New homes in Hampshire need not cost house-hunters a fortune

Choice, lifestyle and good transport links are available to those looking for a new starter home in Hampshire. This varied county is home to a wide range of natural attractions, from The New Forest to The Solent and Chichester Harbour, and equally varied cities, towns and villages, offering a lifestyle to suit everyone. Good schools make Hampshire a popular place for families, and the county enjoys good motorway and rail links to London and beyond, ideal for those looking for a place to buy their first new home.

Southampton is a vibrant university city, with a busy port and airport. Just outside the city, Bovis Homes has a number of new homes at its Oak Tree Place development, Hedge End, offering high quality, new two-bedroom apartments from £149,950. Complete with fitted kitchens with coordinated wall tiles and contemporary downlighters, these well-proportioned apartments offer the perfect starter home. The ‘Cherrybay' apartment includes an en suite to the main bedroom and parking space.

Taylor Wimpey is offering a number of new starter homes in Hampshire, including Queensacre and Limes Park. A range of one- and two-bedroom apartments is available at Queensacre, Church Crookham. A show home is now open at this new development, which is within easy reach of the M3 motorway and nearby town of Fleet and railway station. Plot 33 is a ‘Balmoral' one-bedroom apartment with allocated parking, priced at £170,000, an ideal first-time home. Limes Park is a development of new homes in Basingstoke, with some available under the FirstBuy scheme. Plot 252 is a two-bedroom apartment, on the market for £175,000.

Linden Homes is offering a range of incentives at The Mallards, Totton, and its Assisted Move scheme can get buyers into their new homes within just 28 days. One-bedroom apartments are available from £130,000. Home 43, in the Teal Apartments, offers an en suite and allocated parking for £156,000, and benefits from a separate, fully fitted kitchen, family bathroom and spacious built-in storage. Splash, Southampton, is another stunning development where the final release of waterside duplexes and apartments is available with 95% mortgages under the NewBuy scheme. Home D3 is a two-bedroom, ground-floor duplex, with gated covered parking, priced at £199,000.

First-time buyers looking for something special in their first new home, will want to consider Royal Clarence Marina, Portsmouth Harbour. Berkeley Homes is offering a number of two-bedroom apartments at the Malthouse and Salters Mews at its waterfront development. Enjoying spectacular views across the harbour and close to the town and all amenities, prices start from £169,000.

Barratt Homes are offering two-bedroom homes for as little as £600 per month under the FirstBuy scheme at Hollybrook Lodge, Southampton. Close to a range of shops and amenities, the area's two hospitals are within five minutes walk, making this a perfect first-time home for health professionals. For those wanting to keep fit, the development is close to Southampton Sports and Ski Centres. ‘Home of the Week' is a two-bedroom apartment with en suite and parking space, for £155,000.