Moving from a small rented flat with no heating and no garden to a brand new Persimmon home at Roebuck Park was like a breath of fresh air for one East Sussex family – in more ways than one!
Becky and David Bateman had been looking to move house since their 22 month old son Billy was born with a serious lung condition, Congenital Lobar Emphysema.
Becky picks up the story: “We didn’t have any central heating in our flat, just two heaters. Billy’s lungs are really vulnerable and the lack of heating was affecting him quite badly; we were in and out of hospital with chest infections, and he was having to use his inhaler all of the time.
“We were desperate to move, but everything was out of our reach – the deposit and the mortgage. That is until Persimmon Homes told us about the FirstBuy scheme, and sales advisors Donna and Alana couldn’t have been more helpful.”
The FirstBuy scheme has now finished, replaced in this year’s Budget by the Government’s new and improved shared equity scheme Help To Buy, which is more accessible to more people.
Persimmon sales teams across the South East have had comprehensive training on Help To Buy, and are fast becoming industry experts on what the scheme means to customers.
Jo Richards, Head of Sales and Marketing at Persimmon Homes South East said: “Help To Buy is available to anyone buying a new-build home up to the value of £600,000. All you need is a five per cent deposit.
“The Government will put in up to 20 per cent through an equity share loan, the remainder will be funded by a repayment mortgage. The loan can be paid back at any time over the next 25 years, or when you sell the home, and there is no interest to pay on this portion for the first five years.
“The scheme is very similar to the hugely successful FirstBuy. The difference now is that funding is available to help everyone, not just first time buyers, and this scheme does not have the same maximum income restriction as FirstBuy.”
Back at Roebuck Park, Becky works part time as a community carer while husband David works in a factory, and as well as Billy they have daughter Hannah, aged 3. The move to a three bedroom, three storey detached Helmsley style property has been life changing for all of them.
“We love this house: we love having heating, a garden, more space and being able to eat together as a family. We love the community we are living in – the whole atmosphere is great and everyone is so friendly,” added Becky.
“Billy’s breathing is now so much better and he doesn’t have to use his inhaler as much. Both of the children are sleeping better, it’s not cold anymore and they both love playing in the garden – even in the winter.”
Roebuck Park in Hellingly, East Sussex, is a development of three, four and five bedroom homes set against a stunning backdrop of 38 acres of beautifully landscaped parkland. Offering new home buyers unparalleled luxury living space, more than half of the development is dedicated to parkland, play areas, allotments, a sports pavilion and a cricket green.
Phase five will be launching this summer at pre-showhome prices with something for everyone.