Buying into island lifestyle on Sheppey

On Saturday 11th July, leading Kent housebuilder, Ward Homes, is launching a new phase of homes at Priory Meadows on the Isle of Sheppey. Comprising two-bedroom apartments and two, three and four-bedroom houses, prices start from £139,950.

Ward Homes is hosting a barbeque for potential purchasers on 11th July where the showhome will be open for viewing and the Sales Team will explain the various opportunities available to get onto the property ladder.

Among the initiatives is the Government’s HomeBuy Direct scheme, which gives buyers the chance to move in for only 70% of the purchase price. Ward Homes will match the Government’s funding pound for pound in the new venture to provide an equity loan to the homebuyer of up to 30 per cent. The buyer finances the remaining 70 per cent either through a mortgage, a deposit or a combination of the two. There is no interest to pay on the equity stake for the first five years, although a small fee will be charged from year six onwards.

Buyers can redeem the loan in instalments, purchasing up to 100 per cent of the equity after their initial purchase by buying additional equity at the market rate. Alternatively, if they sell their home, the equity loan is repaid by way of a proportionate share of the sale proceeds.

Nick Fenton, Managing Director for Ward Homes, said: “HomeBuy Direct is a great way for people to get onto the property ladder, particularly in today’s tough economic climate. The initiative removes a great deal of worry for buyers; unless property prices dip by a further 30 per cent, their home will not be in negative equity. This initiative enables people to move to Priory Meadows who perhaps would otherwise have been unable to do so.”

HomeBuy Direct is open to First Time Buyers, key workers and others who are currently renting. People who have previously owned a home but are now unable to do so can also apply. Households eligible to take advantage of the offer will be earning more than £15,000 and less than £60,000 and may not require a deposit.

Priory Meadows is an extremely attractive development of apartments and houses, located on the outskirts of Minster. New homes offer a mix of open-plan layouts as well as separate kitchens and living rooms. All houses have their own private garden and ample parking, with most properties benefiting from a garage.

For those wishing to experience a relaxed island lifestyle yet either work or visit the mainland on a regular basis, commuting is straightforward. It takes less than 20 minutes to drive to Maidstone and the M2, junction 5 can be reached in 10 minutes for access to Central London and the Kent coast. For those wishing to use public transport, regular trains from Queenborough go to London Victoria. From December 2009, Ebbsfleet International Station, which is a 35 minute drive from Priory Meadows, will offer a high speed rail service to St Pancreas in just 17 minutes.

For more information on Priory Meadows and to view the show home, contact the Sales Centre at Lilac Road, Minster on Sea, Sheerness ME12 3GA, open daily from 10am to 6pm. Alternatively, log on to Wardhomes.co.uk.