First-time buyers in the UK have been faced with increasingly challenging conditions over recent years, with the average amount required for a deposit skyrocketing. This was alleviated slightly by the reintroduction of more 95% loan-to-value deals from a range of lenders in 2021, which reduced the average deposit requirement from 15% to 5% of the property's value.
In this article, we explore exactly how much a first-time buyer needs to have as a deposit, which mortgage deals are currently available to them and how to keep the dream of property ownership alive.
How much deposit do first-time buyers need?
The main issue that affected first-time buyers over the past few years is that lenders tightened up their lending criteria and pulled a lot of their higher loan-to-value (LTV) products. This meant that the vast majority of 95% LTV mortgages, which required a deposit of 5%, were no longer available. In fact, it became increasingly difficult to find deals above 85% LTV, which meant a hike up to 15% deposit.
The good news is that higher LTV products are now returning to the market. There has also been a resurgence in deals around the 90% LTV mark, which means buyers would need a 10% deposit. However, first-time buyers need to be savvy when choosing the best deal as some of the high LTV products are often relatively expensive, which could mean monthly repayments being significantly higher.
A good first port of call if you are looking for the best mortgage deal for your individual circumstances is an independent, whole-of-market mortgage broker, such as Habito*. The broker will be able to talk you through your options and advice you on how much you are likely to be able to borrow and what type of mortgage may be best for you.
You may also find our article on the different types of mortgages helpful, as well as our guide to the best 95% LTV mortgages.
How to save for a deposit
Even with the mortgage market opening up again, many first-time buyers will still be keen to increase their savings pot further, which will perhaps let them secure a more competitive deal in the future. Indeed, when it comes to deposits, bigger is always better, so it pays to accumulate as much extra cash as possible.
Ways to make your deposit savings go further include:
- Help to Buy ISA: If you were lucky enough to open a Help to Buy ISA before the November deadline, it really pays to put in as much as possible to hit the maximum £12,000 limit, which secures a £3000 contribution from the government.
- Lifetime ISA: For those who missed out on Help to Buy, it may be worth opening a Lifetime ISA, which allows people saving for their first home the opportunity to save up to £4,000, which will be boosted by a 25% contribution by the government, up to a maximum of £1,000 per year. The £4,000 allowance is deducted from your £20,000 annual ISA contribution limit, meaning you could still benefit from the tax benefits and slightly higher savings rates on a further £16,000 of savings per year in another ISA product. you may want to check out our article: "Compare the best and cheapest Lifetime ISA"
- Cut your costs: Consider ways to reduce your monthly outgoings by considering changing providers for utilities, mobile phones, broadband and TV packages. These savings can then be put towards your deposit. Check out our article "25 money saving tips that could save you thousands"
- Shared ownership: For some first-time buyers, shared ownership offers a way on to the housing ladder without the need to have a really high deposit. As you only buy between 25-75% of the property, you only require a smaller overall deposit for the property. Keep in mind that your monthly outgoings are likely to be the same as if you bought the property outright though, as you will still be required to pay rent on the proportion of the property you don't own.
Can I get help for a deposit from family or friends?
The short answer is, yes, family or friends can contribute to your deposit if they are willing and able to. As with all deposits, the contributor will have to prove how they accumulated the money (with proof of savings and/or income) as an anti-money laundering measure. Other factors to consider are:
- The gifted deposit must be a gift rather than a loan. There must not be any requirement for any part of the gifted deposit to be repaid.
- The person gifting the deposit must agree they have no rights over the property, either in terms of having a right over any equity or having a right to live in the property after purchase
- Not all lenders accept gifted deposits, so it is worth checking before starting the application
- If the person who gifted the deposit dies within seven years of making the contribution, inheritance tax may be payable
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