Yorkshire couple master the housing market

The heartbreaking thought of not being able to get back onto the property ladder was never far from the minds of one East Ardsley couple. Sharon Gillson and partner Carl had a young child and a baby and just needed a home.

The couple sold their two bedroom property just as the banking crisis began. With mortgage deals being stripped from the system by the hour the couple soon realised their dream of affording a larger house had disappeared in front of their eyes.

“After owning a home and having a foot on the property ladder being forced to rent was a distressing prospect,” said Sharon Gillson. “We had a toddler and a baby and no where we could call home.”

With Sharon working part-time in administration and partner Carl a policeman, the couple began to save for the huge deposit that’s now needed to secure a mortgage. A drive to Sharon’s parents saw them pass the new Miller Homes development in East Ardsley.

Sharon continued: “The new homes looked great, but we never thought we would be able to afford one. We went into the sales centre on the off chance luck was on our side. It just so happened it was!”

The couple was introduced to the Miller MiWay initiative It is a shared equity, scheme, which means that Sharon and Carl will own 100% of their property with only an initial outlay of 75% of the price. They could arrange their own finance for 75% of the purchase price and Miller Homes will provide a 0% APR loan for the remaining 25%, secured by a second mortgage. Sharon and Carl would then repay the loan by paying back 25% of the value of her home when they sell or transfers it, or after 10 years – whichever comes soonest.

Sharon continued: “It was amazing, this fantastic inititative meant that we went from a rented property to a four bedroom home that more than surpassed our expectations in just four weeks! We didn’t have to find a deposit or even pay our legal fees, it was so easy. The boys each have their own bedroom and we even have a separate play room.”

Penny Hewitt, sales adviser at Stonebridge Fold said: “It quite often surprises our visitors at just how much more affordable new homes are. It makes my day when I can pleasantly surprise a family, and with Miway and now Home Buy Direct we are able to help many more families get on or even move up the property ladder.”

Homes available at Stonebridge Fold range from one and two bedroom apartments to three and four bedroom townhouses and semi-detached properties. Prices start from £80,000 although selected plots are now available under the Home Buy Direct Government scheme. For further information visit direct.gov.uk.

Stonebridge Fold in East Ardsley is a perfect location for commuting to any of the major towns and cities in West Yorkshire with excellent transport links to all major road and rail networks. It is conveniently situated just two miles from the centre of Wakefield and only six miles from Leeds. The M1 and M62 motorways are nearby and the main A650 from Wakefield to Bradford also goes through the village. East Ardsley itself offers an excellent range of shops and the White Rose shopping centre that is only three miles away.

If you would like more information about affordable living with Miller Homes why not register your interest at millerhomes.co.uk/keepinformed/Register.