Mortgage Jargon
Buying your first home. What an exciting time in your life! It’s the start of a new chapter, but it doesn’t come without its struggles. Getting a mortgage can be hard enough, but add in the technical jargon and it can become the first-time buyers Mount Everest.
Data released by Aldermore highlights the fact that many first-time buyers don’t understand mortgage terminology, and could be missing out on schemes that are designed to help them.
But what terms do people struggle with and what do they actually mean?
Slightly over half of respondents weren’t aware of the ‘Help to Buy equity loan’ – this is where the government lends you up to 20% of the cost of your newly built home, interest free for the first fiveyears, so you’ll only need a 5% deposit and a 75% mortgage to make up the rest!
Just under half didn’t understand what a ‘lifetime ISA’ was and slightly over one third didn’t know what a ‘Help-to-Buy ISA’ was. These ISAs allow first-time buyers to get a 25% government bonus on their savings for a first home, each with different rules which is why seeking professional advice is worthwhile.
35% of respondents also didn’t understand ‘shared ownership’ – where first-time buyers own a share on their home and pay rent at a reduced rate on the remaining share.
These figures suggest that many first-time-buyers could be missing out on various benefits and pathways that these schemes can provide for those wishing to enter the property market, which is why obtaining professional advice can be invaluable.
Your adviser will be able to help you understand these terms and explain the benefits of the different schemes.
If you or your loved ones want to discuss the options available to you, or talk through any of the schemes in more detail, contact your adviser today.