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Help to buy, or no help to buy, that is the question? Buying your own home with only a 5% deposit The government introduced a scheme (only please don’t stop reading, just because I’ve mentioned the ‘G’ word) back in 2013 to assist those trying to buy their first or next home. Meanwhile, right here in Chelmsford, prices to buy a home have gone up and up beyond belief (some say due to a certain large department store coming to town last year who are never knowingly undersold). The scheme was introduced when mortgage lenders imposed buyers to put down a minimum deposit of 10%-15% which in Chelmsford would equate to an amount of £37,500 on an average purchase price of £250,000 - not a measly sum in anyone’s book. But with the Help to Buy scheme, this figure dropped to 5% (£12,500), which although still a significant amount is a figure that is far more attainable to achieve. However, there are some strange misconceptions about the scheme. It’s only available to first time buyers – WRONG It’s only available to those buying a new build – WRONG No one really uses it – WRONG It’s worth mentioning that you can only qualify for the scheme if you are intending to purchase your only home, as opposed to a second (or even third) property, which makes sense. As a mortgage broker (for longer than I care to admit to for fear of giving my age away), I can safely say that recently we have seen a higher uptake on the Help to Buy scheme in both the new and second-hand market. But if you’re still baffled, do get in touch with either myself or anyone in our mortgage department as we will happily talk you through the process, minus the jargon, and help you discover if the scheme is something that could possibly work for you. The Help to Buy scheme has certainly achieved what it was set up to do, as in December 2016 it was withdrawn so far as the second-hand market is concerned, as lenders are now offering legitimate 95% mortgages with competitive rates without the government’s backing. However, the government backed scheme for new build properties remains in place for the foreseeable future, although if you don’t understand the pros and cons of an equity loan, then once again, do come in and see us and we’ll talk you through it all from start to finish. Home Partnership Mortgages are based at The Home Partnership Estate Agents at 11 Duke Street, Chelmsford. Simply make an appointment by calling 01245 250222 Joanne Williams/Director/The Home Partnership
Through tut Keyhole I wanted this page to maintain its property theme, but Through tut Keyhole really doesn’t interest The Edge much, so let’s instead consider whether Keith Lemon’s looks (and hair) are going down the pan (how shallow), because he certainly doesn’t look like he looks (above) any more, does he, readers? What’s with the scraped back PGH (proper ginger hairdo) he seems to be sporting these days? It definitely looks to The Edge as though he’s losing his locks. However, follicles aside, The Edge has to say that his impersonation of Celebrity Nobody Mark Wright is absolutely first class. Keith has completely nailed the sucker. When Mike Yarwood used to ‘take off’ Harold Wilson and Frank Spencer, we used to think that was as good as it gets, right? So if you haven’t yet seen Lemon/Merrion (Leigh Francis) as Mark Wright, then this mag implores you to check it out on YouTube, as it even makes Michelle Keegan wet her pants. Keith as Mark Wright
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