27/09/2026
🏡 FIRST-TIME BUYERS: COULD A 2.5% DEPOSIT BE ENOUGH?
A new government scheme called Your First Home has been announced for first-time buyers in England.
And the headline is certainly going to get attention…
The scheme is expected to support deposits from just 2.5%. 👀
Based on what has been announced so far, the scheme is expected to include:
✅ First-time buyers in England
✅ New-build homes only
✅ Participating developers
✅ An expected 2.5% buyer deposit
✅ A 20% government-backed equity loan
✅ An initial interest-free period on the equity loan
✅ Household income limits
✅ Local property price caps
So, using a £200,000 property purely as an illustration:
🏠 Purchase price: £200,000
💷 2.5% deposit: £5,000
🏛️ 20% equity loan: £40,000
🏦 Remaining borrowing: £155,000
That would leave the mortgage element at around 77.5% of the purchase price, although the final lending structure and lender requirements have not yet been confirmed.
And this is the important bit…
⚠️ The full scheme rules are not yet available.
We are still waiting for confirmation of things such as:
• Exact household income limits
• Local property price caps
• How long the interest-free period will last
• What charges apply afterwards
• How the equity loan will be repaid
• Which developers will participate
• When applications will open
The final details are expected at the October 2026 Budget.
So while the headline sounds attractive, this will not automatically be the right option for every first-time buyer.
A standard 95% mortgage, Shared Ownership or another first-time buyer route may still be more suitable depending on your circumstances.
📩 FIRST-TIME BUYER?
If you are thinking about buying and want to understand what you could potentially afford now, send me:
✅ Your income
✅ Approximate deposit
✅ Any loans or credit commitments
✅ Rough property price
✅ Whether you are looking at a new build
I can review your position and explain the options currently available, as well as how this scheme may fit once the final rules are published.
📧 [email protected]
📱 07584 291 430
Chris Adlam
Mortgage & Protection Adviser
All mortgages are subject to individual circumstances, lender criteria, affordability assessment and underwriting. Scheme details remain subject to final government confirmation.
Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage.
Advanced Mortgage Solutions North East Limited is an Appointed Representative of HL Partnership Limited, which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.