Date posted: 19/05/2022

Category: Uncategorised

Author: KM

Share on social media

  Back to news

New plan to help first-time buyers get cheaper mortgages unveiled

In Britain, just a quarter of those aged 25 to 34 on average salary incomes own their own home, down from two thirds in 1995, according to official government figures. But the government has just launched a new plan to help first time buyers with their mortgages. The Mirror’s Money Editor published a great article which helps explain the scheme and we’ve summarised points here.  But take a look at their website to read the full article. This is what they said:

First-time buyers could be offered cheaper mortgages if they take out an insurance policy, under new plans to help get people with small deposits on the housing ladder faster. The insurance policy would protect banks if they defaulted and would therefore allow them to offer the buyer lower mortgage rates.

Michael Gove, the housing secretary, is examining the Canada-style plans to make loans more available for those without big savings. Gove said that by looking at how other countries have allowed more families to get loans with small deposits, he will “fix our dysfunctional housing market”.

Banks are less likely to lend to people with small deposits because they are considered risky and are more at risk of defaulting. Gove said that “we need to make access to finance for ownership easier” for young people, pointing out that just a quarter of those aged 25 to 34 on average incomes own their own home, down from two thirds in 1995.

“Getting more young people on the housing ladder depends, firstly, on improving their ability to get mortgages. Many people currently renting pay more to their landlord each month than they would need to pay to service a mortgage on the same property,” he wrote in The Mail on Sunday.

“We are looking closely at what more can now be done to help,” Gove said, adding: “Other countries facing similar problems make access to mortgage finance easier and so can we.”

Canada buyers borrowing more than 80 per cent of the value of their home are required to take out mortgage guarantee insurance. This is offered by their state-run Canada Mortgage Housing Corporation as well as two private providers. State-backed mortgages mean banks have less need to ask for large deposits, and bring down monthly costs.

In Canada, monthly payments on a 95 per cent loan-to-value mortgage are 32 per cent higher than on a 75 per cent loan-to-value mortgage, compared with 52 per cent higher in the UK, according to a study by the Tony Blair Institute.

Ian Mulheirn, chief economist at the Tony Blair Institute, said that banks’ demands for bigger deposits than in the past was “the most important constraint on home ownership” and has driven up mortgage costs for first-time buyers so that rates are a percentage point or two higher than for those with bigger deposits.

“If you have compulsory reliable insurance in theory it should eliminate most of that difference,” said Mulheirn.

 

Modified article taken in part from and article By Emma Munbodh Money Editor at
WWW.MIRROR.CO.UK

Important Information
All property sales and the financial advice that surrounds them are as unique as the people engaging in the transaction. It is important to not make a decision without seeking professional advice. If you want to sell your home and are considering redecorating before marketing, speak to one of our Property Professionals to get the best advice for presenting your home for sale before making any investment. This article is for the purpose of information only and should not be seen as financial advice. 

  Back to news