Help to Buy for second-time buyer 

One common misconception is that Help to Buy is only for first-time buyers, when in fact, second-time buyers can also take advantage of the scheme.

Nick Hart, 30, a secondary school maths teacher from St. Leonards-on-Sea, was one of the first buyers using Help to Buy at Woodlands View, an exciting new development by Millwood Designer Homes on The Ridge in the cosmopolitan seaside town of Hastings.

Nick moved back in with his parents in May 2015 after selling a four-bedroom detached house that he had previously owned. Keen to stay close to his family and job, as well as the seafront, shops, restaurants and bars in Hastings Old Town, Nick used the Help to Buy scheme to purchase a two-bedroom apartment at Woodlands View.

Nick comments: “I used the Help to Buy scheme as initially I only had enough money for a 90% mortgage and I found the whole process very straight forward. I was set on a new build property as I have no interest in DIY and love the idea of living in a brand new apartment with everything fitted and finished for me. Without Help to Buy I would have had to look at pre-owned properties.”

Help to Buy allows buyers to purchase a property with as little as a 5% deposit this is then supplemented by up to a 25% equity loan from the government. Nick decided to take advantage of the assistance offered by the scheme in order to get his foot back on the property ladder. At Woodlands View, the properties are available under the £600,000 government threshold, including large four-bedroom houses suitable for both couples and families.

Nick continues: “I was very attracted to the idea of living in an apartment on an upmarket estate. I love the intimacy of the apartment building as it consists of just five properties, as well as being surrounded by beautiful high end homes.”

Offering a range of one- and two-bedroom contemporary apartments and traditional two- to five-bedroom terraced, semi and detached homes, Woodlands View is located on a desirable private road, and combines semi-rural period charm, with a wealth of amenities and first-class transport links.  

Nick continues: “I am really pleased with my purchase. The property is in the area I know and love and is very close to my place of work – my commute takes less than ten minutes and I plan on spending the next two years in my apartment. I have had discussions with the sales team at Woodlands View about potentially upgrading into one of the houses on the development, but I’ll have to wait and see what happens! As well as personalising the apartment and making it my own, I am looking forward to moving in and getting my own space back.”  

Hastings is conveniently situated on the south coast with major cities and towns such as Brighton & Hove and Royal Tunbridge Wells only an hour away. From Hastings station trains into central London take 75 minutes with direct services into Charing Cross, Cannon Street, Waterloo East and Victoria. There is also the introduction of High Speed rail links to Hastings in the pipeline.

Prices start from £390,000 for a four-bedroom detached home with a single garage.

View more about Woodlands View from Millwood Designer Homes