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First-time buyers in 2010 are a broad church: the offspring of the wealthy; professionals approaching middle age; frugal savers and consummate compromisers who have bought wrecks or taken in lodgers to help to pay the mortgage.
So how are the lucky ones making their dreams of a home of their own come true?
The Traditional Newly-Weds
When Jessica Haley (25) and Robert Philpott (24) get married in August they will move into their first home together. The couple have used the opportunity of living with their respective parents in Maldon, Essex, to save for a deposit as well as for their wedding.
They have paid 10 per cent towards a £149,999 two-bedroom house on a development in nearby Colchester, The
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Green at Fortuna Park. They were also able to take advantage of an offer by the developer Countryside Annington to add another 5 per cent to their deposit.
Jessica, a childrenswear designer, earns £16,000, while Robert takes home about £23,000 as a music teacher. Once they have moved in to the property the mortgage will cost them a big chunk of their income: between £700 and £800 a month.
"The reason why we stayed at home is partly financial and partly because I am a Christian and didn't want to move in until we got married," Jessica says. "Am I nervous? Everyone asks that! But we have been together three and a half years and are pretty confident that it's all going to be fine."
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