Tune in for the chance to win the perfect first home

Getting onto the property ladder seems to be an almost impossible task for today’s first time buyers – but it couldn’t be easier for one would-be home owner in South Wales.

They have the chance to win a one-bedroom property worth more than £75,000 in a ground-breaking competition being run by Wales’ biggest commercial radio station, Real Radio, in association with Redrow Homes.

At a time when the Halifax says the number of first time buyers entering the market last year reached its lowest point since 1980, Real Radio’s lucky winner will not only pick up the keys to one of the Debut by Redrow properties in Merthyr Tydfil or North Cornelly, they’ll also get their monthly service charges paid for the first year, as well as the first 12 months’ ground rent.

Thought to be the biggest every prize giveaway in Wales, the ‘Hide and Key’ competition will launch on Monday, February 4th .

Listeners will be invited to search for a giant red key hidden each day at 19 different locations across the radio station’s patch, from Newport to Haverfordwest. In the week prior, giant red question marks will have hung in all the locations as part of a teaser campaign and, once the promotion starts, clues will be given out daily in the popular breakfast show hosted by Angela Jay and Tony Wright.

The first listener to find the key each day will automatically be entered into the grand final to win a ‘D2’ style apartment at either Debut @ Gelli Dawel, in Merthyr Tydfil, or Debut @ Dôl Gorwel, in North Cornelly. The 20th finalist will come from a free prize draw held at Redrow developments across South Wales.

The 20 finalists will come together at Debut @ Gelli Dawel, in Merthyr Tydfil, on Friday, February 29th, and will each randomly select a key. If they have the special key that opens the door to the Debut home with Real Radio’s Angela Jay inside then they’ll have made that first leap on to the housing ladder.

Lorraine Kendrick, sales director for Redrow Homes (South Wales), says: “We’re currently witnessing the lowest number of first time buyers entering the housing market in 27 years and, according to the latest Halifax First Time Buyer Review, the average price of a property paid by first time buyers has soared 82% in the last five years.

“Our innovative and award winning Debut range introduced properties from less than £60,000 and has been doing its bit to help first time buyers, key workers or those starting a new life on their own. Redrow has included special measures to make home ownership even more affordable and easier to manage.

“As well as providing contemporary one and two-bedroom homes in attractive settings, it also allows customers to defer 10% of the initial purchase price as an interest-free sum for up to 10 years; and home owners pay a single monthly service charge that covers all gas, electric and water bills as well as external maintenance of the buildings and communal outdoor space.

“We also have a legal framework in place to prevent buy-to-let investors from snapping up the Debut homes and, in keeping with this spirit, the person who wins the competition must be an owner occupier.

“Whilst Debut by Redrow is offering all first time buyers a helping hand onto the property ladder, this promotion with Real Radio takes it a stage further by giving one would-be home owner the chance to get onto the housing ladder free of charge. It’s sure to be a very emotionally charged occasion and whoever unlocks that door on February 29th will be making a dream come true.”

Ricky Durkin, Real Radio Wales programme director, said; “We are delighted to be working with Redrow on this, the biggest competition ever run on Welsh radio. We are equally proud to be able to help someone who would normally struggle to get on the property ladder get established in the housing market for free. It’s a brilliant competition and the combination of Real Radio's reach to the people of Wales and Redrow's prominence in their market place promises to make this a huge success. This is one of those rare occasions where we really can say, this is a life changing competition.”

For more information about Debut by Redrow, including a video walk-through of a D2 property, go to Debutbyredrow.co.uk.

For information about the promotion go to Realradiofm.com.