First-time homebuyers are typically individuals who have not owned a home within the last three years. Some programs may extend this definition to individuals who have never owned a home or have not owned a home within a certain time frame.
Being a first-time homebuyer means that you have not owned a property before. If you own commercial property or property outside of the UK, you will not be considered a first-time homebuyer. You must also have been living in the country for at least a year.
How Is Being a First-Time Homebuyer Relevant to Your Purchase?
First, it means that you're about to embark on one of your life's most exciting—and potentially stressful—experiences. There's a lot to think about and much to do.
Being a first-time homebuyer means you're eligible for several government programs and incentives to help you save money and make buying a home easier. It also means that you'll need to be extra careful and do your homework to ensure you're getting the best possible deal.
The government provides tax breaks and schemes to encourage home ownership. If you are a first-time homebuyer, you do not have to pay any stamp duty on property purchases up to £300,000 if the property you wish to purchase is £500,000 or less. This means that you will only have to pay tax on £200,000 out of the £500,000.
The Help to Buy Equity Loan scheme is a government initiative that allows you to buy a home with a deposit as low as five per cent of the purchase price. The loan is interest-free for the first five years, and you can borrow up to 20 per cent of the purchase price, which is 40 per cent in London.
If you're a first-time homebuyer, you may be able to get access to special mortgages with reduced interest rates and favourable terms and conditions. This can be a great benefit when you're looking to purchase your first home.
Who Qualifies as a First-Time Homebuyer?
The most likely circumstance that will affect your status as a first-time homebuyer is if you marry someone who does not also qualify as a first-time homebuyer. This can extend your status as a first-time homebuyer, even if you would otherwise not qualify. You cannot be a first-time homebuyer if you have inherited a house or a share in one. The government also disqualifies landlords who are looking to buy their first property.
To be considered a first-time homebuyer, you cannot have previously owned or part-owned a property. If you have sold a property in the past, you may still be considered a first-time homebuyer. However, if the property you sold had a residential element attached to it, you will not be considered a first-time homebuyer.
If you are not a citizen of the UK and you have not been present in the country for at least 183 days during the 12 months before completion of your purchase, you will be liable to pay two per cent stamp duty on the first £300,000 and the two per cent continues to all other stamp duty bands.
The Impact of Changing Interest Rates on First-Time Homebuyers
The Bank of England constantly changes interest rates. A small change can cause a lot of concern among economists and homebuyers, whether going up or down. Generally, a hike in interest rates will make mortgage repayments more expensive and impact home buyers, especially first-time buyers.
How to Buy a House for the First Time
After learning about what's involved in a first-time home purchase, you'll have to proceed to understand the sale process. Here's a step-by-step guide you can follow:
1. Talk to Your Mortgage Broker
If you're not already in touch with a mortgage broker, you will need to get in touch with one to discuss your options. Your mortgage advisor will help you determine how much money you can borrow and what type of mortgage would best suit your needs. If you are happy with the recommendation, your mortgage advisor will work to get you a DIP (Decision in Principle). A DIP is a promise from the lender that they will give you a mortgage for a certain amount of money, as long as the information you provide is correct.
2. Find a Property
You can start your property search by finding out how much you can afford and then contacting different estate agents. Make sure to ask questions about the local area and the condition of each property before making a decision. There are many things to consider when buying a property, but one of the most important is its location. The location of a property can affect its value, how easy it is to sell, and even its livability.
3. Make an Offer on the Property
You need to make an offer when you find the home you want to buy. Your offer will be subject to several conditions, including a mortgage condition. If you have already been approved for a mortgage, you will be in a good position to make an offer on the property. If your offer is accepted, you can go ahead with your purchase.
4. Arrange with a Conveyancer
When buying a property, it is important to have a solicitor or conveyancer to help you with the process. They will prepare the contracts for the purchase and check that everything is correct. They will also look for any clauses in the title deeds that could cause problems in the future and check any leases for potential issues. This way, you can be sure that you are buying a property in good condition and that there will be no problems down the line.
5. Exchange Contracts
The deposit is an important part of the purchase process, as it shows that the buyer is committed to going through with the sale. The deposit is typically ten per cent of the total purchase price but can be more or less depending on the agreement between the buyer and seller. Once the deposit is paid, the buyer and seller are legally committed to completing the sale on the specified date.
6. Complete the Sale
Once you have arranged your mortgage, you must complete the property sale. This is when the property will be transferred into your name. You would have already paid the seller through their solicitor, and you would have already received the keys to complete the exchange.
Conclusion
There are a few key things that every first-time homebuyer should know. The first is that the process can be complex, so working with a qualified agent is important. The second is that many costs are associated with buying a home, so it's important to be prepared financially. Finally, buying a home is a big one, so it's important to take the time to weigh all the pros and cons before making a decision.
At Conveyancing Calculator, we provide instant online residential conveyancing quotations using our trusted and accurate Conveyancing Fees Calculator in the UK. If you are moving home, buying a house, selling a house or remortgaging a property, then simply use our conveyancing quote calculator. We will provide instant prices directly from the UK-regulated SRA property solicitor or CLC licensed conveyancer. If you need a property purchase solicitor in the UK, we’ve got you covered. Get in touch with us today and let us know how we can help.
Trackback URL
The Trackback Address for What You Should Know as a First-Time Homebuyer is:
