We have three great schemes to help you buy.

● Deposit Match

● Easystart & Government led shared equity

● Family & Friends Advantage

Deposit Match
Want a better mortgage rate and more deposit? With our innovative Deposit Match scheme* we could double your mortgage deposit up to 10% of the purchase price so you need a smaller mortgage, and you could get a better rate! This offer is limited and only available on selected homes throughout the UK.

Easystart
With our Easystart scheme*, you can buy a new home for as little as 85% of the price now. You need to pay a 5% deposit on exchange of contracts, and 80% of the price via your prearranged mortgage on completion. We will loan you the remaining 15%, secured by a legal charge, with no rent or interest to pay for up to 10 years. This offer is limited to selected homes up to £150,000, throughout the UK.

There are also government shared equity schemes which mean you buy more home for even less - as little as 50% of the current price of the home of your dreams.

Download our first time buyer leaflet  (Requires Adobe Reader)

Family and Friends Advantage
You could buy even if you don't have a deposit! If a family member or friend helps with a deposit for your first home, they could earn a whopping 5% interest on their investment for five years, with Family & Friends Advantage scheme.

Interested? Use the new homes search facility at the bottom of this page to find the name and location of your nearest development participating in some or all of these schemes.

First time buyer frequently asked questions

What mortgage deposit do I need to buy my first home?
When it comes to mortgage deposits, it’s a case of the bigger, the better. Most lenders will require at least 10% of the value of the new home you are buying, but the more you have to put down, the more competitive the interest rate you are likely to get on your mortgage. Through our Deposit Match scheme* we will match your deposit, up to 10% of the purchase price, via an interest free loan over 10 years or through our Family & Friends Advantage scheme if a family member or friend helps with a deposit for your first home, they could earn a whopping 5% interest on their investment for five years.

Alternatively, we will contribute a 5% deposit on certain new homes.

How do I make sure I get a good mortgage deal?
The mortgage market can be a confusing place for first time buyers. As well as deciding which lender to go with, there are a whole host of mortgage products available - from trackers and variables to fixed rates and capped deals. A good way to make sure you get the mortgage deal that is right for you is to go through an independent mortgage adviser. We can put you in touch with a specialist who can search thousands of mortgages to find the most competitive deal for your individual circumstances, whether you are searching for a new house, flat or apartment.

What additional costs are involved in buying my first home?
If you are paying more than £125,000 for your home, you will have to pay Stamp Duty. This is currently 1% of the purchase price on properties between £125,000 and £250,000. There will also be legal fees, the lender's arrangement fee, plus a possible mortgage broker fee. Talk to us to find out how we can help with these moving costs and save you thousands of pounds.

I’ve heard quite a lot about government shared equity schemes to help first time buyers. How do these work and what other schemes are available?
With our Easystart scheme, you can buy a new home for as little as 85% of the price now. You need to pay a 5% deposit on exchange of contracts, and 80% of the price via your prearranged mortgage on completion. We will loan you the remaining 15%, secured by a legal charge, with no rent or interest to pay for up to 10 years. This offer is limited to selected homes up to £150,000, throughout the UK.

The government has also introduced a number of first time buyer initiatives like HomeBuy Direct to help first time buyers and those on lower incomes who are struggling to buy their own home. These equity loans, which are interest free for a set period, could help you buy your first home and secure a better mortgage deal. Search for developments taking part in the shared equity schemes and to find out more about the range of properties available under our and the Government’s first time buyer initiatives.

* Offers on selected plots, subject to status and our normal terms and conditions.