First-time buyers have four days left to access First Home Fund

First-time buyers have just four days left to apply for a Scottish Government loan of up to £25,000 towards their property deposit.

The First Home Fund scheme has been popular since the housing market reopened in June, and is expected to support more than 8,000 households into home ownership by the end of the financial year.

Homebuyers who are completing purchases this financial year have until 6pm on 2 October to apply.

The fund, which offers first-time buyers loans of up to £25,000 for their deposit, was launched in December 2019 to pilot a new approach to supporting first-time buyers. The pilot will now be evaluated, with the results expected to be published in January.

Returning in 2021

However, recognising its early success, the Scottish Government intends to reopen for applications in the new year for home purchases completing in 2021/22.

Housing Minister Kevin Stewart said: “The pilot of our First Home Fund has been a huge success, helping thousands of people own their first home.

“The fund has been especially important since property sales resumed over the summer, and we invested a further £50 million in July to help ensure that first-time buyers could still access the market despite changes to mortgages caused by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

“While the scheme is almost fully subscribed for 2020-21, I am pleased to say that I will reopen the pilot for the next financial year, and look forward to announcing further details of this in due course.

“In the meantime, first-time buyers will still be able to access shared equity schemes including Help to Buy (Scotland) and LIFT (the Low-cost Initiative for First Time Buyers), and I would encourage them to consider these options.”

Background

The First Home Fund was launched with an initial budget of £150 million. The Scottish Government invested a further £50 million in July in response to reduced availability of higher loan-to-value mortgages caused by the COVID-19 crisis.

It is open to all first-time buyers in Scotland and can be used for new build and existing properties.

Buyers are required to fund around 5% of the value of their new property from their own funds as a deposit. The Scottish Government contribution is secured on the equity of the home, is repayable in full at any time, and must be repaid if the home is sold. No monthly payments apply.

Help for first-time buyers

Buying a home is often the single most important financial transaction a person will make in their lifetime, so it’s important to make the correct decisions.

As an estate agent, law firm and independent mortgage adviser, Aberdein Considine offer everything you need to buy your first home - all 'under one roof'.

Click here if you would like to make an appointment at your local branch.