First-Time Buyers

Available for over a year

Trying to buy your first home? To work out what it could cost and ask about the schemes which may help, call 03700 100 444 from 1pm to 3.30pm on Wednesday. According to the Land Registry the average price of a house is now £162,606 and the average price of a flat or maisonette is £153,687. Rising house prices are making it tough for first time buyers but there are a number of options which could help you onto the property ladder. Many lenders have designed mortgages which allow family members to offset their own savings to reduce the size of the mortgage debt, or to act as guarantor, boosting the amount which can be borrowed. In his March budget, Chancellor George Osborne launched 'Help to Buy' to assist would be home owners with smaller deposits. You may also have heard of other government backed schemes such as 'New Buy' and 'First Buy'. If you are considering the various ways of buying your first home, how much you could borrow, what the monthly repayments will be and whether you're are eligible for help, call 03700 100 444 from 1pm to 3.30pm on Wednesday. Whatever your question, presenter Ruth Alexander will be joined by: Ray Boulger from broker John Charcol Paula John from Your Mortgage Magazine David Hollingworth from broker London and Country Call 03 700 100 444 on Wednesday. Phone lines are open between 1pm and 3.30pm. Standard geographic charges apply. Calls from mobiles may be higher Presenter: Ruth Alexander Producer: Diane Richardson.