First time buyer makes a leap onto the property ladder in Norfolk

Ross Harmes didn’t believe he could afford to become a first-time buyer at the age of just 23, but with the help of Bryant Homes he’s moved in to a brand new two-bedroom apartment at the Blenheim Grange development at Watton in Norfolk.

The Zoo Keeper, who works at Banham Zoo between Thetford and Norwich, took advantage of two great schemes to make his move to a stylish new two-bedroom apartment more affordable.

Ross explains: “Firstly, Bryant paid the 5% deposit, which was more than I had been able to save up, and meant I could easily cover the solicitor’s and mortgage fees with money to spare.

“I was also able to use the Government’s First-Time Buyer initiative, which has given me a low-interest loan for almost 50% of the cost of my apartment, greatly reducing my mortgage repayments each month.”

Ross won’t have to pay any interest on the Government loan for the first three years, with the rate then increasing by 1% for the next two years and capped at 3% in year five.

“I had considered renting,” adds Ross “but that was before I found out from Bryant Homes about the First-Time Buyer initiative. I certainly wouldn’t have been able to purchase a two-bedroom home without the initiative’s help. I was also put off renting because I’m keen to invest in my future rather than giving that money to someone else each month.

“I was impressed with the way Bryant helps first-time buyers through each step of buying a home. Because the Government initiative is fairly new, family or friends hadn’t experienced it and couldn’t really help me, but Bryant was able to provide all the details I needed and recommend solicitors and mortgage companies which were already familiar with the scheme and would be able to act quickly.”

As well as looking after everything from rabbits to Siberian tigers at Banham Zoo and studying a distance learning course in Animal Management with Sparsholt College in Hampshire, Ross keeps himself busy as the Divisional Superintendent for St Johns Ambulance in Wymondham, and carries out first aid training and assessments in offices and workplaces across the local area.

“I decided the time was right to move because although living with dad in Wymondham has been good, I wanted to have a go at being independent,” Ross explains.

“The apartment I chose is a first floor design with two bedrooms, carpets throughout, and a fully fitted kitchen with appliances all included in the price. It’s also attractively landscaped and paved outside, has two parking spaces and there are parks and fields close by, as well as a choice of shops and supermarkets. I did look at a few other new developments, but they weren’t as well laid out as Blenheim Grange.

Two-bedroom apartments similar to the one Ross chose are currently available at Blenheim Grange priced from £101,995 – or from as little as £50,998 using the Government’s First-Time Buyer initiative. Three-bedroom houses are also available from £126,995 – or from as little as £63,498 using the Government’s First-Time Buyer Initiative.

In addition to its assistance for first-time buyers, Bryant Homes also offers a range of incentives for customers with a property to sell, and for ‘would-be’ property investors keen to earn a better return on their savings than banks can currently offer. Incentives at Blenheim Grange are subject to availability and further details are available from the Sales Executive.

Blenheim Grange enjoys a peaceful woodland location on the eastern fringes of the market town of Watton, which offers shops catering for everyday needs and a choice of nursery and primary schools.

For a wider choice of shopping and leisure, Thetford is an approximate 25-minute drive from the development and Norwich is approximately 30 minutes by road.

For more information, visit the Sales Centre located off Norwich Road, and open Thursday to Sunday from 10am to 5pm and Monday from 1pm to 5pm or visit the website at bryant.co.uk.