Budget 2021 Mortgage Market Overview

On the 3rd March 2021, we saw Chancellor Rishi Sunak present the Budget. Here we found out lots of great news regarding the property market. We also found out how Rishi Sunak plans to revitalise the mortgage market and the economy. Many people across the nation are beyond happy to hear the news announced. It seems like the end is in sight for the era of the pandemic.

95% mortgages are coming back!

In October 2020, 90% mortgages were finally reintroduced back into the market. Back then, it felt like we wouldn’t see 95% LTV mortgages for a while.

After the announcements made during Rishi Sunak’s 2021 Budget, we were very pleased to find out that 95% are finally making a comeback to the world of mortgages. Before you get excited about this though, you must remember that the name of the scheme is rather misleading to hopeful homebuyers and home movers. Whilst this is indeed good news, not everyone that applies for a house under the scheme is going to be guaranteed a mortgage.

Lenders will continue to assess your credit score as they have been, making sure that you are financially capable of affording a mortgage alongside all of the other financial commitments that you have. A mortgage lender will always try to avoid repossession, unless they genuinely have no choice. Another positive to take from the Budget though is if that happens, then the new government scheme would cover any potential shortfall.

For some time now, homeowners and lenders alike have been concerned about the potential for current home values to dip a little. This measure that has been introduced should help ease these concerns. The chances of negative equity occurring will naturally see a reduction, should we see property prices on the up again.

The Chancellor announced that both First-Time Buyers in Liverpool and Home Movers in Liverpool will have full access to and be able to utilise the 95% Mortgages scheme. This is not just a scheme for New Builds and can be used by anyone.

The new government 95% Mortgage scheme will be available from April 2021 and continue to run until December 2022. According to Chancellor Rishi Sunak, many credible and well-known lenders have already shown their support for the 95% Mortgage scheme.

As a well-known and experienced Mortgage Broker in Liverpool with many years of experience in the industry, we are glad to hear this news and are excited to see which direction the market heads in next.

Stamp duty holiday extension

We didn’t just hear about 95% mortgages making their way back into the market, as it was announced that the Stamp duty holiday has been extended until 31st June 2021.

Back in 2020 when the Stamp Duty Holiday was first presented to the nation, a lot of us didn’t think much to COVID and thought life would carry on as it always had. It would seem that things didn’t quite work out that way. Solicitors have been struggling to keep up with the pressures of their profession and if lots of chains had closed down, then it would have partly defeated the objective of trying to encourage people to undertake Moving Home journeys.

To keep the property market on its feet, and to carry on the process of home purchases, the Government have chosen to extend the current Stamp Duty Holiday. Property purchases up to £500,000 will continue to stay tax-free until 30th June 2021 and property purchases up to £250,000 will also stay tax-free until September 30th 2021.

Current stamp duty rates

• Property Value < £500,000 – no stamp duty
• Property Value £500,001 – £925,000 – 5%
• Property Value £925,001 – £1,500,000 – 10%
• Property Value > £1,500,000 – 12%

Mortgage market update

Now that the market is rising once again and 95% mortgages are going to be making their big return, we’re hoping that this is the sign that we needed that normality is not too far ahead. Of course, it will still be a while before things will truly be normal again, but this is a good place to start for the property market. The Government certainly sees the importance of the property sector, one that can surely play a huge part in our economic recovery.

The government are really pushing for people to transition back into buying over renting, which can be seen by their introduction of the new “mortgage guarantee” scheme. Seeing this news as a dedicated Mortgage Broker in Liverpool creates optimism amongst our workforce and others involved in the sector.

We remain open and here to help with all your mortgage & protection needs. Our open & honest team of mortgage advisors in Liverpool are available 7 days a week, so Get in Touch and we’ll get the ball rolling on your mortgage journey.