Architect of home ownership dreams
Read about Dami reaching a milestone in his life by stepping onto the property ladder at Crescent Gardens, East Croydon.
Reaching milestones at Crescent Gardens
At 38, Damiloa (Dami) Lapite – an architect with a passion for creativity and city living – is finally calling a home his own. After years of sharing homes, the move to his very first property at Crescent Gardens by Latimer in Croydon has been nothing short of life-changing. “It's still surreal,” Dami shares. “Home ownership was always a dream for me. Now that I'm living it, the reality kicks in – this is my space, my sanctuary."
Discovering shared ownership
Dami has always been drawn to vibrant, up-and-coming areas. When the time came to look for a place of his own, staying connected to London was a top priority and buying with shared ownership made it possible. Dami continues: “I initially tried looking at homes to buy privately, but the prices were way out of reach, and the areas didn't feel right. Then I discovered shared ownership – it gave me the opportunity to stay in London, in a neighbourhood I actually wanted to live in.
Benefits for Dami
- Fulfilling the home ownership dream.
- Fifteen minute commute to London Bridge.
- Desirable location, made achievable with shared ownership.
- A space that matches an architect's vision.
- A sense of accomplishment from having a place of his own.
The whole process with Latimer was seamless. I had a mortgage offer in two weeks after my initial enquiry and moved-in three months later. They walked me through each step – from mortgage advice to legal support. I even moved my move-in date forward and they made it happen without a hitch.
Dami at Crescent Gardens
The perfect location in Croydon
Latimer helped Dami secure a new two-bedroom apartment at Crescent Gardens, just a short walk from East Croydon station. Dami adds: “My commute is incredible – just 15 minutes from East Croydon to London Bridge. I’ve got friends in Croydon, and I love the vibe here."
As an architect, Dami had a clear vision of the kind of space he wanted. His apartment, located on the sixth floor, ticks all the boxes. He explains: “I get the morning sun on the balcony, and there's a shared podium garden which is beautifully maintained.”
Focusing and saving
In 2022, after moving back in with family, Dami used the time to focus and save. He explains: “I paid rent to my mum and just saved. It was hard but I was desperate to have my own space. Discovering shared ownership was a turning point. It gave me that stepping stone.”
Dami purchased a 25% share of his home, putting down a £6,000 deposit – which was doubled thanks to a special incentive from Latimer, bringing his total to £12,000. His monthly outgoings – including mortgage, rent, and service charges – come to around £1,700, a manageable amount for him.
A space of his own
Now Dami is making the space his own. The second bedroom serves as a home office, and he's already thinking about staircasing – increasing his share of ownership in the future.
“It's a psychological thing more than anything, he says. “To have my own space – that's something I've never achieved before. It's up there with some of the biggest milestones in my life. This is definitely one of those full-circle moments.”
Homes at Crescent Gardens start a £110,000 for a 25% share of a two-bedroom apartment with a full market value of £440,000.
