First Homes
The First Homes scheme aims to help local first-time buyers or key workers buy a home by offering a discount on the full market price, meaning more affordable deposits and mortgages.
What is First Homes?
First Homes is a new scheme designed to help local first time buyers and key workers onto the property ladder, by offering homes at a discount of 30% compared to the market price. The discounts will apply to the homes forever, meaning that generations of new buyers and the local community will continue to benefit every time the property is sold.
How does it work?
Buying a First Home is similar to buying a normal market home, except that your eligibility has to be confirmed by the local authority near the start of the buying process.
National eligibility criteria conditions apply (outlined below) and councils can also apply additional criteria such as local connections or key worker status.
If it looks like you could be eligible, then we can help you to complete a First Homes application to the local authority.
The other important difference is that you can only sell in the future to another qualifying First Homes buyer and at the same discount to the market value. This ensures that the First Home continues to benefit others when you have moved on.
Eligibility criteria
First Homes are intended to help first-time buyers onto the property ladder. A set of national criteria has been put in place to help ensure that First Homes go to those who would otherwise struggle to buy a home:
Purchasers of First Homes must be first-time buyers and must have a household income not exceeding £80,000 and £90,000 in London (or lower if set by the local authority)
Post-discount price caps on first sale of the property of £250,000 across England and £420,000 in London (or lower if set by the local authority)
A First Home should be the buyers only home and a purchaser will need to use a mortgage or home purchase plan for at least 50% of the purchase price of the home
Local connections and/or key worker status is as determined by the relevant Local Authority
Steps to a First Home
Buying a home with First Homes is very much like purchasing any other outright sale home – there’s just an additional step or two, here’s how it works.
Tip - just remember only some of our new properties are available under the First Homes scheme.
Visit us onsite for a viewing and select the home you’d like to purchase You’ll need to have your ‘Decision in Principle’ from your financial advisor with you.
Complete a First Homes application form – it doesn’t take long. We'll also need some documents to support your application such as your latest P60 and bank statements.
We’ll pass it to the local authority for approval. They will need to approve your application to make sure any locally set conditions or restrictions are met - these can vary from region to region.
Once the local authority accepts your application, you will be issued an ‘Authority to Proceed' (ATP).
Now you can submit your formal mortgage application and begin the conveyancing process.
Once your mortgage is approved your solicitor will go back to the local authority for ‘Authority to Exchange’ – this means we can then exchange contracts and you’ll pay your deposit.
The last stage is to complete on your sale. Funds are drawn down from your lender via your solicitor and paid to us.
We’ll welcome you to your new home, give you a home demonstration and pass you the keys to your new home.
Where are First Homes available?
We currently have First Homes available on the following developments:
North East
North West
How can I find out more?
Detailed information on the First Homes scheme including eligibility requirements and application instructions can be found at https://www.ownyourhome.gov.uk/scheme/first-homes/
You can also call us free on 0808 196 1532 or email us at contactus@yourpersonahome.com for information on First Homes available from Persona Homes.
Keen to find out more?
Whether you’d like to book a viewing or simply have a quick introductory chat, our helpful advisory team would love to hear from you.
Get in touch