While we are a little more optimistic this year after the previous 12 months we’ve all had, 2021 promises a lot more than just the hopeful end to lockdowns and how many people you can have at your family barbecue. 2021 is going to be the year to buy a home for plenty of reasons and you won’t want to miss out on what it is offering the first time buyers seeking out a spot on the property ladder. With many schemes and campaigns opening up the market this year, getting yourself on the move and onto the market has never been quite so invested in by the government. So here’s a few tips to climbing onto the first rung and why you may need to be quick about it!
Stamp Duty Holiday
One of the best things that has come out of Rishi’s little red box for this year is most certainly the stamp duty holiday he announced back in July of 2020. While it was to initially run until March 31st this has now been extended until the end of June so you can have a little more time to settle back into the new normal and then jump onto the property ladder once you find your dream home. If you’re not quite sure what stamp duty is then, it simply means you pay a tax on the land. With the holiday, however, you don’t pay a penny of this value up to a property price of £500,000. This could save you up to £15,000 and so it is well worth snapping up before the June deadline.
Shared Ownership
A method of buying a home that has seen growing momentum in the last few years, shared ownership is a great way to get onto the property ladder in 2021 especially if you’re looking to live in the London area. Shared Ownership allows you to buy a share of a home and rent the rest meaning you only pay a deposit on the share you wish to buy cutting that down payment in half. You will also be required to apply for only a small mortgage that represents the remaining share which is great news for anyone looking to take advantage of the stamp duty holiday but haven’t got their credit score quite up to scratch yet. These homes are new builds and a part of regeneration schemes all over the London area with Keaze.com showcasing some fantastic properties from all over the country from shared ownership to help to buy. It’s also an easy step by step process and features a tailored-to-you search tool that only shows you properties that you are both eligible for and ticks all your house hunting boxes. And with their easy guide to shared ownership there’s lots to be excited about when it comes to this scheme.
Deposits
We all know as a first time buyer, the most difficult part of the process is saving for a deposit. For years we put up with sharing with mum and dad to collect the pennies and accumulate a solid amount to get us over that first hurdle, but luckily the government have announced plans to cut deposits to 5% to give those wanting to buy their first home a helping hand onto the property ladder. This can really take the pressure off when buying a home so jumping on this offer in 2021 could have you moving out of mum and dads a lot sooner than you may have anticipated.
So whether a move to London sounds appealing or you’re simply looking for a big house to ensure the whole family are comfortable, 2021 is the year to set those plans into motion.
