New property show set to help first-time buyers in Portsmouth

Next month, property gurus from across the city will be uniting at the Guildhall to offer a ‘one-stop shop’ for those looking to buy their first homes.

The event – which is backed by The News – will be taking place on Saturday, March 5 and has been co-ordinated by the Portsmouth Property Association.

John Blake is the organiser of the day and hoped it would help offer much-needed advice for scores of wannabe homeowners.

‘It’s a pretty daunting experience getting on to the property market so we thought it would be useful to create a one-stop property shop for people,’ he said.

The show will be packed with everything from estate agents, solicitors, mortgage brokers and accountants.

There will also be plenty of information about the latest schemes on offer to help new buyers as well as details about changes to stamp duty and what it can mean for you.

John added: ‘If you’re going on holiday, you do the research. But there’s not an awful lot of information out there to help when you’re buying a home, that’s why we wanted to hold this.’

Councillor Steve Wemyss, Portsmouth City Council’s cabinet member for housing, described the idea as ‘brilliant’.

He said: ‘When you’re a first-time buyer it can be bewildering. You don’t know where to go or who to turn to.

‘So I think this is a brilliant idea. Portsmouth has always been a popular area for first-time buyers – it was for me and has been for a lot of people.

‘Buying a home is a big step that a lot of people want to take and we need to give them all the help that we can.’

The day will be held from 10am until 4pm and is free to attend.

It is being held in conjunction with Central Point, which provides vital support to homeless people across Portsmouth.

Donations for the charity are being taken. In particular, organisers have asked for people to donate sleeping bags and clothes.