Mortgage aid scheme launched

Prime minister David Cameron will today launch a government mortgage indemnity guarantee scheme which housebuilders claim could see up to 100,000 extra new home sales.

Three high street lenders have today launched their scheme, with Barclays, Nationwide Building Society and NatWest Home Loans Ltd all now offering 95% mortgages to buyers of new-build homes.

However, major lenders such as Halifax and Santander have not yet signed up to the scheme, and it is not clear if others, such as HSBC intend to do so.

Seven of the UK’s ten largest housebuilders will participate in the scheme, with Berkeley Group being the most notable absentee. the full list of participating builders is: Barratt, Bellway, Bovis, Linden Homes, Persimmon, Redrow and Taylor Wimpey, with Crest Nicholson saying it will look to launch a 95% mortgage soon. The Home Builders’ Federation said that up to 100,000 extra homes could be sold under the scheme, although it did not give a timeframe for their construction, creating 50,000 direct jobs.

Prime Minister David Cameron said: “Strong families and stable communities are built from good homes. That’s why I want us to build more homes and I want more people to have the chance to own their own home. We’re working with leading house builders and lenders to get the scheme underway.”

Stewart Baseley, executive chairman of the HBF said NewBuy will help thousands of people to meet their aspirations to buy a new home. He said: “The scheme will also provide a vital kick-start for house builders large and small who will be able to build the homes and create the jobs that the country desperately needs.”

Mark Clare, chief executive of Barratt Developments, said:  “This is potentially a real boost for home buyers who have been locked out of the housing market by the high level of deposits required to buy a home.

“This is also a great way to get the economy moving whilst tackling the housing shortage.  We know that building homes creates local jobs so it’s good news for everyone in the industry.”

However, housing analyst Alastair Stewart said the scheme will “fall short” of the 100,000 home projection. Stewart said: “From a housebuyer’s point of view there is a very real chance of instant negative equity, since – if this is the only real source of 95% mortgages and it is only available on new homes, where volumes are near historic lows – there will be short-term upwards pressure on prices, which like buying a new car, will evaporate when the buyers put their keys in the lock.”