Up to £20,000 for first-time buyers ... that is the offer being made by Ipswich Borough Council in a new campaign to improve the town's housing stock.
The Empty Homes Grants, which will be issued on a first come, first served basis, will help people get on the housing ladder. The home-buyers must purchase a home that has been empty for at least 12 months, be able to get a 90% mortgage and not have more than £7,000 savings. And if you sell, you give the Council the money back.
It's a great opportunity - there are more than 500 properties in Ipswich that have been empty for more than a year and the Council can help you to bring them up to a decent standard. Twenty grand buys a lot of help! For further information on the Empty Homes Grants call the Council on 01473 433010 or click on www.ipswich.gov.uk
The Council can also help with grants for renovations, adaptations and minor works for other properties too.