First-time buyers in Southampton given a helping hand
Award winning house builder Crest Nicholson, is helping first-time buyers to make their first step onto the property ladder at its new Empress Heights development in Southampton. Situated in the heart of the city, the impressive one and two bedroom apartments and duplexes are available for first-time buyers to purchase under Crest Nicholson’s FirstBuy and NewBuy schemes.
The FirstBuy and NewBuy schemes allow new purchasers the opportunity to enjoy the benefits of city living; but with only a small deposit of just £6,398. Based on College Street, Empress Heights’ location makes it ideal for entertainment, shopping and sport. The apartments are only a short walk from Oxford Street with its great selection of restaurants and bars, and the city’s major shopping centres.
Crest’s FirstBuy scheme offers first-time buyers the chance to own 100% of their new home, but only pay 80% of the price upfront. Through the scheme there is no interest or rent accrued on the outstanding 20% of the property’s equity for the next five years. The NewBuy scheme on offer is for both new and existing homeowners who are unable to find the high levels of deposit required by many mortgage lenders. With the scheme, purchasers need only to provide a 5% deposit to receive a mortgage of 95% of the property value.
Christine Tiernan, Sales and Marketing Director for Crest Nicholson South, said: “Empress Heights is a highly popular development already with buyers at all stages of their home-owning career, but many purchasers have been unable to afford the deposit required by mortgage lenders. Not only will FirstBuy enable first-time purchasers to buy their own home, but the NewBuy scheme will provide existing homeowners with a more realistic and affordable deposit to climb the property ladder. Our sales teams are experienced in helping all purchasers to the market, so I would advise anybody interested to come down and meet with them to discuss the opportunities available.”
With superior quality interiors, the properties at Empress Heights provide buyers with a fresh and modern home. Many of the apartments have a private balcony offering some personal space in the city and the development features covered parking as well as secure cycle stores for those who wish to lead a more sustainable lifestyle.
Southampton Central train station is just one mile from the development, with direct services to nearby Portsmouth, Winchester and Bournemouth and fast trains reaching London is less than one hour 20 minutes. Commuters can easily reach the M27 and M3 and Southampton Airport – which offers around 50 European destinations – can be reached by bus or train.
Under the FirstBuy scheme prices for one bedroom apartment start at £102,360. For more information, visit crestnicholson.com/empressheights.
