James Forster, 25, and his partner Melissa bought a two-bedroom maisonette in Sutton Valence, Kent, through the Discount Market Sale (DMS) scheme, paying £221,000 after an 80% valuation discount and using an £11,000 deposit.
How the discount scheme worked
Forster, who works for a planning consultancy, discovered the DMS scheme on Facebook. The scheme aims to make housing more affordable for people living and working in the area who earn under a certain salary threshold, with criteria varying by council. The couple bought the home for 80% of its value and will sell it for 80% of its value when the time comes.
The property developer, Fernham Homes, contributed 5% of the deposit, which came to £11,000. The couple matched this amount, bringing their total deposit to £22,000. Forster described getting a 10% deposit down for only £11,000 as "pretty astonishing." They are now on a 30-year mortgage.
Saving and the mortgage process
Forster began saving during university, which he attended during COVID, and put money into investments and stocks and shares on the advice of friends who are now financial advisors. His partner Melissa is a "very stringent saver," he said. The couple lived with their families after graduating to save for the deposit.
The mortgage process was "all really simple," according to Forster. Fernham suggested they get an agreement in principle first, and after two phone calls and an email exchange providing evidence, they secured it without issue. The only delays came from their side when they did not have the necessary information ready.
Why they chose to buy
Forster said renting was never attractive, as friends in Bromley pay "extortionate prices," and he wanted to own his home. The couple initially opposed new builds after living in his father's home with poor quality and paper-thin walls, but changed their minds after viewing this property. The home includes extras like mirrors and towel rails, and the front door looks out onto ponds and greenery with a communal garden next door.
Since moving in May 2026, the couple has had no major problems, aside from a small leak from the air source heat pump, which was inspected the morning after they reported it. They see the property as a stepping stone, planning to stay for a few years before moving to a larger home with a private garden.
