Guy Vickers-Jones, Teacher

The past year has been quite eventful for Guy, what with starting his first teaching job as a French teacher at St Edmunds secondary school in Dover and buying his first home. Guy started his new job in September 2003 and moved to his new one bedroom apartment in Sandgate, Kent in July 2004.

Prior to moving, Guy was living with his family in nearby Ealham. After starting his new job he wanted to live on his own, but didn’t want to “waste money” on renting. However, the mortgage he could raise was not enough to purchase a home outright.

A colleague at the school informed him about Moat and the Starter Home Initiative (SHI) scheme, and he applied in November 2003. He began looking for a property in the new year and found his apartment in April. By this time the SHI scheme had been superseded by the Key Worker Living scheme. He put in his offer on 26 April, which was accepted that same day and he completed on 8 July.

Guy said that he took his time looking for a property because his standards were quite high and wanted something he was totally happy with. “I wanted something in a nice area. I could’ve afforded a two bedroom house but I wanted something just right!”

The benefits of the apartment are that it is within very close proximity to the sea at Sandgate, and is a good distance to both his place of work and his family. Everything that Guy had been looking for.

Guy said; “I am very grateful for the help. I would recommend Moat and the Key Worker Living scheme to anyone who couldn’t afford to purchase outright. It made it possible for me to buy, thanks!”

Please be aware that the market value of properties can go down as well as up.

Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on a mortgage or any other debt secured on it.