New 95% mortgage scheme to help first-time buyers.
Lenders are now offering a government-backed 95% mortgage scheme to help more first-time buyers onto the property ladder.
The government is hoping to turn ‘generation rent’ into ‘generation buy’ with the help of a 5% mortgage deposit scheme launched on 19 April.
Following the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic, many lenders withdrew low-deposit mortgages. In just under a year, the number of 95% mortgages available to first-time buyers fell from 391 to just three. It’s hoped the scheme will give lenders the confidence to offer low-deposit mortgages again by taking on some of the risks involved.
First announced in this year’s Budget, the program offers first-time buyers or current homeowners the chance to secure a 95% loan-to-value mortgage on homes worth up to £600,000. It’s available on both new-build and existing properties.
The government hopes the scheme will provide an affordable route to homeownership by helping people who may be renting but are unable to save for a deposit.
Buyers will still only be able to borrow in proportion to their income, typically a multiple of 4.5. As a result, the scheme will particularly benefit buyers in lower-value housing markets such as northern England and Scotland.
Loan to value is the percentage of the property value you’re loaned as a mortgage – in other words, the proportion you’re borrowing. For example, if you have a 95% mortgage on a house worth £200,000, you would put down £10,000 (5%) of your own money as a deposit and borrow the rest (£190,000).
There are a few conditions that you’ll have to meet under the scheme. You’ll need to:
— Buy a property to live in – second homes and buy-to-let properties aren’t eligible.
— Apply for a repayment (not interest-only) mortgage
— Pass standard affordability checks, including a loan-to-income test and credit score assessment.
It’s worth considering the fact that the higher proportion of the property price you borrow, the higher the amount of interest you’ll repay on your mortgage. So it might be good to take a step back
and figure out if you can save for a little longer and borrow less.
Our team of financial experts can help you with your financial queries from financial protection to finding an investment deal. We can also give independent no-obligation advice on personal pensions and more – get in touch today or email [email protected] – we’re here to help.
Edward Mellor Financial Advisors can help you get onto the property ladder, talk to us today about the 5% mortgage deposit scheme.
Source: Openworks
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