Builder ends years of frustration for Black Country first time buyer

A 34-year-old Kingswinford lady has finally got on the property ladder after the housebuilder she bought from solved her deposit shortfall.

Wendy Hardy (who has long been living with mum and dad in the Crestwood Park area off Bromley Lane) ended years of frustration when purchasing a designer two-bedroom apartment at Lawnswood Ride off Stream Road, Wordsley - but it was only made possible when Taylor Wimpey West Midlands matched her 5% deposit and, consequently, gave Wendy access to far better interest rates and a much lower monthly mortgage payment.

Buyers are given the ‘Deposit Match’ amount in the form on an interest-free loan over 10 years, but own 100% of their property from the outset. There is no rent or interest to pay during the loan period and you can repay the loan when you sell, or have the option to make up to three smaller one-off payments.

She explains: “Ever since they started rejuvenating the old Wordsley Hospital site last year I’ve wanted to live there, as it’s a lovely quiet area with lots of mature trees. But the dreaded deposit has always been beyond me until Taylor Wimpey introduced this wonderful scheme, which is an absolute lifesaver for first time buyers like me.

“I work on cruise ships and was in the Norwegian fjords recently when I got an email from mum and dad telling me about the Deposit Match scheme and how it seemed to be the answer to all my prayers. So, as soon as I got back I went down to the development and discovered I could finally proceed on my dream home. Taylor Wimpey’s independent financial advisors and solicitors got me a competitive mortgage straight away and within a week it was all sorted – making it a stress-free and painless procedure.

“I’d almost given up hope of ever getting on the property ladder, but this has all happened so quickly and easily. The Taylor Wimpey sales executive, Sue Viner, has been brilliant from the beginning with nothing too much trouble and all my queries handled very professionally. We hit it off right from the start and I quickly realized it was meant to be.

“Mum and dad are absolutely delighted for me, but also a little sad that I’ve finally moved out, but I’m still close to them and all my friends, but with my own personal space at last, so I get the best of both worlds. And the great thing about new build is you can just move your stuff in and start living as it’s all done for you apart from the off curtain pole and lampshade.”

“This scheme tackles the current credit crunch head-on,” says Carol Edwards, regional sales and marketing director. “Apart from a cost-effective way of increasing the purchaser’s deposit, we are providing them with more bargaining power to secure competitive mortgage rates and lower monthly repayments. However, it’s been very popular and we only have funding for another half dozen or so purchases, so I urge those looking to move to speak to our sales executives as soon as possible to find out how the scheme could help them too.”

Lawnswood Ride offers a bespoke selection of 86 properties made up of four/five/six bedroom detached properties, three storey, three/four bedroom townhouses, plus cottage-style semi detached homes – with many overlooking the undulating public open space and the famous hospital clock tower that’s being restored and retained.

And having achieved almost all of their target sales for this year already, Taylor Wimpey is offering a choice of 2010 homes at Lawnswood Ride that can be reserved right now – even if they are not yet built – for a guaranteed fixed price. Even as prices rise, customers will be safe in the knowledge that while their property is gaining value, they won’t pay any more than the agreed sale price.

Current availability includes luxury two bedroom apartments with parking space from just £117,995 and four bedroom, three storey mews homes with two parking spaces from only £197,995. The showhomes are open Thursday - Monday from 10am – 5pm.

Visit taylorwimpey.co.uk/westmidlands for more information.