Member Article

The first step is stress-free for Help to Buy couple in Keighley

Sometimes, taking that first step on to the housing ladder can seem daunting for young families; mortgages, deposits and stamp-duty are just a few unknown territories that need to be approached. However, for Sian Linney from South Wales and David Karren from the Isle of Man, purchasing a three-bed new build at Barratt Homes’ Vision development in Keighley took just 24 hours.

The couple was living in a two-bed rented house when their landlord decided to sell the property. The couple, who met during their time at Huddersfield University, decided to put in an offer for the property but were outbid leaving them without a home. When they decided to look elsewhere, they stumbled upon the Vision development in Keighley from Barratt Homes – a convenient location for Sian and David, who both work as teachers in Leeds and Bradford respectively.

Vision is a new development set on a hillside with stunning views toward Haworth, home of the Bronte sisters. The development is an ideal location for commuters to Leeds and Bradford who are looking for a happy middle-ground between the city and the country - green verges and open spaces give a semi-rural feel which has proven popular among couples and young families.

Sian and David initially viewed a two-bedroom property at the development. After discussing their budget and situation with Clare McNally, the sales adviser at Vision, the couple were given expert financial advice and were recommended to look into the government’s Help to Buy scheme, which helps first time buyers secure a property with a deposit as small as 5%. After looking into the scheme on the Barratt Homes website, the couple realised they were able to afford a larger three-bedroom property on the same development.

The next day, the paperwork was signed and Sian and David had purchased their first home. Barratt Homes paid the couple’s stamp-duty and were pivotal in advising the young couple, helping them to take their first step onto the property ladder.

Happy homebuyer, Sian Linney commented:

“We were so surprised about how easy everything was with the move to be honest. Having viewed older properties and even tried to buy our old rented place, we thought we simply couldn’t afford to move. When we first came to view the home we immediately fell in love; the location, the views and the features of the property were perfect for us.

“The Help to Buy scheme is something we hadn’t previously looked into, I’d heard about it on the news but I didn’t even consider that we would be eligible for help. When Clare advised that we look into it, we were delighted to find out we could actually afford a house that surpassed our previous expectations. It all happened so fast and – for us at least – the ordeal of finding our first home, wasn’t an ordeal at all, in fact it was relatively stress-free!”

Clare McNally, Sales Manager at Barratt Homes, commented:

“When we first showed Sian and David around the development they seemed surprised at the incredible value for money that Vision offers. Like so many first time buyers they’ve chosen to buy new and avoid all the complications that can come with buying older properties. Here at Barratt Homes we take pride in helping our customers to overcome every stumbling block to secure their dream home, and we’re always available to give advice and help in any way we can.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Richard Savage .