Got a mortgage question about Help to Buy but too afraid to ask?
Support is at hand for people who want to add to the 10,000-plus homes reserved under the government-backed scheme giving the opportunity to buy with a deposit as low as five per cent.
Award-winning housebuilder Linden Homes is running drop-in advice sessions at two developments in its Thames Valley region: Exemplar Park, Aylesbury, on September 21st and Saxon Gate, near Oxford, on September 28th.
Independent financial advisors will be on hand to answer questions, talk visitors through the process and explain their options. Linden Homes staff will be able to guide them through the properties.
Help to Buy applies to houses and apartments valued up to £600,000 and is open to first-time buyers and those climbing further up the property ladder.
It works by the government offering a 20 per cent equity loan so that with a five per cent deposit, the buyer only needs to find a 75 per cent mortgage to make up the difference.
For the first five years of owning the home no loan fees will be charged. The home is in the buyer’s name so it can be sold at any time. The equity loan is paid back when the home is sold or at the end of your mortgage period – whichever comes first.
One happy Linden Homes customer to have taken advantage of Help to Buy was Trevor Lepley who with just a five per cent deposit bought his four-bedroom semi-detached house at Northfields in Colchester, Essex.
“I thought I would be renting for a long time unless I won the lottery or something,” explained Trevor, a performance analyst for JP Morgan. “Help to Buy is fantastic, it’s what people need. House prices are not cheap now. If someone had told me a year ago that I would be owning a four-bedroom house now, I would have laughed at them.”
Linden Homes sales and marketing director, Steve Garton said: “Help to Buy has made such a positive difference for thousands of people around the UK. It’s saved them years of building up a deposit and has given a boost to the national economy too.
“It’s a simple process that no one should feel daunted by and we’ll be ready to answer any kind of question. If you think it’s a daft one, then it’s probably the one lots of other people are dying to ask!
“At Linden Homes we offer quality homes in places where people are eager to live and Help to Buy is giving people the hand up they need. We’re looking forward to seeing everyone there.”
Exemplar Park is a unique development of two, three and four-bedroom homes in the thriving town of Aylesbury. Set in open parkland, it will include a range of new community facilities, shops and new schools.
Just 65 minutes by train to London and well-located for the A34, M1, A41 and M40, Aylesbury has a wealth of shops, restaurants, sports and cultural venues.
Saxon Gate is a stunning collection of two and four-bedroom homes in the small village of East Hanney, surrounded by countryside near Oxford. It lies between Wantage and Abingdon and is approximately 12 miles from Didcot.
To find out more, call Exemplar Park on 01292 321299, or Saxon Gate on 01235 538000. The showhomes and marketing suite are open daily from 10am to 5pm at Exemplar Park, and from 10am to 4pm at weekends at Saxon Gate.
-ENDS-
For further information, contact Claire McCowan or Claire Bradley at Remarkable Public Relations on 01962 893 893.
References to “we”, “us” or “our” are to the part of the Vistry Group (including Linden Homes, Bovis Homes, Countryside Homes, Drew Smith or one of Vistry’s joint venture companies) from which you are intending to purchase a new home. References to "you” and “your” are to the prospective buyer or buyers of a new home from us.
All images are used for illustrative purposes only and are representative only. They may not be the same as the actual home you purchase and the specification may differ. Images may be of a slightly different model of home and may include optional upgrades and extras which involve additional cost. Individual features such as windows, brick, carpets, paint and other material colours may vary and also the specification of fittings may vary. Any furnishings and furniture are not included in any sale. Please check with our sales consultants for details of the exact specifications available at the development(s) for each type of home and the associated prices.