THERE’S no getting away from it, getting on the property ladder involves one of the hardest decisions we’re ever likely to make, because traditional mortgages are only available to those with enough cash to fund a healthy deposit and while we could look at taking on a let, rents are rocketing ever skywards.

Is there really no alternative for a first time buyer in a city with a housing shortage and high prices?

Well you could live in a reasonably priced office block in Clifton Moor. No it’s not as daft as it sounds. With shops and supermarkets on the doorstep and good bus links into York this really is a potential solution.

Property developers Helmsley Homes certainly think so.

“A couple of years ago we went to look at these empty offices that nobody wanted and thought what else could we do with them,” says director Max Reeves.

“At the same time the Government had introduced the permitted development which allows conversion from office to residential with no need for planning permission.”

So without further ado Helmsley Homes set about turning unneeded office space into badly needed apartments. It’s such a brilliant concept you wonder why no one else had come up with it.

First came the Halo development, now the latest name in lights is Neon in Kettlestring Lane. This scheme comprises 16 studio or one bedroom apartments and with prices from £99,950 for a studio and £115,000 to £145,000 for one bedroom apartments, you can understand why there has already been a number of interested parties coming forward.

Indeed 50 per cent sold during the first ten days, but fear not if you miss out.

"We have more properties in the pipeline,” says Mr Reeves. “Taking the brave step to buy the first building has got the ball rolling of turning offices into residential. We launched Neon last week, the next one, called Nova, will be ready in six months or so and a couple more are planned.”

There’s even more good news. Neon’s apartments can be bought through the Government’s help to buy scheme, where for as little as 25 per cent, or as much as 75 per cent, of the asking price you can part-buy your own home and pay rent on the rest.

This increasingly popular equity loan is currently available until 2021 and with mortgage rates as good as they have ever been, it could be an answer that is right up your street.

Available on new build homes up to £600,000 (in England) the help to buy loan can be repaid at any time or on the sale of your home.

So that’s the financing sorted, but why choose to live at Neon? How about allocated parking spaces for starters? York is not particularly blessed with places to park the car, so this must be a huge enticement for any prospective buyer.

And that’s before we go inside.

Just look at all that light and space, thanks to bigger than normal windows and larger than average rooms, not to mention the open plan living space.

Then we have high gloss fitted kitchens that reflect the light even more, and with integrated appliances included in the price, the cost of add ons is reduced considerably at Neon. Another major saving is made because these spacious homes come fully carpeted throughout.

If that’s not enough there are stunning modern shower rooms. You’d normally need to be looking at properties in the £300,000 plus bracket to get such luxury. Some apartments even have private gardens.

So there you have it. With a 250 year lease and assistance from the Help to Buy scheme, Neon has got to be one of the best ways to get on York’s property ladder for any young couple or single professional.

“It’s really rewarding to see people like student nurses and teachers who are starting out in their careers being able to afford a place of their own,” says Mr Reeves.

“Some were paying £500 a month for a room, now with a mortgage of £300 a month they are living in their own apartment.”

For more information and to view the Neon show apartments, phone Your Move Anscombs on 01904 621532.