That’s indeed the question - when first time buyer Siobhain Wood views an Irwell Valley development in the BBC property series To Buy Or Not To Buy.
The massively popular daytime programme gives buyers the chance to test-drive a property before buying, but when the producers were looking for a two-bedroom property in North Manchester for their first time buyer…they admit they were struggling.
Siobhain – a Senior Technology Trainer – has very clear criteria. She wants a quiet, secure location close to amenities and transport links for work - but with a maximum mortgage offer of £80.000, finding somewhere that ticks all the boxes and is affordable gives presenters Simon O’Brien and Kristian Digby one of their biggest challenges in the series.
Then they come across Irwell Valley’s Chanters Close development in Blackley – 12 two bedroom bungalows available through shared ownership, a flexible option, which allows purchasers to buy a percentage share of their property and rent the remainder.
The full market value of the one remaining property No. 21 – a spacious two-bedroom semi detached bungalow - is £130,000. With lenders in most cases looking for a 5% deposit, the property is out of reach for Siobhain.
But on learning that a 50% shared ownership option is available, she’s more than keen to take a look.
Siobhain tours the bungalow ‘wild card’ option before announcing her final decision. Will it be property 1 – an apartment, property 2 – a smart terrace, or 21 Chanters Close.?
Well you’ll have to watch the programme when it’s broadcast later this year on BBC 1.