1
Apr
First-time buyers expected to return to the market
First-time buyers are more likely to be thinking about making a
purchase this Easter, as a result of changes to stamp duty.
That is the suggestion of moneysupermarket.com, which noted that
such consumers are welcoming measures announced by chancellor
Alistair Darling in last week's Budget.
The charge is being waived for anyone buying their first property
if it is worth less than £250,000 - although the existing
threshold of £125,000 remains in place for the rest of the
population.
And mortgage channel manager at the price comparison site
Hannah-Mercedes Skenfield commented: "As we approach one of the
busiest weekends of the year for house-hunting, the first-time
buyer could well be back out after months of hibernation."
Last week, Ed Bowsher of Lovemoney.com called for more to be done
to assist those trying to get on to the property ladder, although
he welcomed the stamp duty move as a positive development.
