From show home to dream home

A lucky couple had the key to their first home within just five weeks of viewing a brand new Laing Homes property in Corby, Northamptonshire. When Andy McGovern (29) and his girlfriend Joanne McInally (24) first set eyes on the ‘Keats' showhome at The Croft development they knew immediately that the three-bedroom house was where they wanted to lay their roots.

Andy, who has always lived in the area, said: "I was renting before and Joanne was living with her parents - and we really wanted a place of our own.

"What attracted me to the ‘Keats' showhome was the finish and the materials that had been used.

"It also had two parking spaces, a garage and a decent-sized garden. It was much better than the other new-build homes we had seen in the area.

"We looked at this and thought it was the one for us - and everything moved quickly from then onwards.

"It was already built, already decorated and all we had to do was move in."

The layout of ‘Keats' is designed to maximise space, with a light and airy living/dining room downstairs, leading to French doors to the back garden, a thoughtfully laid out fitted kitchen, with built-in oven, hob and hood, plus a guest hallway off the entrance hallway.

Upstairs, the landing leads to three bedrooms - one with large built-in wardrobes - and a family bathroom. Like all new homes on the development, the ‘Keats' has gas central heating and double glazing.

The couple have used one spare bedroom as a dressing room and the other as a beautician's studio. Andy, who works as a lorry driver, said: "At the moment Joanne is a mobile beautician and she is looking to set up a more permanent base at home.

"It's also important that we have a smart house to create a good impression when customers come to visit."

When buying the house, Andy and Joanne took advantage of Laing Homes' Easy Start shared equity scheme.

The initiative allows first-time buyers to secure a mortgage for just 75% of the price of their new home without needing a deposit, while the housebuilder provides a rent and interest-free loan for the remaining 25% for up to 10 years.

"It was the only way we could get a house," said Andy. "We were not left with much of a choice, but thanks to this scheme we are able to get the keys to our own home.

"It's brilliant, we are really happy and we've ended up with a property which we're proud of."

Homes currently available at The Croft also include the three-bedroom ‘Burns' priced from £129,995, and four-bedroom housetypes starting at £184,995.

As an alternative to the Easy Start scheme, Laing Homes' Easymover programme offers a range of special incentives on selected properties including 5% deposit and legal fees paid for first time buyers - while customers with a house to sell can reserve their new home and then sit back and relax while the housebuilder finds a buyer for their current property and pays the estate agents' fees.

Homebuyers can also take advantage of Laing Homes' House to Home bespoke moving package - free UK removal regardless of distance or size of property, full packing and unpacking service and insurance cover.

The Croft Sales Centre is located on Butland Road, Corby and is open Thursdays to Mondays, 10.30am to 5.30pm.

Alternatively, details of new homes and developments are available online at Laing-homes.co.uk.