FIRST time buyers in Manchester are being urged to take up free advice on how to get on to the housing ladder, at a city council backed HomeBuy road show event at Piccadilly Gardens, Manchester, this Thursday (July 15).
The event is being hosted by Plumlife, the government appointed HomeBuy agency for Greater Manchester, as part of its work to spread the word about the various home ownership options available from the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA).
These include New Build HomeBuy (shared ownership) and HomeBuy Direct, a government backed, interest free “equity loan” of up to 30% of the total value of new build homes. Funding for the HomeBuy Direct scheme is up for review in September, but is still available on a wide range of prestigious developments across the region. The loan is shared between the HCA and the house builder, and can be used as a down payment on a home purchase. Working people with a household income of under £60,000 can apply.
Scores of Greater Manchester people who feared they’d never be able to buy have already moved into desirable new homes boasting top notch eco-features, thanks to HomeBuy Direct. The Plumlife road show, supported by both the HCA and Manchester City Council, aims to raise awareness of the massive choice of homes available to buy right now under the scheme, before funds are re-allocated.
HomeBuy Direct is available at sought after developments right across Greater Manchester. Leading developers with homes to sell in the region include Urban Splash, Isis, Keepmoat Homes, Barratt Homes, Bellway and Strata Homes.
Along with Plumlife’s team of affordable homes experts, developers will be there to explain how aspiring home owners can take advantage of the scheme right now. Free, impartial mortgage advice is also on offer from Mortgage Warehouse Corporation.
Plumlife, part of Great Places Housing Group, has been appointed by the HCA as HomeBuy Agency for Greater Manchester, offering a ‘one stop shop’ information and registration service for first time buyers, key workers and any household earning less than £60,000 per year. It acts as a first point of contact for all aspiring home owners in the region who want to rent or buy a home through the government’s HomeBuy affordable home ownership schemes.
Plumlife deputy chief executive, Matthew Harrison, said: “Since its launch last spring, HomeBuy Direct has proved to be highly effective. It directly addressed the main issue facing most first time buyers – i.e. the huge sum of money they needed to put down as a deposit. This event will help raise awareness of the scheme, allowing people to take advantage of the funding that has already been set aside for it until September.
“People are gradually becoming aware that it’s not just housing associations like ourselves who offer government backed initiatives to help them on to the property ladder. All the major players now offer schemes such as HomeBuy Direct on selected developments, and the choice of homes is unbelievable.”
Councillor Paul Andrews, Manchester City Council’s Executive Member for Housing, said, “We know finances are tight for a lot of Manchester people right now, but for anyone wanting to get on the housing ladder, the message is that there are schemes to help you.”
The Plumlife first time buyers’ road show will be open from 11am – 6pm on Thursday 15 July at Piccadilly Gardens, Manchester city centre.
For information on affordable homes in the area, contact Plumlife on 0161 447 5050 or visit the website: www.plumlife.co.uk.
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