“I had seen a number of flats, although I knew you shouldn’t set your heart on anything before you’ve received your mortgage offer. When I saw this flat, I knew it was the best one I’d seen. I just didn’t expect it to still be available by the time I was ready to put in an offer,” says Daniel.

Luck was on his side, however, and he was able to make an offer on his first choice flat at the end of October 2006. He moved into his new home in January this year. “It’s a larger than average size, is on a quiet street and is in the right location for me to get to work easily.”

Another plus for Daniel was that he didn’t need to do anything but move in his belongings. “It had been nicely kept by the previous owner, who had spent money on the kitchen, bathroom and fitted bedroom furniture.”

Born and raised in St Albans, Daniel moved away to study and travel, but always saw himself returning to settle in Hertfordshire. He also knew living in pricey St Albans would prove to be a challenge. He accepted a good job offer to teach at a primary school in Abbotts Langley, and started putting plans in place for a return to his home town.

“I had known for some time there were schemes available for key workers and started to investigate the options. I decided the flexibility of the Open Market HomeBuy scheme was the best for me.”

Having already applied under the previous Open Market scheme, Daniel was one of the early applicants to Lea Valley Homes, the Hertfordshire HomeBuy agent, for the new Extended Open Markey HomeBuy product launched in October 2006. As soon as he found out his application had been accepted under the new scheme, he began his research.

“The first time buyer market is so competitive, I felt I had to know what would be a good buy. I got to know the areas of St Albans I preferred and what was available.”

Daniel had spoken to an Independent Financial Adviser from Sherwins at the 2006 Hert New Home Show, hosted by Lea Valley Homes. When considering his options under the new scheme with Sherwins, it was Advantage that offered the best mortgage deal.

Within a short time of receiving his HomeBuy offer, he had made the offer on his favourite flat. “The offer was accepted on my birthday, which made for a really big celebration that night!”

Now settled in his new home, Daniel has adjusted to his new financial commitments and sees himself staying there for the immediate future

His advice to people who are trying to buy their own home is to do your research, read all the detail carefully, get a solicitor who is familiar with HomeBuy schemes and be patient: “There are a lot of different parties involved and it does take time, but the scheme is so beneficial, it’s all worth it in the end.

“I’m delighted to have the flat and to have had the assistance through HomeBuy because it’s simply not possible for teachers like myself to get on the housing ladder without it.”

June 2007