HOMEBUYING OPTIONS
HOMES AVAILABLE ON THE MARKET
MILTON, OXFORDSHIRE The Canopies
DARWEN, LANCASHIRE Tower Gardens
Greencore Homes is offering a collection of 42 homes set within a landscape-led development. Surrounded by mature trees and natural greenery, the homes include one, two, three and four bedroom houses and apartments. With 27 homes currently available for private sale, there are additional purchase options, including Shared Ownership and First Homes to be released later in the year. As an award-winning sustainable housebuilder, Greencore Homes has designed these properties as Better Than Net Zero, with a strong focus on promoting low carbon living and healthy environments. greencorehomes.co.uk/our-homes/the- canopies 01865 110 044 First Homes is offered on newly built homes from developers and pre-owned properties previously bought through the scheme, with every home sold, including houses and apartments, valued by an independent surveyor to make sure the reduction is based on actual market value. Homes cannot cost more than £250,000 (£420,000 in London) after the discount has been applied. To qualify, buyers must meet specific criteria, including income and residency requirements, and properties can only be sold at the same discount percentage, maintaining affordability for future buyers. DEPOSIT UNLOCK Deposit Unlock is a scheme devised by the housebuilding industry, in collaboration with mortgage lenders, enabling buyers to purchase a new build home with just a 5% deposit. Available on a wide range of UK new build properties, up to £833,250, it is a solution offered to give more people the opportunity to buy their own home, and own 100% of the property. Buyers benefit from an insurance- backed guarantee, allowing them to access competitive mortgages rates from
Elan Homes is offering two, three and four bedroom homes at Tower Gardens, with a 5% deposit boost available on selected properties. With a range of plots and property styles available, the development – conveniently located between Darwen and Blackburn – has broad appeal. Lower Darwen Primary School is close by, making it an ideal base for raising a family, and there are plenty of opportunities to explore the outdoors nearby, including Bold Venture Park and Jubilee Tower, which inspired the development name. elan-homes.co.uk/developments/tower- gardens 0845 528 0789 participating bank lenders. There are currently only a few mortgage providers that will offer mortgages to people buying through the Deposit Unlock scheme and first time buyers should speak to an independent financial adviser. So far, 2026 is treating first time buyers well – lenders are offering competitive mortgages again, Government schemes are plentiful, and developers have added incentives to help seal the deal. Whatever path you choose to homeownership, sharetobuy.com is a great place to start. Check what schemes you are eligible for and look to see which developments are offering them. Finally, if you have seen a development you like, be proactive. Make an appointment to see the sales team and register your interest, even if you aren’t 100% sure you have saved enough of a deposit! Talk to an independent financial adviser who will be able to tell you what you can afford – it may be better than you expect. Worst case, you still have some saving to do but have a better understanding of what is needed and the timescales involved. Close, but not quite there? Don’t be afraid to make an offer on the advertised price – they can only say no!
THEALE, READING Herons Lake
Abri Homes is offering this collection of 48 modern two, three and four bedroom homes within a stunning waterfront development in the village of Theale. All homes bene t from plenty of natural light and have a parking space included. With Reading just a 15-minute drive away and parks and waterside walks on the doorstep, Herons Lake brings a perfect balance of village calm and city connections. abrihomes.co.uk/properties/heronslake 0800 145 6663
*Based on a 40% share of the full market value of £310,000
new home typically set at 80% of the local market rate, with a fixed rate of inflation. The scheme, primarily aimed at first time buyers, has eligibility criteria stipulating that applicants must be part of a working household and have a good credit history. Individual housing associations may also have their own criteria. A savings plan will be put in place to help tenants raise a sufficient deposit to purchase the home, or another property, in the future. Tenants are able to make an offer to buy the property on a Shared Ownership basis at any time, assuming they are still eligible for the scheme.The housing provider will also offer tenants regular progress reviews, and the savings period can also be extended if a bit more time is needed.
FIRST HOMES
The First Homes discount scheme is a Government-backed initiative to help first time buyers purchase a home for less than the market price. Available to local residents and key workers, ensuring that people who already live in the area benefit from the scheme, discounted properties are offered with a discount of at least 30% to 50% of the property’s market value.
First Time Buyer April/May 2026 23
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