Stubbings joins panel discussion on First Homes

Great to have our very own Managing Director Helen Todd as part of a panel discussion this morning regarding First Homes and the Early Delivery Programme. The session, which was hosted by Homes England and the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities provided a valuable opportunity to share knowledge, experience and learnings.

We were invited to present alongside Andy Howell of Muse Developments, representing Slough Urban Renewal (SUR) and to discuss our experience of the scheme at Novus Apartments in Slough – where this scheme it has proved a life line for many first time buyers, struggling to get onto the housing ladder.

Here is some feedback from some recent purchasers at Novus Apartments, who opted to use First Homes:

Buyer 1: “I had been looking for a new home since the start of the year. Slough really appealed because of its excellent transport links, which I need for work. I wasn’t initially aware of First Homes but the sales team talked me through it and it seemed to offer the ideal solution. I definitely couldn’t have afforded to buy the sort of apartment I am getting at Novus Apartments, without First Homes. I really like how transparent the scheme is and it’s great that I will own all of my home – with no rent to pay. So far, the whole process has been pretty straightforward. The sales team and the recommended brokers have been great.”

Buyer 2: “It is really hard to get your foot on the ladder, but First Homes has enabled me to buy a brand new apartment, which otherwise I probably wouldn’t have been able to afford. I have had lots of support from the sales team , as well as the New Homes Mortgage Helpline, who have really guided me through, so it hasn’t felt like I have had to do it on my own. The First Homes scheme just seemed to make sense for me.”

Buyer 3: “It was the 30% discount that really attracted me to the First Homes scheme and the homes at Novus Apartments. I had been looking for somewhere for a few months and I don’t think I would have been able to get onto the property ladder without this scheme. So far, it has all seemed very straightforward!”

Buyer 4: “It was the affordability element of the First Homes scheme, which first attracted me to Novus Apartments in Slough. I don’t think I would have been able to buy without it. I have been looking to get on the ladder for a number of years and had previously explored Help to Buy but living and working in London it has just felt impossible. Thanks to First Homes I can now secure a new apartment, which due to Slough’s great transport links, is just a short commute by train to my office. So far, the process has felt really easy, and I have really appreciated all of the support from the sales team.”

We still have a limited number of homes available via the First Homes scheme at Novus Apartments in Slough – visit the Novus website for more info: https://www.novusapartments.co.uk/first-homes/