Now that spring has officially begun, residents of Fairview’s Thames Waterside in Greenhithe, Kent, can take advantage of the longer days living next to the river. The communal landscaped gardens at the development have been purposely designed for enjoying outside space, with tree-lined avenues for leisurely walks, a play area for children and many areas for picnicking and soaking up the sun.

As well as spending free time in the gardens, most of the apartments have balconies which provide an ideal place for alfresco dining as the weather warms up, or to relax in the privacy of your own home after a day at work.

“Thames Waterside is a great location to embrace the spring weather, with magnificent views across the Thames and towards the iconic Queen Elizabeth II Bridge, and outdoor spaces for residents to unwind and socialise in,” Jim Holliday, Sales Director of Fairview New Homes comments.

With summer on the mind, holiday plans are an easy reality to Thames Waterside residents. The Eurotunnel terminal at Ebbsfleet is just three and a half miles away allowing easy access to the continent, and national trains take just 17 minute to London St Pancras for weekend breaks in the capital.

At Thames Waterside, homebuyers have the opportunity to purchase courtyard, garden and river apartments from £159,995. River apartments are priced from £199,995.

Thames Waterside is ideally placed for all the amenities of Greenhithe; next to an Asda superstore and a short drive from the well-known Bluewater shopping centre which has a choice of over 330 stores, 40 cafes, bars and restaurants and a 13-screen cinema.

Greenhithe is part of the Thames Gateway Regeneration project that has received large amounts of funding from the government over the past decade to transform it into the thriving and aspirational area it is today.

The town has a large number of local restaurants, pubs and bars and has the largest number of green spaces and parks in the borough. For the more active, there are many local activities with the Kent countryside just moments away, local river walks and outdoor activities based from Bluewater, including cycling, rock climbing, boating and fishing.

For more information and prices please contact the marketing suite Tel: 0800 883 8193. Or visit: www.fairview.co.uk. The marketing suite is open 7 days a week from 10am to 5pm.

Spring comes to Thames Waterside is a post from: My First Home Blog

Thames Valley Housing is now selling new homes at Queen Mary’s Place in Roehampton, available through Shared Ownership, to prospective buyers who live and/or work in the south west London boroughs; Wandsworth, Sutton, Merton, Kingston, Richmond, Lambeth and Croydon. Previously, sales were restricted to those who lived or worked in the borough of Wandsworth only.

An open day will be hosted at Hurlington Court, Queen Mary’s Place, Roehampton Lane, SW15 5EY, on Saturday 7^th May for prospective buyers to have the opportunity to speak to the sales team about the Shared Ownership buying model and the process of purchasing a new home with Thames Valley Housing.

Hurlington Court has been built to an exceptional standard by St James Homes, offering buyers a rare opportunity to buy into some of the highest quality new build properties in the area affordably. Purchasers can buy brand new studios, one bed and two bed apartments, with prices starting from £50,625 for a 25% share in a studio apartment priced at £202,500.

Kush Rawal Head of Sales and Marketing for Thames Valley Housing, comments: “Hurlington Court is the final phase of affordable apartments at Queen Mary’s Place, so interest in them has been understandably high. Now that we are able to offer the sale of these homes to a broader audience, enquiries are likely to increase dramatically.

“Buying a property in Hurlington Court is a great way for first-time buyers to step onto the property ladder in an apartment they can be proud of. These exceptional quality homes offer luxurious living in London with an affordable price-tag, giving those struggling to become a home-owner the opportunity to enter the property market,” concludes Mr Rawal.

Queen Mary’s Place is a development of luxury apartments set in 14 acres of landscaped grounds on the site of the Grade I Listed Roehampton House, dating from 1710. The new properties are designed in keeping with the architecture and prestige of Roehampton House whilst offering the best of contemporary London living, with high standards of workmanship, design and high quality specification. The historic gardens have been carefully restored and new communal landscaped areas have been created. In addition, there is a gym on site for all residents.

Hurlington Court is situated in Roehampton village, which has been popular since the 18^th and 19^th centuries with aristocrats and royalty because of its celebrated parkland. Richmond Park is the largest of the parks near to the development, with 2,500 acres of grassland and woodland; a haven for horse-riders, cyclists and walkers, as well as golfers and tennis players.

However, the area is not by any means remote, as Putney and Barnes station is one and half miles away from the development, with a Resident shuttle bus running to Putney station in peak afternoon and morning periods. Nearby Barnes railway station connects to Clapham Junction and Waterloo, meaning residents can be in the City in just 20 minutes – perfect for commuters.

In addition, there are a variety of locations for shopping , eating and going out in the nearby vicinity, including Putney Exchange, Richmond village, Kew, Barnes, East Sheen and Wimbledon village, all within a five mile radius.

The interiors of each apartment at Hurlington Court are built to a very high standard with stylish and modern features such as continental designer kitchens, fully integrated fridge-freezers and dishwashers, programmable heating systems, fitted wardrobes to main bedrooms and lifts to all occupied floors.

All the properties at Hurlington Court are available through the Shared Ownership part-buy, part-rent government-led initiative, aimed at helping first time buyers, and those looking for help to buy their own home, get on the property ladder. To apply for this scheme, purchasers need to have an annual household income of between £18,000 and £60,000 and qualify for Homebuy.

The main objective of Thames Valley Housing is to get people living in their own home in an affordable way. They are dedicated to providing the best possible customer service experience, from enquiry, to meeting, all the way through to purchase point and beyond. To read about past buyers’ experiences of shared ownership properties, please visit www.homebuy4u.co.uk/news.php.

For more information on Hurlington Court or other HomeBuy schemes, please contact the Thames Valley Housing HomeBuy team on Tel: 0844 470 4645 or email sales@tvha.co.uk or visit http://www.tvha-hurlingtoncourt.co.uk/

New homes at Hurlington Court, Queen Mary’s Place, now available to more buyers is a post from: My First Home Blog

For Jason Bond, 34, buying a property in London was an almost inconceivable prospect until he found out about the government-led part buy, part rent Shared Ownership scheme, which helps first time buyers and those struggling to buy step onto the property ladder. With this scheme, Jason was able to buy 25% of the full price of his new home through Thames Valley Housing and only had to raise a mortgage for the 25% that he was purchasing.

Jason, a London bus driver, found out about Shared Ownership a couple of years ago and quickly realized that this could be an affordable way for him to purchase his own property. He says, “I was living with work colleagues in Putney, which worked well, but I was very aware that I wanted my own place – a space just for me that I owned. I decided that I could raise the deposit required for a Shared Ownership property and began to focus on saving. For two years I worked very hard in my job, including overtime work, to save what was needed.

“A few months ago I registered for Shared Ownership with my local council and they notified me of the different developments in and around the area,” continues Jason. “The most important factor for me was to be near the bus garage in Putney as I didn’t want to have to commute too far.

“When I found out about Hurlington Court at Queen Mary’s Place I wasn’t sure about it as I didn’t know Roehampton well. However, I went to visit and was really impressed – the quality of finish, thought behind the layout and affordable price tag made the offering completely irresistible. It was better priced than some of the affordable developments in Putney, yet more spacious and all built within lovely communal gardens and spaces.”

Jason finishes, “I feel incredibly lucky to have my own apartment in London and am looking forward to exploring the area more. Plus with a gym on-site at Queen Mary’s Place I am looking forward to getting back into going to the gym regularly. Wandsworth, Hammersmith, Fulham, Wimbledon and Chelsea are all easily accessible from my new place which is great for going out and, most importantly; it takes just 20 minutes to get into work every day.”

Jason bought a one-bedroom new apartment at Hurlington Court in Queen Mary’s Place, Roehampton, London, through Thames Valley Housing. He purchased 25% of the property valued at £260,000.

Queen Mary’s Place, Roehampton Lane, SW15 5EY, has been built to an exceptional standard by St James Homes, offering buyers a rare opportunity to buy into some of the highest quality new build properties in the area. Apartments at Hurlington Court are the final phase of affordable homes at Queen Mary’s Place and are currently available to people who live and/or work in the boroughs of Wandsworth Sutton, Merton, Kingston, Richmond, Lambeth and Croydon.

The development of luxury apartments is set in 14 acres of landscaped grounds on the site of the Grade I Listed Roehampton House, dating from 1710. The new properties are designed in keeping with the architecture and prestige of Roehampton House whilst offering the best of contemporary London living, with high standards of workmanship, design and high quality specification. The historic gardens have been carefully restored and new communal landscaped areas have been created. In addition, there is a gym on site for all residents.

Hurlington Court is situated in Roehampton village, which has been popular since the 18^th and 19^th centuries with aristocrats and royalty because of its celebrated parkland. Richmond Park is the largest of the parks near to the development, with 2,500 acres of grassland and woodland; a haven for horse-riders, cyclists and walkers, as well as golfers and tennis players.

However, the area is not by any means remote, as Putney and Barnes station is one and half miles away from the development, with a Resident shuttle bus running to Putney station in peak afternoon and morning periods. Nearby Barnes railway station connects to Clapham Junction and Waterloo, meaning residents can be in the City in just 20 minutes – perfect for commuters.

In addition, there are a variety of locations for shopping , eating and going out in the nearby vicinity, including Putney Exchange, Richmond village, Kew, Barnes, East Sheen and Wimbledon village, all within a five mile radius.

The interiors of each apartment at Hurlington Court are built to a very high standard with stylish and modern features such as continental designer kitchens, fully integrated fridge-freezers and dishwashers, programmable heating systems, fitted wardrobes to main bedrooms and lifts to all occupied floors.

Prices of the new apartments at Hurlington Court start from £50,625 for a 25% share in a studio apartment priced at £202,500.

All the properties at Hurlington Court are available through the Shared Ownership government-led initiative, aimed at helping first time buyers, and those looking for help to buy their own home, get on the property ladder. To apply for this scheme, purchasers need to have an annual household income of between £18,000 and £60,000, live and/or work in the London SW region and qualify for Homebuy.

The main objective of Thames Valley Housing is to get people living in their own home in an affordable way. They are dedicated to providing the best possible customer service experience, from enquiry, to meeting, all the way through to purchase point and beyond. To read about past buyers’ experiences of Shared Ownership properties, please visit www.homebuy4u.co.uk/news.php.

For more information on Hurlington Court or other HomeBuy schemes, please contact the Thames Valley Housing HomeBuy team on Tel: 0844 470 4645 or email sales@tvha.co.uk or visit http://www.tvha-hurlingtoncourt.co.uk/

Shared ownership scheme proves successful for London-based first time buyer is a post from: My First Home Blog

Image by myfirsthome via Flickr

With spring now firmly underway, the award-winning landscaped gardens at Pembroke Park in Crawley, West Sussex, are the perfect way for residents to unwind. These beautiful communal areas have been designed to make spending time outside as enjoyable as possible, with open spaces, areas for children to play, and tree-lined avenues for leisurely walks.

As well as the gardens, most of the apartments have balconies which provide an ideal place for alfresco dining as the weather warms up, or to relax in the privacy of your own home after a day at work.

What’s more, Pembroke Park is conveniently located just 6 miles from Gatwick airport for international travel, and 10 minutes walk to Crawley and Three Bridges train stations for national travel, making holiday plans abroad and weekend breaks to London convenient and stress-free.

Jim Holliday, Sales Director of Fairview New Homes, comments, “Pembroke Park is a very popular development for new homes; already 47 apartments have been sold in quarter one of 2011. The continuing popularity of the development can be attributed to its excellent location, reasonable price tag and peaceful community feel. As Pembroke Park is at its very best at this time of year, we expect more people to head to the sales office and buy into the development.”

At Pembroke Park there are a number of different styles of apartments with varying layouts so buyers can pick a new home that suits their needs. Many of the properties come with en-suite bathrooms and all include stylish kitchens with built-in appliances.

Residents of Pembroke Park will benefit from an on-site dentist, Tesco Metro and Wellness Centre.

There is plenty of choice for leisure and entertainment beyond Pembroke Park. Crawley has established itself as a regional centre for shopping, with County Mall Shopping Centre, Queens Square and the historic High Street providing a variety of shops and restaurants.

For travel further afield, the M23 and A23 are nearby and the Crawley and Three Bridges railway stations are both a 10 minute walk away with regular, direct services to London Victoria and London Bridge in under an hour. Gatwick Airport is less than five miles away.

At Pembroke Park in Crawley, buyers can purchase a one-bedroom apartment from just £141,995 or two-bedroom apartments from £151,995.

For further information on Pembroke Park please visit the marketing suite, open daily from 10am to 5pm. Alternatively, please call 0800 883 8085, visit the website at www.fairview.co.uk or text Crawley to 67007

Spring Hits Pembroke Park in Crawley is a post from: My First Home Blog

The Stowmarket in Suffolk

With low interest rates generating little return on savings, many investors are returning to the property market and investing in bricks and mortar as opposed to leaving their money in the bank.  One savvy investor who has done just this is Robert Brooks who has recently invested in a two bedroom cottage at Crest Nicholson’s The Sycamores at Cedars Park development in Stowmarket.

“All my children have grown up and flown the nest so I felt it was the right time to move to a smaller property,” said Robert Brooks. “With the money I was saving from downsizing, the best option was to invest in a property to let instead of letting it sit in the bank where it would accrue little interest.”

“I chose The Sycamores at Cedars Park as I am certain I will be able to get a great deal of interest from potential tenants looking to live in a lovely development that’s close to the train station and just one mile from the centre of town. The coach house is perfect for a couple or some friends to share and I think it is exactly what young people want – low maintenance, great interiors and lots of space. I feel very confident about purchasing in the current property climate and am sure that bricks and mortar will prove to be a good long term investment, especially at The Sycamores.”

The Sycamores comprises two-bedroom coach houses, two and three-bedroom cottages and three and four-bedroom family houses. Homes have fully-fitted kitchens complete with a range of smart Bosch stainless steel appliances including oven, hob and extractor hood along with an integrated fridge/freezer. Well-designed bathrooms include smart white Roca sanitaryware complemented by chrome Hansgrohe accessories.

Annette Cole, Sales and Marketing Director at Crest Nicholson Eastern comments: “The Sycamores is an ideal opportunity for someone looking to venture into property investment.  It has been extremely popular with investors and this trend looks likely to continue. The development provides a range of stylish homes in an attractive location, as well as being close to the train station with easy access into London, which is a huge attraction for potential tenants.”

Just one mile from the centre of the historic market town of Stowmarket, The Sycamores is surrounded by some of Suffolk’s most beautiful countryside. Situated close to Stowmarket Station, commuters to London can reach Liverpool Street in just 75 minutes, whilst Norwich is only 35 minutes away.

Prices at The Sycamores currently start from £117,500 for a two-bedroom coach house, £182,500 for a three-bedroom house and £260,000 for a four-bedroom detached house overlooking the green. For further information about buying a home at The Sycamores please contact 0870 755 1620 or visit www.crestnicholson.com/cedarspark.

Now’s The Time to Invest at The Sycamores is a post from: My First Home Blog

With the average age of first time buyers continuing to rise,* it is ever apparent that purchasers need all the help they can possibly get to enable them step onto the property ladder. Award-winning housebuilder Crest Nicholson is offering homebuyers the chance to do just this by taking advantage of the government backed HomeBuy Direct scheme**at a selection of its properties on the stunning development, The Royal Gallery in Kingston.

HomeBuy Direct is an initiative designed to be a ‘stepping stone’ for home owners.  With the scheme, buyers are able to secure their brand new home at The Royal Gallery for just 70% of the property’s asking price upfront, making a one bedroom apartment priced at £220,000, a more affordable £154,000 with HomeBuy Direct.

Chris Warner, Sales & Marketing Director for Crest Nicholson South, said: “The Royal Gallery has been a very successful development of ours and HomeBuy Direct is a fantastic initiative, offering hundreds of buyers the purchasing power to invest in a home of their own. The properties at The Royal Gallery are ideal for first time buyers due to the development’s location, situated just a short walk away from Kingston Train Station which provides excellent links into Central London. It is also close to the town centre and local amenities.”

Situated on Skerne Road, The Royal Gallery comprises 78 one, two and three-bedroom apartments and two and three-bedroom penthouses all with spacious interiors.  Apartments benefit from either a terrace or balcony and a selection of penthouses also feature large roof top terraces, ideal for green fingered purchasers who can grow their own plants and vegetables as well as enjoy the outdoor space.

Kitchens come complete with stylish units, electric ovens and brushed steel Bosch appliances, including an electric oven with chimney hood and gas hob. Penthouses boast granite worktops, double electric ovens and stylish glass chimney extractor hoods. Bathrooms and en-suite bathrooms to master bedrooms also include elegant Hansgrohe fittings.

Kingston upon Thames has many leisure activities to offer prospective purchasers and tenants. The nearby leisure complex, the Rotunda centre, encompasses an Odeon cinema, ten pin bowling, and many restaurants which help make it the perfect place for evening entertainment. For more active purchasers, the Rotunda centre is also home to a David Lloyd Fitness Centre and a number of golf clubs are available to join in the area. The Esporta health and fitness club is also on the doorstep. Canbury Gardens is just minutes away from the development and covers over 14 acres of public space along the River Thames, encompassing tennis courts and Kingston Rowing Club. As well as the river walks, riverside bars and cafés are also close by for prospective homeowners to enjoy the best of both worlds – open green space, but also on the doorstep to everything the town has to offer.

Kingston upon Thames has good communication links with London and the south east via the M25 and M3 motorways as well as the A3.   South West Trains also run peak time services from Kingston every 10 minutes via Wimbledon and Clapham Junction to Waterloo. Heathrow Airport is located approximately 16 miles away and can be accessed via the A307 and M4, whilst Gatwick Airport is located approximately 30 miles away and can be accessed via M25 and M23 motorways.

One bedroom apartments start at £220,000, two bedroom apartment’s start at £324,950, and three bedrooms start at £379,950. For further information please contact Crest Nicholson’s Sales Advisors on 0870 751 3956. Alternatively, please e-mail theroyalgallery@crestnicholson.com or visit www.crestnicholson.com/theroyalgallery.

The Royal Gallery Offers Homebuy Direct on their Properties is a post from: My First Home Blog

Elements, Epsom

For those with enough equity in their homes, now is the time to trade up before house prices begin to stage a recovery. With this in mind, Crest Nicholson has made its low hassle scheme, SmoothMove, available at its development, Elements in Epsom for buyers who are looking to move quickly without hassle.

Aimed at buyers with an existing home, SmoothMove is a solution offered by Crest Nicholson which allows prospective purchasers to reserve their preferred property at the brand new development straight away, while Crest Nicholson works closely with your estate agent on your behalf to find a buyer for your home.

The incentive offers the following advantages:

• Crest Nicholson will arrange up to three valuations by an independent estate agent
• A market price will be agreed for your existing property
• Property details and photographs will be arranged to market your existing property
• Your new mortgage will be arranged through an Independent Financial Advisor
• Crest Nicholson will pay the mortgage valuation fee
• The sale of your property will be managed by Crest Nicholson ensuring that viewing times are convenient, with weekly progress reports and helpful advice on hand
• Up to an agreed limit, estate agent fees will be paid once your property is sold

Chris Warner, Sales & Marketing Director at Crest Nicholson South comments: “The property market in Epsom has been bright and busy so far this year, so SmoothMove is ideal for those looking to get their move underway.  SmoothMove is an effective way to get a step ahead of others marketing their property and we are keen to hear from buyers who want to move but are being put off by the market conditions and need some extra support and advice to get their move off to a flying start.”

A perfect retreat from the hustle and bustle of everyday life, Elements at Parkviews is an exclusive neighbourhood of wide tree-lined avenues surrounded by parkland. Private rear gardens and a variety of shared open spaces are available for homeowners to enjoy as well as balconies and full height windows which provide stunning views from selected properties.

Parkviews itself comprises 322 contemporary eco-friendly two, three and four bedroom houses.  As part of their meticulous design to meet the highest Eco-Homes standards, the homes will include air source heat pumps, water butts and recycling bins. Residents at the development could also cut their energy bills, as 20 per cent of energy will be generated from on-site renewable sources.

Homes at Elements also meet the Government’s Lifetime Homes Standards, which means that they are designed to be adaptable throughout an entire lifetime, reducing the need to move or for home help. Consequently, the design incorporates features for wheelchair accessibility, the benchmark for good space requirement, such as WC’s with appropriate access and doors with level thresholds for parents with pushchairs and small children, as well as wheelchair users. Stairs will also incorporate provision for a future stair lift installation.

Elements is conveniently situated to offer excellent road and rail links, yet is situated within close proximity to the beautiful Surrey countryside to the South of Epsom for homeowners looking to enjoy the great outdoors. The site is a short distance from Epsom Common and Horton Country Park while Epsom Downs and its iconic race course are also within close proximity. For commuters, Ewell West Station and Epsom Station are within a short distance of the development with train journeys into London taking approximately 35 minutes. The M25 and A3 are also within easy reach.

SmoothMove is available to buyers interested in the Cedar or Redwood style properties. Prices for these properties start at £359,995 for a three bedroom semi-detached home and £484,995 for a four bedroom home with parking space and garage. For further information, please contact Crest Nicholson on 0870 751 3958 or visit www.crestnicholson.com/elements. Alternatively, you can email the development at elements@crestnicholson.com.  The Marketing Suite and four show homes are open daily, 10am – 5pm.

Ease Into a New Home with SmoothMove | Cedar or Redwood is a post from: My First Home Blog

As the recession changes the face of lettings, an experienced landlord from Surrey has written a No Nonsense Guide to Property Rental.

Sodrul Bashir, 27, a takeaway restaurant owner who manages commercial and residential properties, said landlords waste hundreds of pounds on legal fees and processes that could easily be saved with a few simple steps.

The e-book is available to download at www.the-pro-landlord.co.uk alongside a series of solicitor-approved downloadable legal templates for landlords to use – saving them hundreds of pounds in legal fees. They include tenancy agreements and notice to evict documents such as a Section 21 notice to leave, which is enforceable in court.

Sodrul said: “Property prices have stagnated and landlords can no longer rely on the money they’ll make from uplift in property value… it’s more important than ever that they run their property portfolios profitably. Avoiding basic pitfalls will make a massive difference to the bottom line.

“It’s amazing the mistakes people make –some have been in the industry a long time without ever taking advice. I work closely with the Bengali community and when it comes to lettings they’re very vulnerable… language barriers often prevent them getting the advice they need and many are making simple but very costly errors.

“There’s also been a rise in ‘accidental landlords’ – those who can’t sell their properties and choose to rent them out instead.  When I started in the industry almost 10 years ago there was no comprehensive guide to help me… I’ve learnt the hard way but I hope this book will make it easier for others.”

The e-book, which has also been translated to Bengali, features advice on making savings with maintenance and repairs, arranging the right kind of mortgage, marketing to new tenants, insurance, deposits, inventory, rental arrears and eviction.

New guide helps landlords save thousands is a post from: My First Home Blog

Cheryl and Louis Turner

At Park Central in Birmingham city centre, homebuyers are taking the ‘Easy Buy’ route to homeownership and proving that it is possible to get on the property ladder and enjoy all the benefits of owning their own home, while saving money each month compared to renting.

Bordered by Bath Row and Lee Bank Middleway, just minutes from The Mailbox, Park Central is an award winning Crest Nicholson development which features an extensive choice of stylish new apartments and townhouses, set around eight acres of landscaped public parkland.  Here Crest Nicholson is offering potential purchasers a lifeline with its very own Easy Buy assistance scheme.

Easy Buy helps today’s budget-conscious purchasers by reducing the mortgage amount needed to secure a new home at Park Central.  As the scheme is not shared ownership, purchasers get to benefit from having 100 per cent ownership of their new property and, as an added advantage, a deposit of only five per cent is required – which could amount to just £4,600.

Eligible purchasers who take advantage of Easy Buy at Park Central pay just 85 per cent of the price of their new home.  This breaks down as a mortgage for 80 per cent and a five per cent deposit.  The remaining 15 per cent share is covered by an equity loan to be paid back as a share of the property’s open market value – within 10 years of the original completion date or when the property is sold.  The equity loan is interest free for the first five years, with a low interest rate fixed at just three per cent APR from the start of year six.

Husband and wife Louis and Cheryl Turner purchased a one bedroom apartment at Park Central with the assistance of Easy Buy.  Cheryl, who works for a law firm in Birmingham city centre, explained: “My husband and I had been renting an apartment in the centre of Birmingham for 18 months, but our long term plan was to buy a property of our own.  When it came to looking for a new home, we were keen to stay based in the city centre and, as I have a friend who lives at Park Central, I was very familiar with the development, so we went along to speak to the sales team.

“We discovered that by using Easy Buy we were able to get on the property ladder at Park Central and, aside from the benefits of actually owning our own home, the biggest advantage is that our monthly mortgage payments are actually less than what we are paying in rent – so we are financially better off for making the move.  We’re really happy with our new home, particularly as we’ve got a balcony which looks out across the city centre and we have a great view of Birmingham and its landmarks including The Cube.”

Prices at Park Central currently start from just £92,000 but by using Easy Buy, qualified house hunters could secure a mortgage on that property for just £73,600 with a five per cent deposit of £4,600.    A selection of two-bedroom townhouses is also available in the Lower Parkside phase priced from £180,000.

Ruth Williams, sales manager for Crest Nicholson, said: “It is extremely satisfying to be able to assist homebuyers at Park Central.  In the case of first time buyers, it is very important that this group is given the help it needs to overcome the challenges presented by the economy and to get on the property ladder.   To make the claim that owning your own home at Park Central could prove to be more affordable than renting a comparable property could sound too good to be true, but our buyers continue to demonstrate that this is in fact the case and hopefully the Turner’s story will inspire other to make the move.”

Other assistance schemes are available at Park Central including the government-backed HomeBuy Direct which expires on 31 March.  For more information on Park Central, please call the sales team on 0121 666 4666.  Alternatively visit the marketing suite, which is open daily from 10am to 5pm and is located at Park Central, 2 Mason Way, Birmingham B15 2EY. parkcentral.co.uk

Birmingham Buyers Take The Easy Route to Homeownership at Park Central is a post from: My First Home Blog

As spring and summer approach – and as opportunities to move home remain in a slump – more UK homeowners than ever will be turning their attention to property improvements, with many needing professional assistance for their ‘make, do and mend’ operations. However, choosing random tradespeople from online directories can be a risky business: will the contractor turn out to be Lawrence Llewelyn Bowen or Billy the Kid? And will they keep the homeowner above the law when it comes to Building Regulations?

With this burning question in mind, ‘CORGI Membership and Benchmark Certification’, which represents qualified tradespeople registered under the government’s Competent Persons Scheme, provides some valuable tips on how homeowners can choose a contractor who will do a sound job … rather than riding off into the sunset with their hard-earned dollars and leaving them to face the music.

Chris Kulski, CORGI Membership scheme manager, says: “As we all know, ‘cowboy’ has become a buzz word during the last few years, and quite a few TV programmes have made a career out of cleaning up the damage of incompetent tradespeople. Prevention is better than cure, so how can consumers avoid getting into this sorry situation in the first place?

“Here at CORGI, we recommend that consumers should always employ a registered tradesperson who is a member of a professional body: don’t just choose someone because they happen to be listed on a website featuring lots of other contractors. And don’t accept that a tradesperson is a bona fide member of a professional organisation unless you’ve confirmed it with the registration body. There are cases of contractors displaying membership logos when they’re not even qualified.

“Customers should obtain more than one written quotation for a job, so they can compare prices. Once a quote has been agreed, make sure it is written down in full and that both parties have signed it. Ask for a completion date.

“Always ask your chosen contractor if the work they’re going to carry out comes under Building Regulations, as this falls under your legal obligations as a homeowner. If it does, ask for a Building Regulations compliance certificate after the job is completed. Only registered, competent persons will be able to provide this certification.

“At every stage of the process, have everything confirmed in writing. Be sure to contact Trading Standards or Consumer Direct if you have a problem or disagreement with a tradesperson.”

As for the major “don’ts” of employing tradespersons, Chris Kulski advises:

“Don’t use a business that only supplies a mobile phone number and doesn’t have an address printed on letterheads or business cards. Don’t use a tradesperson unless you’re clear about the work they’ll be carrying out and at what price. And don’t employ a contractor just because their costs are super-low: make sure that they are actually covering all the work you require. If you don’t understand anything about the job, ask for it to be explained in plain English.”

He points out that, depending on the type of work, UK Building Regulations introduced by the government in 2002 may affect a homeowner who is commissioning installation and repair work. He explains: “Few homeowners are aware of this set of statuary regulations that apply to all building work carried out in England and Wales. Although Building Regulations must be met by tradespeople, the ultimate responsibility lies with the homeowner.”

He adds: “Building Regulations place responsibility on every homeowner to ensure they use a suitably trained and competent contractor who will carry out the work to standard. Homeowners must be able to prove they’ve done this either by informing the Local Area Building Control(LABC) department at their Local Authority about the installation before it starts – (this option has fairly significant cost implications) and having it inspected after completion! – or they must employ a tradesperson who is a member of a government approved Competent Persons Scheme, such as CORGI, who will supply a certificate confirming they’ve met the requirements of Building Regulations as well as notifying LABC that the work has been completed so the details can be attached to the properties deeds. Without a certificate of compliance for such work the homeowner may have problems when they come to sell their property.”

He concludes: “By choosing a member of a Competent Persons Scheme, the homeowner is employing a tradesperson whose work has been inspected by a professional body and has been confirmed as meeting standards.They will also have further protection of an insurance backed workmanship warranty to protect the work they have completed. The homeowner can then complain to the professional body if the contractor fails to meet standards or, in CORGI’s case, breaches the strict code of conduct. CORGI has a dispute resolution service in place for any customers who find themselves in this situation and will mediate between the business and homeowner.

“Many people select contractors based on online references but, in reality, these may not even be real. And, although a tradesperson might appear to do a good job, many homeowners can’t be sure it’s carried out to standard. In these days of economic uncertainty and inflation, it’s particularly important for consumers to protect themselves and avoid paying through the nose for a shoddy or substandard job.”

The new CORGI website ( http://www.corgi-membership.com ) provides invaluable information and a handy quotation form so consumers can gain formal agreement before a contractor starts work. For general information on the Competent Persons Scheme and building regulations, visit http://www.communities.gov.uk .

CORGI’s top tips for choosing a sound tradesperson and complying with building regulations is a post from: My First Home Blog