First-time buyers ride the property wave in Desborough

The housing market may be going through a rough patch but Natalie Samuels thinks there has never been a better time for first-time buyers to get on the ladder.

Natalie, an 18-year-old sales executive, and her partner Michael, a 21-year-old motor mechanic, took advantage of generous incentives from Redrow Homes at their Redrow @ The Grange development in Desborough, Northants, enabling them to buy a one-bedroom coach house.

Natalie said: "Prior to moving to The Grange, we were both living with our parents in Kibworth Beauchamp but we wanted to get on the property ladder for the freedom and responsibility.

"Although there is some negativity surrounding the housing market, we actually found it easier to buy in the current conditions because we had our deposit paid. We were also able to take advantage of incentives such as carpets, fridge, washing machine and wardrobes so it saved us loads of money.

"We decided to buy a new home rather than an older property because it was ready to move into with nothing to do. I would recommend new homes to other first-time buyers because you can literally just move in without having to decorate or buy appliances."

For others tempted to follow suit, Redrow is planning a special first time buyers weekend on September 27 / 28, when a financial adviser and solicitor will both be available to help guide would-be home owners through the buying process and to find the mortgage deal that suits them best.

Redrow will also be offering a range of generous incentives under the umbrella of ‘re:assure', all of them designed to make getting onto the property ladder as easy as possible. For some this could be help finding a deposit, stamp duty, legal fees and / or other moving costs; for others it could mean a substantial contribution towards their monthly mortgage repayments for up to two years.

And anyone reserving during the special first time buyers weekend will be entered into a free prize draw to win £500 worth of IKEA vouchers to help furnish their new home.

As well as offering competitively priced properties ideal for first-time buyers, Redrow @ The Grange also features a choice of new homes suited to a range of buyers from growing families to downsizers and empty nesters. Currently there are three-bedroom terraced and semi-detached homes from £149,995 and four and five-bedroom detached houses from £224,995 to £269,995.

Commuters will benefit from easy access to the motorway network and major A-roads, providing links to the cities of Leicester, Peterborough and Northampton and beyond, while train links from nearby Kettering station provide journey times to London St Pancras of just over an hour, so Redrow @ The Grange can provide a peaceful and cost-effective retreat for city commuters.

To find out more, see Redrow.co.uk.