Laura and Alex were looking to put down some roots. After years of renting they wanted to try and secure a home of their own.

They had been looking on the open market for some time. However, soon found the properties available required a deposit far larger than they could afford. This was until they saw our new, shared ownership properties for sale on Granby Road in Buxton.

They registered through the Help to Buy website and were successful in their application.

The speed of the process caught the couple by surprise: “Everything went so smoothly, it was a matter of weeks from enquiring to reserving! We couldn’t believe it. We were really fortunate to be able to pick the right house off-plan.”

Laura and Alex were able to purchase a 25% share in their three-bedroom end terraced house in the heart of the Peak District.

The couple had heard negative things about shared ownership, but mainly from people who had not gone through the experience themselves. They thought the scheme was beneficial for them. They could’ve waited years to save a large enough deposit for a home. Now, they can jump on the property ladder and start building equity in the share they do own.

“We’d been renting for 12 years and living in a cold Victorian house with a back yard. This new build house feels spacious and we even have a lovely garden and countryside views.

“The street has a good vibe. It doesn’t feel claustrophobic. There’s a wide sweeping road running through the development with plenty of parking.”

Laura and Alex found the buying process simple and straightforward. They’d recommend shared ownership to other buyers looking to take their first steps onto the property ladder.