NOW is an excellent time to buy your first property, according to Mann Countrywide.

A fixed interest rate is an attractive way of budgeting monthly outgoings during the first few years of a mortgage. Through its associated company, Countrywide Assured Financial Services, Mann Countrywide offers customers a choice of fixed rate products (eg fixed rate for one year 4.45 per cent, two years 4.49 per cent, three years 4.89 per cent, five years 5.09 per cent.

With lenders' variable rates spread between 4.74 per cent and 5.95 per cent, fixed rates are well positioned and offer the certainty that, should variable rates start moving back up, fixed rate customers will be protected from any increase to their monthly repayments until the end of their fixed rate period. Fixed rates are available up to 100 per cent of the property price, but better value exists for customers with a small deposit. Andrew Benn, Mann Countrywide managing director, said: "The group's buying power enables us to offer our customers market leading mortgage products."

For further information, contact your nearest Mann Countrywide branch or call head office on 0208 850 5566.