Together to create opportunities

In a truly inspiring manner, the Dartnall-Smiths threw caution to the wind and decided to become first time buyers at the grand age of eighty.

They just go to show, it’s never too late to live a dream!

In our quest to provide choice and excellence, we offered a golden opportunity that the keen eyed Dartnall-Smiths weren’t going to miss. Having rented all their lives, the couple never really expected to be stepping onto the property ladder, but our shared ownership option at Old School Court, Wheaton Aston was all the nudging they needed.

Nestled in the heart of the stunning Staffordshire countryside, Old School Court is the epitome of sleepy, village life. Designed to sit sympathetically with the rest of the beautiful hamlet, the shared ownership scheme meant Mr and Mrs Dartnall-Smith could buy a percentage of their home and pay rent on the rest.

 It was ideal for the couple, as Mrs Dartnall-Smith explains, “We didn’t realise that the homes were going to be for part buy/ part rent. We had enough for a small deposit, so we thought, ‘Why not!’.”

Mrs Dartnall-Smith reveals, “It’s a lovely feeling, owning your own property. All of our family were thrilled about it and we just love it here.” A fantastic communal atmosphere means there’s plenty to get involved with, like pancake afternoons and strawberry teas. But the couple love the garden the best.

Mr Dartnall-Smith enthuses, “We’re on the ground floor, so we can open the door from the lounge straight into the garden. We know it’s shared, but we’ve got it lovely. It’s full of Sweet Peas, that are six feet high, and it’s all been done from my wheelchair.”

It’s made a huge difference to them, Mrs Dartnall-Smith adds, “It’s given my husband a new lease of life.”

 The delighted couple enthuse, “It really is the icing on the cake. It’s so lovely to see the animals out in the field and in the evening sheep come right up to the fence and stand there looking in at us. We’re really enjoying life now.”