Help to Buy makes the difference for home buyers in Devon

More than 5,500 homebuyers in Devon have used the government’s Help to Buy scheme with the vast majority being first time buyers.

Latest government figures reveal that 5,633 buyers in Devon have used the scheme since it was launched in April 2013.

The figures reveal first time buyers accounted for 84 per cent of sales and local housebuilder Barratt Homes says the scheme has been a real game changer for many people.

Nicki Reid, sales director for Barratt Homes said the scheme has proved invaluable for first time buyers and those using the equity in their current home as their deposit to move up the housing ladder.

“It’s vital that we keep spreading the word that buyers need just a five per cent deposit to buy a new home so we can help even more buyers this year,” said Nicki.

Help to Buy allows any homebuyer to secure a brand-new home under the value of £600,000 with just a five per cent deposit. The government lends the buyer 20 per cent of the value of the property in the form of an interest free equity loan for five years, meaning that buyers then gain access to some of the great mortgage rates currently available with just a 75 per cent mortgage. Available to all homebuyers, not just first timers, the scheme helps anyone looking for a boost up the property ladder.

On the Barratt Homes website there is lots more information on Help to Buy - http://www.barratthomes.co.uk/Offers/Help-to-Buy/ together with a handy calculator which shows how much people can borrow using the scheme.