The Nottingham extends support for First-Time Buyers

The Nottingham is to continue offering a special advisory service to First-Time Buyers until the end of August due to strong and sustained local demand.

The Nottingham is to continue offering a special advisory service to First-Time Buyers until the end of August due to strong and sustained local demand. Launched almost three months ago, the initiative has already helped many would-be home-seekers living in the East Midlands get a foothold on the local property ladder.

"We have been delighted by the reaction of local people," commented Lorraine Giddings, divisional head of The Nottingham's branch network.

"Many people are keen to establish themselves on the property ladder. They just need a helping hand to find out what opportunities are available to them - and how they go about things on a practical level."

The first-time buyer service encourages would-be homeowners to visit one of The Nottingham's 32 branches located in Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire, Lincolnshire and South Yorkshire and find out:

What kind of mortgages are available to them that suit their distinct first-time buyer needs;

How The Nottingham's innovative first home savings account can help them reduce the length of time it takes to build a deposit;

What local properties are available that would make an ideal first home;

What insurance and financial products are appropriate and provide the essential protection that offers new homeowners peace of mind.

"First-time buyers are the life blood of the property market," added Lorraine Giddings. "Yet for a long time, particularly when house prices were rocketing upwards, this important group of people were finding it increasingly difficult to get on the ladder.

"We recognised this. That's why, in recent months, we have introduced a first-time buyer mortgage and savings account - and we have identified a number of properties within our portfolio that would be ideal for first-timers.

"I would encourage anyone who is interested in buying a home for the first time to pop along to one of our branches and find out as much as possible. We want people to get answers to questions that help them achieve their long-term needs and aspirations."
Local people can drop in to a branch where fully trained mortgage advisors are available, call in or phone to make an appointment and get information about First Time Buyer mortgages, savings accounts and ideal first homes.

After August, the support will be rolled into the day-to-day operation of The Nottingham's branch network, thereby ensuring the society continues to cater for the ongoing needs of local people.