Member Article

First Help to Buy Show Manchester a success

The Help to Buy Show Manchester, which took place on 28 March, has been labelled a great success by house developers and visitors alike.

The free show, held at Manchester Central by the government appointed Help to Buy North West agent Plus Dane, welcomed nearly 30 different exhibitors offering legal, financial and property advice to nearly 1000 people.

Visitors ranged from first-time buyers to second steppers, all wanting to find out more information about the Help to Buy schemes and housing developments that offer Help to Buy in the Greater Manchester region. The majority of visitors were aged 25-34, renting privately and wanting advice on how to take their first steps onto the property ladder.

Visitors at the show described the event as ‘informal and encouraging’; ‘well organised’; and an ‘excellent show’ for those who are looking to buy a new property.

Sandy Kelly, head of Help to Buy North West says: “The show has been a great success. We’ve had hundreds of people come along and people have been genuinely interested in Help to Buy and had lots of questions about the schemes.

“They have left the show much more knowledgeable about the Help to Buy schemes and the Help to Buy developments available in the Greater Manchester area, and some visitors have even found a property they want to purchase, which is just great.”

Exhibitors at the show included solicitors from Watson Ramsbotton and Bannister Preston that specialise in housing and conveyancing, and representatives from housing developers in the Greater Manchester area, such as Lovell, Stewart Milne Homes and Redrow, who were on hand to answer questions and provide information to prospective buyers.

Lynne Vogel, sales manager at Stewart Milne Homes says: “This has been Stewart Milne’s first Help to Buy Show and as we are one of the smaller builders, we are using this event to get the Stewart Milne name out there. Interest has been great, we chatted to lots of people about who we are and what we have on offer.”

Many attendees came to the show seeking information about the financial aspects of buying a home, so Acumen Financial Advisors and RSC New Homes were well placed to offer independent financial advice to potential customers.

Lesley Hitchen, mortgage advisor at Acumen Financial Advisors says: “The show has been very productive, it was busy and we’ve have lots of new leads and given lots of valuable advice to visitors.

“It’s been one of the busiest shows I’ve ever done, it’s surpassed my expectations as when I’ve done these events before they’ve never been as busy as this. Everyone seemed to be genuinely looking to buy, whereas normally you get people who come and aren’t really interested.”

Sandy adds: “Buying a home can be a really confusing and stressful time for first-time buyers who aren’t sure about the process. By holding shows like this, and offering information about the help prospective buyers can receive from the government to purchase their new home, first-time buyers and second steppers are able to chat to different advisers about the best way for them to start their home-buying journey.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Amelia Heathman .