First-time buyers given a boost in Hartlepool

Purchasing a dream property turned out to be child’s play for teacher, Nicola Galbraith - thanks to Taylor Wimpey’s Easystart scheme.

After years of searching, the 24-year-old teacher worried she would never be able to save enough to secure the type of new apartment she was looking for.

And like many first-time buyers, Nicola had almost given up hope of finding something with the space she needed, at a price she could afford.

Now she is looking forward to spending Christmas in the stunning, two-bedroom Nelson apartment, she has just purchased via the shared equity Easystart scheme.

As she says: “I honestly never thought I’d manage to find such a great property on my budget.

“If I hadn’t been able to buy with Easystart I’d still be living at home.

“I had been saving up to move out since I was 18 but was getting nowhere because like so many other young people, the deposits you need to get started kept getting larger.

“Now I’m in this lovely apartment and I can’t quite believe it’s mine!”

Taylor Wimpey’s Easystart scheme allows buyers to own 100 per cent of their property but pay just 85 per cent of the purchase price now.

The rest is made up by a loan, with payments spread over ten years – keeping costs within reach of most potential homeowners.

It has allowed Nicola, to buy a contemporary Nelson apartment – that even comes with its own garage, at the prestigious Headway development.

She was able to secure an £80,000 mortgage that allowed her to snap up the £102,000 home.

“It was actually my mum who spotted it,” says Nicola. “But when she showed me the plans I fell in love with it straight away.

“And the sales staff were fantastic when it came to helping me sort out the financial side of things – they were able to sit me down and talk me through the options.”

Joan Peart, sales and marketing director for Taylor Wimpey North East said: “The Easystart scheme really is a lifeline for first-time buyers and the feedback we get about it is always positive.

“For people like Nicola is represents a real chance to buy somewhere that ticks all their boxes but is affordable.

“Headway is a fantastic, popular site – and we hope to see even more satisfied customers in 2011.”

The development is located on Chester Road close to Hartlepool town centre. It benefits from a range of amenities including shops, schools and doctors surgeries, as well as a selection of restaurants, bars, a cinema and a bowling alley. Ward Jackson Park is also nearby.

Headway is also ideally situated for those who need to commute to work as it offers easy access to the A689, A179 and A19, as well as local rail links connecting to Durham Tees Valley and Newcastle International airports.

For further information about the homes and incentives on offer at Headway, visit the development on Raby Road which is open Thursday to Monday 10.00 to 5.00pm midweek and until 5.30pm at weekends.