Low-cost scheme helps buyer onto the ladder

First-time homebuyer, Dionne Taylor, aged 25, has been able to make the dream of homeownership a reality, thanks to the help of Birmingham City Council's low-cost housing scheme which is currently being offered by housebuilder Barratt West Midlands at its Somerton Court development on Short Heath Road in Erdington.

Dionne, a Youth Volunteer Development Manager found that the low-cost scheme offered by Barratt was the most affordable way for her to get a foot onto the property ladder. Dionne explained, "I had wanted to buy a place of my own for a while, but as I was buying solo there didn't seem to be many affordable options for me, until I found out about the low-cost scheme at Somerton Court.

"It's a fantastic initiative which meant that I was able to buy my one-bedroom apartment with a 20 per cent discount, whilst still owning all of the property. By using this scheme I was able buy a home of my own much sooner than I might have otherwise been able to and without overstretching myself financially.

"Having lived in a brand new Barratt home before, I knew that I was buying something of quality and that certainly appealed to me over buying a second-hand home. What's more the service offered by all the staff is second to none, they really bent over backwards to make sure that the move went as smoothly as possible and offered plenty of advice and support, which was very important for me as I wasn't too familiar with the process and I would certainly recommend Barratt to anyone looking to buy their first home."

David Child Sales Director for Barratt commented, "It is often very difficult for first-time buyers or those on a lower income to be able to afford a home of their own. So it is very exciting to be able to offer this low-cost housing scheme to new buyers in Erdington, enabling them to get on the property ladder at a price they can afford."

To be eligible for this low-cost scheme, purchasers must already live or work within Birmingham and earn less than £25,000 if buying alone or less that £40,000 if buying with a partner. This is not a shared ownership scheme, homebuyers own 100 per cent of the property. There is no rent to pay on the remaining amount, neither 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.

Situated less than two miles from Erdington, Somerton Court is ideally located for the local shops and amenities the town has to offer. Fort Dunlop and Fort Shopping centre and Birmingham city centre are all within easy reach.

Somerton Court is a development of one- and two-bedroom apartments. Prices start from £84,660 with the low-cost scheme and from £124,150 with private sales. For more information, log on to Barratthomes.co.uk/somertoncourt.