Taxpayer-subsidised mortgages are now available after the Government launched its Help To Buy scheme three months earlier than previously announced.
Originally scheduled for a January 2014, David Cameron made the surprise move to capitalise on the growing interest amongst the public in the scheme, which will help people to buy a home worth up to £600,000 with just a 5% deposit.
Under Help To buy, a further 15% of the loan is guaranteed by the Government, in a drive to stimulate growth in the housing market and make ownership affordable to millions of people currently unable to get onto the housing ladder.
Despite fears that the scheme could lead to a new housing bubble, it is hoped that a resurgent market will lead to growth in the construction sector.