Dream start for couple at Clanville Grange

Barratt's Dream Start scheme for first-time buyers has allowed one young couple to move into their first home together, at the prestigious Clanville Grange development in North View, Minehead. Kathy Ashford (30), a primary school teacher, and Stuart Larkins (30), a print room manager, have purchased a two-bedroom apartment at the site.

"The apartment is lovely," Kathy said. "It has two double bedrooms, an en-suite, a bathroom, an open plan kitchen/lounge and lots of storage space.

"It was a show home, so it's fully decorated and comes with fixtures and fittings. We also have a Juliette style balcony, which gives us views of the Exmoor hills and the sea.

"The Dream Start scheme is fantastic as we would never have been able to afford such a lovely home without it," Kathy continued.

"It allowed us to get a mortgage for just 75 per cent of the asking price. The other 25 per cent is covered by Barratt and repayable interest free, either within 10 years or on the resale of the property.

"In fact, the sale happened really quickly," Kathy added. "We had just started looking for a property and had seen a mortgage lender, but we didn't like anything in our price range.

"We visited Clanville Grange but thought the new homes there would be too expensive - then the sales negotiator told us about the Dream Start scheme. We moved into our apartment within five weeks and there was no hassle at all.

"It's the ideal location for us as we are close to the town and to family and we love walking in Exmoor," Kathy concluded.

Clanville Grange is set in a private cul-de-sac and offers a selection of apartments. Current availability includes one and two-bedroom apartments priced from £155,000.

One apartment (plot 35) is priced at £155,000 and is available for £131,750 under the new Head Start scheme for first time buyers, which allows purchasers to own 100 per cent of their new home, whilst getting a mortgage for 85 per cent. The remaining 15 per cent is covered by Barratt. This is interest free and repayable within 10 years or on selling the property. The apartment comes with carpets, washer/dryer and curtains.

The development is situated just a few minutes' walk from the seafront and Minehead town centre, with its excellent range of shops and restaurants. The A39 is a short drive away, offering access to junctions 23 and 24 of the M5 and providing easy routes to Devon, Taunton, Bridgwater and Bristol.

For further details, log on to Barratthomes.co.uk.