The first phase of a new 'rent-to-buy' scheme aimed at getting more Liverpool residents onto the housing ladder saw every home snapped up within two hours.
Details of Liverpool Council's flagship programme were released last week, with hundreds of enquiries received during the first few days of marketing alone.
The scheme is run by Foundations, the authority's housing company, and was offering new-build homes at its Harrington Row development on Park Street in Dingle.
Under the scheme, people will be able to rent the homes at 80% of the market rent, so they can save the other 20% towards a deposit in order to find a mortgage to buy the property.
They will be given an option to buy their home after 12 months and up to five years at a fair market price based upon an independent valuation at the time of purchase.
The first phase of the programme saw 14 homes snapped up, but more than 300 enquiries during the first five days of marketing.
Foundations chief executive, Mark Kitts, said: “It was fantastic to see such high demand at the launch of our rent-to-buy scheme at Park Street, which saw all 14 homes reserved in a very short time.
"In particular, we received strong interest from local people and families in the new homes. This demonstrates the strong appetite for home ownership in our city and we’re confident that our 'rent-to-buy' programme will open up exciting new opportunities for first time buyers in Liverpool."
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He said the 14 homes are "just the start of the journey", adding: "We’ll be working hard as we progress to ensure that even more people can benefit from working with us to help them get a foot on the housing ladder and own a home of their own.”
The three-bedroom family homes are the first lot of new build-houses to be included in the company’s 'rent-to-buy' programme, and prospective buyers will start to move in from July 2019.
The new homes were marketed by Liverpool-based agency Redwing Living.
Jessica Turner, sales manager, said: “We’re thrilled that all 14 homes at Harrington Row are reserved and that Foundations have enjoyed such a successful event. This interest generated around the development just goes to show how big the demand is for affordable housing in Liverpool, and how committed we are at Redwing in helping people onto the property ladder.
“The new homes at Park Street are ideal for first-time buyers and offer views of the Anglican Cathedral and the River Mersey.
"We’re looking forward to working closely with Foundations and the buyers to help them move in and settle into their new homes as quickly as possible.”
The scheme was available to people who live or work in Liverpool and are either first-time buyers or who have had to previously sell a home because of a relationship breakdown.
Other criteria included being in work but unable to buy a home on the open market due to lack of savings for a deposit towards a mortgage.
