Essential advice for home-buyers

FIRST-TIME buyers in Oldham are being urged to take up free advice on how to get on the housing ladder before Government funding is slashed.

A council-backed HomeBuy roadshow will be held in Albion Street, Oldham, on Friday, 11am-6pm.

The event is being hosted by Plumlife, the Government-appointed HomeBuy agency for Greater Manchester, as a final reminder to buyers that they should act now, before funding for the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) HomeBuy Direct scheme is reviewed in September.

HomeBuy Direct is an interest-free equity loan of up to 30 per cent of the total value of new-build homes. It is available on a wide range of prestigious developments across the region.

The loan is shared between the HCA and the house builder and can be used as a down-payment on a home purchase.

Working people with a household income of under £60,000 can apply.

The Plumlife roadshow, supported by both the HCA and Oldham Council, aims to raise awareness of the massive choice of homes available to buy now.

Along with Plumlife’s team of affordable-homes experts, developers will be there to explain how aspiring home-owners can take advantage of the scheme.

Free, impartial mortgage advice is also on offer from Mortgage Warehouse Corporation.

Plumlife deputy chief executive Matthew Harrison said: “Since its launch last spring, HomeBuy Direct has proved to be highly effective.

“It directly addresses the main issue facing most first-time buyers — the huge sum of money they need to put down as a deposit.

“This event will help to raise awareness of the scheme, allowing people to take advantage of the funding set aside for it until September.”

Councillor John McCann, cabinet member for regeneration and environment, said: “The roadshow offers a great opportunity for people in Oldham to find out about the whole range of opportunities available for low-cost home ownership.”

For information on affordable homes in the area, contact Plumlife on 0161-447 5050 or visit www.plumlife.co.uk