Clare France, Crown Fields, Chester

"More space for my money."

Clare France can't quite believe that she now owns her own home. The 29 year-old financial operations manager is one of the first buyers to move into the prestigious Crown Fields development in Chester.

Clare had almost given up hope of moving out of her parents' home, but found the solution through shared ownership, which helped to boost her buying power and purchase a three-bedroom property with a garden through shared ownership.

Clare told us: "The best thing about having my own house is the space. I wish I'd got my own place years ago."

Clare, who was born in Chester and works for MBNA in the city, reserved her home off-plan in October 2007 after reading about the development in the local press. Crown Fields is a Taylor Wimpey development, with Chester and District Housing Trust (CDHT) providing the shared ownership option to eligible buyers.

Affordable home ownership expert HomesHub is marketing the shared ownership properties at Crown Fields and provided support and guidance to Clare throughout the application and buying process.

Clare said: "I'm on a decent salary but would still struggle to buy my own place outright. The chance to get something like this is amazing. It really does tick every box - it's brand new, has a great garden and space for my friends to stay."

Clare added: "I'd been looking for my own place for about six months, but didn't find anything quite right. I had to have the right area for a start and somewhere I could stay for a good five years. This is a quiet area and only seven miles from my work."

Clare bought the house on her own and was able to obtain a 100% mortgage for her 50% share of the property. "I would not have been able to buy without shared ownership," she told us, "especially in Chester. I wanted a house rather than an apartment and shared ownership means that I've got more space for my money and have the chance to live in a great area."

Clare has decorated her new home beautifully and has enjoyed choosing furnishings with a contemporary edge. "It's going to look amazing, when it's finished," she told us.

Shared ownership is part of a government programme that aims to help more than 100,000 households across England into home ownership by 2010.

Shared ownership allows the buyer to purchase a share of the property, usually 50 - 75%. A reduced rent is paid on the remaining share and buyers have the opportunity to buy more shares as they can afford them.

HomesHub is the government's HomeBuy agent for Merseyside and, through a range of innovative financial products, opens up choice to people who might otherwise struggle to get a foot on the property ladder. HomesHub is part of PLUS Housing Group.

For further information about affordable home ownership across Merseyside, please contact HomesHub on 0845 603 4559