Persimmon reports a growth in confidence

"Now is the time to buy," comments Neil Sykes, sales director for Persimmon Homes Essex. It could be argued that he might be slightly biased but there is credible evidence to suggest that now is an ideal time to buy a brand new home.

The reports regarding mortgage lending over the past few months may have unnerved a number of potential purchasers, however the message from leading industry experts in Essex is that buyers can use this market to their distinct advantage.

Neil continues: "With our extremely competitively priced properties across ten developments in Essex it's clearly a buyers' market. This together with our enticing range of incentives frees up the ability to move quickly and at a price they can afford."

Persimmon has a number of schemes geared towards helping specific sectors of the market such as the Government-backed First Time Buyer Initiative, a 50 per cent shared equity scheme for first time buyers to Part Exchange for those with a property to sell.

Paul Cooke at independent financial advisory service, Cooke Independent Mortgage Services works alongside Persimmon Homes in supporting homebuyers. He adds: "We're seeing confidence improve and a notable difference in conditions in comparison to earlier this year where mortgage lenders reduced their product offering and tightened their lending criteria, which caused problems for some house purchasers at that time.

"Building societies and banks could still do more to pass on the interest rate cuts which amounted to 2.75 per cent over the last six months or so, but it is heartening to see them responding to pressures from the Government.

"The market is competitive and the Bank of England base rate is at a historic low I therefore feel that mortgages could become even cheaper in the short term."

"We have seen an increase in buyers returning to the housing market, especially to new housing developers such as Persimmon as they realise that with the range of incentives and schemes available to assist their move, now is a good opportunity and time to purchase a brand new home."

Neil concludes: "The early signs of improvements in the mortgage market coupled with our reasonably priced homes will come as great news to househunters in the region. The message is clear - whatever your budget, circumstance or requirement, there's a new home, a deal and informed advice available to get you on the move - three key factors that should certainly help boost consumer confidence."

For more information, log on to Persimmonhomes.com.