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How does HomeBuy Direct work?

HomeBuy Direct will provide help to up to 10,000 first time buyers to purchase specified newly built homes. It’s expected that the first HomeBuy Direct homes will become available by early 2009.

If you are eligible:

• you could get an ‘equity loan’ of up to 30 per cent on the cost of a property
• you will need to cover a minimum of 70 per cent of the cost of a home you are buying through a mortgage from a qualified lender who is regulated by the Financial Services Authority and any deposit 
• you will need to repay the equity loan when you sell your new home
• you can choose to repay some or all of the loan sooner, by buying additional equity shares in the property (at the market rate) 

Who can apply?

You can apply if you are a first time buyer with a household income of less than £60,000 a year and you can’t afford to buy a suitable property on the open market without help.

You may also be eligible if you previously owned a home but now can’t afford to buy one without help. For example, this may be because your relationship with your partner has ended, or because your family lives in over-crowded conditions.

What is an equity loan?

Equity loan providers share in any rise (or fall) in the value of the property over the course of the loan. By repaying all or part of the loan sooner, you can reduce the amount providers’ are entitled to receive when your home is sold. The loans will be provided by public funding and house builders who participate in the scheme. 

Will you have to pay any fees or charges on the loan?

During the first five years of the loan, you won’t be charged a fee. After this there will be charges:

• from year six onwards, an interest charge equal to 1.75 per cent of the value of the loan will be charged
• in following years, this charge will increase by an amount equal to the Retail Price Index (which measures changes in prices over the course of a year) plus 1 per cent

Can you sell your property on the open housing market?

Yes you can. When you do so:

• you will need to repay your mortgage and equity loan with the money you get from the sale of the house
• any increase in the value of your home will be shared between yourself and the equity loan providers. For example, if you received an equity loan of 25 per cent when you purchased your home, you would need to repay 25 per cent of the money you get from the sale of your home
  

If the value of your home goes down by the time you sell, you will only need to repay the equity loan from what is left over after you have repaid your mortgage. 

How to apply?

If you think you are eligible for HomeBuy Direct and want to know more, please contact your local HomeBuy Agent to find out what options are available in your area. HomeBuy Agents will be able to advise you on your eligibility and take you through the application process. To get in touch with your local HomeBuy Agent, follow the link below.

• Find a HomeBuy Agent in your area

More useful links

• Buying your home
• Planning for buying a home (money, tax and benefits section)
• Contact the Citizens Advice Bureau Opens new window