<p>Barratt has launched a “parent power” package aimed at helping young people onto the property ladder in response to the fact that around half of first time buyers’ parents now give them financial assistance to buy a home. The developer will match the contribution made by parents to up to 5% of the purchase price – worth more than £7,000 on a £150,000 home.<br><br>“We’re finding that when we are selling to first-time buyers, we’re selling to their parents as well,” said chief executive David Pretty. “Quite often parents see helping with the deposit as an efficient use of their own savings; for others it’s a case of pulling together to get their children into home ownership. We’re happy to sit down with them to tailor-make a package to suit individual needs.” <br><br>Barratt plans to build more than 3,500 first-time buyer homes this year. The first development of its iPadbranded homes in Middlesbrough is almost finished and 1,600 more of the homes, which are priced from £80,000, are planned for 40 sites across the country.</p> <p>&gt; A survey by property website smartnewhomes.com found that 40% of first time buyers “in waiting” did not expect to own a home until they were …