After selling his old car and investing the proceeds, 29-year-old Joseph Brennan saw his returns grow enough to leave rented accommodation and step onto the property ladder, purchasing his first home at Arkwood Living’s The Osiers development in Manea, Cambridgeshire
SWP-25-9 – Joseph Brennan
Originally from Northern Ireland, Joseph had been renting a farmhouse in Manea when he decided it was time to get onto the property ladder. Selling his car in January last year, he placed the money into some strategic investments, and within nine months his investment had grown so much that he was able to secure the keys to his own home.
“Renting was fine, but it never felt secure,” Joseph explained. “Being able to invest in something permanent, somewhere I can really call my own, feels amazing.”
In fact, millennials and Gen-Z, the same generation facing the toughest housing market in decades, have a much greater appetite for investing than their parents’ generation*. Against that backdrop, Joseph’s story highlights how some younger buyers are turning to less conventional routes to raise a deposit and take their first step onto the property ladder
Turning his investment success into a home, Joseph found The Osiers delivered the quality and finish he’d been looking for.
“The spec is brilliant compared to other new homes I’d seen,” he said. “A lot of places don’t include flooring or appliances, but here it’s all taken care of, which really matters when you’re a first-time buyer. I didn’t want the stress of chains, DIY or endless upgrades. It’s nice to just move in, relax, and enjoy the place.”
For Joseph, location was also key. Working just five minutes away in Chatteris, he was drawn to the convenience of Manea, with its train station offering direct links to Cambridge and Peterborough.
“It’s a quiet, rural spot but you’re not cut off. There are great walks for my dog, a good local pub, and Cambridge is easy to reach if I want a change of scene. Coming home at the end of the day to somewhere peaceful and well-finished makes all the difference.”
Andrew Dewberry, Managing Director at Arkwood Living, said, “It’s inspiring to see buyers like Joseph finding innovative ways to get onto the property ladder. Stories like his show that first-time buyers can still make their move, and we’re proud The Osiers was the place he chose to do it. We wish him many happy years here.”
Located on Edwards Way, The Osiers offers a range of two-bedroom bungalows and two-, three- and four-bedroom houses, each designed with sustainability and comfort in mind. All homes come with air source heat pumps, electric car chargers, quality flooring, integrated kitchen appliances and chrome fittings as standard. With prices starting from £204,000, the development combines modern specification with the rural charm of the Fens.
For more information or to arrange a viewing of the Chestnut showhome, contact William H Brown Estate Agents on 01354 654545 or email theosiers@williamhbrown.co.uk.