Buy new and you could reduce your mortgage

David Harris has done what so many home-owners dream of. His recent move to a brand new home at George Wimpey's South Wood development in Little Stanion has reduced his monthly mortgage payments dramatically - yet the fabulous four-bedroom detached house he chose didn't mean a full-scale ‘downsize'.

David (42), a freelance civil engineer, explains: "The reason for my move was to downsize, but I've ended up still having four bedrooms, just in a location with a lot more growth potential, and thanks to the deal I received from George Wimpey, my mortgage has downsized considerably!"

He took advantage of the leading housebuilder's Easystart scheme, which helped David to reduce his mortgage while still owning his new home outright. Like the currently available Easymover scheme, it helps first-time buyers and existing home-owners to save money by choosing a brand new home.

The ‘Lulworth' housetype which David chose is a four-bedroom, three-storey design, and in addition to the fully fitted kitchen which comes as standard with all homes at South Wood, his home also included integrated appliances.

As the first resident to move to the new development, David also received an LCD television from George Wimpey and seethelight, which is fitting every home with fibre optic broadband for high-speed internet and telephone connections.

"My new home isn't so much a dream home," adds David, "It has a lot of aspects which go beyond any dreams I had! As the first resident - and the first person in the UK to have this fibre optic broadband at home - I feel like a bit of a pioneer."

South Wood will comprise 179 properties from George Wimpey's new Country Range of high quality homes, set in the Northamptonshire countryside and yet within easy reach of Corby and Kettering.

The village is a joint venture co-ordinated by BeLa Partnerships - interspersed with green spaces and ponds, and served by a range of new community facilities.

These include a small primary school due to open next year, a square of shops and amenities, recreation areas, paths, cycleways and bus routes. It will also be in the catchment area for the new Business Academy at Priors Hall, Corby.

Corby is just three miles away, where £60 million investment is providing new shopping, leisure and cultural facilities, schools, colleges and thousands of jobs. A direct, 60-minute rail service to London is due to operate from early 2009.

To see the show homes at South Wood, visit the development off Longcroft Road, Stanion, open daily from 10am to 5pm, or go online at Georgewimpey.co.uk.