Homebuyers Ricky Chapman and Stacey Harbige were helped on to the property ladder thanks to the FirstBuy scheme at Taylor Wimpey's Bridgefield development of new homes for sale in Ashford, Kent.
Like many young couples, Ashford property-seekers Ricky Chapman and Stacey Harbige were beginning to think that they would never be able to afford to buy their own home.
Both living with their parents so they could save a deposit for their first property in Ashford, the 24-year-olds certainly didn't imagine they'd be in a position to buy for another year at least.
That was until they visited Taylor Wimpey's popular Bridgefield development of new houses for sale in Ashford, where they realised that with FirstBuy, they could not only afford their own place, but they could buy a home that was much larger than they had expected - ideal for when Ricky's two-year-old daughter Maddie comes to stay!
"I'd moved back to my parents from a rented property to save the money to build up a deposit," explains Ricky, reflecting on how FirstBuy in Ashford helped them purchase their first home.
"We were looking all around but we didn't think we had saved enough. Then Stacey saw Taylor Wimpey's Bridgefield development of property for sale in Ashford on the net, so we popped to the show home and the rest, as they say, is history.
"To be honest I was beginning to believe what older people were saying, that it was now impossible to make that first step on the property ladder. But we realised that what Taylor Wimpey Ashford was offering with FirstBuy meant we could afford it. This was the first step we needed and it took off from there. We didn't look anywhere else."
FirstBuy works through a joint loan of 20% from the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) and Taylor Wimpey, which means that eligible purchasers only need put down a 5% deposit, subject to status, and obtain a 75% loan-to-value mortgage, on selected properties at Bridgefield.
The loan is repayable at the end of the 25-year mortgage term or when the property is sold. To be eligible, purchasers must be first-time buyers and their total household earnings should be less than £60,000.
Ricky and Stacey moved into their new three-bedroom 'Woodstock' home at Bridgefield on 28th October - and they say the fact they've bought their own place is still sinking in.
"It's a massive house for us," says Ricky, "and it has a great location straight in front of you as you drive into the close.
"We really liked the layout of the 'Woodstock', with the third bedroom for Maddie and the big kitchen/dining room, which is ideal for our dog. The French doors from the living room and the kitchen will be great in the summer, as we can have them open and get straight into the garden. I just love the space in the place."
The couple were also impressed by the customer service they received at Bridgefield. After Ricky asked if he was allowed to move the shed, the site manager had the base taken up and moved to his chosen location the next day.
"It saved us a couple of days work in the garden," Ricky says. "The service was great from the Taylor Wimpey staff."
Ricky, a bus driver, and Stacey, an accountant, both work in Ashford, but they were keen to find somewhere to live that wasn't right in the town centre.
Their new home is perfectly located with countryside walks right on the doorstep, yet with easy access to all the amenities Ashford has to offer.
"We like the fact there's going to be a park for Maddie and sports facilities at the development," commented Ricky. "It's a place for everyone, and up the road there's a path along the stream which is ideal for going for walks with the dog. It's a great lifestyle."
A superb choice of three-bedroom properties is currently available at Bridgefield, priced from just £166,500.
Bridgefield is located against a semi-rural woodland backdrop, yet lies within easy reach of Ashford's high street shops, boutiques, bars and leisure facilities, the Bluewater and Lakeside shopping centres, plus rail connections to London and the Continent. A good choice of primary and secondary schools is also close by.
Bridgefield Sales and Marketing Suite is located in Cheeseman's Green Lane, Ashford, TN25 7EX, and open seven days a week from 10am to 5pm.
See Also: Property News (6705), Taylor Wimpey (1853), Bridgefield (14), Ashford (24), Kent (96)
Date Published: 27 January 2012
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