Reassurance for Solihull first time buyers

According to the Abbey, two-thirds of first time buyers have decided to delay stepping onto the property ladder this year - but the help, advice and incentives available from Redrow could get them back on track. The award winning house builder has identified three easy steps to getting on the property ladder for first-time home hunters at Dickens Heath, near Solihull, as part of its ‘re:assure from Redrow' offering.

Redrow's group marketing director Simon Bennett says: "The whole ethos of ‘re:assure' is to make home ownership as easy as possible from the moment of first enquiry right through until after our customers have moved in. This is more important than ever for first time buyers, for whom buying their first home is an exciting time - but it can be difficult to get going at first."

To help, Redrow has broken the process down into three easy stages.

"Firstly, identify where your first home will be," adds Simon. "The one and two-bedroom apartments within Aquatude, our latest development at Dickens Heath , are perfect for first time buyers, whether buying alone, as one half of a couple or with friends. Being brand new, they're low maintenance and economical to run - and there's none of the costly renovations or repairs associated with buying an older home."

The next step is to make it happen; and there are many different options now available to first time buyers to make it easier for them to get onto the property ladder.

Simon continues: "For those who can't quite get there on their own, ‘mortgaging with a mate' is a popular solution. An increasing number of young people are clubbing together with friends to buy their first home. We're geared up to handle this type of enquiry and the financial advisers we work with can identify suitable mortgage products.

"Getting help from parents is another stepping stone to home ownership. Parents can act as a guarantor, come in on the mortgage, or simply help out with the costs of moving. And at Redrow we may be able to match whatever your parents are contributing - up to 5% of the purchase price - on selected plots.

"Through our independent financial advisors we can offer as many as 8,000 mortgage products and help to ensure you're getting the right one. We can also help you understand how different types of mortgages work."

The third and final step is to remove the obstacles they might meet as a first time buyer, arriving at the right solution to overcome them. For example, Redrow being able to pay a 5% deposit on their behalf could give buying a new home the edge over a second hand property for those first time buyers without savings, since the main lenders have withdrawn 100% mortgage products.

Other support Redrow may be able to offer includes paying £500 per month towards the mortgage for up to two years; covering additional expenditure like stamp duty or legal fees; or providing carpets and furniture for that first home.

"It's all about being flexible and treating each first time buyer as the individual they are, with their own set of individual needs," adds Simon. "Hopefully this way we'll see an end to those headlines about dwindling numbers of first time buyers and, instead, a flurry of young people enjoying their newly gained independence."

Offering chic living surroundings in a stunning location, some of the Aquatude apartments feature views out to the Stratford-upon-Avon canal and all offer either their own walk-on balcony, or a Juliet balcony. Prices start at £129,950.

Redrow is among a consortium of house builders who together have created a new village settlement at Dickens Heath. The area surrounding the development includes a primary school, village centre with shops and restaurants, a library, medical centre and community hall.

And, at just three miles outside of Solihull town centre and eight miles away from Birmingham city centre, Dickens Heath is handy for a variety of road and rail links. The A34 and A435 are in close proximity as are the M42 and M40, which link to the M6 and M5.

To view a life of luxury at Aquatude, head down to the marketing suite at Dickens Heath on Cornwood Lane, off Rumbush Lane. For more information visit Redrow.co.uk.