Page 21 - link magazine

21
NEWS &VIEWS

TAKING CARE WITH CREDIT
N EAlE
BOOMTOWN by Karel Edwards
Money advice worker, Swindon Citizens Advice Bureau
LIVING With only 46 shopping days to l amount payable, i.e
*Tota
Christmas, shops and loan corn- cash preice + credit + all other
West Swindon has, without doubt, panies are pushing credit to en- payments. The APR is a useful
become a very desirable resi- courage you to buy now and pay guide but a low APR does not
dential area. From one bed flats leter. Credit is the easy way to always mean you pay less in the
through to five bedroom man- Chris Griffin spend, but what steps can you end, especially if the agreement
sions, there is a range of accom- The north-south divide of the take to avoid it becoming a is long-term.
modation for people on different country can be seen fairly starkly burden in the new year!
*J your home at risk? If a
rungs of the housing ladder but as in the area according to Chris Can you afford it? Work out loan is 'secured' on your home
prices of some houses rise by up to Griffin. "People from the north your outgoings (remembering to and you can't keep up payments,
a £1,000 per month, many people are buying in West Swindon and allow for emergencies). Is there you could loose your home.
are losing the chance to become are finding it very difficult to sell anything over for repayments?
*How
do you repay the credit?
homeowners and some become houses up there; some take a big Shop around for credit? There Can you vary payments, is it
real casualties of the boom town loss to make the move. In some are many different types, which easier to pay weekly or monthly.
syndrome. And in the rented places in the north of England, a is the cheapest and best suited to Read the agreement carefully.
sector, there are very few prop- three bed house can be bought you? Here are some pointers.
Ask if you don't understand any-
erties available whilst the waiting for under £10,000." *APR (Annual Percentage thing. Try and take it home to
list for local authority housing Rate). This shows the real cost of sign as this may give you a short
has become enormously long as UNDER 5s credit on a yearly basis. Interest period to cancel if you have
the Government restriction on and all other charges made for second thoughts.
building new houses bites. The week of 16th to 21st Nov- providing credit are added up
There is always some risk to
According to Chris Griffin, ember is Wiltshire Under 5s and shown as an annual rate, borrowing but with care you are
Sales Executive with Swindon Awareness Week. There will be including arrangement charges less likely to get into trouble.
Estate Agents Dreweatt, Neate an exhibition in the Link Library and compulsory payments such If in doubt, get advice from
Farrant & Wightman, prices and information broadcast on as insurance. An example: the Citizens Advice Bureau, I
went up by an average of 13% in GWR Radio. A loan company may offer Faringdon Road, Swindon, tel.
the first quarter of the year and The West Swindon Under 5s £200 for a year at 14%. Total 28303 or ask ifor the leaflet 'Shop
between 15% and 20% for first Forum will be holding a meeting cost = £228 to be paid in 12 Around for Credit' from the
time buyers. The half year price on Monday 16th November, 7.30 instalments of £19.00. But be- Trading Standards Department
increase was expected to be p.m. in the Community Suite, cause the loan reduces with each of Wiltshire County Council in
around 25%. The end of year Link Centre. Anybody who has payment the APR is almost 28%. Milton Road.
mark could be 50%. an under 5, works or is concerned
"West Swindon is now more with pre-school children is wel- PLAYGROUP AUCTION
settled and has very attractive come to come along. We will be BAZAAR The 1st Purton & Lydiard Scout
facilities," said Chris recently. looking at the draft of a local The Rainbow Playgroup hold Group are holding their annual
"A couple of years ago it was guide for parents with under 5s. their annual Christmas Bazaar Auction Sale on Saturday 31st
difficult to sell a one bed starter on Saturday 21st November in October, 2.00 p.m. Purton
flat; now they go like hot cakes. LONE PARENTS Freshbrook Community Centre, Village Hall. Seventy-five per
In fact everything is going very The Better Halves Lone Parent
from 10.00 a.m. to 12 noon. cent of the sale price is guaranteed
quickly. We expected the sum- Group welcome any parent on
Admission lop. on all items sold for over £1.00.
mer, post-election period to be their own at their weekly meet-
Cakes, Plant Stall, Toys, Bric- The hall will be open between
quiet, but prices continued to ings on Tuesday 10.30 a.m. to A-Brac, Tombola, Books, Father 10.00 a.m. and 12 noon on sale
shoot up, though more slowly." 12.30 p.m. in the Community Christmas. day for the receipt of items.
The explosion in house prices Suite, Link Centre. Parents with
right across southern England or without the children are in- C &C WINDOW& DOOR CENTRE
and particularly in the Thames vited to meet others in a similar
Valley has several causes includ- situation for a friendly chat over An exciting New Extension to our product range:
ing the opening of the M25 a cup of coffee.
motorway around London and THE LINK THE NEW HOME MAKER
the opening up of financial
markets of The City to inter- CHRISTMAS PARTY • No fuss, no mess installation;
usually installed within two
national finance houses. Swindon It may be too early to start think-
days.
house prices are affected by this, ing about Christmas, but its never • Wetake care of all planning and
and as companies move away too early to start thinking about building regulations, including
from high London prices bringing Christmas shopping! laying of base.
people with them, their higher • In order to relieve you of one • Wide range of sizes and
designs.
salaries are able to afford the burden when shopping - the kids • Sturdy rigid design, quality
rising prices. "There used to be - Link Centre is holding a special materials, built to last. Warm,
lots of houses in the £20,000 to Children's Christmas party on no maintenance uPVC, double
£30,000 bracket," said Chris. Saturday 5th December. Just drop glazed windows and doors.
"There's not much under them off at the Centre and we'll • Triple glazed polycarbonate roof. 200 times stronger than
£40,000 now. I'm meeting first do the rest. The kids will be fully glass - in clear or bronze.
time buyers from the Thames supervised and will participate in • Hinged single door or new tilt and slide patio door available.
Stockists of:
Valley able to spend £50,000, many activities including ice
Swish, Tufcon, Deeplas, Maintenance Free uPVC Claddings.
whilst there are several sites in skating, sports, party games and Fascias, Soffit. Skirting and Windows Trims.
West Swindon offering new much more. Trade Enquiries Welcomed
houses from £80,000 to well The number of children we FREE DELIVERY IN SWINDON AREA
over £100,000. It means that can take will be limited so start
Also available:
people with the lower Swindon planning early this Christmas COMPLETE RANGE OF WINDOWS AND DOORS IN uPVC AND
wages are finding it difficult to and book yours into our special ALUMINIUM
stay in touch, they are just being Christmas Party day. You deserve C & C WINDOW & DOOR CENTRE
priced out of the market. the rest!
54 STATION ROAD, SWINDON. Tel 643866