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Second steppers step up with stamp duty savings and 5% deposits in Kent

13th October 2020 Print

Traditionally, second steppers have faced tough market challenges as they struggle to get their foot up the property ladder, but with Nationwide reporting the highest house prices in 16 years in August , and the stamp duty holiday and current Help to Buy scheme available to second steppers until 31st March 2021, the time has never been better for second steppers to move on up. Offering a number of three-bedroom properties that qualify for both schemes, Millwood Designer Homes’ latest development Hawthornden in Yalding, Kent is the ideal place for second steppers to move to their ideal family home.

Offering a 5% deposit and 20% government loan, the current Help to Buy scheme applies to those looking to buy their second home as well as first time buyers, and can be used on a new build home up to the value of £600,000, as long as they are in the process of selling their first property. Buyers can reserve their Help to Buy purchase at any point, but contracts need to be exchanged on their old home before exchanging on a new property. From April 2021, the scheme will be restricted to first time buyers only and will introduce regional property price caps for the first time, meaning second steppers need to get in quick to secure a home with the scheme.

At Hawthornden, the Help to Buy scheme is available to use on a selection of three-bedroom homes, including The Frimley, The Mulberry and The Aldington, and homebuyers do not have to pay stamp duty on homes priced below £500,000 until 31st March 2021. This means that second steppers could potentially save £9,800 in stamp duty when buying a property priced at £490,000, such as The Frimley, alleviating a large amount of financial stress.

Philip Brown, Sales and Marketing Director at Millwood Designer Homes, comments: “It’s no secret that the market has been a challenging place for those looking to upsize in the past, but it seems the recent lockdown has bought a positive change to the middle-market. With the financial bonuses of the stamp duty holiday and Help to Buy scheme available until early next year, second steppers have the perfect opportunity to upsize into a family home. At Hawthornden, our three-bedroom homes are all priced within the threshold and offer plenty of space to grow as a family.”

Located just six miles from Kent’s county town of Maidstone, Hawthornden comprises a unique selection of three, four and five bedroom homes. Each property has been expertly designed to offer Millwood’s distinctive specification, and stylish and spacious layouts comfortably accommodate busy family life and can easily be adapted to suit the changing needs of the modern-day family.

The Frimley is a three-bedroom end of terrace property, where second steppers can take advantage of savings through Help to Buy and the stamp duty holiday. Interiors feature an open-plan kitchen/dining area, garden room and a separate spacious living room, as well as three ample bedrooms with an en-suite to the master bedroom.

The local area offers a range of local amenities and attractions for families who choose to make this picture-perfect Kent village their home. Within easy walking distance there is a Post Office, a doctor’s surgery and a small convenience store ideal for day-to-day essentials. There are a number of local inns to enjoy a relaxing tipple, including the recently refurbished Walnut Tree or the waterside Boathouse Pub and Restaurant, as well as the popular Tickled Trout in nearby West Farleigh. Children are also well catered for in terms of education options, with St Peter & St Pauls C of E Primary School just a short walk away, and St Helens Montessori Secondary School in nearby East Farleigh.

Ideal for residents who need to commute, there is easy access to the M20 and M25, connecting routes to the north and south of England, including the beaches of Brighton, Eastbourne and Hastings. Yalding train station provides regular services to Maidstone, Tonbridge and journeys into London Victoria or Charing Cross in an hour from nearby East Malling or Paddock Wood station.

Prices at Hawthornden start at £460,000, with Help to Buy available on selected plots. For more information, visit millwooddesignerhomes.co.uk.