When in doubt, choose the safest bet. If you are a first-time home buyer, you might not want to stray too far from the city. The countryside has its perks, but the city is a practical choice and limits a checklist of considerations. Perth is perfect when the rest of Perthshire overwhelms you. It is picturesque, historic, compact and a stone’s throw away from the Highlands. And, when love for the countryside calls, pretty towns and villages are a short drive away. Buying your first home is not an easy decision. You may be jittery and second-thinking all the prospects, but we are going to put your mind at ease with Perth in tow.
Housing options in Perth
Perth has many wonderful period homes. Considering the city’s rich history and heritage, it has an impressive housing stock acquired over the years. However, existing homes can let you down in the long term. Don’t let your heart rule your mind in the property game.
As a first-time buyer, you have several financial obligations. You will be paying a mortgage and saving up after draining your life savings. The last thing you need is more expenses in the form of repairs or retrofitting. You may want to consider a new build. Perth has attracted numerous developments, which you should consider when looking at properties for sale in Perth.
When you buy a new build home, it guarantees a repair-free period, at least for 10 years. In the unlikely event of any structural modifications becoming necessary, a warranty covers them for a decade.
Amenities and Services
Perth is at the epicentre of services, commerce, and amenities. It is also a cultural hub. Hospitals, schools, shopping centres, museums, art galleries, cinemas, concert halls, theatres, restaurants, hotels and parks are only minutes away. There are four leisure centres, including the Perth Leisure Pool. Perth College UHI is a dynamic modern campus offering a wide range of academic and vocational courses for those pursuing higher education.
Perth railway station links you conveniently with the rest of Scotland. There are hourly trains to Dundee (20mins), Glasgow (just over an hour), Edinburgh (1hr 20mins) and Aberdeen (1hr 30mins). It has a regular service to London via the Caledonian Sleeper. Perth is at the meeting point for the road network that connects the six other cities in Scotland – Edinburgh, Glasgow, Dundee, Aberdeen, Stirling and Inverness. An extensive bus network serves the whole city as well as nearby towns and villages.
Lifestyle and Recreation
Perth isn’t your average city. Its medieval spires set against the skyline are just the tip of its beauty. It retains the pastoral charm of Perthshire with its sprawling parklands, palaces, castles, and the river Tay. It has nature and variety in spades. Whether your cup of tea is an evening of classical music at the Perth Concert Hall or salmon fishing in the River Tay, Perth offers culture and nature, modern and the old, in equal measures.
- Days Out and Golf
Scone Palace, Black Watch Museum, Kinnoull Hill, Branklyn Garden, Stanley Mills and North & South Inches are great places for days out. King James VI Golf Club on Moncreiffe Island and North Inch Golf Course are the best greens in the city for a spot of golf.
- Shopping
Perth is the place for some serious shopping in the whole of the county. It offers an eclectic mix of independent shops, retail giants, high-street brands and local producers. The St John’s Shopping Centre in the city centre is the largest of all. The award-winning Perth Farmer’s Market hosts around 50 stalls of fine Scottish produce on the first Saturday of every month. There are farm shops and delis to buy fresh, organic and wholesome local produce.
- Dining
Perth is known as a Food Town. From gourmet food to artisan drinks, dining out is a first-rate experience. An array of restaurants, cafes, pubs, tea rooms, bars and hotels serve good food and drink, some award-winning. The Perth Distillery and Cullach Brewing produce some excellent gin and craft beers for the city.
- River Pursuits
River Tay is the longest in Scotland. It is picturesque as well as bountiful, considered the best salmon river in Britain and among the top in Western Europe. It is a great place for kayaking, canoeing, paddleboarding, white water rafting, open-water swimming, fishing and rowing.
Community
Perth community is cohesive, active and welcoming. There are many ways to get involved in the community.
If you love gardening, there are community gardens and allotments to share in the passion. Perth Community Garden brings people together for urban farming. Mental health charities have developed gardens for therapeutic horticulture.
North Inch Community Campus provide sporting and fitness opportunities for all. You can also hire meeting and conferencing rooms at the campus. There is a drama studio, music practice room, recording studio and dance studio as well.
First-time buying assistance
The Scottish Government provides equity schemes for first-time buyers in Scotland. Low-cost Initiative for First-Time Buyers (LIFT) is a shared equity scheme that helps first-time buyers on low to moderate incomes. The scheme offers two options. You can buy a home from the open market or a council or housing association – Open Market Shared Equity (OMSE) and New Supply Shared Equity (NSSE).
You will fund 60% and 90% of the home’s cost, and The Scottish Government will hold the remaining share under a shared equity agreement entered with you. You’ll have a ‘complete title’ to your home and your name on the title deeds. A mortgage (or ‘standard security’) on the home will protect the Scottish Government’s share. If you choose to sell the home, the Scottish Government will get a share of the money. The biggest share you will pay on the NSSE scheme is 80% of the cost.
The ‘Fair City’ of Perth is one of the prettiest. It is also a coveted location to invest in your first home. The amenities and attractions ensure a comfortable and active life. GS Brown Construction has been building homes in Perthshire for decades. Perthshire beauty inspires us to match it with elegant designs, modern interiors with contemporary layouts and high-standard specifications. Your first home should live up to your expectations. And moving into one of our brand-new homes covered by NHBC warranty can do just that. Would you live and work in Perth?
