A Home Of Your Own For £56,000, Thanks To Innovative Scheme
The first property to be purchased and refurbished via an innovative scheme to support first-time buyers, boost the housing market and deal with the issue of empty homes is now on the market.
First time buyers have the chance to snap up the lovely home in Doddington Place, Trallwyn, for less than £57,000 thanks to Homestep Plus.
Rhondda Cynon Taf Council and Caerphilly-based housing association United Welsh are working together to deliver the Homestep Plus scheme with funding from the Welsh Government’s Vibrant and Viable Places programme.
The scheme enables United Welsh to identify and buy empty properties in the CF37 postcode area and to refurbish them before offering them for sale at 70 per cent of the asking price.
Alternatively, you can identify your own property, which United Welsh will purchase on your behalf and sell on to you at the discounted price. The property will just need to meet the set criteria, which one of our team can discuss with you.
All you need to do to take advantage of the exciting new initiative is ensure you are signed up to the Homestep Mailing list, where you’ll be made aware of an available properties. It is free to join and means you get the latest news and offers from the housing team on affordable housing options – and can apply for properties you are interested in. Or, speak to one of our team if you have a property in mind or would like some more information on the scheme. We can be contacted on 01443 425395.
The scheme aims to help people get on to the property ladder at a time when it is difficult to do so and also to continue to boost the local housing market and associated economy.
Homestep Plus is part of a wide portfolio of housing initiatives which also include partnerships with housing developers to offer low cost home ownership options on new build homes, as well as initiatives to create energy efficient homes, cut fuel poverty and ensure rented accommodation and homes of multiple occupation are of the standards tenants expect and deserve.
Cllr Keiron Montague, Rhondda Cynon Taf Council’s Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Tackling Poverty, Engagement and Housing said: “We worked hard to secure investment via the Welsh Government’s Viable and Vibrant funding programme, which is concentrated on the CF37 area.
“This funding has allowed us to plan and deliver a number of schemes which aim to improve the housing market and the housing stock and provide all-important opportunities for residents to secure the properties they want.
“This exciting scheme is important because the properties will be refurbished to a high standard by United Welsh where required, which means first time buyers can buy properties at a discounted, affordable price and be reassured they have been checked to national standards.
“It also means that properties which have remained empty for long periods of time are being given new leases of life and refurbished to a high standard.”
Michelle Collins, Leasehold Manager for United Welsh said: “This project will make a real difference in helping local people to stay local, increasing the number of high quality homes available to rent or buy.
“Empty homes are a wasted resource and this latest initiative will go some way to remedy that whilst helping people get their first step on the property ladder.”
Are there any restrictions?
To be able to apply for Homestep Plus you must:
- Be intereseted in a property in the CF37 area
- Be a first time buyer (although the Council will also accept previous home owners who have gone through a relationship breakdown)
- Be over 18 years of age
- Be a UK passport holder or have Indefinite Leave to Remain in the UK
- Be unable to afford to purchase the property at full market value
- Be able to raise a mortgage with a suitable mortgage lender (usually with a deposit)
- Have access to enough savings to cover the costs of buying a home at 70% of market value, such as solicitors, mortgage and survey fees
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