Miller Homes steps up building programme

With sales of new homes in the first half year already reaching an incredible 225% over target, and likely to go higher, Miller Homes is stepping up its house building programme to meet the demand for new homes in the North West.

Steve McElroy, Miller Homes’ Sales Director for its North West region, said: “We have achieved outstanding sales success in the first half year. To date we have 205 legal completions in the region, an incredible 225% over target for the first 6 months of 2009. By the close of business at the half year we anticipate sales of 265 new homes – that is 90% of the whole year’s sales targets for the North West. These are exceptional results in any market but in the height of a credit crunch and with some of the toughest trading conditions for decades, they are phenomenal. It is a tribute to all the hard work put in by our team over the recent months.”

These good sales figures from Miller Homes support the increasing belief that green shoots of recovery are showing. In May both the Halifax and Nationwide reported the second consecutive month of house price rises.

Steve added: “Our true selling point in the current market is a direct result of building quality homes in the right locations and affordability. Miller Homes’ shared equity scheme ‘MiWay’ gives buyers the chance to own 100% of your new home, but pay only 75% of the value now and the introduction of the Government backed ‘Homebuy Direct’ scheme are helping home buyers secure a mortgage offer. For home owners our 100% part exchange scheme, which provides a smooth transaction and avoids a property chain and is proving the best way to move in a slow market for older properties.”

Steve confirmed that he is optimistic about the future and believes that the industry is now on the right track and has learnt some tough but important lessons in the last year. Principally that affordability and helping people secure a mortgage offer have been essential ingredients in the recovery.

Stepping up the build programme
The strong sales performance and the reduction of stock translates in to continued development across Miller Homes’ 16 live developments in the region. Steve said “The challenge now is to build as many homes as are required. We have seen strong demand in the downturn, but now as the market is recovering, we are planning for growth. So we have increased our building rate to ensure we will have a sufficient supply of homes for the demand we expect to see in the latter part of 2009 and into 2010.”

Part of this demand may be driven by Miller Homes’ first ever TV campaign, which launched in the North East this week with an increased marketing campaign due to be rolled out across the country in the coming months. “Putting money into TV advertising is another sign of our confidence that the market is about to move back to sustainable growth” says Steve.

For the latest information on Miller Homes developments, new releases and ways of buying a new Miller Home, visit millerhomes.co.uk.