Why it adds up to buy a new home in Staffordshire

While the “Boxing Day bounce” will see a surge in people searching for homes, Elan Homes will be closed from noon on December 23 through to January 2. The closures include Dosthill Gate in Tamworth and Lorne House at The Sidings in Lichfield, but with a wealth of resources online, buyers will be able to make an informed decision.

Elan regional sales director Tracey Ball explained: “It’s important to us that our teams spend quality time at home with their loved ones over the festive season, which is why we’ll be closed over what is perhaps the busiest period for people looking for new homes. We’re encouraging anyone considering moving in 2025 to start doing their homework now and thinking about what they want from a new home including the location and size of the property, plus how much they can afford to spend on mortgage repayments, energy bills and stamp duty. 

“With video show home tours, buying guides covering how we can help homeowners sell up using our Easy Move scheme or details of lower rate mortgage options, plus a mortgage checker available via our website, buyers will be in prime position come January to start working on their new home goals.”

At both locations Elan has properties available that will be ready to move into before April 1 when changes to stamp duty come into effect. 

Homes priced under £300,000 will remain stamp duty exempt for first time buyers, but those buying their next home could face an increase in the amount of tax they’ll have to pay if they complete the purchase of their new home after April 1.

Subject to build stage, buyers will be able to customise their new home before they move in. Bringing an older property up to the same standard of a new build is estimated to cost around £70,000 according to research by the Home Builders Federation. 

Recognising that many potential purchasers are likely to have a house to sell, Elan is offering Easy Move. The homebuilder will work with independent estate agents to market the customer’s property and even pay the agent’s fees.

Alternatively, buyers can use Own New Rate Reducer to access lower rate mortgages for the initial loan period, meaning lower monthly repayments.

Moving from an older property to a new home could lead to monthly savings of around £165 a month or £1,980 a year on energy bills, research by the HBF suggests.

The energy efficiency of Elan’s new homes in Staffordshire also makes them eligible to be purchased with “green mortgages” which can offer more favourable rates or enhanced affordability.

The Elan website has a mortgage checker where you can put in the price of the home you want to buy, the deposit you want to put down and then see what your monthly mortgage repayments would be without affecting your credit score.