Key workers move onto the property ladder

Fate moves in mysterious ways they say. It did for healthcare worker John Brannan and his partner Carolyn Downey. Living in rented accommodation seemed to be the only affordable option for them to get their first home together, until a chance sighting of an advertising banner changed their lives forever.

John explains: “I was renting a property in Woolton Village and was travelling to see a friend in nearby Netherley when a banner outside a new development caught my eye. It said something like why rent when you can buy, pay 70% now 30% later. If this was possible then it could be the answer to our dreams.”

The development was Miller Homes’ “Bridgewater Park” in Netherley which offers a few new homes on the Government backed Homebuy Direct scheme; a stepping stone into home ownership. Homebuy Direct makes more new homes affordable to first time buyers, key workers, people re-entering the property market after a relationship breakdown and current households earning less than £60,000 who cannot afford to buy a property on the open market.

“We visited the development and thought the 3 bed ‘Newton’ was a fabulous home. In talking to Mark [Miller Homes Sales Consultant] we found that we could apply to Homebuy Direct and qualified as key workers. Mark was really good and helped us complete all the paperwork, put us in touch with a Solicitor and Independent Financial Advisor - which was great because we would not have known where to start looking. Mark explained how the process worked and throughout the process, we were kept fully informed.” Said John.

That was back in March, now John and Carolyn have moved in to their ‘Newton’ 3 bed home and are enjoying every minute they spend in it. John said: “The house is brilliant and really well designed. The third bedroom is already my office and the master bedroom now has some nice large wardrobes to take all our clothes with space to spare. All this would not have been possible without Miller Homes and the Homebuy Direct scheme.”

John and Carolyn are now talking of getting married next year and John is hoping to start a secondment to university in September. This is when the extra space in the home and his home office will be really useful.

New releases at Miller Homes ‘Bridgewater Park’ in Netherley includes a choice of 2 bedroom apartments and 3 bed homes. Apartment prices start from £79,950, with Homebuy Direct [pay a minimum of 70% now, 30% later] homebuyers can own 100% of an apartment for just £55,965 now. Similarly a ‘Kitchener’ 3 bed family home is priced at £133,950 and under the Homebuy Direct scheme this could be 100% yours for just £93,765 now.

For the latest news on the properties available and details of Homebuy Direct, visit the Bridgewater Park Marketing Suite, on Brownbill Bank, Netherley, Liverpool, L27 7AE. It is open Thursday to Monday, from 10.30am to 5.30pm. Full details can also be found online at millerhomes.co.uk.