Rhos-on-Sea couple given help to buy first home

Sep 4 2008 by Richard Evans, North Wales Weekly News

A YOUNG couple have beat the credit crunch and bought their first home in Rhos-on-Sea thanks to a new scheme.

The First Steps scheme is designed to help first-time buyers like Alec Roberts and Jade Maitland, both 20, get a foothold on the first rung of the property ladder.

The partnership between Conwy County Council and Macbryde Homes enabled the pair to buy a new two-bedroom house they wouldn’t have otherwise been able to afford.

The couple bought the townhouse at Fairways Park for £95,000 instead of £149,995 on the open market.

Alec and Jade were thrilled when they moved in, especially as they thought a home of their own was out of their financial reach.

The couple had been living with Jade’s mum and in a rented flat until their dream came true.

BT electrician Alec said he was delighted with their new home.

“It’s very hard. I didn’t think we’d actually get a house until I was about 30,” he said. “Luckily, we heard about First Steps and we managed to scrape enough money together to get this one. We were desperate to find our first proper home together and were very lucky to get it.

“This was one of several schemes being offered but this suited. We have had an interest- free loan from the council. When we come to sell it we have to give 30% back to the council. It’s like a second mortgage from them.”

Jade has taken a year out of her business degree course and is working as a shop assistant to raise extra funds towards setting up their home.

“It’s very important for us to have a proper home for just the two of us,” she said. “We wouldn’t have had a hope if it wasn’t for the First Steps scheme. Our basic mortgage repayment is £455 a month which is a lot cheaper than renting.”

Caryl Hughes, from Macbryde Homes added: “Because of the huge rise in house prices and the subsequent credit crunch, many would-be first-time buyers, especially young people, are losing hope of ever owning their own homes but First Steps offers a new route onto the property ladder.”

For more information about the First Steps scheme contact Macbryde Homes on 01745 536677 or Conwy County Council on 01492 575983.

richard.evans