insideKENT Magazine Issue 38 - May 2015 | Page 159

PROPERTY

Boost your buying power in Hamstreet with help to buy

The cost of raising a family may have increased,
but a family home in Hamstreet could be easier
to afford thanks to Help to Buy.
Research by the Centre of Economic and
Business Research (CEBR) suggests that parents
spend around £230,000 raising a child to the
age of 21 – that’s an increase of more than 60%
since 2003. And while the figures don’t include
expenditure on accommodation, the good news
is that Help to Buy could reduce the initial cost
of a brand new home at Saxon Woods. Plus,
those who purchase a property using the
government-backed scheme should only need
a relatively small deposit of around 5%.
Kerry Jenkins, sales director for Redrow Homes
(South East), says: “It’s almost two years since
Help to Buy equity loans were introduced, but
we’re still finding that people who could benefit
often don’t realise how the scheme could help
them. For example, families could use Help to
Buy to help make their money go further, enabling

them to buy a home that gives them the extra
space they need.
“Lloyds Bank suggests the average deposit paid
by a home mover is around £80,000, but with
Help to Buy they might only need around £16,250
for a 5% deposit on the four-bedroom York at
Saxon Woods. They should then only need a
75% mortgage from their chosen lender as the
remaining 20% is covered by the equity loan.
Crucially, the equity loan is interest free for five
years.”
The York is available from £324,995 on the open
market or an initial outlay of £259,996 with Help
to Buy. The York offers three floors of wellplanned accommodation designed for ease of
living.
On the ground floor, there’s an open-plan kitchen
and dining room with French doors that open
onto the rear garden, a relaxing lounge to the
front, and a laundry area and cloakroom. Three

bedrooms and the family bathroom are on the
first floor. The crowning glory of the property is
the master bedroom and en-suite on the top
floor.
Saxon Woods also offers a choice of more
traditional two storey designs, with Help to Buy
available on properties priced up to £600,000.
Located off Lancaster Close, the new homes
are just a short walk away from Hamstreet station,
with London St Pancras within an hour’s journey.
There’s also a choice of schools nearby and a
bustling village centre that’s home to shops and
eateries. Homeowners can explore the local
area via a myriad of footpaths or take a stroll
along the towpath of the Royal Military Canal or
through Hamstreet Woods Nature Reserve.
For the latest availability and pricing,
see www.redrow.co.uk/saxonwoods or
call 01233 878288.

Ward Homes recognised for customer
service excellence with five stars
Ward Homes is celebrating achieving a maximum
five-star rating in the Home Builders Federation’s
(HBF) annual customer satisfaction survey. The
rating scheme is designed to highlight excellent
service within the construction industry, and is
based on feedback from 30,000 homeowners
across the UK.

“Being awarded five stars – the highest level
possible – means we are a leader in this field. I
have no do ubt we will continue to impress new
homebuyers in the region over the next 12
months, and I know the team is determined to
sustain this achievement in future years.”

“We are tremendously proud to be recognised
as a five-star housebuilder,” said Pam Reardon,
sales and marketing director of Ward Homes.

The HBF star-rating survey is designed to provide
homebuyers with information about builders to
help guide their purchasing decision and to
encourage excellent levels of service.

“This national recognition is testament to the skills
and efforts of our employees. We pride ourselves
on our high levels of customer service, and I
know my colleagues have worked incredibly hard
to reach this level of success.

Ward Homes is building homes on a number of
sites across the South East including Sholden
Fields in Deal, Blossom Bank in Tonbridge, and
Trinity Village in Bromley. For more information,
visit www.wardhomes.co.uk.

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