More than 100 people attended Barratt North London’s recent HomeBuy Show, held at the Ramada Jarvis Hotel in Watford.

The show was a one-stop shop, with representatives from Barratt and Lea Valley Homes, plus solicitors and financial advisors, all on hand providing advice and information on the various ways to buy a new home in the area. It aimed to give the housing market a timely kick-start.

One of the buying schemes that proved particularly popular with buyers at the show is the Government-backed HomeBuy Direct scheme, which gives purchasers the chance to move in to a new home for only 70 per cent of the purchase price.

Barratt will match the Government’s funding pound for pound in the new venture to provide an equity loan to the homebuyer of up to 30 per cent. The buyer finances the remaining 70 per cent either through a mortgage, a deposit or a combination of the two. There is no interest to pay on the equity stake for the first five years, although a small fee will be charged from year six onwards.

Danielle Preston, 26, and her partner Nicholas Lewis, 31, attended the show and has since reserved an apartment at Barratt’s Symonds Park development in Watford.

She said: “I was already registered for HomeBuy Direct with Lea Valley Homes and they sent me a leaflet about the show. I decided to go along and was so pleased I did; I was given some great advice and decided to reserve a two-bedroom apartment at Symonds Park in Watford that very week.”

Laura Armstrong and partner Paul Allen also attended the show and reserved a two-bedroom apartment at Symonds Park. Laura said: “As first time buyers we felt we were priced out of the property market; we just didn’t know how we were going to get a foot on the property ladder. We’d heard about the HomeBuy Direct scheme, but weren’t sure where to start. We had so many questions to ask, so as soon as Barratt invited us to the show, we jumped at the chance.”

Laura added: “It was extremely helpful speaking with all the advisors and the mortgage assessors. Based on the information we received, we reserved our first home at Symonds Park the next day. We’ve also just had some excellent news, confirming we’ve been accepted for the HomeBuy Direct scheme.”

Glyn Hopping, managing director at Barratt North London, said: “The HomeBuy Direct scheme presents a great opportunity for buyers but it won’t always be available; we can only offer it on a selected number of homes. I would encourage anyone interested to seize the day.”

Lea Valley Homes, the Government- appointed HomeBuy Agent for Hertfordshire and part of the Aldwyck Housing Group, was delighted to work with Barratt at its open day in Watford.

Rose Crossman, sales and marketing manager said: “Barratt brought together all the experts who would be involved in the purchase a new home. The day was extremely successful with lots of first time buyers keen to learn how they can purchase a home through the HomeBuy Direct scheme with Barratt and ourselves.”

For further information on HomeBuy Direct, any other incentive schemes, or individual developments, please call the sales hotline on 01923 297311 or visit the website: www.barratthomes.co.uk