Move to Yorkshire for Christmas

Picture this: it’s Christmas morning. The smell of pine needles fills the air, carols are playing softly, and the family is gathered. Now, imagine all of this happening in a brand-new home. Well, that dream could become a reality this year. The housebuilder Bellway announced on Friday 12th September that it’s giving homebuyers a pretty big helping hand to get them moved in to houses in Teeside before the festive season kicks off. It's all part of a plan called the ‘Countdown to Christmas’ campaign, which offers some serious perks on selected new homes.

The company is putting forward incentives worth up to £15,000 to help people make the move. This isn't just a small discount; it's a significant amount of cash that can make all the difference, especially for first-time buyers trying to get on the property ladder. The offer is available at two key Bellway developments in the area: Hartwell Park in Hartlepool and Regency Manor in Wynyard. It’s a limited-time deal, running until the end of October, aimed at getting families into warm, energy-efficient homes just in time to hang the stockings.

What's the deal with Bellway's Countdown to Christmas?

So, what’s the story? Bellway, a housebuilder that started as a small family business in Newcastle upon Tyne back in 1946, has launched this nationwide campaign to make moving home before the end of the year more affordable. The main headline is the £15,000 support package, a bit of financial breathing room that can be a game-changer when buying a house.

Christie Edge, who is the Head of Sales for Bellway Durham, explained the thinking behind it. “We’re approaching the time of year when thoughts turn to Christmas and for many people, this is the ideal time to move into a brand-new home. This means they can celebrate the festive season in fresh surroundings, hosting in a new home, while saving money on their energy bills during the winter months.” It makes sense. A new home is often much more energy-efficient, which means lower heating bills when it’s freezing outside. This is a key part of the company's wider sustainability strategy, which includes ambitious carbon reduction targets.

The whole point of the Countdown to Christmas initiative is to give homebuyers a bit of extra help. And it’s designed to be really flexible, so people can choose what works best for their situation.

So, how can people use the extra cash?

This isn't a one-size-fits-all deal. Bellway knows that different people need different kinds of help. The financial help is designed to be tailored to what a buyer actually needs. Some people might be worried about the upfront costs, while others might be thinking about how to furnish their new place. The incentives can be used in a few different ways:

• Stamp Duty: This is a tax paid when buying a property. The £15,000 could cover some or all of this, which is a massive weight off anyone's shoulders.
• Deposit Contribution: For many, especially first-time buyers, saving up for a big deposit is the hardest part. This offer can boost their savings, making it easier to get a mortgage. A solid deposit contribution can open a lot of doors.
• Home Extras: Maybe the deposit is sorted, but the house needs kitting out. The money could be spent on things like flooring, carpets, fitted wardrobes, or even upgraded kitchen appliances. This saves people from having to spend thousands after they’ve already moved in.

Christie Edge added,

“The offer has been designed to be flexible, so customers can put the money towards Stamp Duty, receive a deposit contribution, or they could even spend it on added extras for their homes, such as flooring or fitted wardrobes. We know that this level of financial help can make a real difference to people who are looking to buy a home, especially for first-time buyers.”

A real-life story: Natalie Goodall and Will Coan

It’s one thing to hear about an offer, but it’s another to see how it works in the real world. A couple, Natalie Goodall and Will Coan, recently used a similar Bellway deal to get into their new home, and it made a huge impact. They are a great example of how these incentives can turn a stressful process into an exciting one.

Natalie explained just how vital the help was.

“If it hadn’t been for this helping hand, I don’t think we could have bought the house. We used some of the incentive to have flooring and carpet put down, to upgrade all the appliances, have spotlights installed in the living area and to have fitted wardrobes in both bedrooms. With all the money this has saved us, we have been able to buy all new furniture for the whole house.”

“We even had enough money to put some away to help pay the mortgage for the first few months. It really took the pressure off us in the initial stages of owning our own place and having to pay for it.”

Their story shows that the support goes beyond just buying the house; it helps set people up for success as homeowners.

Why a new build makes the move easier

One of the biggest headaches when moving house is the dreaded property chain. This is when the person someone is buying from is also buying from someone else, and so on. If one person pulls out, the whole chain can collapse. It’s stressful and can take ages. Buying a new build from a developer like Bellway often cuts this out entirely. There’s no chain, which means the move can be much quicker and smoother.

Christie Edge noted:

“For anyone looking to move before the end of the year, purchasing a new home is the most straightforward way to do so. There are no lengthy chains, so you could move in as little as six weeks.”

A six-week turnaround could easily see someone settled in their new home at Hartwell Park well before Christmas.

A bit about Bellway

For those wondering about the company behind the offer, Bellway has been around for a while. Starting in the North East in 1946, it’s now a major housebuilder across England, Scotland, and Wales. It’s also recognised for its quality, having been awarded 5 star builder status by the Home Builders Federation for nine years in a row. This rating comes from customer satisfaction surveys, where nine out of ten customers say they’d recommend Bellway to a friend. The Countdown to Christmas campaign is running at over 200 Bellway developments, showing just how widespread this opportunity is. For those in Teesside, it's a chance to get a new home for the holidays with a significant bit of help.