Buying a home in the region which is usually classified as one of the more pricey areas to get on the property ladder may seem a little more difficult especially if you are a first time buyer. But with schemes out there to help you can find yourself something perfect at a price that suits you. The South East is one of the best places in the UK to make an investment in terms of your property and with plenty of new developments popping up from rural areas to central London, get yourself in the know about housing schemes and you could be calling yourself a homeowner sooner than you think.
Help to Buy
This scheme is great if you’re a first time buyer and especially if you’re looking to get on the property ladder in 2021. Help to Buy allows you to put down a deposit of 5% and you can receive an equity loan of up to 20% of the value of the house. If you’re choosing to move to London then you still will need a 5% deposit but you could receive a 40% equity that certainly takes the pressure off when it comes to buying your first home. Property Portals like Keaze.com are great places to browse apartments and houses that offer the scheme and get your money’s worth for a home you love. Help to Buy offers a whole range of benefits, a key one being that your equity loan carries no interest for the first 5 years making paying it back a lot less stressful than getting a hefty mortgage. This is also great if you don’t think you’ll be able to acquire the whole mortgage for the property you’d like so getting a loan beside this can really help. All the homes are new builds too so you can enjoy the newness while also knowing you paid a decent price that didn’t break the bank!
Shared Ownership
If you haven’t heard of this scheme it’s definitely worth checking especially if you’re looking to live anywhere near London and get yourself your own piece of property in the capital. Shared Ownership essentially allows you to buy a share in a property, this can be between 25% and 75% and you basically rent the rest from a housing association at a low cost. These homes have gained lots of popularity the last few years particularly for the development locations and their proximity to the city. A great option for commuters or young professionals, shared ownership allows you to obtain a smaller mortgage, buy more of your home overtime and put down a small deposit.
Where to find them?
So these schemes are perfect if you’re looking to live in the South East and with developments like shared ownership Sevenoaks, offering beautiful 1 bedroom apartments in a calm countryside. Quinton Court is located in Sevenoaks just 25 minutes from the centre of London and while you can dive into retail therapy at the weekend on Oxford Street, you can browse local farmers markets on the weekdays.
If you’re looking for somewhere a little closer to the city then shared ownership Bromley is a great little place to settle down and get the most out of London living. While being close to the city it is also 50% greenspace and the apartments at St Mark’s Square have some sensational views of rural bliss. A collection of 1 bedroom apartments, these homes are not to be missed and well worth checking out if you’re a hopeful house hunter itching to find yourself a property in the South East.