on rent, Simon decided to purchase after viewing dozens of places.
“There is no other scheme like this. It has enabled me to live close to the city centre which I hadn’t really considered to be an affordable possibility. I fell for Islington Wharf as I can enjoy the benefits of city centre living which includes a pleasant 4 minute walk to work along the canal, and I am always recommending it to friends so I hope they follow my lead soon.”
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Simon Reid, a heating and ventilation engineer, moved to Islington Wharf in January 2009:
“‘I love the stunning views of the city from the floor to ceiling window which stretches across the whole width of the apartment. ”
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Andrew Gadd, an IT consultant moved into Islington Wharf in October 2008, after a period of renting in Alderley Edge.
“Islington Wharf offers a lot more than other city centre homes in terms of space as well as fantastic views of both Manchester’s skyline and the Pennine hills.”
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One buyer who has been able buy his dream home at Islington Wharf thanks to the HomeBuy Direct scheme is Burnley-born Paul Brooks.
“I had looked at various apartments and knew I wanted to live in Manchester but couldn’t afford to move over. The only option available was renting and I really wanted to make an investment. Then I found out about the HomeBuy Direct scheme.
“For five years I pay almost nothing at all, no rent, a small amount of interest and I can slowly work my way up on a number of stepping stones to owning 100% of the property. I would recommend the HomeBuy Direct scheme 110%. I love my new flat. The Islington Wharf flats are brilliant and offer a city centre location with a waterside view of the canal. There is no better city and this is a dream come true.”
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Islington Wharf is perfect for Antonius Tzimas, Alexandra and their new baby son Stelios as it is so close to the city centre, motorway links and for Antonius’ work as a research associates in the engineering department of the University of Manchester.
“We were struggling to find the right location for us from the developments that are offering HomeBuy Direct but now we are thrilled to be settled in at Islington Wharf. We watched the site progress while renting nearby but never dreamed that we would be able to afford to live there, happily after a year of looking at properties involved in HomeBuy Direct, apartments became available here and we made an offer.”
“To be able to afford a new build apartment in the area we know, rather than an older property in area unknown to us is more than we hoped for and we love being here and our amazing views.”
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Our apartment winners earlier this year, James Gilhooly, 23 and his girlfriend, Jenny Maloney, also 23, who from the beginning of March have been living for one year rent free at Islington Wharf
James Gilhooly: “My girlfriend called me at work on the day the competition launched and asked me to pick up a key-ring on my way home as she’d heard about the competition. I told her there was no point and that we’d have more chance winning the lottery! She eventually convinced me and I‘m obviously so glad she did.
“It was perfect timing as we’d been renting an apartment and our tenancy was up and I was going to renew it the day we found out we’d won. I was in a meeting with my Head of Year that morning and had forgotten the winning pin was being announced that day. My phone rang about four times and I hung it up but then I realised it could be the radio station so I stepped outside to answer it and they told me we’d won.”
“We’d been looking to buy a place of our own over the last few months but couldn’t find anywhere we liked or could afford so we’d decided to just carry on renting. Now not only will we not be wasting money on rent, we’ll actually be able to save for an entire year towards buying a place ourselves.”
“When we first came to see the apartment, we were really impressed by the communal garden, especially having lived in an apartment block before where it felt hot and stuffy in the summer and isolated and grey in the winter. We can’t wait to enjoy a summer barbeque or two here, but we’ll have to have several house warmings before then as many of our friends are dying to see inside our new home.”
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Tracey Langford
Tracey and her family love the 360 degree views from their penthouse apartment in the award-winning Islington Wharf.
Tracey Langford, her husband Wayne and their two children moved from Appleton two years ago. “We had a large family home,” says Langford, “but Wayne and I were rattling around in it because our children were at university.” She adds, “We fancied a total change and after a two-year search we found the perfect place.”The only thing that woke me when we first moved in were the geese having a bit of a turf war on the canal.
Tracey, who runs her own business, says the idea of a community appealed to them too: “We didn’t want to live in an soulless place where nobody spoke in the lift.” She adds, “We also wanted a high proportion of owner occupiers so that people really cared about the building. There is a mix of properties here with houses that face on to the communal garden, which are ideal for younger families.
”And that communal aspect prevails. Says Tracey, “In fact, the first Islintgon Wharf baby was born here a couple of months ago and the whole building was invited to the first birthday party of one of our residents!”One of the best things about the area, says Tracey, is the space and the clear views. But improvements can be made. “We are looking forward to the new canal basin being completed, where the boats will be able to moor up, and Tutti Frutti Way, a walk that will connect the canal basin and the boating lake on Mill Street,” she says, “And what we all want now are coffee shops and restaraunts and some independent retailers to come in to the area.”Why choose New Islington?“We felt this area had fantastic potential and think that over the next five years prices will rise. It’s amazing that after a pleasant few minutes’ walk down the canal you can be in the heart of Piccadilly but it is quiet enough at night to get a good night’s sleep.”