CASE STUDY – KAREN STARKE

It was several months into Karen Starke’s house search before she found Bellway Homes’ boutique gated scheme, Queensacre, in Wokingham.  Karen, aged 57, started her house hunt early in 2020 and over the year has viewed dozens of homes and apartments, spending much of lockdown scanning the internet in search of her perfect home. It was one sunny afternoon post lockdown that Karen decided to take an alternative route home to Reading when she spotted Queensacre. Impressed by the upmarket exterior of the development Karen headed in and was duly impressed by the quality, size and overall elegance of the development

Karen had separated from her husband and was keen to find an apartment where she could occasionally have her grown-up children over to stay and also wanted something sizeable as she loves to entertain friends and family. Queensacre had everything she had dreamt of and more.  

Speaking about the moment she found her new home, Karen explains, “It may appear picky but I have always wanted to move into an apartment, and it was very important to me that my new home had all the attributes I needed. I had looked at so many properties and without a doubt, this development was the best I had seen – hands down! I had a really good feeling as soon as I saw Queensacre from the outside – I just loved the fact it is gated; it makes it feel very exclusive. I am not far from Wokingham town centre, yet it still feels really quiet and peaceful. I love to walk and run so being somewhere close to greenery and parkland was important to me.

“I have several grandchildren and I wanted to be able to take them to the park and out into the countryside, which I can easily do from Queensacre without getting into a car. In fact, I can get everywhere from here without needing a car. There is a bus outside the development, the town centre is walking distance and the train station is super close too.”

With her divorce settlement, Karen was able to buy a first-floor apartment with two bedrooms and two bathrooms.

Karen continues, “There is nothing I don’t love about my new home. The kitchen/living area is fabulous and has so much for space for entertaining – which I love to do.  The rooms are flooded with light and I have so much space here – which is not always the case with many new builds. Within days of viewing I had put down my reservation fee and then on September 11^th I moved in and I couldn’t be happier.  The staff at Bellway have been terrific looking after me, making sure that everything is as it should be and being generally very helpful.”

Working three jobs and a large extended, blended family to take care of, Karen is a very busy lady. She loves to be occupied with work, sport, meeting friends and seeing her family. The fact that the apartment is new and so well designed is a blessing to her.

“I don’t have time at the moment to decorate so moving into a home that was already perfect was ideal. Maybe one day I will want to pick up a paintbrush but right now I love the clean bright lines of the home and I have just added my own splashes of colour to each room.”

Talking about the fantastic transport links close to Queensacre, Karen says, “I can jump on a bus to Reading or Bracknell, both of which are fabulous for shopping. All of us have our own parking space at Queensacre – which is just as well, as my car spends a great deal of time not moving. I could easily live here without having my own vehicle. The one time I do drive is to go to my health club – The Nirvana Spa – which is ten minutes away and is a wonderful place to have so close to home – it is quite luxurious and I have to admit that along with my home it is the other place I love to be.”

Queensacre is an exclusive, gated development set on the edge of Wokingham which includes one and two bedroom apartments and three and four bedroom townhouses that will appeal to a range of purchasers, including first-time buyers, commuters and families.  

All the homes at Queensacre benefit from modern, flexible living space and high specification interiors. Boasting stylish designs with superb modern specifications, buyers looking for a peaceful and healthy lifestyle will not be disappointed. Contemporary fitted kitchens feature quality integrated appliances and open-plan living and dining areas feature elegant French doors and bi-fold doors opening to the rear garden. 

Wokingham railway station is just an eight-minute drive away from home, providing regular services to Reading in 10 minutes, and London Waterloo in just over an hour. Winnersh railway station is also just nine minutes away, linking residents to London Paddington in 50 minutes.  

Prices at Queensacre start from £239,950 for a one bedroom apartment through to £685,000 for a four bedroom townhouse over three floors. Visits to view houses and the marketing suite are currently by appointment only. For further information about this stunning new development please call 011 8217 7213 or visit bellway.co.uk