Are you a first home buyer who is struggling to save a 20 per cent deposit on a house? Do you know about the First Home Loan Deposit Scheme?
This is a recent Australian Government initiative which may allow you to buy your first home sooner with a much smaller deposit. The scheme has been set up to help you step into your first home soon.
Read on to learn about the pros and cons of the scheme.
What is the First Home Loan Deposit Scheme?
The First Home Loan Deposit Scheme (FHLDS) provides lenders with a Government-backed guarantee that allows some eligible first home buyers to purchase a home with a deposit of as little as 5 per cent.
Who is eligible?
- Australian citizens over the age of 18 who have saved at least 5 per cent but less than 20 per cent of the value of an eligible property. If applying as a couple, both must be Australian citizens.
- Genuine first home buyers who have not previously owned or had an interest in a property in an Australian home either separately or jointly with someone including residential strata and company title properties.
- Singles with a taxable income of no more than $125,000, or couples with a combined taxable income of no more than $200,000.
- Owner-occupiers only. If you move out of the property it will cease to be covered by the scheme.
- The price of the property must be less than the price cap. Price caps range from $250,000 in rural South Australia to $700,000 in Sydney and some other parts of NSW.
All of these criteria must be met.
What are the benefits?
Normally, lenders require home buyers with a deposit of less than 20 per cent of the purchase price to take out mortgage insurance.
This helps to protect the lender if the borrower cannot repay the loan. Under the FHLDS the Australian Government provides a guarantee to the lender, which means you won’t need mortgage insurance.
That saves you money, but more significantly, because you don’t need to save as big a deposit, you’ll be able to buy your first home a lot sooner.
What are the disadvantages?
Purchasing a home with a smaller deposit means you will need to take out a bigger home loan, leading to greater total interest payments over the life of the loan.
Will all eligible home buyers benefit from the scheme?
Only 10,000 applicants are expected to receive support each financial year.
Currently, around 108,000 homes a year are sold to first time buyers, so chances are that, even if you meet all the qualifications, you may not receive approval under the FHLDS.
It is, however, still worth applying. Keep in mind that the settlement date for your home loan must occur within 90 days for your home loan to be guaranteed under the scheme.
Can the FHLDS be used in conjunction with other first home buyer incentives?
All states and territories offer support to first home buyers, mainly in the form of the First Home Owners Grant, which is basically a cash handout, and in reduced stamp duty. These can be used in conjunction with the FHLDS.
Be aware, however, that different eligibility criteria applies to each scheme and that limits and thresholds vary from state to state.
Some incentives only apply to newly built homes, and property value cut-offs may differ. Depending on personal circumstances you may be eligible for some schemes, but not others.
How do you apply?
The National Housing Finance and Investment Corporation has appointed a number of major bank and non-major lenders to provide loans under the scheme. Search for ‘FHLDS participating lenders’” to find them.
Applications are made through participating lenders and their authorised representatives, including mortgage brokers. These lenders and brokers will be able to assess your eligibility for both the FHLDS and other first home buyer incentives, and guide you through the application process.
Corporate Authorised Representative No. 1286336
General Advice Disclaimer:
This information has been provided as general advice. We have not considered your financial circumstances, needs or objectives. You should consider the appropriateness of the advice. You should obtain and consider the relevant Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) and seek the assistance of an authorised financial adviser before making any decision regarding any products or strategies mentioned in this communication.
