First-time buyer scheme helps couple onto ladder

Despite their young age, Sean McDonald, 22, and Jessica Finnif, 21, have just bought their first home together thanks to a Government backed scheme available for first-time buyers. Sean and Jessica bought a one bedroom apartment at The Woodlands, an attractive new development by Ward Homes in Boughton Monchelsea, close to Maidstone.

Ward Homes also gave Sean and Jessica an extra helping hand by paying five per cent towards their deposit.

Sean, a theatre practitioner at Maidstone Hospital, comments: “We were both living with our parents and wanted to buy our own home so we could have our own space. Without the deal offered by Ward, we wouldn’t have been able to afford to buy. We know how tough it can be raising the finance for a new home and thought their offer was just too good to miss.”

Sean and Jessica decided to opt for a brand new home because it’s easy to maintain and the excellent incentives currently on offer make new homes a very attractive proposition compared to their second hand equivalents. They viewed several developments in Maidstone but nothing caught their eye until an internet search led them to The Woodlands. Jessica, a teaching assistant at a school in Maidstone, says: “The location of The Woodlands was perfect for us, it’s not too far from our parents and it’s in a very pretty village and surrounded by trees.”

The couple have now settled into their own home and love their new lifestyle. Jessica continues: “We love the atmosphere at The Woodlands. Although we live in an apartment, there are houses here too which make it very family orientated and it gives us something to aspire to one day. We think our home is great because it’s quirky and a bit different.”

Their one-bedroom apartment occupies the entire top floor of a three-storey building. It’s set in the eaves, which adds character to the rooms. Although the living/dining/kitchen space is open-plan, the clever design gives the impression that the kitchen is tucked away. All carpets and flooring were included in the price of their home and they were also given a free car parking space.

Both Sean and Jessica work in Maidstone and drive into work together. Jessica goes to Canterbury College once a week and if she can’t get a lift, Bearsted station is only a few miles away and has regular trains to Canterbury taking less than an hour.

If they want to visit London, it’s about an hour’s journey to London Victoria. They’re equally well placed if they want to go on holiday. A quick drive to the M20 takes them to Ashford International for Eurostar services in 25 miles and Gatwick Airport is about an hour away via the M25.

For a busy working couple, good local amenities are equally important. There is a large Morrisons within half a mile of The Woodlands and a great choice of shops, bars, restaurants and entertainment in Maidstone.

The Government has also recently launched its latest initiative, HomeBuy Direct, to help buyers get on or move up the property ladder. HomeBuy Direct gives homebuyers the chance to move in for only 70 per cent of the purchase price.

Ward Homes will match the Government’s funding pound for pound in the new venture to provide a 30 per cent equity loan to the homebuyer. The buyer finances the remaining 70 per cent either through a mortgage, a deposit or a combination of the two.

Three and four bedroom houses available on the HomeBuy Direct scheme, start at £224,950. The final two one bedroom apartments are available for £110,000.

For more information about the different incentives and offers available with Ward Homes, visit wardhomes.co.uk.