A decade after it launched in April 2013, the Help to Buy equity loan scheme is coming to an end on March 31, 2023.
But if you think that sounds ages away, it’s not.
The deadline by which you need to apply for the scheme is 6pm on October 31 this year.
Help to Buy was initially available to both first-time buyers and existing home owners on selected new homes up to £600,000.
But since last year, when lower regional price caps were introduced, it has been restricted to first-time buyers only, targeting those who are unable to access affordable loan-to-value mortgages due to having an insufficient deposit.
The way it works is that credit-worthy buyers with a 5% cash deposit can apply for a government-backed loan of 20% of the purchase price.
This means that they only need a 75% mortgage, so have access to better deals than when borrowing more. To reflect higher property prices, in 2016 the maximum loan was doubled to 40% in London, requiring a 55% mortgage.
For the first five years, the loan is interest-free (though there’s a monthly £1 management fee). From year six you pay monthly interest of 1.75%, rising annually by the Consumer Price Index plus 2%.
It is repaid as a percentage of the market value when you sell your home, though this can be done sooner.
The scheme has had its critics, including some who blame it for inflating house prices, but it has been a lifeline for many people.
Latest government figures show that 355,634 homes have been bought with a Help to Buy loan since 2013, with first-time buyers accounting for 83%.
With the deadline looming, the stock of homes offering the scheme is already dwindling — so take a look at our round-up and start booking viewings now.
London (price cap £600,000)
Goodluck Hope, Canning Town, E14
From £430,000
Thirty suites and 10 one-bedroom apartments, all with Help to Buy, will be unveiled at this waterfront development on Saturday, June 18.
Residents at Goodluck Hope will have access to an indoor pool, gym, cinema, 24-hour concierge and the 29th-floor sky lounge, by developer Ballymore.
Check it out via Goodluck Hope.
Fresh Wharf, Barking, E11
From £305,000
One, two and three-bedroom flats in Teal Point, the latest phase in this 911-home scheme, a 10-minute walk from the town centre.
Each has private outside space, integrated kitchen appliances and fitted flooring throughout.
Eastman Village, Harrow, HA1
From £313,000
The former Kodak factory site is being regenerated as a new 2,000+ home community, including one and two-bedroom SMRT flats designed to maximise space, at attractive prices.
All incorporate built-in storage and a balcony or terrace.
Check it out via Barratt Homes.
The Zero, Raynes Park, SW20
From £410,000
A carbon-neutral scheme with solar panels to general electricity, triple-glazed windows, ultra energy-efficient Siemens appliances — and low running costs.
Help to Buy is available on one and two-bedroom flats, all incorporating balconies.
Arden at Parkside, Lewisham, SE10
From £460,000
Help to Buy is available on one-bedroom flats at this Zone 2 scheme.
On-site amenities include concierge service, co-working hub, fitness suite and cinema-style snug.
South-east (price cap £437,600)
Paddock View, Yapton, West Sussex, BN18
From £415,000
Just a couple of detached three-bedroom, two-bathroom houses are available here with Help to Buy.
Each has an open-plan kitchen/diner, a separate living room with French doors out to a good-sized garden, a cloakroom, utility and a driveway.
Horlicks Quarter, Slough, Berkshire, SL1
From £367,000
Two-bedroom flats, in new-build blocks Darjeeling House and Artesian House, are part of the restoration of the iconic Horlicks Factory.
A games room, gym, co-working hub and cinema are in the offing, and the Crossrail station is nearby.
Check it out via Berkeley Group.
Springfield Park, Maidstone, Kent, ME14
From £204,000
On the banks of the River Medway, this development includes a range of one-bedroom apartments available with Help to Buy.
Among high-end touches are boiling water taps and integrated soap dispensers in the kitchens, while bathroom de-mister mirrors come as standard.
Check it out via Weston Homes.
East of England (price cap £407,400)
All Angels Park, Highfields Caldecote, Cambridgeshire, CB23
From £382,995
Help to Buy is offered on a pair of three-bedroom Eveleigh house types at this rural scheme, eight miles from Cambridge.
They have two allocated parking spaces, an en suite off the master bedroom, and spacious rear living rooms.
Check it out via Linden Homes.
Henley Gate, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP1
From £335,000
Take your pick from a collection of three and four-bedroom houses in the first of three neighbourhoods that will form a new garden suburb with a school and country park, only 10 minutes’ drive from the town centre.
Check it out via Crest Nicholson.
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