Government scheme helps family onto the property ladder

Following years of renting, Argos Store Manager and local family man, Ian Saxton and his partner Emma Hinder, took advantage of the help offered by the Government and housebuilder Miller Homes, to buy their first family home.

Ian, Emma and baby Molly have now moved into their three bedroom property at Miller’s Brooklands development in Gainsborough after discovering just three months earlier they could actually afford a new home of their own.

Ian, 35, commented: “We were renting a terrace house only a short distance from the development and didn’t think we would be able to save the deposit, to buy our own home. It was quite frustrating as, now we have Molly, we wanted to get out of the rental market and onto the property ladder but just didn’t know of a way out of the huge deposit predicament.”

Whilst visiting friends the couple decided to chance a look inside the showhome at Miller’s development, Ian said: “We have some friends living at Brooklands and fell in love with the development so decided to tempt ourselves and visit the showhome. That was it, after chatting to Vicky the sales adviser, we realised there were more options available to us, one being the Government backed Homebuy Direct scheme. After a straight forward explanation of the scheme by Vicky we started the buying process there and then!”

Homebuy Direct is a shared equity scheme designed to help first-time buyers, renters and those re-entering the property market to move into affordable home ownership. The scheme is available on a select number of new build properties and buyers are offered an equity loan of up to 30 per cent of the purchase price, co-funded by Government and Miller Homes. Any household earning less than £60,000 who cannot afford to buy a property on the open market is eligible for the scheme.

Steve McElroy, sales and marketing director for Miller Homes Yorkshire said: “One of the benefits of HomeBuy Direct is that you own 100 per cent of your home from day one, which isn’t always the case with some other assistance schemes. Plus the equity loan only becomes repayable after 25 years or when you sell your home, whichever comes first.”

Ian continued: “I cannot praise Vicky enough, she was excellent and held our hand through every-step of the process, keeping us informed and advising us what to do next. It really is because of Vicky, Miller Homes and Homebuy Direct that we were able to buy our first family home, one that Molly will be able to grow up in and enjoy its benefits – particularly the garden!”

Miller Homes is one of the UK’s most successful housebuilders in terms of Homebuy Direct completions and reservations. The housebuilder has already 70% of its Homebuy Direct allocation sold.

Steve continued: “We have enormous experience of guiding buyers through the Homebuy Direct process, but properties eligible for Homebuy Direct funding are now in short supply. I would strongly urge any potential homebuyer, who maybe struggling to raise the deposit often needed to purchase a new home, to visit their nearest Miller Homes development today – it could make a difference and change your life for the better, just like Ian, Emma and Molly.”

Brooklands is situated on Foxby Lane on the outskirts of Gainsborough town centre and enjoys panoramic views over the lush green fields of Lincolnshire. Its ideal location is perfect for Ian’s short commute to his store in Scunthorpe and is on the door step of Ian’s family in Grimsby.

Brooklands has only four properties remaining under the Homebuy Direct scheme, Miller Homes is urging purchasers to visit the sales centre now to secure their new home. The showhome and sales centre is open Thursday to Monday from 10.30am to 5.30pm, alternatively, log on to millerhomes.co.uk/homebuy for more information.