Did you know if you are a Key Worker you could get 30-50% off your first home?

The government’s First Homes Scheme allows a first time buyer to potentially get a 30-50% discount on their purchase price, as long as it’s a new build or a home you are buying from someone else who originally bought it as part of the First Home Scheme.

But they have recently updated it to now target those defined as “key workers” which includes NHS, teachers, police officers, Armed Forces; essentially all those workers that worked throughout the lockdown.

The home must be:

• a new home built by a developer
• or a home you buy from someone else who originally bought it as part of the scheme
• The homes cannot cost more than £420,000 in London, or £250,000 anywhere else in England, after the discount has been applied.
• and located in England

To be eligible you must be:

• 18 or older
• a first-time buyer
• able to get a mortgage for at least half the price of the home
• buying the home as part of a household where total income is no more than £80,000 (or £90,000 if you live in London)

The local council may also set some eligibility conditions. For example, some councils may prioritise giving First Homes discounts to:

• essential workers
• people who already live in the area
• those on lower incomes

*note* Armed forces and their families are exempt from council conditions about being an essential worker or living in the area if they are:

• a member of the armed forces
• the divorced or separated spouse or civil partner of a member of the armed forces
• a widow or widower of a deceased member of the armed forces (if their death was caused wholly or partly by their service)
• a veteran who left the armed forces in the last 5 years

How can Hopkins Solicitors help you?

Hopkins are a law firm with a trusted local reputation, and we are proud to say we also have one of the highest client satisfaction rate in the country!

Ready to buy or sell and you need a Conveyancing Solicitors?

Our Conveyancing fees are competitive and also transparent right from the start so later on down the line you won’t find any hidden unexpected legal charges that you haven’t already budgeted for.

We understand how frustrating and confusing the Conveyancing process can be so our legally qualified staff are here to support and guide you clearly through the process. When it comes to buying a home, we know clients want to make the purchase go as quickly as possible. It’s about our personal face-to-face service. You aren’t just a number to us, you are a person, and we want to protect your best interests now and in the future.

Try our quick and easy CONVEYANCING FEES CALCULATOR at www.hopkins-solicitors.co.uk for an instant and full breakdown of all the costs involved. Or give our Conveyancing Team a ring on 01623 665 050, we are happy to answer any of your questions.

What if you are buying a home with your partner and you are not married?

We are often asked to help people sort out who gets what when a couple splits up and often, the most valuable (and contentious) thing is “who gets the home” or “how do we share the equity in it”?

At Hopkins Solicitors we recommend quite a small investment in legal advice now, to help avoid a lot of emotional and financial upset, should the unfortunate and unexpected breakdown of your relationship happen. When it’s already been agreed in black and white, in the form of a Co-habitation Agreement, it makes everything much less stressful and removes a lot of potentially angry arguments.

Besides, isn’t it wise to know exactly what type of person it is you are buying life’s biggest financial investment with?

This may sound unromantic but look at it this way… You do not buy car insurance, expecting to crash; but if you do crash, you are mighty glad that you paid for that good quality insurance policy that’s now delivered you a car rental to temporarily drive and transferred you money to buy a new car with!

If you would like to speak to a member of our Family Law Team about booking a consultation for a Co-habitation Agreement, or any other family matter that you are facing, please call us on 01623 665 050.