Developers offering a fare deal

By Heather Rose
Posted: 2008/09/26

WHEN it comes to incentives to wow buyers, house builders George Wimpey are branching into a new direction.

Through a link-up with First ScotRail they are offering purchasers of new properties a free annual rail pass.

Available at a range of their developments throughout the country, the incentive is, say the builders, worth up to £2,500.

Michelle Logie, sales and marketing director with George Wimpey West Scotland, explained: "Our innovative rail offer with First ScotRail will capture the imagination of buyers who're craving a bit more of a relaxed home life with more space to call home.

"With George Wimpey taking care of customers' commuting costs for a whole year, it's one less expense for customers to worry about, plus we're encouraging our customers to think a bit greener to reduce their carbon footprint and let the train take the strain."

She added: "Crucially, this offer is likely to reduce our customers' commute to work. Many of the typical journeys made from our developments could be made by train, and therefore buyers would save precious travelling time and avoid any unexpected delays on major commuter routes such as the M77 and M8.

"And, because annual rail passes are also valid at weekends, customers can still make use of the train for leisure days out."

Within the past couple of years some other enterprising housebuilders have also offered rail ticket incentives, but usually only at a specific development because of its proximity to a railway station.

This new offer from George Wimpey is believed to be the first in Scotland in recent years available at a wider number of developments.

But the offer is only available on selected plots at participating developments, including housing developments in the east of Scotland as well as the west.

A spokesman for housebuilders George Wimpey said: "This offer will be equally exciting for prospective customers who already make a regular commute, but who are perhaps considering delaying their decision to move due to the increased pressure being felt on the weekly family budget as energy, food and fuel prices spiral upwards.

"With George Wimpey taking care of free rail travel for a whole year, these customers will be able to realise their dream of moving to a new home after all."

INFORMATION:
www. georgewimpey railoffer. co. uk


IF you fancy living like a country laird and you have at least £1.7million to spend, then a baronial mansion for sale near Pitlochry could be just the place for you.

Baledmund House, selling through joint agents CKD Galbraith and Rettie and Co, has arguably the best panoramic view in Scotland, looking across to Strathtummel.

The house is set in grounds with woodland walks and its own tennis court, with a paddock of about 11 acres to the south.

Accommodation is on three levels and includes 11 bedrooms and a billiard room.

INFORMATION:
01738 451111; www. ckdgalbraith.co. uk; 0131 220 4160; www. rettie. co. uk


DAWN Homes have launched the Riverview phase at Linenmill Court in Johnstone. Surfacing on the former Barbush Linen Mill site, it features one-, two- and three-bed apartments that overlook the Black Cart Water.

Prices start at £112,950 for a one-bedder and buyers of selected plots are able to benefit from Dawn Homes' new Easyway scheme.

This enables buyers to pay 85 per cent of the price but own the home 100 per cent. The other 15 per cent is in the form of a second loan, minus interest, repayable within 10 years or if the owner sells on before that.

INFORMATION:
01505 331520; www. dawngroup. co. uk