In today's tough housing market, it is often the array of incentive schemes offered by housebuilders on brand new properties that can make the difference between dreaming of moving home and actually being able to do so. Taylor Wimpey is active all over Britain and its range of deals to help would-be homebuyers is greater than most. Its part exchange option was the clincher for Stephen and Lisa Moore at Dukes Park in Cambourne.
In fact, the couple were still engaged when they started looking for a new home and only reserved their property off-plan just a few weeks before they tied the knot. They were already living in a one-bedroom terraced house and felt that it could take months to sell their property on the open market, before they saw a three-bedroom home at Dukes Park that they really wanted and found out about the part exchange deal.
"Our house had been on the market for about a month and we hadn't received much interest," says optician Stephen. "We were also aware that some of our neighbours' houses had taken a very long time to sell.
"We had wanted to move for a while, but we thought it would be impossible until after the wedding because of our financial circumstances - then we visited the Dukes Park development of properties in Cambourne. The sales executive explained all the different ways that Taylor Wimpey could help us step up the property ladder. It all sounded great and even though our wedding day was fast approaching, we decided to go ahead."
Under the part exchange deal, Taylor Wimpey offers the customer a price for their existing home based on at least two valuations from reputable local agents. If agreed, the housebuilder then acts as a cash buyer for the home and the customer can stay in it until their brand new home is ready. All estate agents' fees are taken care of by Taylor Wimpey.
Stephen adds: "Taylor Wimpey arranged for a surveyor to evaluate our house, when they said some work would need to be completed before it could be sold, they gave us a quote that was considerably cheaper than using an independent tradesman. Thankfully, everything had gone so smoothly with Taylor Wimpey that we were able to relax and enjoy the wedding."
Purchasing off-plan also gave the couple the opportunity to personalise their home from Taylor Wimpey's Options list. "We've chosen exactly how we want it to look - from the kitchen to the flooring and lots of additional extras," says Stephen.
The couple are delighted with their choice of new home: "One of the things that most attracted us to Dukes Park is how quiet and safe it is in Cambourne. There's very little traffic and lots of open space, so it is an exceptional place for us to begin our married life together and to start a family."
House-hunters interested in joining Stephen and Lisa at Dukes Park can visit the development in person, from 10.00am to 5.00pm daily, or call 01954 750024 to find out more about part exchange or the NewBuy mortgage assistance scheme.