This award means Jim is in the top 10 site managers throughout Northern Ireland and the Isle of Man, an accolade he previously won in 2006.

Not only is Breton Hall an award winner but it has been bucking the sales trend since it opened in late 2009. Bill Porter comments “we are very proud to have our quality recognised by NHBC and my brother Jim is as passionate as I am about ensuring that our product is built with quality and integrity. Solid floors on all levels, instead of timber, ensuring much less noise penetration and our high specification solid doors, UPVc sash windows and locally crafted kitchens add substance and quality you can really feel”.

This quality and reputation for excellence is also in evidence at Porter&Co’s Farriers Green development at Carnreagh in Hillsborough, where the number of bookings off-plan has far exceeded expectations.

“Demand was so immediate when the first release was announced in November, that we had to increase the number of homes in the first release” said estate agent Fred Dalzell.

He added “We are expecting many purchasers and potential purchasers for Farriers Green and indeed Porter & Co’s Portmore Hall development in Crumlin, to visit the Breton Hall showhouse on Sunday 11^th to see and experience at first hand the quality they can expect from a Porter home. It is very satisfying to be able to share these achievements with our buyers and have a festive glass of mulled wine with them as a thank you.”

Bill Porter added “To celebrate the award and a very encouraging year of sales, we are inviting the public to view our showhouse, enjoy a mince pie and glass of mulled wine, plus we have a festive Christmas tree and talented ensemble of carol singers to add to the atmosphere!”

For further details on Breton Hall and Portmore Hall contact Reeds Rains Estate Agents Lisburn 02892675321 or Fred Dalzell & Partners 02892666638.

Caption: (L-R) John Montgomery, Patton Homes; David McCallum, Co-Ownership Housing Association and Charlie Lynn, McAfee Properties and Mortgages launch the FirstBuy NI Information Night, Thursday 24th November 6-30 to 8-30 pm at Phoenix Fields, Railway Street, Ballymena.

This scheme had just been launched, with £3.25million being made available to help first time buyers get a foot on the property ladder.

John Montgomery, Director, Patton Homes comments “This scheme is very welcome news to the house building industry and is another option for potential homeowners who are looking to get onto the property ladder.  We are receiving a lot of interest in FirstBuy NI, which is why we are hosting this information night on Thursday 24^th November at Phoenix Fields.  FirstBuy NI would allow a homebuyer to purchase a home at Phoenix Fields with a monthly mortgage payment of just £293 per month! *

We believe that this represents great value for money and is a message that we want to share with house hunters in the market.”

Charlie Lynn from McAfee adds “This is an excellent opportunity within the current market for homebuyers to own their own home.  The FirstBuy NI scheme has come along at the right time and is a good platform for people to get onto the property ladder.  Please come along on Thursday night if you would like to find out more.”

The FirstBuy NI scheme can help first time buyers and returning homebuyers to get on the property ladder by providing help to buy a new build home on a shared ownership basis. The FirstBuy NI scheme is available on a first come first served basis. This is a pilot scheme and is due to be completed by the 31 March 2012.

With FirstBuy NI, purchasers with a five per cent deposit will be able to afford a new home on an 80 per cent shared ownership basis. This means that if buyers can pay the five per cent deposit on a new build home, Co-Ownership Housing will finance 20 per cent of the cost and the buyers can take out a 75 per cent mortgage on the rest of the property.

Rent on the part of the property owned by Co-Ownership Housing will be charged at the same rate as existing properties under the Co-Ownership scheme.

As their earnings increase over the years, the buyers can then buy the remaining 20 per cent equity share from Co-Ownership Housing, and own the property outright.

The FirstBuy NI scheme is a funding package which is available on a first come first served basis. This is a pilot scheme and is due to be completed by the 31 March 2012.

* Figures quoted are subject to status and lending criteria (correct November 2011).

Osborne King’s first auction in over four years took place in September and attracted widespread interest from a varied mix of individuals including first-time buyers, investors and developers.  The company disposed of a staggering 25 of the 27 lots (93% transacted) on offer and is hoping to achieve similar sales levels at the upcoming auction although Mark Carron, head of Osborne King’s auction team, accepts that replicating the success of the September event will be challenging.

He  said, “Obviously, we were very pleased with the results of our last auction, particularly in view of the fact that a large proportion of properties sold on the day had been on the market for quite some time, in some instances up to two years.  From our perspective, this level of success demonstrated clearly that the auction process is an extremely effective and efficient method of sale, provided it is managed properly.  That said, it remains a challenge to either equal or surpass the results of our last auction although the team has worked hard to assemble a diverse range of lots priced at extremely realistic levels, which, we hope will attract similar levels of interest and numbers of bidders on the day.”

Among the lots on offer is a partially-built block of three apartments in Cloughmills (maximum reserve price of £5,000), a detached bungalow situated on a 0.25-acre site in one of Newry’s most desirable residential areas (maximum reserve of £60,000) and a two-storey office building in Carrickfergus town centre (maximum reserve £130,000).  Topping the list with a maximum reserve price of £175,000 is a development site of circa 6.9 acres in Irvinestown that has full planning permission for 58 housing units.

Full details of lot types, sizes and prices are available in Osborne King’s auction catalogue, listed on-line on PropertyPal , or via the Agents own website. Osborne King can also be contacted on 028 9027 0000 for further details.

Following on from previous success Ulster Property Sales has been “highly commended” in both the Sales and Rental division.

The fact that Ulster Property Sales has received two of these coveted awards is proof that Northern Ireland has proved its capability of triumphing within the highly competitive UK property arena.

The judging panel consists of more than 80 professionals whose collective knowledge of the property industry is unsurpassed by any other property awards. This year’s judges include James Bacon, UK account manager of Google; Peter Bolton King, group chief executive of the National Federation of Property professionals; David Dalby of the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS); and Mike McNamara of the Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS).

Peter Feeley of Ulster Property Sales Head Office commented, “to receive these prestigious awards two years running is outstanding for our group and proves our continuous commitment to a quality sales & letting service”

The co-ownership scheme is designed for people who cannot afford to buy a house outright. Under the scheme, they buy a share in the property in conjunction with a housing association.

They may then gradually buy out the association in the coming years. The extra money will assist 170 more people into the property market each year, and help provide a much needed boost to the construction industry sector.

Following an additional cash injection from the Treasury, the new money from Stormont amounts to £10m a year for this year and for the next three years and comes on top of the  £15m extra a year in existing funding from the Department of Social Development.

If the prospective home buyers have a 5% deposit and can secure a 75% mortgage, Co-Ownership Housing will finance the 20% shortfall. The scheme hopes to help around 100 families purchase a home.

Properties up to a maximum of £175,000 will be available for purchase through FirstBuyNI and as the buyers’ earnings increase they can move to full ownership by increasing their equity stake.

The Co-Ownership Scheme has been running since 1978 and has helped more than 21,000 people purchase their home. Mr McCausland wants the scheme to help with the difficult first rung on the property ladder.

“New build properties often require around 20% deposit. This scheme will help people who would find it difficult to afford buying a new-build house outright, to take their first steps towards home ownership,” he said.

Funding must be taken up before the end of March 2012 so register your interest now to get an application form at www.firstbuyni.org.

When demand outstripped supply back in 2007, the average price of an apartment in Belfast topped £213,000. Now, with demand at an all time low – these have fallen to around £137,000 according to our figures. Even with these drops in price, in comparison with other parts of the province Belfast is still expensive to live in, despite being the economic hub of Northern Ireland.

Borrowing compact living ideas from other continents – property Developer, Alan Fraser has come up with an idea that he hopes will change all of that – pop-up apartments for affordable city living.

Launched this morning, and starting at £80,000, the apartments are 350 square foot of functional, practical living space, and despite the size – the living areas are surprisingly airy and comfortable.  Furniture, television and an iPod dock are also bundled in the price.

With a locally owned coffee house on the ground floor will both set the tone for the building and supply you and your visitors with freshly roasted coffee and tasty snacks to get going in the morning and a rooftop garden on the top floor offers stunning views of the city.

Whilst the size may put some off, the apartments will be perfect matches for students or business people that currently battle with the daily commute into the city.

Wilsons Auctions Prepare Biggest Lot Selection In Northern Ireland’s History

Wilsons Auctions, the UK and Ireland’s largest independent auction house is hosting over 60 lots in a land and property sale on 22^nd September at its headquarters and bespoke auction facility in Mallusk.

Reflecting the current market, the number of buyers and sellers who are using auction houses over the last 24 months has seen a dramatic increase.  Wilsons Auctions, the local property auction experts, believe this offers a viable and credible alternative to the traditional sales method.  Wilsons Auctions Group Property Manager, Richard Bell comments:  “At Wilsons Auctions we have over 75 years of local knowledge and expertise in land and property auctions. The efficiency of the auction process also provides freedom to those who need their property sold more quickly.  Financial Institutions now have a clearer understanding of market values and recognise that auctions provide them with an ideal solution.  With the incredible value on offer, a property auction of this magnitude is unique to the Northern Ireland property market and is ideal for those looking to snap up ‘Buy to Let’ bargains.”

On average the properties on offer have great value guide prices ranging from 40 – 60k, with registered interest from potential buyers all over the island of Ireland.  For example, lot number one, known as ‘Mouse Cottage’, is on auction with a guide price of £10,000 and has already received 2,759 hits on top property website Property Pal.  The lots range from prestigious four bedroom detached houses on the Malone Road to the ideal holiday home both home and abroad.  For example, you can have a two bedroom villa in Spain for £95,000 or an apartment in the Monaghan lakeland for just £20,000, cheaper than a caravan – with better investment potential.

Wilsons Auctions offer first rate sales and services to both buyers and sellers alike. With over 300 highly trained professionals and the latest technological and industrial advances including a new online ‘Live Bid Facility’ which has increased sales exponentially, ensuring the consumers receive the best possible service.

The auction will be held at Wilsons Auctions Mallusk on Thursday 22^nd September at 7.30pm.  For all the information, to see open viewing times and to view the lots on offer, view the properties here on PropertyPal or call Richard Bell on 028 90 34 2626.

The 40 acre parkland of Moira Demesne, located at the edge of Moira, will host up to 30 hot air balloons that will put on a number of impressive colourful displays (weather dependent) morning and evening over the course of the three day event.

While the hot air balloons are in the skies there will be a variety of activities, on the ground‟ to occupy the interests of visitors from all age groups; and on Saturday 27th August our pals at U105 will produce a roadshow live from the Hot Air Balloon Festival.

Alderman Jim Dillon, Chairman of the Council’s Economic Development Committee, added: “It gives me great pleasure to confirm the support that the Council’s Tourism Unit has provided to this event through both the organisation of activities and also financial assistance”. “This three day event has something to offer everyone; there will be live music, a fun fair and an artisan food festival with over 25 gourmet producers offering delights that will include Armagh cider, speciality cheeses, olives, crepes, fresh breads, home baking, strawberries and cream.”

“In addition to the colourful display of hot air balloons during daylight hours, on Saturday and Sunday evenings at approximately 9.00pm a “Fire and Light Show” will take place. During these stunning shows up to 15 balloon pilots will ignite burners and transform the night sky to the sound of music in a dramatic display of colour, light and sound” he concluded.

Under 16s can enter the event for free when accompanied by an adult and there will be plenty for younger visitors to enjoy such as bouncy castles, a bucking bronco, bungee trampolines and much more. Find out more at: www.northernirelandballoonfestival.com.

For those who prefer to order tickets over the phone, or collect them in person, please contact Lisburn TIC on 028 9266 0038 or the Hillsborough TIC on 028 9268 9717.

Sales at the village-style development have been soaring despite current economic conditions, attributed to the combination of location, quality of fit out and value for money on offer for homebuyers, particularly popular with young couples and first-time buyers.

The launch of phase 3 introduces a brand new house type – a two bedroom town house, starting at £115,000.  This house offers fantastic value for money and is sure to be a welcome addition to the already impressive portfolio of homes on offer at Coopers Mill. The high specification that one has come to expect with a McGinnis Group home comes as standard. Personalised kitchen selections, contemporary sanitary ware, co-ordinated floor and wall coverings, a gas fire and a superb garden are just some of the items that form part of the turnkey package.

Adam Cartlidge, who has recently moved into a new home he bought with partner, Grace Irwin, at Coopers Mill, comments:  “My partner Grace and I are thrilled to own our first home, it’s in the perfect location, literally between Belfast City Centre and Ards.  It feels like home already, we are very glad we got settled in time to enjoy the sunshine in our first ever garden, we’re now looking forward to the Summer months ahead. We’d recommend Coopers Mill to everyone as there is a huge variety of house types and prices to choose from, every one of them individual, with landscaping, superior finish, private driveways and gardens, giving the development a real ‘community’ feel.”

Coopers Mill was recently awarded ‘Best Development in Co. Down’ as part of the UK Property Awards 2010 for the UK property market.  The Award recognises the UK’s most outstanding projects and clearly acknowledges the quality of McGinnis Group properties not just in the NI market, but across the UK.

The key to the success of Coopers Mill lies in the high standard of finish and the full turnkey specification which comes as standard in all of the homes.  This is combined with the quality of workmanship which the McGinnis Group prides itself on delivering with each home.  Testament to this is site manager John Logue’s NHBC Pride in the Job Award which he received for his work at Coopers Mill in 2010.

Adam continues:  “The McGinnis Group made the whole process extremely easy, from helping us personalise the interior décor, supporting us with specifications and informative agents on hand to answer any queries.  It’s such a stressful thing moving house, it makes a real difference to work with trusted professionals.”

The McGinnis Group offers a 10-year NHBC guarantee with all their new homes, as well as opportunities to purchase through the Co-Ownership scheme.  Potential buyers can log on to www.co-ownership.org to find out more.

Situated in the East of the City, Coopers Mill is located just off the Belfast – Newtownards dual carriageway.  The development is only 15 minutes from Belfast City Centre, five minutes from Newtownards, ten minutes from Comber and two minutes from Dundonald.  It enjoys an enviable location convenient to the Ulster Hospital and Stormont with the George Best Belfast City Airport only 15 minutes away.

The location of Coopers Mill also offers many recreational opportunities with an abundance of golf courses nearby, including Knock, Scrabo, Shandon Park and Gilnahirk.  Dundonald Ice Bowl, situated close by, incorporates an ice rink, ten-pin bowling, indoor children’s adventure playground and miniature golf.  Also on hand are the David Lloyd Tennis Leisure Complex and the Dundonald Omniplex cinema.

Links to schools are excellent with many schools including Dundonald Primary School, Cabin Hill, Campbell College, Sullivan Upper, Our Lady and St. Patrick’s College, Knock and Regent House all easily accessible.

With over 30 years of experience in the local residential construction industry the McGinnis Group is one of the most respected local homebuilders in Northern Ireland.  The company specialises in creating affordable, high quality housing aiming to offer homes to suit the most discerning of buyers.