Summertime and moving is easy in the Midlands

Homebuyers can get away from it all right here this year - thanks to Solihull-based George Wimpey West Midlands and a host of time, money and hassle savers that will help get a summer move on.

This holiday time of year is traditionally a slower period, but with the housing market continuing to pick up and more people choosing to stay at home because of the weaker pound, there’s never been a better time to bag a deal. Indeed, the leading housebuilder now has some 20 different schemes that can be specifically tailored to suit first time buyers, young professionals, growing families, property investors and the elderly looking to downsize or release some equity.

Sales & marketing director, Carol Edwards, explains: “Our latest range of special incentives and offers is unbeatable in the area and aimed at giving homebuyers that extra helping hand to get moving. We literally have something for everyone and have covered every possible scenario to make sure that there is nothing to hold you back. After all, a reassuring cost cutting package like this can make the difference between staying put and missing out, or making that dream move at the optimum time. And as the green shoots of recovery continue, this is just our way of giving something back and keeping the market ticking over even further – by helping homebuyers where and how they need it most.”

‘EasyMover’ allows you to reserve the new home at a fixed price for eight weeks, while George Wimpey takes away the hassle and cost of selling the existing property. Just imagine having someone else take care of the estate agents, HIPS, removals and solicitors – as well as paying all their fees. Or with ‘Part Exchange’ they settle on a price for your old house and stick to it, along with a realistic completion date, so there’s no unpredictable chain to hold things up. There are no agent’s fees to pay either, as they’re effectively buying your house from you – leaving you to move into your new home as and when you’re ready.

With ‘Part Exchange Plus’ you get all of the above, but they even throw in carpets and stamp duty paid as well, while with ‘Chainbreaker’ deals George Wimpey can step in and purchase another property further down the chain if things fall through. This stops the purchase getting held up, or even grinding to a halt, and provides extra peace of mind.

First time buyers can take advantage of ‘£99 & Move In’ because normally they pay £500 to reserve and then 10% deposit on completion, but with George Wimpey’s help it’s just £99 down, 5% deposit paid and an easier 95% mortgage - plus extra savings like stamp duty, £500 towards legals and £250 towards the mortgage fee. Or there’s ‘Deposit Match’ whereby George Wimpey West Midlands will match the buyer’s deposit, up to 10% of the property’s value, giving them access to better interest rates and lower monthly mortgage payments. Buyers are given the amount in the form on an interest-free loan over 10 years, but they own 100% of their property from the outset and there is no rent to pay during the loan period.

And also increasingly popular is the ‘Parental Assisted Mortgage’ whereby your parents effectively act as guarantors and do the borrowing, but your name is on the deeds. You’re not restricted to your own income multipliers to get a mortgage, but can use your parent’s income that is left over once their particular outgoings have been taken into consideration. ‘House to Home’, meanwhile, is a bespoke moving package that comprises free UK removal regardless of distance or size of property, full packing and unpacking service and insurance cover. And investors can take advantage of guaranteed rental schemes plus help with finding a tenant and covering the mortgage.

‘Furniture Packages’ can also be very handy – and the company’s Budget package consists of the latest Italian and Danish furniture, in contemporary colours and finishes, plus delivery and installation free of charge. The Luxury package includes stylish curtains and a host of top quality homewares, while for corporate letting they also include lighting, prints, accessories and mirrors plus electrical goods. And ‘Executive Move In’ can also be a real life saver too that can comprise Part Exchange, carpets and ceramics throughout, House To Home removals and a beautiful landscaped rear garden.

Last, but not least, on certain developments you can snap up properties for just 70% of the asking price. The ‘HomeBuy Direct’ scheme is aimed at helping purchasers with a household income of less than £60,000 afford the home they want, whereby an interest free equity loan is available for up to 30 percent of the value of the property, co-funded by the Homes and Communities Agency and George Wimpey. For example, this timely initiative means that if you qualify for a mortgage of £140,000, you could buy a property worth up to £200,000.

Ms Edwards adds: “We can also offer incentives like ‘stamp duty paid’, ‘recommend a friend’ and get £500, ‘options vouchers’ whereby all your designer fixtures and fittings can be fitted in advance, plus a ‘Home Entertainments package’ featuring all the latest media equipment. So, rest assured that whatever your circumstances and requirements, we have a solution to fit.”

George Wimpey West Midlands is currently building locally in Shirley, Smethwick, West Bromwich, Wolverhampton, Cannock, Stourbridge, Telford, Rugby, Warwick and Stratford. For further details visit the website at Georgewimpey.co.uk/westmidlands.