When a keen gymnast couple found the deposits being asked of them by the banks too much of stretch, they found another way to jump onto the housing ladder – through the FirstBuy scheme.

Craig Carter (25) and his partner Carly Andrews (21) are now settled into their one-bedroom apartment at The Mallards, a Linden Homes development which overlooks the peaceful Lower Test Nature Reserve on the edge of the New Forest National Park in Hampshire.

Craig, a boat-builder, said: “We would not have been buying a house yet if it were not for FirstBuy. Most of the banks wanted a huge amount as a deposit. It’s helped us get onto the property ladder much quicker.

“Some banks wanted a £30,000 deposit which was ridiculous. We would have been saving for years and years. We had wanted to get a place for ourselves for a while but we did not want to rent because it’s dead money, we thought.”

The FirstBuy scheme involves the government and homebuilders together providing a 20% loan for new househunters to help them accumulate a big enough deposit to secure a mortgage.

Craig and Carly are particularly delighted to be in their own place so early in their lives as, according to Halifax, the average age of a first-time buyer in 2012 was 30, up from 29 in 2011.

“It was six weeks from looking at the property and putting down a deposit to moving in, it was really quick,” explained Craig. “The Linden Homes people really helped us – as first-time buyers we did not know what to do but they explained everything and it was very easy.

“We have recommended FirstBuy to a few people as it’s such a good way to get on the property ladder.”

Craig and Carly were inspired to take the plunge after a visit to the HomeBuy Show in nearby Southampton. Craig explained: “We wanted a two-bedroom place but we changed our minds when we saw a one-bedroom apartment and realised how big it was. It was more affordable as well for us trying to get a deposit.

“We are tucked away round the corner, it’s nice and quiet and we have lovely views of the nature walk just outside the window. The quality of the build is excellent. Everyone who has come round to visit has said the quality is really good.”

He added: “It feels fantastic to be in our own home. It’s lovely that you can do your own decorating and have what you want and your own space.”

FirstBuy allows an eligible buyer to purchase a brand new property, funded by a mortgage and with assistance from a HomeBuy agency or any of the housebuilders participating in the scheme.

It gives applicants the chance to buy a new home with the assistance of an equity loan. The value of the loan is a maximum of 20 per cent of the full price of the property. The maximum full purchase price is set at £280,000.

Mark Docherty, sales and marketing director at Linden Homes Southern commented on the schemes available to make that move possible: He said: “FirstBuy is one of the many schemes available to make moving into a brand new property, a reality. For many, getting that deposit together can seem a daunting prospect. With FirstBuy and another government-backed scheme – NewBuy – we can help you get the funds in place and into a home to call your own and put your personal stamp on.

“We have a number of sites in the local Southampton area including Rosewood Mill in West End and Landguard Place, Park Centrale in Southampton with schemes designed to assist those looking to get their foot on the property ladder, right through to those with a property to sell, or those looking for an investment opportunity.

“Similar to Craig and Carly, we can help you every step of the way and get you up and running in your new home quickly and easily, with minimum fuss.”

For more information on the developments available in Hampshire and the range of financial enablers Linden Homes offers, simply visit www.lindenhomes.co.uk.