‘FIRST AID’ FOR PROPERTY HUNTERS

A brand new housebuilder is offering a helping hand to other ‘first timers’ by setting up a series of property drop-in clinics, especially for first time buyers.

In 2007, the average property price paid by first time buyers in Scotland rose by 13%. Last year also saw the number for first time buyers entering the market fall to a 20 year low, with just 30,000 people making the leap.*

With this in mind, Merchant Homes, whose first development has just launched at Carmyle Avenue, Glasgow, will be running sessions for those new to the property market every Thursday in April from 5pm to 7pm.

The clinics, which will be open to all house hunters but will focus on that all important first property purchase, will be held at Merchant Homes’ Park Court development at Carmyle Avenue. They will feature a resident independent financial adviser from New Home Mortgages who will be offering tips and dispelling myths about getting on the property ladder.

The adviser will also be armed with facts, figures and comparisons for the best mortgage deals around and will be on hand to answer any questions visitors might have – from working out that all important budget to sealing the mortgage deal.

Staff from Merchant Homes will also be available to fill visitors in on the Park Court homes, which are ideally suited for FTBs. With three styles of two and three bedroom homes, situated just 10 minutes from the centre of Glasgow, these apartments are already proving very popular with those looking to purchase their very first home.

Spacious plots and a host of standard extras such as SMEG kitchen appliances, Porcelenosa tiling, double showers and Sky+ are big pluses for first time buyers at Park Court. The development falls into a stamp duty free zone and Merchant Homes are also offering £500 towards legal expenses for first time buyers – handy bonuses for those about to step onto the property ladder. And with prices from £142,000, the Park Court apartments make that first puchase a little bit more achievable.

Kevin Hagerty from New Home Mortgages, said: “Many first time property hunters may think they have no option other than to proceed down the rental route at the moment, with lots of doom and gloom surrounding the industry. The reality is more positive – first time buyers have options available and should be able to get a good mortgage deal. These clinics will help first timers to get an idea of the nuts and bolts of getting onto the property ladder and help to guide them in the right direction for what’s right for them.”

Linda McLuskie, sales and marketing director for Merchant Homes, said: “Since we launched Park Court we’ve had a lot of interest from first time buyers, many of whom were very unsure about taking on their first mortgage. A lot of FTBs may think that it’s impossible for them to get a mortgage at the moment – but this isn’t necessarily the case. Hopefully these sessions will allow visitors to get a clear picture of what is available for first time buyers.”

The first time buyer clinics are open to all house hunters and will run each Thursday in April from 5pm to 7pm at the Park Court marketing suite on Carmyle Avenue, Glasgow.

For further information on properties at Park Court please contact the sales office, open Monday-Wednesday and Friday-Sunday 11am-5:30pm, and Thursday 1pm-7pm. Tel: 0141 778 6003. W: www.merchanthomes.co.uk

* Figures from a study by Bank of Scotland, December 2007