The new research from Rightmove will be a boost for the FirstBuy initiative following its full launch in September, although it does raise some causes for concern.
In terms of awareness of the scheme, whilst 59% stated that they had previously heard of the scheme, over a third (37%) of first-time buyers stated that they had not. Of those that were aware of the scheme, 22% said they did not understand whether or not the scheme could help them to purchase for the first time.
Rightmove director Miles Shipside commented: “FirstBuy was introduced to help more first-time buyers get onto the property ladder, so with nearly half of prospective first-time buyers stating that they are now more likely to buy thanks to the scheme it seems this could be a real boost for many.
“However, given such a positive response it must be asked whether more can be done to drive awareness amongst the 37% of first-time buyers that did not know it existed.”
FirstBuy was announced in the Government’s budget in March and launched in September. It allows first-time buyers to purchase a new-build property using just a 5% deposit, with a further 20% deposit provided in the form of a five year interest-free loan jointly funded by the Government and the house builder.
Rightmove published a similar poll in April, a month after the scheme was announced, which found that 37% of first-time buyers felt they were more likely to get on the property ladder under the scheme.
A 7% increase six months on is encouraging and indicative of the momentum generated since the scheme’s full launch. However, Rightmove’s April survey also found that around a third of first-time buyers stated that the scheme would not impact them as they do not wish to buy a new-build property.
This proportion remains unchanged six months on (32%).
Shipside added: “It has to be remembered that this scheme is limited to 10,500 purchases of new-build only properties. It will therefore not be of interest to those who want an older property or whose less urgent timescales mean they will miss the cut.
“However, any initiative which helps first-time buyers to get a foot on the property ladder should be welcomed and if the scheme can have the success that our survey suggests then the Government could consider extending the current scheme as well as something similar to assist the wider housing market.”
