the beehive autumn 2012

The Beehive Issue 4 Autumn 2012

Customer Service team training with Righttrack

Be inspired... FirstBuy Case Study

It’s back.. Stroud Open Market HomeBuy

The Welfare reform… are you in the know?

Out and About with our HomeBuy Managers

Struggling to find your dream home?

Read how twitter could help

Win! Win! Win! £50 of high street vouchers up for grabs courtesy of Two Rivers Housing

With summer but a distant memory and the evenings drawing in, this is a perfect time to look through the

property search on our website and maybe find a new home for 2013.

We know from your customer feedback that there is a need

for more affordable housing in the South West Region. With the continuing success of FirstBuy and the latest

announcement of further funding for FirstBuy in 2013 this will hopefully mean that there will be more affordable

housing available in the South West. All developments offering FirstBuy in our area will be

advertised through our property search.

Happy house hunting.

Hayley Rossiter HomeBuy Agency Manager.

Welcome to the Autumn edition of The Beehive

Did you know… We have received a total of 4308 calls since the last issue

of The Beehive

The Beehive, Autumn Issue 2

Following the Government’s announcement of changes to the benefit system, the introduction of the bedroom tax will come into force from April 2013 along with the Household benefit cap and the introduction of Universal credit for working age applicants in October 2013. The aim is to make the benefits system simple by merging out of work benefits and tax credits into one award, including housing benefit. Universal credit will replace the following benefits/tax credits: • Working Tax Credit • Child Tax credit • Housing Benefit • Income Support • Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance • Income-related Employment and Support Allowance The Government expects 80% of applications to be completed on-line. Payments will be made monthly in arrears to a household rather than an individual. The benefit cap does not include council tax benefit & will not apply for those who qualify for working tax credit or who are in receipt of the following credit • Disability Living Allowance • Personal Independence Payment (from April 2013) • Attendance Allowance • Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefits • Employment and Support Allowance, if paid with the support component • War Widows or War Widowers Pension Benefit caps will be set at £500 per week for couples and lone parents and £350 for single person households. To check if you or your family will be affected by the changes go to~ www.gov.uk or www.moneyadviceservice.org.uk or contact your nearest Citizens Advice Bureau.


Welfare Reform: Bedroom tax to Universal Credit

It’s been nearly a year since we launched The Beehive and what a year it’s been!

To celebrate The Beehive’s 1st birthday, we will be launching a new page in the next issue of The Beehive but we need your help.

Have you received great advice from someone? Have you got tips or tricks which you think could help other first timer buyers? It doesn’t have to relate just to house buying either, it could be anything from

your favourite winter dinner, packing tips, baking tips … you name it, we want to hear about it!

As a thank you, we will send you a £10 voucher* if your tip is printed.

Send us your tips, including your name and a contact telephone number

in one of the following ways —

Post a message on our facebook page www.facebook.co.uk/southwesthomesuk

Tweet us your tips on our twitter page @swhomebuyagent

Send us an email to [email protected]

Write to us at South West Homes, Hatfield House, Hatfield Road, Torquay, TQ1 3HF

* choice of vouchers includes, Marks and Spencers, Next, iTunes, pizza express, Halfords, Sainsbury's, Tesco, or Waitrose.

Coming soon…...

The Applicant Buzz

5 The Beehive, Autumn Issue

Out and About with Graham

Phew! – what a busy Autumn I’ve had. I’ve been speaking with all of our developers to ensure they are ready for the next round of FirstBuy funding that already has started to see brand new sites launch. Some of these developments have never been able to offer FirstBuy before so we are out training the teams on how the scheme works.

I’ve also been out speaking to your Local Authority Councils to ensure they are aware of the plans we have over the coming year. I’ve also been planning an open day at Stroud District Council offices in November to relaunch our popular Open Market HomeBuy scheme, funding is limited but if you are a First Time Buyer living in the Stroud District and want to purchase your first home come along and I’ll run through how the scheme works.

I look forward to seeing you out and about during the Winter.


During the last few months we have been working with Cornwall Council to set up a complete ‘one stop shop’ service for applicants looking for affordable homes to buy throughout Cornwall. Until now we have only advertised HCA grant funded schemes in the Cornwall area. This new service will now extend to all schemes including low cost sale units and re-sales. South West Homes will also be assessing applicants’ local connection to meet Section 106 planning requirements. A number of modifications have been made to the application process for applicants from Cornwall, the most significant of those is the change to the ‘Parish’ field which has now become mandatory. The service went ‘live’ on 1st October and the Council have written to all applicants on the Cornwall Homechoice register, who had indicated that they may be interested in purchasing, notifying them of the changes. We held 5 drop-in sessions across Cornwall for applicants to come along and find out more. If you live in Cornwall and would like more details then please contact us on 0300 100 0021. In August we attended an open event to promote FirstBuy at The Churchills, Watchet organised by West Somerset District Council and the developers. In September we attended two briefings for MOD personnel at Tidworth,

Wiltshire and Devonport, Plymouth. Both briefings were well attended and we will continue to provide this service in the future. In October we were joined by representatives from developers and housing associations with HomeBuy properties for sale throughout Devon

at an open event at The Guildhall in Exeter. It proved to be a successful event with many applicants coming along to get further information about availability of homes and to get mortgage advice from the financial advisor in attendance.

Out and About with Gwenda


• Twitter is a conversation. Short blasts of news or information no more than 140 characters in length. • Many governing bodies and companies engage with their

customers on Twitter. Rather than contacting a support line or email address, send a tweet! This may get you a quick answer to questions and resolve concerns. • Use of #hashtags and trending topics can be a great way to group replies together and allow you to communicate with those who share your interests. • Twitter is used more than other platforms for communicating with local businesses and bodies, making it a great way to build links in the local community.

Good Luck and happy tweeting….

What is Twitter and why should I use it????

We asked Matthew, who works in within our Customer Service team and is our social media guru, for his tips on using Twitter to help find a new home. Here’s Matthew’s tips on how Twitter can help you find your dream home...

Did you know?

64% of Twitter users are 35 or older

Where to find us Twitter: @swhomebuyagent Facebook: www.facebook.com/southwesthomesuk


Stroud Open Market HomeBuy

It’s back…..

Following the success of the Stroud Open Market HomeBuy, Stroud District council have provided additional funding for this scheme. The scheme allows qualifying applicants to purchase a property which is available on the open market with the use of a 25% equity loan up to the value of £40,000. The equity loan is interest free and is payable either when the property is sold or upon payment of the final instalment of your mortgage (which ever is sooner). The equity loan is required to be repaid at the same percentage which was borrowed. Qualifying applicants must either live or work within the Stroud District Council and are wishing to purchase a property within Stroud. Applicants must also be registered with South West Homes. The maximum price for a property is £160,000 with each loan calculated on an individual’s circumstances. Interested? You will first need to complete an application form online at www.southwesthomes.org.uk, if you are not already registered with us. Once you have been accepted on the HomeBuy register you will need to contact one of our panel of financial advisors in order for a financial assessment to be undertaken. We will then receive your financial assessment and send you a letter confirming you can start to look for properties on the open market. Do not make a financial or legal commitment to buy a home at this stage otherwise you may not qualify for this scheme. When you’ve found a suitable property, send us the details for us to approve. We will write and confirm approval this to you. Once you’ve received our property approval you can instruct your chosen Solicitor. When you receive your mortgage offer and Homebuyers Report you will need to send us a copy to check. We will then send approval to your Solicitor to allow them to exchange contracts. Upon completion you can then move in! If you would like to have a chat with one of our Customer Service team about this scheme, please call us on 0300 100 0012


Win! Win! Win!

R F T X T U R N Y S C E N I C Z B

F R O S T E V V E C S E A S O N B

F O L I A G E R L H G G M T R C Y

J O C T O B E R L A A U T U M N I

W J A O S R N G O N H B E A U T Y

V W B L E T A U W G Y J A R S X N

Y C C L P I V K U E W B R Z O Q C

V O B E T F H F E H A R V E S T O

F O O J E T U I Y U Q Y L H C T L

Y L U K M B V J L E A V E S U Y O

S S N T B A C K T O S C H O O L U

J O T F E E W N U X Q T C V N I R

D R Y T R T N O V E M B E R Q D S

R A S F R W J O Y Y B E P Z V K I

M N M Q A E K O R E D E C G V A U

O G A X K L E B H A L L O W E E N

X E C S R H L S Z W O O D S W K V

Autumn Beauty Bounty Change Colours Cool Fall Foliage Frost Harvest Leaves November Turn Orange Rake Red Scenic Season Trees September October Woods Yellow Halloween Back to school

How would you like to win a £50 voucher to spend in one of the following stores?

Marks and Spencers Next Tesco Sainsbury’s Waitrose iTunes Pizza Express Halfords

To be in with a chance of winning this prize, simply complete and return the word search below either via email to [email protected]

or post to South West Homes, Hatfield House, Hatfield Road, Torquay, TQ1 3HF

Closing Date to receive completed entries is 14th December 2012

Name………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. Address……………………………………………………………………………………………………………. ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. Telephone Number…………………………………………………………………………………………... Email……………………………………………………………………………………………………………...

The Beehive, Autumn Competition


With the Government ploughing in more money into FirstBuy, we take a look at what a difference the scheme makes to First Time Buyers. One of the most popular FirstBuy developments is our Riverside development, it is helping first time buyers to get on the property ladder in Bath. With more and more people struggling to buy their own property, South West Homes have been offering the Government's FirstBuy scheme to would-be homeowners. The scheme, which is funded by the Government and developers, enables buyers to own their own home by only paying 80 percent of the purchase price, with the rest being funded by a 20 percent top up loan offered by Crest Nicholson and the Government. In addition, buyers only need to find a deposit of 5 percent. Ben Cocks, 25, a recent first time purchaser at Crest Nicholson's Bath Riverside development says he had nearly given up hope of buying his own home until he became aware of FirstBuy. He has now moved into his 1 bedroom apartment at the scheme. He said: "I was living with my parents in Bradford on Avon but I have a 4 year old son who stays with me every other weekend, so that wasn't an ideal situation.” "I had been renting previously, but it was impossible to save for a deposit while paying rent. I heard about the FirstBuy scheme after reading about it in the local press late last year, and noticed that it was available at Bath Riverside." Susan Young, Sales and Marketing Director at Crest Nicholson Regeneration, said: "We are delighted to be in a position to offer a helping hand on to the property ladder for first time buyers via the FirstBuy scheme."

How scheme has helped Ben own his first home


We recently bid farewell to one of our team members Alanah Willcox who has taken on an exciting sales role in another department. We wish Alanah all the best and thank her for being a fantastic team member. One new member of staff has joined the FirstBuy team in Bristol, Nathan Bumstead. Nathan said that he is thoroughly enjoying his new role and loves the variety of challenges that he faces everyday by helping First Time Buyers achieve ownership of their first home. We would like to extend our congratulations to Alex Mansfield who became a Daddy for the first time in October. A warm welcome to James Thomas Mansfield weighing 7lbs 8oz. Mum and James are doing very well. Along with parenthood, Alex is participating in Movember this year where he will be responsible for sprouting a moustache during the month of November to raise vital funds and awareness for men’s health, specifically prostate and testicular cancer. We are currently recruiting for 2 permanent HomeBuy Assistant roles within the Bristol office. We look forward to welcoming the successful candidates into the team.

It’s all change in the FirstBuy team

From left to right: Nathan Bumstead, Caroline Jagger, Sam Abrahams & Alex Mansfield


Customer Service team are on the Righttrack!

On the 18th of October 2012 the Customer Service team at South West Homes attended a bespoke training day facilitated by Righttrack. During the day the team discussed the importance of the customer experience and how we can improve upon the service we already provide to you. A large part of the training focused on communication skills and how we use these skills, to ensure we can provide you with the best possible service. The team were asked to identify points for focus over the next three months. These are the three the team have chosen-

• Listen carefully • Go for Delight - exceed customer expectations • Take ownership

The training programme is approved by the ILM (Institute of Leadership and Management) Europe’s largest training awarding body. All of our Customer Service team will receive a Development Certificate and membership to the ILM for six months, which will offer support to the team in the delivery of excellent customer service to you.

Did you know….

We have received a total of 858 emails

since the last issue of The Beehive


RAGLAN HOMES IN THE SOUTH WEST Are you looking for your first home?

Would you really like to buy? Are you fed up with looking at flats and would really prefer a house?

Do you really despair of finding one you can afford? Does this sound like you?

Look no further than your local RAGLAN development! Raglan Housing Association

has various terrific developments coming to the market over the next few months, (some available now) across Somerset and Dorset -

all featuring Houses to buy – Really!

For details of all our developments call

The Home Ownership Team at Raglan Housing on: 023 8065 8858 Or email [email protected]

Christchurch The Parsonage

Location, Location, Location!

Just over a mile from Christchurch Centre and about two miles from the A338!

Just off Fairmile Road, is ‘The Parsonage’ development in Bronte Avenue. Working in partnership with Miller Homes, we have just

11 houses for shared ownership sale available now, but with lots of interest already - so hurry!

Just four of these super houses have two bedrooms with the remaining seven all having three. Finished to the highest of standards these sought-after homes offer stylish fitted kitchens with

oven, hob and cooker hood already built in, modern bathrooms with contemporary tiling, lounge/dining rooms with French doors to private gardens and ground floor cloakrooms.

They all have fitted carpets (vinyl flooring to wet areas) full gas central heating and will be ready to move into soon!

Prices start at just

£78,000 for a 40% share of a two bedroom home!

For more details and to arrange your viewing, give us a call on

023 80 658 858 Or [email protected]

Wellington Bagley Green

Do you need to use the M5?

This superb development could be for you!

The first phase of houses has just been released and viewings are available now!

We have a terrace of four; the end terrace

houses having three bedrooms and the mid terrace having two.

Built to an exceptional standard you would want to show these off to your friends! From the modern, fitted kitchen/diners with

integrated oven, hob and cooker hood to the chic, contemporary bathrooms; there is even a

ground floor cloakroom! They all have parking right outside and private

gardens. Full gas central heating (with energy saving

solar input) and fitted carpets (vinyl flooring to wet areas) complete the picture and, with

prices from just £58,000 for a 40% share of a

two bedroom home You won’t want to miss these!

To arrange your viewing give our local agents a call:

Fox and Sons 01823 667688

Highbridge Springfield Green

Conveniently situated for Highbridge, Burnham on Sea

and the M5 motorway is Springfield Green.

Built just for us, this innovative development features 14 houses coming to

the market for shared ownership sale.

8, two bedroom homes and 6, three bedroom homes are available, all finished to a high

standard, with fitted kitchens (oven, hob and cooker hood built-in), modern, white bathrooms

with contemporary tiling, fitted carpets (vinyl flooring to wet areas) full gas central heating,

parking and gardens.

These homes represent exceptional value and must be seen!

Prices start at just £47,200 for a 40% share of a two

bedroom home

We have a show home installed at this development and have a local agent who will

be delighted to show you around! To arrange your

viewing call Saxons of Burnham on 01278 786655

Sherborne Portman Place

Conveniently placed close to the centre of the historic market town of Sherborne is our latest development coming to the market very soon.

With just 5 houses becoming available for shared ownership sale and, of those, only one having three bedrooms (the others having two), these delightful homes are certain to be popular.

Finished to our exacting standards they will all feature fitted kitchens with integrated oven, hob and cooker hood, modern bathrooms with complementary tiling, full gas central heating, parking and

gardens.

With prices starting from just £94,000 for a 40% share of a 2 bedroom home, this development is sure to attract a great deal of interest.

Call Raglan Housing for full details on 023 80 658 858 or email [email protected]

Contact us...

If you or someone you know, would like this magazine on CD or audio tape, in large print, in Braille, or translated into another language, please contact our Customer Service Team on 0300 100 0021 or email [email protected] South West Homes is managed by Westcountry Housing and Sovereign Housing Association Ltd in partnership South West Homes takes all reasonable measures to ensure content is accurate at the time of publication. Legal liability is not accepted for any published content from other organisations.

ONLINE: www.southwesthomes.org.uk E-MAIL: [email protected] PHONE: 0300 100 0021 MAIL: Hatfield House, Hatfield Road, Torquay, Devon, TQ1 3HF

PHONE: 0845 034 3303 E-MAIL: [email protected] FAX: 0870 490 8959 MAIL: Unit 11, Brabazon Office Park, Golf Course Lane, Filton, Bristol, BS34 7PZ

www.facebook.co.uk/southwesthomesuk

@swhomebuyagent

Query with your HomeBuy application or unsure of your next step, then contact the Customer Service Team Purchasing through FirstBuy ?


the beehive autumn 2012

Documents

beehive issue

council tax benefit

support allowance

bedroom tax

benefit system

autumn issue

household benefit cap

rivers housing