Fortuna opens days a big success with buyers
OUR shared ownership open days in Cirencester town centre were a
big hit with first-time buyers who can't afford to buy on the open
market.
They packed the Silver Street office of leading local estate
agents Perry Bishop & Chambers at the weekend and were eager to
find out more about Bromford's part buy-part rent scheme and our
successful Fortuna development.
With 76 shared ownership buyers already moved
in at Fortuna, the weekend ended with another two reservations and
three holding reservations.
Those sales figures speak for themselves, according to Trish
Foster, Head of Sales (South) for Bromford Homes, who described the
open days as a great success. "It won't be long before shared
ownership sales at Fortuna hit the 80 milestone," says Trish.
"Shared ownership clearly meets a real need among local
first-time buyers and, with prices that start as low as £37,500*
for a two-bed apartment and deposits as little as £1,875*, you can
understand why. The principle is simple enough − instead of
buying your home outright, you buy between 25% and 75% and pay low
rent on the remaining share.
"But we know from experience that people have lots of questions
to ask − and that's why we organised these special open days
right in the heart of Cirencester's busy shopping streets. It gave
other first-time buyers the chance to drop in and ask as many
questions as they liked − and we're delighted that so many
people took up the opportunity. It was such a success that we will
probably do it again."

Answering those questions, supported by the team at Perry
Bishop, was Fortuna Sales Consultant Kirsty Darby. "The response
was brilliant, absolutely brilliant," says Kirsty, who signed up
two reservations on the Saturday and is confident that more will
follow.
"Buying your first home is such a big step and we know that in
an area like Cirencester it's particularly hard for first-time
buyers because property prices are relatively high and average
earnings are relatively low. Many people tell us that they are
unable to buy on the open market and even those on relatively good
incomes say they might have to save for ten years or more to save
the kind of deposits that lenders now expect.
"We know from experience that shared ownership can make a real
difference for people who often feel that they are stuck in private
rented housing. The part buy-part rent approach means that their
deposit is generally much lower and the total monthly costs are
truly affordable."
Bromford's Fortuna showhome is open Thursday-Monday 11am-4pm. Find
out more on Facebook and get in touch by following us on Twitter
@BromfordHomes. You can also call on 01285 640837.
*£37,500 represents a 25% share of a two-bed Fortuna apartment
with a full market value of £150,000. A 5% deposit on that share
would be £1,875.
10 April 2013