Homebuyers should act quickly if they want to take advantage of the government’s current stamp duty land tax (SDLT) ‘holiday’ on properties costing between £125,000 and £175,000, says Crest Nicholson.

The waiver, which is due to end on December 31, 2009, offers savings of up to £1,750 based on the normal stamp duty rate of one per cent on a £175,000 property. This was temporarily raised a year ago from £125,000 by Alistair Darling to help struggling first-time buyers get on the ladder in the challenging financial climate. According to Halifax* this has helped 31 per cent of buyers who, as a result, have been exempt from the paying the tax.

Tracey Brady, sales and marketing director, Crest Nicholson South, comments: “We are offering a range of properties at Sentinel in Watford under the £175,000 threshold. With up-front costs often proving difficult for first-time buyers to afford, we anticipate seeing buyers take advantage of this last opportunity in the next few weeks and in time for the expiry of this stamp duty ‘holiday’. Homebuyers should move quickly though, to take advantage of this tax relief as the deadline is approaching quickly.”

Sentinel offers a selection of one and two bedroom apartments and sits in an enviable urban location in the midst of a thriving and cosmopolitan town centre providing residents with access to a wealth of shops, restaurants, pubs and bars. In addition, sports, leisure and entertainment facilities that include theatres, a cinema and comedy club are also located close by. All homes at Sentinel benefit from basement parking and access to a private ground floor deck/garden, offering a relaxing haven away from the buzz of the town centre.

Within walking distance of Watford Junction station, the scheme enjoys excellent transport links, with trains to London Euston in just over 15 minutes and Coventry and Birmingham New Street both easily accessible by rail. Alternatively, Sentinel is just 2.5 miles from Junction 5 of the M1 and A41, and lies within easy access of the M25 for Heathrow Airport or the M1 for Luton Airport and the North.

Prices at Sentinel start from just £168,950 for a one-bedroom apartment.

For more information please contact the Sales and Marketing Suite on
0870 755 1630 or visit www.crestnicholson.com/sentinel.
*Halifax research: www.lloydsbankinggroup.com/media/pdfs/halifax/19_09_09Residental_Stamp_Duty.pdf