When a young couple drove past a Swindon housing development little did they know that within half an hour they would have bought their dream home thanks to a new Government scheme.
Louise and Jack Lyon, who are both in the RAF, drove by chance past a stunning development being built by Persimmon Homes Wessex.
The couple had decided that they wanted a family home and to lay down some roots but admit that they had not been looking in Swindon.
Louise, 28, who is a caterer with the RAF, said: “We had not been looking here originally but we were driving past Hazel Ridge and thought the homes looked stunning. So we turned the car around and bought our home within half an hour off plan. We had never even been in it.”
The couple, who have been married for six years, say they fell in love with the design of their three storey four-bedroom home, which boasts a spacious bedroom covering the entire top floor.
Louise and Jack decided not to hesitate and bought their home thanks to the Government’s new equity scheme, Help to Buy, which meant they only needed a 5% deposit.
“Help to Buy was really good and we decided we could not pass it up because we could not afford our house without this scheme. We definitely see this as our family home for the future,” said Louise.
“We could not believe how easy it was to buy the house. We thought we had only just started the process and then we suddenly got this text saying it was complete. We were amazed at how straightforward it was; we did not have to do anything.
“The sales advisors were so lovely and 100 per cent supportive all the way. Basically we just had a few documents to sign and that was it. This house is the first one we have bought together and a move away from an RAF base, so we are both really excited about it.”
Jack, 28, a driver with the RAF, said he was impressed with how easy it was to use Help to Buy and secure their dream home.
Pauline Fletcher, sales and marketing director for Persimmon Homes Wessex, said: “Help to Buy is a fantastic scheme that is really helping people get on or move up the property ladder. It has been so exciting watching Louise and Jack buy their lovely home together. The development is proving popular with so many families and a wonderful community spirit is being built.”
Help to Buy is a Government backed shared equity scheme. It provides a 20% loan on the term of your mortgage, which is interest and repayment free for the first five years. You only need a five per cent deposit and it is available across the vast majority of our developments. It’s for first time and next time buyers and there is no salary cap.