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Help to Buy is Perfect Choice for First-Time Buyer

Posted 18 June 2019 by Helen Christie

27-year-old Amanda Parment recently purchased her first home at Southern Space's Dalmeny Avenue in Islington...

It is well documented that buying a new home is considered to be one of the most stressful things we face in life, and for Amanda Parment, 27 from Sweden, she was well aware of these stories.

Amanda comments: “I have been living in the UK for the past four and a half and after several years of sharing with different people, I was keen to have my own place. I had been saving for a deposit during that time after realising that I would actually be saving money if I bought a property of my own, rather than spend all my money on rent and bills and have nothing to show for it. I work in Old Street in London as a global account manager for a tech company so was keen to live in a nice area with good commuter links and also where there is plenty to do. I wasn’t aware of Help to Buy until one of my colleagues told me about it. We don’t have anything like this in Sweden so I researched it thoroughly and saw that it made total sense.

“I started searching for new build properties with Help to Buy on offer and also made the decision to keep the search below the Stamp Duty threshold of £500,000. I found two developments that I liked the look of, one in Kings Cross and the other, Dalmeny Avenue in Islington by Southern Space. I looked at the Kings Cross development but quickly ruled it out so paid a visit to Dalmeny Avenue. I was fortunate enough to visit on a Help to Buy weekend organised by Southern Space which was really useful as I was able to see the marketing suite and quality of the apartments and also get some further advice on using Help to Buy and go through all the figures.

“We worked out that with my monthly mortgage and bills I would be paying around £1,100 to £1,200 a month compared to my rent and bills of £1,800 a month! I couldn’t believe the difference.

“The development is just perfect and I chose an apartment which overlooks the gardens. Being from Sweden, peace and tranquillity is really important to me and I got a real sense of this at the development, even though you are in Central London. I also really like the area as I am close to Angel which I love to socialise in and I can walk to work.”

Amanda has purchased a one-bedroom apartment using Help to Buy. She continues: “The apartment is a really good size for the money and I love the large oversized windows which let in plenty of light. They are also finished to a really high specification with all the appliances included.

“Being from Sweden, I don’t have my parents close by to ask their advice but the sales team were really helpful and recommended a mortgage advisor who took me step by step through the whole process, reassured me all the way and made it so straight forward. After all the things you hear about moving home in the UK, I couldn’t believe how easy it was. I would highly recommend Help to Buy as a way of getting on the property ladder.”

Dalmeny Avenue features 39, spacious one-, two- and three-bedroom contemporary apartments, located in one of the most sought after locations in London. Each apartment has been beautifully laid out with bathroom suites by Lecico and kitchens boast SMEG appliances. The rooms are light and bright, with oversized windows maximising the use of natural light.

The Help to Buy London scheme is a popular government-backed initiative helping first-time buyers, as well as existing home owners, move up the property ladder. It is available on new build properties up to £600,000 and includes a 40% equity loan from the government which is interest free for the first time buyer. The purchaser just needs a 55% mortgage and 5% deposit.

All apartments at Dalmeny Avenue are now sold/reserved. There is one remaining Shared Ownership unit available.

To book a viewing, call 0300 020 0543 or visit dalmenyavenue.co.uk


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