Swaythling appointed to help Hampshire Homebuyers
Swaythling Housing Society was yesterday reappointed as the Local HomeBuy Agent for the Hampshire and Isle of Wight area by the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA). As Local HomeBuy Agent, Swaythling acts as a first point of contact for families and single households seeking to buy a home through the HCA’s HomeBuy affordable home ownership products.
Potential applicants can attend one of the many HomeBuy Shows held over the coming months throughout Hampshire to promote further awareness of the government-backed affordable schemes available. These include: Newbuild HomeBuy, My Choice HomeBuy, Own Home and the new HomeBuy Direct that was recently launched jointly by the government and house builders to stimulate the industry.
On Thursday, over 350 prospective buyers took advantage of the HomeBuy Show held at St Mary's Stadium, Southampton, to benefit from the expert financial and legal advice, details of the financial schemes ion offer and the available properties in the local area, all under one roof.
Swaythling, part of Radian, initially establish if applicants meet eligibility criteria, before assessing applicants’ financial circumstances to ensure that they can afford home ownership longer term. Swaythling will also help people to consider their housing options and assist them to make the right choice to meet their housing needs.
Vicky Griffin, who works in Public Relations for the Primary Care Trust, was renting a shared house with friends but has recently been able to buy a Newbuild HomeBuy apartment in the local area.
“I thought buying was going to be too expensive for me, but was really pleased when I found out that I could own my very own 2 bed city centre apartment for under £650 per month! I got to choose which apartment I wanted, which was great, so I opted for the top floor. I’ve got a lovely large hallway and L-shaped living area which gives me that bit of extra space. The bedrooms are a good size too and it’s great to be able to just move in without having to decorate!”
Vicky couldn’t wait to choose new furniture for her apartment, and is delighted that she now has a place that she can call her own; a home that she previously thought unattainable.
On the announcement that Swaythling would continue in its role as Local HomeBuy Agent, Jessica Pike, Swaythling’s Head of Home Ownership said, “We are very excited to have been selected again to lead this very important project on behalf of the government. Now we have an enormous challenge ahead of us to ensure that the government’s initiatives help those critically important first time buyers, at a time when the housing market desperately needs them.”
Richard Hill, Director of Investment and Renewal, responsible for the National Affordable Housing Programme at the HCA, said, “HomeBuy continues to help thousands of people into homeownership, in an affordable and sustainable way, and continues to be an important stimulus in the market. I am pleased that local consumers in Hampshire will continue to have a clear route to the best product available to them in their area.”
For more information on the HomeBuy Show, or any of the current initiatives please call Swaythling’s specialist team on 023 8062 8004 or visit: www.homesinhants.co.uk
Photocaptions:
[Prospective buyers benefit from free advice at a recent HomeBuy show]
[Delighted first time buyer Vicky Griffin in her new City Centre home]
