Birmingham buyers take first step to home ownership

Barratt West Midlands has joined forces with Birmingham City Council to give homebuyers who are either living or working in Birmingham the chance to own a brand new apartment at its Skyline development on Bath Row with a 50 per cent discount.

Local couple Anthony Bishop (22) and Gemma O'Malley (24) have been one of the first to take advantage of this fantastic scheme.

Anthony, an estate agent explained, "Gemma and I had been looking to buy our first home for a while and had explored many different options such as shared ownership schemes, but were put off by the fact that we would still have to pay rent, but then we heard about the low-cost apartments at Skyline which seemed like an excellent opportunity to have our own home at an affordable price.

"It is very tough nowadays to get a foot onto the property ladder so to have the opportunity to buy a brand new apartment in the centre of Birmingham for half the price really is a unique opportunity. When we come to sell the apartment it will have to be at the same percentage discount as we bought it for and we are pleased that this will keep a stock of low cost homes in the market."

Gemma, an intelligence analyst commented, "We were immediately attracted to Skyline because of its superb location compared to other developments. I have recently started a new job in Brindley Place, which is just a few minutes away, plus we are very close to all of the shops and amenities of Birmingham which is fantastic. We were also very impressed with the standard of finish and size of the properties; our two-bedroom apartment is very spacious and is just right for a first home."

David Child Sales Director for Barratt commented, "It is very exciting to be able to offer this low-cost housing scheme to new buyers in Birmingham. It means that people who, like Anthony and Gemma, would have otherwise struggled to make it to home ownership are more able than ever to get on to the property ladder at a price they can afford, whilst still owning 100 per cent of the property."

Just two low-cost apartments now remain at Skyline. To be eligible, purchasers must already either live or work within Birmingham and if applying solo, earn £25k or less or £40k if two people want to buy jointly. It is not a shared ownership scheme, homebuyers own 100 per cent of the property and there is no rent to pay on the remaining 50 per cent, nor does it have to be paid back at a later date. However the property must remain at the same percentage discount off the market value for all future re-sales to ensure that there is a good supply of low cost homes for years to come.

Skyline comprises a range of one- and two-bedroom modern apartments within six separate blocks. The apartments benefit from secure parking, a video entry system and balconies or terraces, some with views to the adjacent Peace Gardens and St Thomas Church.
All the low cost apartments are now sold at Skyline but Barratt West Midlands has some available at its Somerton Court development in Erdington. Prices for the low cost homes here start from £84,660.

Log on to Barratthomes.co.uk/skyline for more information.