Lincoln apartments are just the tonic

For a Lincoln nursing student, moving into a brand new home for an initial outlay of only £99 was just what the doctor ordered.

Rebecca Marshall, 25, is currently working at Lincoln County Hospital as part of her studies to become a qualified nurse. As a first time buyer, she was unable to afford the deposit to move into a new home until she found the deal for first time buyers at Redrow’s Lindum Point development near Lincoln.

Rebecca, who previously lived with her sister in the city, said: “I had looked before at houses to buy along with my parents, but we didn’t see how we could put together the deposit needed to get a mortgage.

“I had given up looking when I saw the ‘£99 move in’ deal at Lindum Point advertised where Redrow paid a five per cent deposit as long as my parents acted as guarantor.

“The apartments at Lindum Point were perfect for me, because the hospital is only a 15-minute walk away. The hours I work are quite irregular though, and having a dedicated parking space is a real plus, because I often use the car late at night or in bad weather.”

“I have a spare room that I use as a study, and I also keep my piano in there. Another luxury in the apartment is the en-suite shower room from my bedroom. This means I have a bathroom for guests or friends and a shower room I can roll into when I’m tired in the morning.”

Catherine Cloke, sales manager for Redrow Homes (East Midlands), said: “Many of the young workers and professionals we speak to say they resent pouring money away in rent and are looking for an affordable home of their own which is an investment for the future.

“Research from various building societies, including the Bradford & Bingley, also shows that first time buyers are struggling to get sizeable deposits together, with many having to seek financial help from their parents or take on a second job. We’re pleased to be helping first time buyers onto the property ladder at Lindum Point.”

As well as a five per cent deposit on the property, Redrow’s ‘£99 and move in’ deal also includes £500 towards legal costs – other ‘hidden extras’ that often take first time buyers by surprise.

Rebecca’s apartment features an open plan kitchen/living/dining room, two double bedrooms, one with an en-suite shower room and another bathroom.

She added: “The biggest number of people I’ve had round to dinner so far is four, but I could comfortably entertain six people here for the evening. It seems huge, really, living here on my own.”

The ‘£99 move in’ incentive is still available on selected properties at Lindum Point, where prices for a single-bedroom apartment start at just £122,500.

Another way to ease the first step onto the property ladder is to take out a shared mortgage. Indeed, HSBC bank has just reported a 50% uplift in the number of people applying for its shared mortgages, demonstrating that more and more friends are joining forces to make home ownership a reality.

With two-bedroom, two bathroom apartments like Rebecca’s currently starting at just £126,950, Lindum Point is the ideal place to ‘buy with a buddy’.

The growing sense of community at Lindum Point is sure to appeal to first time buyers, as Rebecca says: “The people living here are largely young professionals and they all seem very friendly. I met my next-door neighbour the day I moved in and we have become friends.”

Lindum Point is also part of the larger Bunkers Hill development, which includes the Carlton Centre retail park with its shops and a recently opened restaurant, while young professionals will also appreciate the easy access to Lincoln city centre.

For further information, visit redrow.co.uk.