The Your First Home initiative was unveiled at the weekend and will give first-time buyers the chance to buy a new-build property with a 2.5% deposit, with the Government stepping in to lend them an extra 20% towards the cost.
Developers will also be expected to make a contribution when signing up to the scheme, to help cover costs.
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Developers → unveil → costs
London-listed builders enjoyed steep share gains on Monday morning when trading opened after the plans were unveiled, with Barratt Redrow leading the FTSE 100 Index higher with a 12% share gain.
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Redrow → list → gain
In the FTSE 250 Index, Charles Church builder Persimmon saw shares jump 15%, while Bellway and Taylor Wimpey were both 12% higher and Vistry gained 10%.
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Vistry → see → %
Neil Wilson, UK investor strategist at Saxo, said: “It’s a big shot in the arm for housebuilders as much as first-time buyers, coming as the industry is severely pressured by surging mortgage rates and inflation.
“Juicing demand provides the incentive to get building, though we should note the plan includes price caps so only more modest homes can be bought.
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homes → say → caps
Richard Hunter, head of markets at interactive investor, said: “The housebuilding sector has been beleaguered by a raft of headwinds ranging from higher mortgage rates and strained affordability to a slow planning process for new homes.”
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sector → say → homes
James Nightingall, founder of property search service HomeFinder AI, said: “The new-build sector was in dire need of an initiative that gets the market moving again.”
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market → say → initiative
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Richard Donnell, executive director at Zoopla, said: “A new, targeted equity loan would increase the buying power of first-time buyers, but the greatest impact on housing delivery will come if it is accompanied by more homes being built at the price points and in the sizes first-time buyers are looking for.
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buyers → read → sizes
“The detailed price caps announced at the Budget will therefore be important in determining how much additional demand the scheme can unlock.”
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scheme → announce → demand
Paul Turner, chief executive of new-build home warranty and insurance provider the National House Building Council (NHBC), described the new equity loan scheme as “a welcome boost for the industry”.
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Turner → describe → industry
He said: “There is no one single solution to the housing challenge.
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He → say → challenge
Supply must also be addressed through accelerated planning reform and the easing of unnecessary regulatory burdens.
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Supply → address → burdens
“What’s more
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What → ’ → ?
Nicholas Mendes, mortgage technical manager at John Charcol, said: “Your First Home is positive news for first-time buyers.
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Home → say → buyers
“The deposit remains the single biggest barrier to getting onto the ladder and bringing it down to 2.5% will make a real difference to those who can afford the monthly repayments but have struggled to save while paying rent.”
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who → remain → rent
He said: “Buyers will need to go in with their eyes open.
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Buyers → say → eyes
“The scheme is limited to new builds, which often come with a premium over comparable existing homes, and the equity loan will ultimately need to be repaid, so buyers need to be clear on the terms before committing.”
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buyers → limit → terms
Mr Mendes also highlighted other low or no-deposit options currently available for people looking to get on the property ladder, such as Skipton Building Society’s track-record mortgage and Accord’s £5,000 deposit mortgage.
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Mendes → highlight → mortgage
He said: “The right route will depend on the buyer’s circumstances and the type of property they want, which is where speaking to a broker can make a real difference.”
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speaking → say → difference
Andrew Montlake, chief executive of Coreco mortgage brokers said: “The real test will be in the detail: price caps, income limits, developer contributions and what happens when the interest-free period ends.”
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period → say → detail
John Newcomb, Builders Merchants Federation chief executive said: “We wait to hear about the exact details of this scheme, but it’s been clear that for too long house building has been stagnant, and help is needed to rebuild confidence.
“Construction is a vital element of the UK economy, and one that has a massive impact on the nation’s financial position.”
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that → say → position
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