Each of these new homes in Scotland is part of Robertson Homes’ Boutique range of luxury homes, which are designed with a high specification that encompasses fitted kitchens with integrated appliances, built-in wardrobes to bedrooms, en suite shower rooms, turf to the front and rear gardens and private garages. Buyers will also find studies, utility rooms, family rooms, and Jack & Jill en suites to secondary bedrooms in a number of the house designs on offer at Westercraigs.

The 'Savannah' is just one of the luxury house types on offer at Westercraigs

“We have experienced a high level of footfall to the development since Phase Four of Westercraigs was launched in the middle of March,” says Melissa Burns, sales and marketing manager at Robertson Homes. “These detached family homes offer the best of rural tranquility while remaining conveniently close to the city centre.”

This rural lifestyle is within easy reach of Inverness city centre, on a 120-acre site to the west of the city. The development boasts superb views of the surounding landscape and provides a peaceful environment for those living there to enjoy.

“Our Westercraigs development is perfect for those who enjoy getting out and enjoying the Highlands,” adds Melissa. “Minutes’ walk from the Caledonian Canal, the estate sits at the gateway to the Great Glen Way and is just a few miles from Loch Ness.”

This picturesque development also contains a selection of refurbished apartments in addition to these new-build family homes. Prices at Westercraigs start from £163,995 and there are a number of offers and incentives from Robertson Homes on selected plots at this scheme. The marketing suite is open from 10.30am to 5.30pm, Thursday to Monday.

by Maria Brett

One luxury 5-bed home at King's Park has just been reduced by £16,000 by Robertson Homes

Many homebuyers will be interested in the 12-month mortgage-free deal available on selected houses for sale at the following developments:

• King’s Park in Ayr
• The Oaks at Summerpark in Dumfries
• Fisher Grange in Kilmarnock
• Colville Gardens in Motherwell
• Brannock Park in New Stevenston

Subject to terms and conditions, those reserving one of the eligible homes before the end of January will enjoy twelve months without paying their mortgage. Reserving a home now costs only £99. Furthermore, some homebuyers will also get £1,000 cashback and have floor coverings for their home included in the base price.

“The beginning of a new year is the perfect time to buy a new home,” says Melissa Burns, Robertson Homes sales manager. “What’s more, after the expense of Christmas, it’s the ideal time to be safe in the knowledge there will be no mortgage payments to make for twelve whole months.”

The company has also reduced the price of some homes at its developments to entice buyers to make a move early in 2012. At The Oaks at Summerpark in Dumfries, it has reduced the price of a four-bedroom detached home with garden room from £232,995 to £209,995. At King’s Park in Ayr,a five-bedroom home has recently been discounted from £265,995 to £249,995.

Melissa adds: “These offers are for a limited time only, and are available on selected homes, so we are encouraging interested house buyers to take note of these opportunities. They simply are too good to miss. Across all our developments, we offer luxurious living in enviable locations. What could be a better start to the new year than having a new home for all the family to enjoy?”

by Keith Osborne

The 'Dijon' 4-bed home is one of the remaining properties at Westfields where buyers can benefit from Robertson Homes' array of pre-Christmas incentives

“Winter is approaching but there is still time to buy a new home and move in before the festive period,” says Andrea Joyce, sales and marketing director for Robertson Homes. “To celebrate this, we are even giving our customers a free Christmas tree when they move in, so they have one less thing to worry about. At Robertson Homes we have so many great incentives on offer so our customers can move up the property ladder with ease, safe in the knowledge they will be in a brand new home this Christmas. As a bonus, we are offering £1,000 cashback for entry in December, an ideal time to receive a windfall.”

The four-bedroom homes remaining for sale at Westfields are priced from £249,995, which includes floor coverings throughout and landscaped gardens. They make an ideal property for families as they are not only spacious and beautifully finished, but also close to local schools and amenities.

For example, the Moray Leisure Centre and Elgin Health Centre are both useful facilities within just a few minutes’ walk of the development. Shops and transport links are also close by, including the A96 and regular commuter rail services from Elgin station to Aberdeen and Inverness. Prospective homebuyers can visit the marketing suite at Westfields from Friday to Sunday, 10.30am to 5.30pm.

“We are asking all interested housebuyers to take note of the opportunities at Westfields,” says Andrea. “In Elgin we offer luxurious living in an enviable location with some excellent benefits to make buying a new home as stress-free as possible. A family Christmas in a brand new home is a special experience. We take pride in every detail. From the architect designed features throughout every home, to the large living spaces we create. Also, by installing large windows, we’ll make sure there’s always lots of light. Our aim is to tick all the big boxes, as well as all the little ones.”

Robertson Homes is one of the largest providers of new homes in Scotland, with a diverse portfolio of developments acrosss the country including at:

• Ayr (Kings Park);
• Dumfries (The Oaks at Summerpark);
• Inverness (Gleann Mor House and Westercraigs);
• Kilmarnock (Fisher Grange);
• Motherwell (Colville Gardens);
• New Stevenson (Brannock Park).

by What New Homes team

Judges Janet Dykes (left) and Doreen Smith (right) flank Melissa Robertson and Andrea Joyce of Robertson Homes with their coveted award for the show home at Kings Park in Ayr

“We are absolutely thrilled to have won such a well-respected award,” says Andrea Joyce, the Robertson Homes sales and marketing director. “The Herald judges have a thorough understanding of the property market and we are honoured the ‘Azure Grand’ show home has won this fantastic accolade. A lot of hard work and dedication goes into completing our show homes to the highest possible standards.”

She adds: “These houses are what our customers fall in love with and it’s important we convince buyers to purchase a home from us, especially when we are selling from plan. When we secured sales at Kings Park within a week of our show home opening, we knew we were on the right track, but winning the best luxury show home award has been the icing on the cake.”

The standard four-bedroom ‘Azure’ home type is a detached family property. It features an open-plan kitchen/dining room and separate lounge, four bedrooms and a family bathroom. Buyers have the option to add a garden room or a Dream Room in the loft — or both in the larger ‘Azure Grand’ property type. The current range of homes at Kings Park are priced from £119,995, with a marketing suite and show home open from 10.30am to 5.30pm, Thursday to Monday.

The development benefits from a central location in Ayr that brings local shops, schools and amenities within easy reach. It’s also just a short journey to the town’s rail station and Prestwick Airport and a number of well-known golf courses. Walkers and cyclists will be delighted with the terrain of the Ayrshire beaches and countryside.

by What New Homes team

At Mactaggart & Mickel Homes’ The Rise development in the Weir’s appealing home town of Largs on the north Ayrshire coast, prices for a three-bedroom home start at £186,911 up-front, thanks to the company’s Homebuyer Plan, an 85%/15% shared equity scheme. With the same assistance scheme, a four-bedroom detached villa requires an up-front payment of £212,496. The site is just north of the town centre, which is about an hour from Glasgow.

The master bedroom at the 'Arran' 4-bed show home at Mactaggart & Mickel Homes' Marr Meadows in Troon

The four-bedroom ‘Earn’ home costs just £232,811 initially with the Homebuyer Plan at Marr Meadows in Troon. It has a generous plot, granting the kids plenty of room to play securely in the back garden. The development will comprise a total of 64 two-, three-, four- and five-bedroom properties and is an ideal location for family buyers. Apart from the good local schools and handy local amenities, the development is not far from Troon’s sandy beach and the verdant Ayrshire countryside. Nearby is the world-famous championship golf course and a wealth of interesting historical sites.

Inland in Kilmarnock, there are just a few homes remaining for sale at Robertson Homes’ Fisher Grange development. The largest is a five-bedroom ‘Barcelona’ home with a double garage, which is currently priced at £299,995. It boasts an open-plan kitchen/family room, dining room, living room, study and cloakroom downstairs, while upstairs, the master bedroom has an en suite shower room and the added luxury of a dressing room. The second and third bedrooms share ‘jack and jill’ en suite facilities and there are two more bedrooms along with a family bathroom.

The 'Ivory' home with 'Dream Room' costs £269,995 at Robertson Homes' King's Park development in Ayr

At Robertson Homes‘ King’s Park scheme in Ayr, the ‘Ivory’ house type with ‘Dream Room’ costs £269,995. The four-bedroom property is part of the housebuilder’s Boutique Collection. The ‘Dream Room’ is on the second floor and the buyer decides what function it performs, as it will be tailored to one of five designs: home office, studio, den, play room or even a spacious extra bedroom.

With a larger budget, it’s possible for house hunters to find a property with a real ‘wow factor’. For example, the Coodham Estate in Symington is an exclusive conversion of historic Coodham House. There are just six luxury apartments and three houses on the scheme. At the time of writing, just three properties remain unsold, with price tags ranging from £324,000 to £652,500. The ‘West Wing’ house boasts a pillared entrance, marble floor in its entrance hall and four en-suite bedrooms. Accommodation stretches over 3,000 sq ft including a mezzanine level in the living area.

There’s a five-bedroom house at the luxury Ballochmyle development in Mauchline with equally grand aspirations. Developer Ardgowan Homes is looking for offers in the region of £715,000 for this magnificent home, where meticulous attention to detail and the highest standards of construction and fittings are in evidence everywhere. The house boasts a designer kitchen and bathrooms, underfloor heating, high ceilings and a generous plot of land.

by Keith Osborne

“We are delighted to see such an up-lift in sales,” says Sales and Marketing Director of Robertson Homes, Andrea Joyce. “Over the past few months we have spent time listening to customers concerns and have responded by developing a variety of packages and incentives to make moving to a new home easier for a range of people. A Robertson home, whether from our International or Boutique range, offers plenty of space and represents quality and value for money.”

Robertson Homes saw an unexpected surge in sales across Scotland, including at its Westercraigs development in Inverness

With 14 current developments in North and Central Scotland, and six more coming on line soon, buyers have a huge choice of location and house type with Robertson Homes’ portfolio. The International range includes two-bedroom starter homes right up to five-bedroom family houses; the Boutique Collection, created with award-winning interior designer Amanda Rosa, are even more luxurious properties that can be modified with tailored packages to make a truly individual home. Among the most successful developments over the period in question were Kings Park in Ayr, where a flurry of sale followed the unveiling of a new show home, and Westercraigs in Inverness.

An 80%/20% shared equity scheme on selected plots at Robertson Homes developments has proven popular with many first-time buyers, who have also responded positively to the company’s “Your Dream Home Is Within Reach” initiave, where they can benefit from five per cent deposit paid, no Stamp Duty to pay, plus floor coverings and landscaped gardens.

A host of incentives exist for homeowners looking to upgrade to a new-build Robertson home, including a one-year mortgage-free offer, part exchange scheme, Easy Move removals programme, or having deposit matched or Stamp Duty paid.

by Keith Osborne

The 'Oslo' 3-bed semi-detached is the entry-level property at the development, priced from £148,995

The Tuscan Grand show house is the top-of-the-range model at the scheme and will really show visitors what their options are at Brannock Park. The Boutique Collection allows homebuyers to customise many elements of their new home before they move in. Once they find a property they love, they can select from a wide range of extras such as signature carpets, blinds and curtains, a hi-tech home cinema system or even paving and decking to their garden. The home designs also offer a garden room – a delightful, light area that provides an ideal haven on a sunny day – and a choice of five options for customising the loft space, converting it to an extra bedroom, games room, den, studio or home office. Prices start at £148,995 for a three-bedroom house, and from £210,995 for a four-bedroom home.

Brannock Park is two miles east of Motherwell, an ideal location for commuting to Glasgow or Edinburgh thanks to its proximity to the M8 motorway. At nearby Carfin, the station also provides a link to both cities. It’s also close to the M74, the fast road link to England.

Amanda Rosa, best-known for her award-winning interior design work for the likes of Malmaison, Dakota and Gleneagles spa hotel resorts, says: “I am delighted to be launching our Boutique Collection in New Stevenston. The area has so much to offer, being nearby to such beautiful countryside, whilst still being in close proximity to the city.

“Our aim is to use space, light, colour, texture and design to produce homes that are exciting and individual with style and character. The Boutique Collection allows families to add their own touches of luxury and customise their home to match their aspirations.”

“We launched officially with sales off-plan and there has been exceptional interest to date,” says Elliot Robertson, chief executive of Robertson Homes. “The Boutique Collection represents a major investment in our product development and our brand that makes Robertson Homes synonymous with exceptional quality and style. We understand that modern, sophisticated buyers are looking for a certain level of bespoke detail and exclusivity about their homes, and with our exclusive Amanda Rosa partnership and stunning new architecturally designed exteriors, that’s what Robertson Homes can deliver.”

by Keith Osborne

2-bed/2-bath 'Rio' apartments at The Oaks at Summerpark start at £134,995

The Oaks at Summerpark, Robertson Homes’ latest development in Dumfries, is situated on the edge of the Fountainbleu and Ladypark Nature Reserve, providing a calm and peaceful setting. The development features a collection of two-bedroom apartments and three- and four-bedroom family homes priced from £129,995.

On the outskirts of Lockerbie, the Sydney Gardens development from Story Homes comprises two-, three- and four-bedroom homes in a variety of styles including semi-detached, detached, terraced and link-detached. Depending on the style you choose, benefits include a garage, separate utility room and en-suite facilites to the master bedroom. Prices start at £106,400.

The 'York' 3-bed home costs £106,400 at Story Homes' Sydney Gardens

With a range of three- and four-bedroom detached villas and three-bedroom semi-detached and terraced homes on offer, Taylor Wimpey’s Barony Gate development in Lochmaben is ideal for family life. Prices start at £135,000. The town’s history dates back past the time of Robert the Bruce and a visit to the castle and three lochs in the area are great family days out.

There is something to suit everyone at Persimmon Homes’ Hillview Meadows development of new homes in Dumfries, with no fewer than 11 house styles on offer, from £144,995. Features include en-suite facilities, downstairs cloakrooms and a separate dining room in some of the designs, and these homes are a perfect choice for families.

Prices start at £249,995 at The Spires, where this luxury 3-bed/3-bath 'Windsor' home with double garage has proven particularly popular

In the village of Ringford near Castle Douglas, Ringford Bridge is a small development of two- and three-bedroom bungalows from Colain Homes with prices start from £220,000. The homes combine a traditional feel with some modern touches expected by today’s new homes buyers, such as en-suite facilities, walk-in wardrobes, a study and utility room.

Located adjacent to Loch Ken, Meridian Residential’s The Spires development comprises a selection of three-bedroom homes in a choice of detached, semi-detached or bungalow styles, priced from £249,995. Features include en-suite bathrooms, French doors, fitted wardrobes and double garages to certain property designs.

by Maria Brett

The 'Fortrose' 3-bed home has en-suite facilities to teh master bedroom and fitted wardrobes throughtout, from £159,500 at Allandale

In the North Ayrshire town of Saltcoats, Stewart Milne Homes’ Allandale development has all the benefits of seaside life but only 30 minutes from Glasgow Airport. Good rail and bus links make this a great location for commuters. Allandale comprises three-bedroom terraced and semi-detached homes as well as four-bedroom detached family villas. Prices start at £132,000 and depending on which house type you opt for, features might include French doors, built-in wardrobes, a utility room, picturesque bay windows and en-suite facilities to the master bedroom. Shared equity, move assist and part exchange is offered on selected plots.

At the Potteries development by Bellway Homes, some new show homes have recently been launched. Potential buyers can now wander around the ‘Rothesay’ and ‘Elgin’ house types at the development in Kilmarnock, which boasts a range of apartments and two-, three- and four-bedroom homes starting at £110,995. Bellway Homes offers a variety of assistance schemes. Some of the benefits available include high-quality driveways, integral garages, rear gardens and patio doors. The area is particularly good for families with great leisure facilities in the neighbourhood including a swimming pool, ice rink, go-karting track, cinema, lasertag and, of course, a selection of golf facilities.

The 'Alnwick' features 4 bedrooms over 2.5 floors at Barratt Homes' Mayfield Manor, from £223,995

Barratt Homes’ Mayfield Manor development in Stevenston is within easy walking distance of a number of schools and offers a range of four-bedroom detached homes from the Barratt Premier Collection. The nearest train station is under a mile away, making the area perfect for commuters with a family. Prices start from £184,995 with special features such as en-suite facilities to the master bedroom, French doors to the rear garden, integral garages and separate studies.

Situated in the picturesque Kilmaurs in East Ayrshire, Charles Church’s tranquil Rowallan Castle development is surrounded by a Colin Montgomery-styled golf course. The exclusive development boasts a collection of five- and six-bedroom detached luxury homes with prices from £550,000. While the exteriors have a traditional design, inside you’ll find contemporary feel with modern living spaces such as an open-plan kitchen, dining and family room. Top of the range is the £940,000 ‘Woburn’ house design, which features an impressive master bedroom with its own separate lounge area, dressing room and an en-suite, which itself has a luxurious Laufen roll top bath as a centrepiece.

The 'Oslo' 3-bed semi-detached home costs from £162,995 at Robertson Homes' Kings Park scheme in Ayr

The Kings Park development in Ayr from Robertson Homes allows buyers quite a choice when it comes to kitting out their new home, with a range of designer kitchens to choose from  – and buyers can even have input into designing the layout of their new cooking area. The house designs at Kings Park all feature large windows, with light bathing the homes and French doors blurring the indoor/outdoor divide. The development comprises a range of two-, three- and four-bedroom homes with prices starting from £134,995. The company offers part exchange and an ‘East Move’ assistance scheme on selected plots.

Dawn Homes’ The Meadows development in the village of Mossblown, three miles from Ayr, comprises various three- and four-bedroom family villas. A separate dining room, utility room, fitted wardrobes and en-suite facilities are some of the benefits available and prices start at just £122,995.

by Maria Brett

Current apartments cost from £229,000 at CALA Campus in Aberdeen

Located in the Hilton area of Aberdeen, CALA Campus development features a selection of apartments, townhouses and detached family homes set in a former university campus, constructed by CALA Homes. Priced from £229,000, the benefits of the two- and three-bedroom apartments currently available include designer kitchens, built-in wardrobes, en-suite facilities and ample parking. Until the end of January there is an offer of £10,000 off selected properties at this scheme.

There are several current offers available on selected plots at Silver Birches in Alford, from Stewart Milne Homes

The historic market town of Alford is the location for Stewart Milne Homes’ Silver Birches development. This housebuilder is very active in the Grampian region, with ten schemes on the go at present. Priced from £185,995, the range of terraced, semi-detached and detached homes feature inspiring views across the Grampian countryside. Generous room sizes make this development perfect for growing families. Current offers on some plots include a 90% mortgage, an 85%/15% shared equity scheme, and landscaped gardens or flooring included in the basic price.

A collection of three- and four-bedroom executive villas and bungalows make up Barratt Homes’ Whiteland Haven development in Newtonhill near Stonehaven. The area boasts some terrific scenery and beautiful coastal walks. Prices start from £290,995 and benefits include utility rooms, French doors to the garden and en-suite facilities as well as a double garage on some house types. Part exchange and discounted prices are currently offered on some plots.

Priced from £220,000, there are several designs of 4-bed home at Westfields in Elgin, from Robertson Homes

Robertson Homes’ Westfields development in Elgin has only eight four-bedroom properties remaining, making it ideal for families looking to move into an already established community. Priced from £220,000, features include bay windows, designer kitchens, en-suite facilities to some bedrooms and at least one garage.

Featuring a range of three-, four- and five-bedroom semi-detached and detached homes and three-bedroom apartments priced from £213,995, Bett Homes’ Leddach Grange development in the small village of Elrick is ideal for families. Aberdeen is only seven miles away, offering semi-rural living within easy commuting distance of the city.

Situated on the coast, Scotia Homes’ Townhead development is only a short walk from Inverbervie town centre. Priced from £230,000, house types range from two- and three-bedroom semi-detached villas to three- and four-bedroom detached villas and bungalows. The housebuilder runs an Assured Sale programme whereby the company will arrange to market the buyer’s existing property and pay a proportion of the estate agent’s fee and even take the old home in part exchange for the new one if a sale is not forthcoming.

The Meadows development by Tulloch Homes is situated in the village of Rothienorman and boasts a collection of two-, three- and four-bedroom homes.  House types include the Glencoul and Assynt bungalows with separate dining room, utility room, en-suite to master bedroom and fitted wardrobes. Prices start from £219,995.

by Maria Brett

3-bed homes at Muir Homes Windmill Gait Dysart start at £140,000

Situated at Thornhill Road in Elgin, Phase 1 of Barratt East Scotland’s The Grange development offers a choice of three- and four-bedroom homes. Priced from £149,995, the Pitlochry is a three-bedroom semi-detached home with an en-suite to the master bedroom, while the Banchory house type is a detached four-bedroom home with two en-suites and integral garage priced from £239,995.

With primary and secondary schools within easy walking distance, David Wilson Homes’ Silver Meadow development in Prestonpans, east of Edinburgh is perfect for families with children. Prices start from £169,995 for a three-bedroom Dalhousie townhouse comprising two bedrooms on the first floor and master bedroom with en-suite and built in wardrobe on the top floor. The ground floor features a kitchen/dining area and a spacious living room. Priced from £189,995, the Balfour house type also benefits from a study and a garage.

In Saltcoats, Stewart Milne Homes Allandale scheme features 3- and 4-bed homes from £132,000

Stewart Milne Homes’ Allandale development in Saltcoats, North Ayrshire includes modern three-bedroom houses as well as generously proportioned four-bedroom villas. Prices start from £132,000 for the terraced Ballater model with garden and driveway. Even the Newburgh house type, including a separate utility room, bay windows in the living room and en-suites in two of the four bedrooms, is within many budgets with prices starting from £228,000.

The Windmill Gait Dysart development by Muir Homes can be found in Kirkcaldy and includes a range of family homes. Prices start from £140,000 for a three-bedroom villa with kitchen/dining area, master bedroom en-suite and generous storage areas.

The Madrid detached house at Roberston Homes Westergraigs in Inverness is priced at £195,000

Robertson Homes’ Westercraigs development in Inverness offers three-bedroom semi-detached homes from £175,000. The Oslo house type benefits from french doors leading from the dining area to the garden, while the detached Madrid model features an en-suite and garage and is priced from £195,000.

The Lismore at Mactaggart & Mickel’s Cherrybank Gardens development in Newton Mearns, south of Glasgow is a three-bedroom home available in terraced or semi-detached styles. Priced from £146,209, the Lismore offers a feature lounge complete with french door to the garden as well as a downstairs cloakroom and built-in wardrobes in the master bedroom.

Currently on offer from £144,485 to £197,995, three- and four-bedroom semi-detached and detached houses are available at Persimmon Homes’ Hillview Meadows development in Dumfries. As well as an integral garage, other benefits include a master bedroom en-suite, as well as part-exchange and shared equity offers on selected plots.

by Maria Brett

To circumnavigate this and help buyers move up the property ladder, many housebuilders now offer their own shared equity schemes where buyers typically borrow around 75%-85% of the house value in the form of a mortgage, with the balance funded by the housebuilder in the form of a loan, often interest-free.  The buyer owns the home outright, and must repay the loan either when the home is sold or within a set period of time (ten years being the most commonplace), whichever is sooner.

These schemes offer a number of advantages to buyers:

• A lower deposit is required – sometimes no deposit at all. For potential buyers struggling to save the huge deposits some lenders require, this is a real boon
• The reduced mortgage debt taken out means lower monthly outgoings
• Furthermore, a mortgage with a 75% loan-to-value should be lent at a much more competitive interest rate than a loan for 90% – even if you qualify for a 90% loan.
• The repayment is based on the house value at the time of sale i.e. if you borrow 20% of the purchase price, you’ll pay back 20% of the sale price (or house value after ten years), regardless of whether it’s gone up or down. Therefore if the market price falls, so does your debt to the housebuilder.

It should be noted, however, that the loan is taken out as a second charge on the property, meaning if you’re unable to repay it at the end of the period your home may be at risk. In cases of severe hardship, some lenders will extend the loan further, but charge interest at a commercial rate.

An 80%/20% shared equity arrangement is possible at Robertson Homes' impressive Gleann Mor House in Inverness

One of several Scottish housebuilders offering shared equity is Robertson Homes.  Available to buyers who aren’t part of a chain, the initiative sees Robertson providing up to 20% of the purchase price. From a range of developments available under the scheme, one of the most eye-catching is Gleann Mor House in Inverness.  Just a few apartments remain unsold at this beautifully refurbished 19th-century listed building, priced from £125,000 to £200,000. Its lovely rural setting offers wonderful views of, and easy access to, the city below.

CALA Homes' Part Pay scheme offers up to 75%/25% share at Hopefield, Bonnyrigg

Both CALA Homes’ Part Pay scheme and Stewart Milne Homes’ Shared Equity Plan allow buyers to offset up to 25% of the property price.  CALA’s Hopefield development at Bonnyrigg, Midlothian boasts one- and two-bedroom apartments, ideal for first-time buyers with prices from £147,500. Under the scheme, a property at this price would only require the buyer to find a mortgage for £110,625, making it much more affordable to many more house hunters.

Available on developments across Scotland, Stewart Milne Homes’ initiative offers between 15% and 25% of the purchase price. The 75%/25% split offered on the MacDuff two-bedroom, two-bathroom apartment at Kepplestone in Aberdeen brings the mortgage requirement down to around £210,000.

Redrow Homes’ easi:buy shared equity scheme has an added twist, with an optional furniture package in selected Scottish properties.  Double beds, leather sofas and even an ironing board can be included to ensure first-time buyers have everything they need when they move in.

Redrow will loan up to 20% to buyers at Middlebank Rise, Dunfermline

Mary Hutchinson, sales manager at Redrow Homes (Scotland) says, “More than a quarter of first-time buyers hope to purchase their own home in the next 12 months, but with the help of our easi:buy scheme they could be making their first step on the property ladder sooner than they thought.”

The amount loaned by Redrow varies from scheme to scheme: for example two-bedroom apartments at Middlebank Rise in Dunfermline are available with a 20% contribution from the housebuilder, whereas some apartments and two-bedroom homes at Riverside Point in Strathclyde are offered with a 25% deferred payment.

Shared equity really can help you get on and move up the property ladder to bag that new home in Scotland you’re dreaming of, even if you didn’t think you could afford it.

by Maria Brett

The event takes place this Saturday, 20th November, in the four-bedroom show home on site. Following a tour of the show house, guests will be shown how to create some delicious dishes in its kitchen.

This special event takes place in a 4-bed 'Dijon' home from Robertson's Boutique Collection

The ‘Dijon’ show home is one of a number of different house designs from Robertson’s Boutique Collection of properties inspired by award-winning interior designer Amanda Rosa. Special features of the new homes include a garden room, especially created to blur the line between outdoor and indoor living, and a “Dream Room”, customising the loft space to one of five diverse options, for example a home office or play room. In addition, there is a host of interior design features for buyers to select from to individualise their new home.

Prices for properties currently available at Colville Gardens start at £142,995 for a three-bedroom home and £204,995 for a four-bedroom house. Visiting the show house is an ideal way to experience the layout and see first-hand the number and quality of options available.

John Murphy, Robertson Homes Regional Director, says: “It is very exciting to partner with Dakota and have one of their best chefs demonstrate his skills at our event in our Colville Gardens show home this Saturday.

“What better way to showcase our spectacular homes than with exceptional chefs cooking up a number of treats in the kitchen.

“Anyone who attends will also be entered into a prize draw to win an overnight stay at Dakota Glasgow, including a delicious breakfast in ‘The Grill’.”

There will be two sessions for house hunters to choose from: the first takes place from 11.30am to 12.30pm, with Head Chef Tony Tapia preparing a lazy brunch; the second, from 1.30pm to 2.30pm, involves Head Pastry Chef Colin Wilson creating Christmas pastries and desserts.

Colville Gardens has good road and rail links – around half an hour to Glasgow Central on the train from nearby Shieldmuir station. There are a number of good schools in the neighbourhood and there’s some great countryside, leisure facilities and golf courses to enjoy close by.

by Keith Osborne