New-build starter homes in South Wales

First time buyers hoping to find a new home in South Wales who are struggling to get on the property ladder are being offered a whole host of incentives by housebuilders to help them realise their dream of home ownership. A recent report from the House Builders Federation (HBF) claimed that without any help from the 'Bank of Mum and Dad', the average first time buyer would be 38 before they could get on the property ladder. This doesn't need to be the reality, however, if buyers investigate the range of financial assistance schemes on offer to them across the region.

At the Cwrt Yr Ysgol development near Swansea, for example, housebuilder Bovis Homes is giving first time buyers the chance to take advantage of its Jumpstart shared equity scheme, which enables buyers to own 100% of their home for just 85% of the price upfront. One-bedroom homes are available from £82,000 (£69,700 with Jumpstart), two-bedroom homes from £104,950 (£89,208 with Jumpstart), and three-bedroom homes from £134,995 (£114,745). The Perfect 10 mortgage offer requires just a 10% deposit. Situated in Loughor, between Swansea and Llanelli, the courtyard development is ideal for commuters across South Wales and has good local amenities such as shops, schools and leisure centres close by.

Taylor Wimpey's Cwrt Sant Pedr development, also near Swansea, offers contemporary two-bedroom homes from just £101,995, with a host of financial schemes available to make owning a first home more affordable. These include Deposit Match, where the housebuilder gifts 5% of the deposit or matches 10% of it, and Easystart where buyers own 100% of their new home for 85% of the price on homes up to £150,000. No interest or rent is paid on the other outstanding amount for up to ten years and purchasers have the same period to repay the outstanding proportion at market value. Just a few miles from Swansea city centre, these homes offer an ideal base for young families, couples and first time buyers conveniently close to junction 47 of the M4, and with the beautiful Gower Peninsula just a short drive away for lazy days on the beach.

For buyers with a bigger budget who don't require a purchase assistance scheme but are still looking for good value, Redrow has some fantastic offers available on homes at its Three Oaks development in Aberdare, in the South Wales valleys near Cardiff. The Otter, a four-bedroom detached house, has been reduced from £191,995 to £185,995. This development is ideally located for commuters to the capital, just minutes from the A470 which links it to the M4 and Cardiff - while for leisure time, the beautiful Brecon Beacons are a short drive away.

The College Green development from Barratt Homes in Rhydyfelin is another good option for first time buyers looking for affordable new homes in South Wales. Located in a small suburb south of the town of Pontypridd, it offers a choice of two- and three-bedroom terraced and semi-detached homes priced from £153,500 to £179,995, with the 'Headstart' shared equity scheme available on selected plots. The buyer needs just a five per cent deposit and 80% mortgage with Barratt providing an interest-free loan of 15%, interest-free for up to ten years, repayable after that period or when the property is sold, whichever is sooner. Located near the A470, the village has excellent transport links to Cardiff, Merthyr and the M4, with all the amenities of Pontypridd nearby.

Bovis Homes' Jumpstart scheme allows first time buyers to enjoy 100% ownership of a brand new home for just 85% of the price upfront. The £134,995 Beardsley three-bedroom semi-detached home would require an initial payment of £114,745.