First time buyers are flying high in Eastbourne

Barratt Southern Counties has stepped forward as the biggest supporter of Airbourne 2009 by sponsoring a very generous £8,000 towards this year’s Eastbourne Airshow and to celebrate the world’s biggest free seafront airshow, Barratt is giving away a selection of fantastic Airbourne prizes.

The housebuilder is holding a First Time Buyer Day at its stylish new H20 apartment scheme in Susans Road, just a few minutes’ walk from the airshow site, on Saturday 1st August from 10 am to 6 pm.

First time buyers who are keen to make their first step onto the property ladder are encouraged to come down to H20 to enjoy a glass of champagne and view the contemporary show apartment. There will be the chance to speak to Barratt’s experienced sales team who can explain the latest incentives and offers available such as HomeBuy Direct, as well as an Independent Financial Advisor on hand to answer any mortgage queries.

Prospective purchasers will also have the chance to enter a free prize draw for three fantastic prizes which are up for grabs: a helicopter ride at Airbourne for two, a pair of tickets for Dirty Dancing Tribute Concert at the Eastbourne Bandstand and two tickets for the Aviator Club Corporate Hospitality Marquee.

Plus, anyone who reserves an apartment on the day will receive a £3000 voucher to spend on fixtures and fittings for their new apartment from Barratt’s Choices Centre. Here, homebuyers can choose from an enormous range of state-of-the-art fittings such as carpets, curtains and wardrobes to upgrade their specification. After browsing for inspiration, visitors can relax in the café while they make those all-important decisions about the finishing touches for their new home.

During Airbourne, Barratt will be holding a Meet the Pilots Open Day at H20 on Saturday 15th August from 4 pm, when visitors will have the exclusive opportunity to meet some of the pilots who will be thrilling the crowds with their flying exploits.

Lynnette St Quintin, Sales Director of Barratt Southern Counties, said: “We are delighted to be involved in sponsoring this fantastic airshow which brings so many visitors to the great town of Eastbourne each year. We would encourage prospective homebuyers to visit our H20 development of stylish art-deco apartments on Susan’s Road in between watching the stunning sky displays.

“The homes will appeal to young professionals wanting the convenience of a modern layout, downsizers relishing the seaside environment or second-home purchasers who want the comfort of a ‘lock up and leave’ apartment.”

Barratt has lots of different ways to help people to get on and move up the property ladder. HomeBuy Direct is a fantastic new scheme supported by Barratt Southern Counties and the Government which enables buyers to move into a new home for just 70 per cent of the purchase price. Homebuyers taking advantage of it can receive an equity loan of up to 30 per cent, funded jointly by Barratt and the Government.

The buyer then finances the remaining 70 per cent of the purchase price either through a mortgage, a deposit or a combination of the two. There is no interest to pay on the joint Barratt/Government equity stake for the first five years, although a fee will be charged from year six onwards. The scheme is available on a selection of one and two-bedroom apartments at H20, prices currently start from £99,995.

Households eligible to take advantage of the offer will be earning less than £60,000 and would not normally be able to afford to buy a suitable property on the open market. Buyers can redeem the loan in installments, purchasing up to 100 per cent of the equity after their initial purchase by buying additional equity at the market rate. Alternatively, if the property is sold, the equity loan is repaid by way of a share of the sale proceeds.

It’s not just First Time Buyers and Key Workers who can benefit. People who have previously owned properties but are now unable to do so – for example, in cases where relationships have broken down – can also apply.

H20 is now 75% sold; prices start from just £99,995 for a one-bedroom apartment. This eclectic development offers contemporary Art-Deco style apartments, the architecture of which reflects that of surrounding buildings. H20 is located in Susans Road, within the Meads conservation area. The beach is a few minutes’ walk away.

In nearby Hailsham, Barratt’s luxury Halyards Place development is now over 80% sold. There are eight three and four-bedroom homes available priced from £225,995. The development, just north of Eastbourne, compliments the local character of existing properties in the area by adopting an East Sussex cottage-style design. For further information, visit barratthomes.co.uk.