Mortgage approvals set to rise further in 2013

West Country housing market showed stronger than expected mortgage applications in 2012 says Linden Homes.

Despite an unsettled progression throughout 2012, the housing market in the West Country saw applications for mortgage lending - particularly for first-time buyers - stronger than many had expected.

According to Linden Homes Western, currently building in Bristol, Chippenham, Bradford-on-Avon, Midsomer Norton, Kilmersdon, Abergavenny, Newent and Gloucester, mortgage approvals in 2013 look set to follow the same pattern and grow still further, proving that the negative perception of mortgage approvals in the area is very different to what is actually on offer today.

Adrian Bird, sales and marketing director, at Linden Homes Western says: “In the case of the government’s NewBuy scheme, which we have available at all of our developments across the region, nearly 70 per cent of those who apply for a NewBuy mortgage get one – and that’s not just for first time buyers, it’s for anyone buying a new-build home."

NewBuy is an innovative scheme designed to help those looking to move on to or up the property ladder with just a five per cent deposit, allowing buyers the opportunity to secure a 95 per cent fixed rate mortgage.

The news will be welcome for house hunters in the West Country, who are looking to secure a new property in 2013 and have previously struggled or received misleading advice which has prevented them from making that all-important first move.

Adrian continues: “NewBuy has helped many of our customers, but it isn’t the only incentive we offer. Assisted move, 100 per cent part exchange, FirstBuy, Easy Start and Step Up, all play a positive part in boosting the local housing market and most importantly, enables local people to move.”

For more information on Linden’s developments across the West Country, visit lindenhomes.co.uk.