Estate agents urged to extend affordable homes knowledge

29-Nov-2005

Aspiring homeowners need better advice from estate agents so that they can choose between the different affordable housing options.

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A report published by the Manchester Methodist Housing Group (MMHG) indicates that many estate agents are unable to provide potential buyers with the information they require and therefore need to improve their overall knowledge.

Schemes such as Homebuy were found to confuse agents, with almost half unsure of what the initiative offered, while shared ownership also puzzled a number of housing professionals.

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Matthew Harrison, deputy chief executive of MMHG, suggested that training was needed to ensure that estate agents could offer aspiring homeowners the advice and support they needed.

"We believe this survey confirms the need for greater awareness amongst some estate agents about the range of options for first time buyers," Mr Harrison told the Manchester Evening News.

"We think there should be some provision for training within the industry, to ensure that first time buyers are made aware of Homebuy and shared ownership schemes, some of which are often on their doorstep."

As many first time buyers find themselves being priced out of the property market, the need for information regarding affordable housing sites and shared ownership schemes has increased.

For our first time buyers guide to buying a property click here

To learn more about joint ownership, buying with friends or family click here

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