First time buyers benefit from dip in the market

A couple of first time buyers keen to make the most of once in a lifetime property prices have bitten the bullet and bought their first home at David Wilson East Midlands’ The Lanterns development in Earl Shilton.

27 year old Clare Hockey and her boyfriend Andy Cliffe, 29, had been renting a two-bedroom semi detached home in Thorpe Astley but worked out that they could actually afford to buy thanks to the lower property prices that have resulted from the downturn in the market.

The couple, who met whilst studying at De Montfort University, started the hunt for their first home and found the perfect place at David Wilson’s The Lanterns development in the popular destination of Earl Shilton.

Clare, who works as a Finance Manager, comments “Earl Shilton was the ideal location for us as it’s within easy reaching distance of both our places of work and as soon as we saw The Lanterns we fell in love.

“It’s located within a really picturesque setting surrounded by lots of trees and shrubbery and as it’s off the main road, it’s really quiet and peaceful. Earl Shilton town centre is close by though, so you still have everything you want right on your doorstep.”

Clare and Andy also took advantage of David Wilson’s Head Start scheme which made their purchase even more affordable by allowing them to move in for initially just 85 per cent of the price.

This payment deferral scheme is proving popular with first time buyers struggling to save the big deposit required by most mortgage lenders and increasing numbers are turning to deals like these in order to help facilitate a purchase.

Clare adds “Head Start has made our buying process even more affordable. Our monthly outgoings have hardly increased but it’s a great feeling knowing we’re actually paying off our own mortgage as opposed to someone else’s.”

Clare and Andy moved into their brand new three- bedroom Kingsbury style home at the end of November and will soon be joined by Clare’s parents who are re-locating to nearby Barwell from Crawley.

Clare adds “I knew my parents were considering moving away from Crawley and after the fantastic service we received from David Wilson, I suggested they come and take a look around up here.

“They really liked the company’s nearby Haswell Meadows development and have ended up buying a three- bedroom Hadley style home there.

“We’ve both been impressed by how smooth the process of buying a new David Wilson home has been, the staff have been incredibly helpful and we’re all looking forward to settling into our new homes and living just down the road from each other.”

Philip Lacey, Sales Director at David Wilson, comments “The downturn within the economy inevitably led to a drop in housing prices but despite the negative press surrounding the property market, savvy first time buyers have been out in force in order to secure a home at pre-property boom prices.

“But with the Nationwide reporting that house prices have risen for the sixth consecutive month in a row*, this suggests that the market is bottoming out so I suggest anyone considering making the move into homes ownership to do so now in order to make the most of these once in a lifetime property prices.”

The Lanterns is located on Candle Lane in the popular location of Earl Shilton.

Currently offering a selection of one-, three- and four- bedroom homes, The Lanterns offers housing solutions for everyone from first time buyers to expanding families and downsizers alike.

The development benefits from the good range of amenities this thriving town has on offer including shops, restaurants and public houses whilst Leicester city centre, and its plethora of leisure and recreational facilities, is close at hand.

Prices at the development start from £74,995.

For more information visit the sales office during the opening hours of 11am-6pm, Thursday to Monday. Alternatively, log onto the website at dwh.co.uk.