Buying new could help you crush the credit crunch

Being consumer savvy in this economic storm by purchasing a brand new home instead of an older property, could save home owners time and money. With an ample range of incentives to make owning a new home more accessible, buying a brand new Redrow home has even more advantages than usual in its favour over the second hand sector in today's market.

Whether it's helping with the deposit, a part-exchange, mortgage subsidy or covering stamp duty, legal fees and other moving costs, help is available from Redrow, who also have access to a network of estate agents, mortgage advisers, solicitors and other professionals who all want one thing - to help you climb on the property ladder.

Redrow's development The Lakes in Heybridge, Essex has an extensive selection of new homes on offer.

Redrow Homes (Eastern) area sales manager Beryl Williams says: "We have an excellent team of experienced professionals to help would-be home owners secure the property they want, at a price they can afford and to help them find the right mortgage deal to make it all possible.

"And, with no need for costly renovation or decorating to worry about, a brand new home is ready to move into and ultimately can be more cost-effective than its second-hand equivalent."

With property developing and DIY a popular pastime these days, at a glance an older property might appear cheaper but renovating to the same standards as a new-build, could see a buyer spending well over the £20,000 mark.

"Once the costs of a new kitchen and bathroom, repairing the roof, replacing the boiler and installing new windows are taken into account the final bill for updating a second hand property can be well over budget and a shock to say the least," says Beryl. "With a brand new Redrow home it's all been done already and reassuringly to a very high standard."

What's more, customers will have contemporary fixtures and fittings and a blank canvas to which they can make a house their own home with personalised finishing touches.

And for the environmentally conscious Redrow's new homes have all the modern standards of insulation and efficient heating systems which make them up to four times more energy efficient than older homes, so producing fewer CO2 emissions. A major plus when many householders are worried about the current rise in fuel bills.

The Lakes is situated in a stunning location and enjoys views of the Blackwater Estuary, a perfect haven for nature lovers. But it isn't so rural that residents can't take advantage of urban amenities in the local town of Maldon with its array of shops and restaurants and Chelmsford is within easy reach. This development also offers good road and rail links to London and the rest of the South East, making it the ideal choice for commuters seeking a quiet and picturesque retreat.

Properties at The Lakes include three, four and five-bedroom family homes such as the ‘Kennet', ‘Tamar' and ‘Webburn', currently priced from £290,995 to £440,995. To find out more about The Lakes, log on to Redrow.co.uk.