Lincoln’s first-time buyers take advantage of Redrow’s innovative Debut range

Tue, Jun 19th 2007, 11:00

For many young people getting a foot on the property ladder is almost impossible, as house prices soar and buy-to-let-investors snap up more and more properties.

But for househunters in Lincoln, there is help at hand, with Redrow’s award-winning innovative Debut range at Bunkers Hill, which offers one and two-bedroom homes starting at less than £60,000.*

Young professionals from the area flocked to the launch event at the weekend for a glimpse of how the development will look and for 20 first-time buyers the wait to find affordable, good quality housing is already over.

There will be 124 Debut properties at Bunkers Hill, which offers the best of town and country living with the hustle of Lincoln town and the tranquillity of open countryside, and the development will include carefully planned communal areas, encouraging a real sense of community.

Kris Normandale, who works for Office Angels Recruitment, will finally be able move out of the dining room at his family home after snapping up a one-bedroom property at Bunkers Hill.

The 22-year-old lived in rented accommodation while studying at Lincoln University but moved back home a few months ago to save up for a house. He said: “I couldn’t believe the price and I just jumped at the chance.”
         

Catherine Cloke, area sales manager for Redrow Homes says: “The stylish and modern Debut properties are designed to meet the needs of those starting out and those starting over and offer a number of innovative features including just one monthly service charge covering gas, electricity, buildings insurance and external maintenance.

“Buyers can also take advantage of the Easi-buy scheme which allows them to defer 10 per cent of the price of their new home for up to 10 years on a fixed sum basis. It can be paid back via occasional lump sums, monthly repayments or in whole at any time.

“Even the most expensive properties at Bunkers Hill fall below the threshold for stamp duty, making them ideal for first time buyers, trying to take their first step on the property ladder.”

Kris, who has taken advantage of the Easi-buy scheme, said: “It was a bit hard to believe at first. It frees up more money so you can run a car at the same time as having a house or you can have an actual life.

“The service charge is absolutely out of this world. On my particular property £81.74 a month will include just about everything. I had to ask them about 10 times whether they had it right. And all you have to pay on top of that is your Council Tax and TV Licence and that is about it. Affordability is everything, especially for someone fresh out of university. It is difficult enough to find a job let alone a home.”

Fellow first-time buyer, Kerry Jenkinson, 27, who has been living with her parents, while saving up for her own home, has just bought a two-bedroom two storey property at Bunkers Hill. She added: “I wouldn’t have been able to do it without Easi-buy.” 

She also welcomed the one monthly service charge, saying: “It is the easiness, I am one of those people who wants to know what is going out every month.”
          

Another advantage of the Debut range is that special measures are in place to prevent  buy-to-let investors from snapping up the properties.

Kris said: “The whole of Lincoln is pretty much overrun by student accommodation, private landlords and property developers who just buy to let. It’s good that they can’t do that with the Debut properties at Bunkers Hill. It gives first-time buyers more of an advantage and takes the competition away.”

And just when you thought it couldn’t get any better the attractive properties, which are constructed using light-weight structural steel frames and other modern methods of construction, are designed to achieve an Eco-rating of “excellent”, so new home-owners can do their bit for the environment as well.

Interest in the remaining Debut properties is high, with several more would-be home owners having already made appointments for this week.

To find out more about how you can get your hands on a new Debut property at Bunkers Hill call the Redrow sales office, on 0845 676 0431 from 12pm to 5.30pm, Monday to Friday, or 10am to 5.30pm on Saturdays and Sundays. Alternatively, log onto www.debutbyredrow.co.uk for further information, including video walk-throughs of some of the Debut properties.

*The price of £59,995 is with Debut ‘Easi-buy’ assistance of 10%. The total cost without Easi-buy is £66,662.