Is now a good time to buy?

Now is the time to buy a new home says Andrew Demain, business development director of Britain's most successful housebuilder, Leeds-based Persimmon Homes. Now you could argue that Mr Demain might be slightly biased but there is credible evidence to suggest that now is an ideal time to buy a new home.

Recent reports regarding lending may have unnerved a number of potential purchasers however the message from leading industry experts across Yorkshire is that buyers can use this market to their distinct advantage.

Whilst it may come as a surprise, people with a good credit history, deposit and reasonable income can still get great, competitive mortgages, as David Bailey, mortgage adviser at Gledhill's of Northallerton, explains: "Contrary to reports, there are still attractive mortgage deals, including 95 per cent products, readily available however, you do need to move quickly to get them.

"There are significant signs of resurgence in the market - we are genuinely rushed off our feet with a number of new enquiries, attributed to a low interest rate of five per cent and as a consequence of the return to more realistic market conditions - good news for anyone who is considering buying for the first time or those looking to make the move up the property ladder."

Andrew continues: "A low, stable, interest rate, extremely competitively priced properties and developers that want to sell means it's clearly a buyers market.

"The message is clear - whatever your budget, circumstance or requirement, there's a new home, deal and informed advice available to get you on the move - factors that should certainly help boost consumer confidence."

Persimmon has a range of incentives geared towards helping specific sectors of the market such as Shared Equity for first time buyers to Home Change for those with a property to sell and is currently creating new communities in Leeds, Castleford, Cleckheaton, Gomersal, Horbury, Northowram, Ripponden, Southowram, Heckmondwike, Wakefield, and Wilsden.

For further information on the range of properties available across the region, log on to Persimmonhomes.com.