Buying your first home can be a bit of a minefield. From terminology to hidden costs, there’s a lot to get your head around.
In this blog, we’re delving into the expenses you can expect as a first-time buyer. This will give you an idea of how much you need to save alongside your deposit to purchase a Pocket home.
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An Income Boost is a little-known guarantor mortgage scheme that lets someone close to you – like a parent, sibling, or even a friend – help your application without giving (or lending) you money. Their income gets added to yours, so you can borrow more without upping your deposit. That extra boost could be the difference between “almost there” and “keys in hand.”
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Getting on the property ladder can feel like a daunting task for first-time buyers. With the average time to save a house deposit nearing 10 years (18 years in London), homeownership might sometimes feel out of reach. But with a Deposit Boost, you could make your dream of owning a home a reality sooner than you think.
A Deposit Boost is a type of buying scheme that allows loved ones like parents or grandparents to help give you a leg up on the property ladder, without needing to dip into their cash savings, investments, or pensions. Here’s how it works, some key benefits, and considerations to help you decide if it’s the right option for you.
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If you’re a first time buyer considering buying a new build home, you should know what to look out for in terms of service charge. Read on to learn about what it is and what to expect.
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The UK government’s new Commonhold White Paper could mark a major shift in homeownership, aiming to replace the current leasehold system with the commonhold model. But what does this actually mean for flat owners and buyers?
In this guide, we break down the key differences between leasehold and commonhold, what the proposed changes involve and how they could impact future homeowners, including those buying Pocket homes.
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Ah, the start of a new year – the perfect excuse for a fresh start, a new diary and a long list of overly ambitious new year’s resolutions. But if this is the year you’ve decided to trade in your rented digs for a place to call your own, we’ve got some realistic, first time buyer specific new year’s resolutions to help you get there. And don’t worry, these won’t involve kale smoothies or 5 a.m. wake up calls – just a bit of planning, saving and savvy decision making.
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Buying your first home is exciting but can be daunting when you’re confronted with a whole new world of terminology. From “fixed-rate mortgage” to “EPCs” – the jargon can be overwhelming. Zoopla even found that a “lack of knowledge” is preventing millions from owning their own home, and it’s about time that changed! So, here’s your easy-to-read dictionary and go-to guide for understanding all the terms you’ll need to know on your homebuying journey.
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The thought of owning your first home is undoubtedly exciting, but for a lot of people it can also feel daunting (and financially impossible), especially in London’s market. Thankfully, there are lifelines.
Initiatives and schemes like Pocket and First Homes are designed to help you on your journey to homeownership by giving you a discount on your first home. The two are somewhat similar and sometimes confused, but there are crucial differences, so in this blog we’ll be shedding some light on exactly what Pocket and the First Homes scheme are and how they compare.
It’s important for you to make an informed decision that aligns with your homeownership goals when choosing how to buy, so whether you’re exploring your options or ready to take the leap, this blog is a must-read.
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So, it’s officially 2024 and you’ve decided that this is the year you’re going to begin your homeownership journey. It may be tempting to hop straight on to Zoopla and start browsing homes, but unfortunately you’ve got a little way to go before that step, first you’ll need to save for your mortgage deposit.
In this blog, we’re uncovering the most practical and effective ways to save money in 2024 – NOT including sacrificing your social life or keeping your wallet under lock and key.
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In a world filled with clickbait headlines and seemingly endless debates about the right time to buy a home, it’s easy to feel like you’re caught in a whirlwind of uncertainty. But guess what? Amid all the noise, there’s one simple truth that stands tall and steadfast: Now could very well be the perfect time for first-time buyers to embark on their homeownership journey. We interviewed seasoned Mortgage Advisor, Anthony Hall, to explore why, despite what you might have heard about mortgage interest rates, the time to buy is now.
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