7 top ways to save and buy after Help to Buy
Following the end of the government-backed Help to Buy scheme, many house-hunters are searching for alternative money-saving opportunities to help them secure a spot on the property ladder. From financial schemes, to easy but effective money-saving tips, we have summed up our top ways to buy and save.
Countryside Sales Advisor comments: “Over the past few years, many of our buyers benefitted from the perks of the Help to Buy scheme. Following the scheme’s end, there is still help out there for all homebuyers, and we’re keen to make house-hunters aware of the other options available, but also give our expert knowledge on the best ways to save.”
High deposits are one of the main obstacles for first-time buyers and upsizers. Luckily, there are schemes and tips that you can use to help you reach that target.
- Deposit Contribution
The Deposit Contribution scheme has been created to support first-time buyers and existing homeowners. This scheme sees us contribute a section of the deposit to help buyers purchase their dream Countryside home.
This wonderful option is available to use at a wide range of Countryside developments including Beaulieu in Chelmsford, where we will contribute up to 5% of the deposit sum. The development is a vibrant new district inspired by its rich heritage and offering premium housing with exemplary community facilities. Beaulieu residents Anastasia and Brad note: “As first-time buyers, Countryside really looked after us and made sure we were kept up to date throughout the whole buying process - we are so excited to be moving into our new home. Beaulieu caught our eye immediately with its fantastic array of amenities on site and beautiful surrounding parklands - we cannot wait to become a part of the friendly community here.”
- Set goals
A great tip is to have clear financial goals in mind, whether this be a monthly target or an overall aim for the total deposit you are hoping to save. This will help you track your saving efforts and is an excellent way to keep motivated. There are also apps which can help with this.
- Daily cutting
Making small changes to your daily spending will have a big impact on your deposit fund. Although it may seem miniscule, changes such as making lunch instead of buying a £3 sandwich everyday, limiting how many coffees you buy a week, walking instead of driving and minimising shopping sprees will accelerate your saving efforts dramatically.
Our Assisted Move scheme will help to eliminate the hassle and cost of moving. Once you’ve chosen your new Countryside home, our sales team will appoint and liaise with an estate agent for you and we could pay their fees.
For buyers fortunate to have family members that can financially assist them and rely on the Bank of Mum and Dad, we have a dedicated Deposit Assist scheme. If they gift you at least 5% of the property’s full purchase price we will gift them £2,000 as a thank you and we’ll give you an extra boost too, with £5,000 towards your moving costs (paid as an allowance upon legal completion).
- Consider other areas
When searching for a new home, don’t just look for properties in one specific area. Property prices and deposits differ from town to town, and properties in the home counties and further afield cost notoriously less than homes in cities. You may find you have enough savings to put a deposit down on a house in Essex, rather than an apartment in a city!
Cameron found that he could get more for his money by moving further afield when he purchased his new three-bedroom home at The Paddocks. He comments: “Originally I was looking slightly closer to my parents but realising how much more I could get for my money in the Braintree area, I decided to expand my search – I am so glad I did, The Paddocks is far superior to the other developments I had already seen.”
For a limited time only on selected homes, we will contribute up to £1,250 a month towards your mortgage for 12 months (paid as an allowance upon legal completion). An offer too good to miss!
Our mortgage subsidy incentive is available on homes throughout Essex, including at St Luke’s Park in Runwell, a charming development close to outstanding amenities, superb travel links and an abundance of green space. Finding their new home perfect for their growing family, Taylor and Emma were impressed by the idyllic parkland setting: ‘It felt like a private estate, I hadn’t seen anything else like it on the market. It was very peaceful and out of the way of the hustle and bustle of neighbouring towns and it had a family friendly feel to it.”
And when it came to their customer service experience, Taylor and Emma had nothing but wonderful things to say about their experience with Countryside: “The Sales team were lovely – they made the buying process a really enjoyable experience and significantly contributed to the positive feeling we got when we were looking around the development.”
For more information on the options available to help you purchase your Countryside property, please click here.
