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Move Made Easy with Shared Equity

Neill and Alison in their new Thomas Mitchell Home

Easy, straightforward and first class service – that’s the verdict of first time buyers Neill McLeman and Alison McManus on Thomas Mitchell Homes shared equity plan.

The couple from Mid Calder recently moved into their beautiful two bedroom ‘Hazel’ apartment at stylish Liberty Gardens, Wester Inch near Bathgate, a move made possible by Thomas Mitchell Homes’ Shared Equity Scheme.

“We absolutely love the place, and there’s no way we would have been able to buy it without the Shared Equity Scheme,” said police officer Neill. “The service has been fantastic and the whole process has been really easy.”

Recommended by a family friend, Neill and Alison first visited Liberty Gardens in March of 2009, and met with Thomas Mitchell Homes Sales Negotiator Trisha Shaw. The location was ideal – with easy access to the M8 for Neill’s work in Livingston and for Alison, an ecologist with SEPA in East Kilbride. The design and finish of the apartment was just what they wanted. And, crucially for Neill and Alison, Thomas Mitchell Homes were offering a shared equity purchase plan.

“This made a massive difference” explained Neill. “We had looked into the government shared equity scheme, but our salaries were just over the threshold so we didn’t qualify.”

“There’s no way we would have been able to save enough to buy the apartment otherwise, and it also meant what money we did have put aside we could use for solicitors fees, furniture and all the things we needed for our first home.”

“The process was very straightforward. Our Sales Negotiator Trisha put us onto a conveyancing firm, who again were excellent and very straightforward, and they in turn put us onto a solicitor.”

Within a couple of months Neill and Alison had secured a mortgage, the shared equity plan was in place and their Hazel style apartment was undergoing its finishing touches, ready for their moving in on the 3rd of July.

“As with any new home, there was a wee bit of snagging, but Paul the site manager was absolutely brilliant and got everything sorted out. Nothing was drawn out or painful, and everyone has been really helpful and friendly throughout. The service has really been first class.”

Thomas Mitchell Homes offers Shared Equity Purchase on selected plots at developments throughout central Scotland. The plan allows buyers to move in for just 80% of the purchase price, with Thomas Mitchell Homes retaining a 20% equity share of the property to be recovered whenever the buyer decides to sell on, buy back the 20% or after ten years, whichever comes first.

Alternatively, buyers may be able to take advantage of Thomas Mitchell Homes’ Part Exchange scheme, Assisted Move, or other incentives. To find out more about availability and to discuss which package would suit you, speak to any of our trained Sales Negotiators on site, or call Head Office on telephone 01592 774401.