Linden Homes makes moving more affordable for first time buyers

While recent research suggests that first time buyers face a 10-year wait to step onto the housing ladder, Linden Homes is making moving easier and more affordable in 2013.

According to a study carried out by Post Office mortgages, most FTBs believe they will be 35 years old before they are able to buy their first home – with raising a deposit the biggest barrier.

However, the Linden Homes-backed FirstBuy scheme means those taking their first steps onto the housing ladder can do so more affordably, and buy more home for their money.

The government’s FirstBuy initiative has been designed for buyers who have found large deposits required for mortgages a problem when thinking about purchasing.

In a nutshell, the scheme allows eligible buyers to own 100 per cent of their new home but pay as little as 80 per cent of the price now.

FirstBuy allows customers to benefit in a number of ways. 

Just five per cent deposit needed 
Own 100 per cent of your home for 80 per cent of the price 
The remaining 20 per cent is provided as an equity loan by the government and Linden Homes 
Equity loan is interest free for five years

The scheme is available at many of Linden Homes’ developments around the region, including Cambridgeshire, Northamptonshire, Nottinghamshire and Leicestershire.

And there are numerous other benefits to buying a brand new home as opposed to a second hand one. 

Incentives are available to assist everyone from first time buyers to those looking to downsize or others who have an existing home to sell. 

Less maintenance - old homes may have more character but they may also need more costly things doing to them, which could see the owner shelling out for things like new guttering, replacement windows or extra roof insulation. 

Energy efficiency. New homes are well insulated, and include double-glazing as standard, making them cheaper to run than older homes. All new homes are fitted with a water metre. Studies show that new homes are on average four times more energy efficient that older homes, so producing lower energy bills. 

A blank canvas - you can usually determine colour schemes, choose kitchen units, bathroom suites and matching wall tiles, you can even pick your own carpets and curtains. 

An insurance-backed 10-year warranty from the National House Building Council (NHBC).

For more details on the scheme or to find out where Linden Homes is building near you visit lindenhomes.co.uk.