Barratt's deposit scheme helps first time buyer in Stockton

First-time buyer Sam Butler is celebrating after moving into her new home at Hardwick Green, Stockton, thanks to a helpful Barratt purchase scheme.

Sam took advantage of the Barratt Head Start scheme, which meant she was able to move in for 80 per cent of the price with a five per cent deposit of just £4,600.

“I was renting a one bedroom flat in Thornaby and was just putting money into someone else’s property really,” she said.

“I wanted to buy a place of my own but when I went round the estate agents they were all looking for a deposit of about £15,000, which I just couldn’t afford.

“Then a friend at work told me she had just bought a Barratt home and that they had ways to help you buy and I just took it from there.

“I couldn’t have afforded to buy without Head Start. I’ve always put money aside in case anything went wrong with my car, so I used that and my Mam and her husband helped me out.”

Sam added: “The sales advisers Sue and Debbie were marvellous. They made sure everything went smoothly and made everything easy.

“The whole experience has been really good and I would recommend Barratt to anyone.”

The scheme reduced the move-in price of her new home from £92,000 to £73,600, and also brought her mortgage down to £69,000, meaning more affordable monthly payments.

The remaining 20 per cent of the price is covered by an interest-free loan from Barratt which is paid back after ten years or when the property is sold – whichever comes sooner.

Healthcare assistant Sam and eight-week-old son Daniel are settled into their new 2-bedroom “Washington” home at Hardwick Green.

The design is one of Barratt North East’s most popular with first-time buyers, who like its open-plan layout, two double bedrooms and 624 sq ft of living space.

“I really love the house,” she said. “I like the layout with the kitchen at the front and the living room at the back, and it’s a good size.”

She added: “It’s nice to be able to say: ‘This is my home’. There can’t be many 23-year-old girls who can do that.”

Sam became the 100th Barratt buyer at Hardwick Green, where Barratt are building a range of 2, 3 and 4-bedroom homes.

The development is open daily from 10.00am to 5.00pm (11.00am to 6.00pm Monday).