An easier way to secure a new home in Kent
First-time buyers Leanne Chambers and Ben Painter were able to become homeowners thanks to the 5% deposits available at Taylor Wimpey’s Leybourne Chase development of properties for sale in Kent.
The couple were living with their respective parents and were keen to secure their own home in West Malling, Kent – but at the same time they wanted to be sure they could comfortably cover the cost of running a property.
Taking advantage of the Government-backed FirstBuy scheme’s low deposits offered an affordable solution to Leanne (22) and Ben (26) by allowing them to secure their first property in West Malling for just 80% of its value, including a 5% deposit.
“Buying an apartment in West Malling together was something we had been looking forward to for some time,” says Leanne, a nanny. “But we were very conscious of the costs involved and how they might affect our lives.
“For a while we considered renting somewhere, but the monthly rates worked out similar to paying a mortgage, so it made sense for us to buy our own flat in West Malling.
“We visited Taylor Wimpey’s Leybourne Chase development and spoke to the Sales Executives there – they told us all about FirstBuy and how it could help us start our life together.
“Without FirstBuy there’s no way we could have afforded the deposit for our new apartment.”
FirstBuy allows qualifying first-time buyers to secure selected new homes at Leybourne Chase for just 80% of their full price, including a 5% deposit of as little as £7,750*, subject to status.
The scheme works through a joint loan of 20% from the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) and Taylor Wimpey. The loan is repayable at the end of the 25-year mortgage term or when the property is sold. To be eligible, purchasers must be first-time buyers and their total household earnings should be less than £60,000.
Leanne and Ben are now enjoying life in their brand new home at Leybourne Chase.
“We chose a one-bedroom apartment, it’s ideally suited to our needs with an open-plan living area and a master bedroom,” she says.
“Having our own place is great. It’s lovely coming home after a long day at work and spending time together in our own space.”
One-bedroom coach house-style apartments at Leybourne Chase are currently on sale from as little as £154,995, while two-bedroom apartments are priced from just £179,995, four-bedroom properties from £299,995 and magnificent five-bedroom homes from £499,995.
Leybourne Chase forms part of the Hospital Sites Programme run by the HCA to bring 96 former hospital sites back into productive use. As well as working with Taylor Wimpey to develop the site, the HCA is providing funding to ensure new and affordable homes are available for the local community.
Nearly two-thirds of the development site – some 140 acres – are being preserved as green open space for recreation and leisure, including parks, recreation grounds, fields, children’s playgrounds, sports pitches, ‘trim trail’ footpaths, community allotments, a lake and an arboretum.
For commuters, West Malling railway station is just over a mile from the development and provides regular services to London Victoria. Maidstone is only seven miles away by road, while quick links to the M20 mean central London is within easy reach.
Visit taylorwimpey.co.uk to find out more.
