In helping first time buyers navigate the homebuying world and take a step on the property ladder, David Wilson Homes has revealed a handy guide for purchasing your first property at St Catherine’s Grange.

The Hazel Close development currently offers a selection of three and four bedroom homes perfect for those looking to purchase their first property.

For those looking to make a move sooner rather than later, the five star developer has revealed a list of handy tips to assist buyers in the process of buying a home.

Steve Barton, Senior Sales Manager at David Wilson Homes Mercia, said: “As a leading homebuilder, it’s important that we offer a helping hand to first time buyers and aid them wherever we can.

“St Catherine’s Grange is the perfect place for buyers to settle down with everything within walking distance. For commuters the nearby train station and M50 provide great links and for those who love the outdoors the Malvern Hills provides a range of scenic walks for the whole family.”

Save, save, save!

The first thing you should think about when buying your first home is saving up for the deposit. This is often considered a challenging part of buying your first home, but it doesn’t need to be.

First time buyers can use the new Help to Buy scheme on selected properties at the development which is exclusive to first time buyers only. There are also regional price caps which limit the price on Help to Buy homes, for Ledbury this is £255,600.

With Help to Buy, buyers are able to purchase a new home with just a 5% deposit and a 75% mortgage. The remaining 20% is funded by an equity loan, interest-free for the first five years and repayable on the sale on the home.

Focus on your finances

Keeping up with your finances is a great way to make sure the purchase of your first property runs smoothly. Before you apply for a mortgage, check your credit score to make sure you’re in a good position to buy.

First time buyers need to dig a little deeper to make sure their mortgage application is approved, so it’s useful to go back and check you’ve not missed any outstanding payments on things like phone bills, utility bills or credit card payments.

Patience is a virtue

Don’t rush into buying your first house or give up too easily if things are taking longer than you’d hoped. Buying your first property is an investment and not a decision to take lightly.

Take time to look at different properties and developments in the area and consider all of the outside factors, including local schools, open spaces and transport links.

The beauty of home buying means you can avoid wasting money whilst you rent a property, so take the time to make sure you’re buying the house that suits you best.

Plan for your dream home

Whether you were living with family or renting a property, you might not be used to the freedom of decorating your own home exactly the way you want to.

Start thinking about colour schemes and décor before you start shopping, as this will ensure you avoid purchasing a mismatch of furniture and paint.

For those interested in buying a property off-plan, David Wilson Homes also offers its Expressions range.

The collection allows buyers to choose from specific items for their home, including tiles, flooring and kitchen upgrades, ready for when you move in.

Take advantage of advice and offers

When buying a newly built property, you have the added bonus of expert advice and guidance from the sales team at St Catherine’s Grange.

When you purchase your property, the experienced Sales Advisers at the development will recommend an independent mortgage adviser and solicitor to help give you the smoothest move possible.