New incentives to help those moving up and first time buyers

If you're planning to move up the property ladder but can't sell your current house, Barratt could smooth the way with its new and improved part-exchange offer.

Barratt has been offering the scheme nationally for more than 30 years and thousands of buyers have already taken advantage of it. It is now available with an added incentive: Barratt will buy your current home at full market value so that you are free to buy one of its brand new homes. You will be able to move quickly without the hassle of a chain. You can stay in your old property right up until your new one is ready and as an additional incentive, if you complete by 20th June 2008, Barratt will pay your mortgage for you until January 2009.

There's no hassle, no estate agent fees or last minute haggling over price.

Michael O'Leary, managing director of Barratt Thames Valley, says: "We know that moving house can have its difficulties, such as finding a buyer and chains breaking. Barratt's part-exchange offer removes all this uncertainty. Just like trading in your old car when you buy a new model, we effectively buy your old home for cash, enabling you to relax without the worry and cost of selling a property."

If you are not part-exchanging your home, Barratt is offering another great deal: the housebuilder will pay your mortgage for a year at selected developments.

There's also a new scheme to help first time buyers. Barratt's ‘Head Start' initiative allows first time buyers to move into a brand new apartment for only 85 per cent of the purchase price, while still owning a full 100 per cent of the property. There is no deposit to pay and Barratt will pay the Stamp Duty; the buyer just pays the legal fees. No interest or rent is payable on the 15 per cent deferred, which is paid back as 15 per cent of the property's open market value at any time up to the resale of the property or within ten years, whichever is sooner.

Barratt developments in the area offering special incentives include:

COLLEGE GREEN in Cippenham, a striking development of one, two, three and four-bedroom homes, is ideal for families. Part of an eco-friendly sustainable scheme; ‘green' features at the development include a network of footpaths and cycleways linking the homes to local schools, shops and employment areas, an improved bus service into Slough and extensive on-site recreation and sports facilities.

Incentives: complete on part-exchange by 20th June 2008 and Barratt will pay your mortgage until January 2009. If buyers are not part-exchanging their home, Barratt will pay the mortgage on their new home for a year.

Stop Press - Showhome Launch: Two showhomes, a two-bedroom house and a four-bedroom townhouse, will be opened on Saturday 10th and Sunday 11th May, with fun for all the family from 11am to 5pm each day.

Prices: From £175,000 for a one bedroom coach house, £249,950 for a two-bedroom house, £289,950 for a three-bedroom house and £375,000 for a four-bedroom house.

THE GLASS HOUSE in Maidenhead, a landmark building above Sainsbury's in Providence Square, offers 94 contemporary one and two-bedroom apartments. The development is within walking distance of the railway station, excellent shops and a vibrant nightlife. The Magnet Leisure Centre is opposite and an eight screen cinema, a bowling alley, an arts centre and a theatre are also nearby.

Incentives: complete on part exchange by 20th June 2008 and Barratt will pay your mortgage until January 2009. If buyers are not part-exchanging their home, Barratt will pay the mortgage on their new home for a year. Barratt is also offering its ‘Head Start' deal, allowing first time buyers to move in to a new home for only 85 per cent of the purchase price, while still owning a full 100 per cent of the property.

Prices: From £225,000 for a one-bedroom apartment and from £275,000 for a two-bedroom apartment.

For more information, visit Barratthomes.co.uk.