AFTER calling time on a successful career in the licensed trade, former pub owners Barry and Maureen Lloyd decided they needed to switch from filling pint pots to topping up pension pots.
Now the couple are raising a glass to celebrate the purchase of a buy-to-let property at Anwyl’s Ellesmere Port development, The Oaks at Rossbank – and the start of a very happy retirement!
Barry says: “We are trying to make our money work for us, and we certainly get more back from buying and renting out a property than if it’s sitting in the bank.
“We are not experts, but we have bought a couple of houses over the years, and we are getting pretty good at it. We don’t have very big pensions so this will be our retirement fund.”
Barry and Maureen, both 77, from Winsford, have lived in Ellesmere Port in the past and considered the area to be the ideal place for their latest venture: close to the motorway network, near to Cheshire Oaks outlet village and the city of Chester, and not far from a number of hospitals and other employment hubs.
And a visit to Anwyl’s homes collection confirmed the decision.
Barry adds: “Our first tenant moved in less than a month after we completed. It provides us with a monthly income to add to what we have and, with property prices doing so well, it is a really good investment. We’ve been told the value has gone up by £3,000 already!”
The couple, who have seven children between them and 15 grandchildren, purchased a four-bedroom Farndon style property. It has a spacious dining kitchen with French doors leading into the garden at the rear, along with a separate lounge and cloakroom downstairs, while upstairs, there are four good-sized bedrooms – the main with en-suite – and a bathroom.
“It seemed like the perfect family home to rent out,” says Barry.
“The location was good, we spoke to a nearby agent who said there were lots of people waiting to rent a house like that, and we were really impressed with the quality of the development and the finish of the homes being built.
“There was already a fridge freezer and a cooker which came as standard, and we added a washing machine and a dishwasher, and carpets, to make sure it was spot on for the tenant when they came. It’s a beautiful house.”
And he stresses: “We had a smooth sale using Anwyl’s solicitor with most of the admin work done while we were in Spain. And the sales team and the site manager at The Oaks were really helpful. I couldn’t fault them.”
If they invest in any other properties, Barry and Maureen say they wouldn’t go to anyone other than Anwyl. But until then it’s time to sit back and enjoy their hard-earned retirement. Smiles Barry: “People keep asking us what we are going to do but now, I think, we are just happy to relax.”
The Oaks at Rossbank will eventually feature 130 three and four-bedroom homes –
with current availability starting from £299,995. The development is close to local shops and the shopping and leisure attractions of Cheshire Oaks, as well as The Ellesmere Port Sports Village and Rivacre Valley Country Park.
Ideal for commuters, it’s just a short drive from junction 8 of the M53, within nine miles of Chester city centre, and close to Overpool train station with regular services to Liverpool in 38 minutes.
To find out more about The Oaks at Rossbank, call 0151 559 2758 or visit www.anwyl.co.uk/theoaks.
