At Roots Mortgages, we love it when we can be the bearers of good news. Sometimes, the mortgage industry and the news doesn’t really give us the chance to do this. But when it does come along, we can’t wait to deliver it.

When in the market for your first ever home, getting a piece of good news regarding your chances is a really positive thing. 

Though the weather isn’t exactly reflecting it, we’re now into the year’s brighter months. And with lockdown easing, there’s a lot to look forward to.

Many people put off securing a place on the property ladder for financial reasons. The expense and saving that is required to get a home of your own can be pretty significant, and is enough to put many people off.

The budget announcement from chancellor Rishi Sunak earlier this month helped shed some light on how the UK government is planning to recover from the effects of the Coronavirus pandemic.

Those of us in the mortgage industry naturally kept a close eye on that which affected the housing market. One of the standout points was the announcement of a new initiative to support 95% LTV mortgages.

So now the dust has settled after the budget announcement, what are the logistics of this initiative? Does a 95% LTV mortgage represent a good deal for contractors and freelancers seeking a new home? 

What is a 95% LTV mortgage?  

Just so there’s no confusion, LTV stands for Loan-to-Value and means the percentage of a property’s value that you can cover by taking out a mortgage. 

A 95% LTV mortgage means you only need to put down a deposit worth 5% of the overall value of the property to secure the property.

So if you were able to secure a 95% LTV mortgage deal on a house worth £200,000, your deposit would only need to be £10,000. 

What did the government announce during the budget?

Sunak’s budget announcement disclosed some basic information regarding this new initiative, which will see the government offer guarantees to cover 95% LTV mortgage deals for major lenders.

Typically, lenders will want a higher percentage covered by the deposit. This essentially gives them confidence that you have the financial clout to keep up with payments consistently. But the new initiative offers security for lenders thanks to the government guarantee, meaning they are far more willing to commit to such mortgages knowing they are covered if things go pear shaped for the applicant down the line.

The initiative is obviously a move to try and galvanise the housing market and get more people owning their own homes. A number of lenders were reported to by launching such mortgage offerings, including the likes of HSBC, Lloyds, NatWest, Barclays and Santander.

The initiative is set to launch next month, and some further lenders have announced their 95% LTV deals this week, including the likes of Accord and Bank of Ireland.

The government ran a similar scheme back in 2013, and more than 100,000 95% LTV mortgage deals were completed. A significant proportion of these were first time buyers, meaning that getting more people on the property ladder – one of the scheme’s main aims – was firmly achieved.

Is a 95% LTV mortgage worthwhile?

The idea of putting a relatively small deposit down on a property is bound to sound appealing to anybody struggling to save up big amounts. It also leaps out as a quick way to secure that dream home, and could enable you to upgrade to a larger property than you may previously have been in the market for. 

But there are a few things to consider when it comes to a 95% LTV mortgage. Don’t be surprised if those mortgages which are supported by the government scheme come with higher rates. This means that while your deposit might be comparatively low, you could find yourself with higher repayments than with other deals in the long run. 

Another problem could arise if house prices fall substantially. Buyers could find themselves in negative equity, where they owe more than the overall value of the house. That’s something of a hypothetical situation, but it’s certainly not an impossibility.

However, if you are super keen to get onto the property ladder as soon as possible, then a 95% LTV mortgage is certainly an avenue to explore.

What’s the best approach for me?

Each mortgage applicant is different, but generally speaking, the more you can put down as a deposit, the better. Lower repayments is a benefit in the long run, and you might well be able to secure a stabler mortgage if you put more down early on.

But the return of 95% LTV mortgages for any contractor or freelancer seeking their first home opens up a number of new options. This initiative and the range of lenders committed to it could be exactly the situation required to get that deal for your first home over the line.

There are risks if the market takes a turn for the worst, but if you truly understand your financial situation and are in a stable position, then the prospect of a 95% LTV mortgage is well worth exploring. And if you’re unsure, some free mortgage advice can help you gain a better understanding of what’s what.

Some property buyers who have been placed in a state of flux have seen some good news this week, and more may be around the corner.