HomeBuy Direct proves a hit at Park Central

The government-backed assistance scheme HomeBuy Direct is proving to be a big hit for professionals who are looking to stop renting and to start enjoying all the benefits of homeownership, according to Crest Nicholson – the force behind the award winning Park Central development in Birmingham city centre.

Bordered by Bath Row and Lee Bank Middleway, Park Central has become established as a popular new homes scheme in the heart of Birmingham, particularly among today’s first time buyers.   At Park Central, Crest is providing purchasers with a wide choice of contemporary one and two bedroom apartments, with prices currently starting from a highly competitive £85,000 – or from just £59,500 using HomeBuy Direct.

Civil servant, Ricky Dawson, purchased a one bedroom apartment at Park Central.  As Ricky explained, he took advantage of HomeBuy to get onto the property ladder.  He said: “I was renting an apartment in Birmingham city centre when I started looking into buying a new home of my own.  Renting just didn’t make financial sense to me – it was clear that my rental payments were just dead money, and when I looked into HomeBuy Direct at Park Central I realised my monthly mortgage repayments would actually be lower than what I was paying in rent.”

As Ricky explained, several other factors were key to his decision to move to Park Central.  He added: “A good city centre location was an important consideration for me.  From Park Central, I can walk to work at Five Ways, and I’m just minutes away from The Mailbox, Broad Street and the rest of the city centre.  Birmingham is a great city for shopping and socialising, and I’ll be saving so much money on transport that I’ll be able to really enjoy the city centre lifestyle.

“I’m also looking forward to using the parkland at Park Central for jogging, which will save me money on gym fees.  I was really taken by the park and I purchased a park facing apartment so I could enjoy a good view from my home.  It is such a serene place to live that you can easily forget you’re living in the city centre.”

First time buyers with a household income of less than £60,000 could be eligible for HomeBuy Direct.  The assistance scheme sees the government and housebuilder cover up to 15 per cent each or 30 per cent in total of the property price with a loan.  This then leaves the buyer with a more affordable mortgage for the remaining 70 per cent and therefore reduces the amount needed for a deposit.

Jo Parker, sales manager for Crest Nicholson at Park Central, said: “We see many first time buyers at Park Central who have become increasingly frustrated with renting and really want to get on the property ladder.  With a combination of competitively low prices and the availability of assistance schemes such as HomeBuy Direct, we can help purchasers to own their very own apartment here at Park Central.   And with the possibility of actually making a saving when comparing monthly mortgage repayments to rental payments, first time buyers can live their new city centre lifestyle to the full.”

HomeBuy Direct is available on selected apartments at Park Central.  Each apartment at the development is built to a quality internal specification.  Individually-designed kitchens come complete with stainless steel oven, hob and extractor, and integrated appliances.  Contemporary bathrooms feature Hansgrohe mixer taps and stylish Porcelanosa tiling, along with Kaldewai enamelled steel baths and chrome towel rails.

For more information, visit the marketing suite, open daily from 10am to 5pm, which is located at Park Central, 2 Mason Way, Birmingham B15 2EY, or log on to parkcentral.co.uk.