Buying a house comes with one major hurdle: you’re going to need a significant chunk of your savings to put as a deposit with your lender. The government requires that your mortgage deposit should be at least 10% of the property’s value, but having a 15% deposit could help you secure the best mortgage rates.
Since the Covid-19 pandemic struck the UK – an event that was predicted to cause economic uncertainty and cause house prices to fall in its wake – many lenders have begun asking for at least 15% from first-time buyers, probably because they fear that many people would not be able to afford homes at all if house prices fell.
So, how much deposit will be needed to buy a house in the UK now? This blog post will shed light on the answer to this question and how aspiring homebuyers in the British Isles can successfully buy a home.
When it comes to mortgage deposits, bigger is better
If you’re going to buy your first home in the UK, the amount of the mortgage deposit you’ll need will be one of the biggest things you’ll need to worry about. Setting aside a large chunk of your savings is the only way to make sure you’re able to get the best mortgage rates available.
As a rule of thumb, you’ll need to have a minimum of £30,000 for a 95% mortgage. The Government’s Help to Buy scheme does not guarantee 95% mortgages, so if you’re thinking of using it to get to the 95% marker, it’s unlikely to be worth your while.
Having a bigger deposit will also help you secure a lower mortgage rate, which will save you a lot of money on your monthly repayments. So, if you’re serious about buying a house, you should aim for a minimum of £100,000 for a home worth £150,000.
This is the minimum amount you’re going to need, but if you can manage to save a larger deposit, you’ll be able to use it to buy a bigger property or a more expensive one. However, if you can’t manage to save at least a 15% deposit, you’ll have to take a high-interest Mortgage to Buy scheme.
How to save for a house deposit
1 - Adhere to a Budget
One of the best ways to save a significant amount of money is to limit your daily spending to a bare minimum. The more you spend, the less money you’ll have to put away for a deposit.
If you’re struggling to save money for a deposit, you can also save money on your utility bills. Combining your home loan with your energy and telephone bills could end up saving you an extra £15 a week.
2 - Cut back on non-essentials
There are many other ways to cut down on your spending, and there’s nothing wrong with having a simple life. In fact, you’re more likely to be able to save a lot more money if you don’t spend it on luxuries or unnecessary purchases.
Think about your new home and all the things you’ll need. This can help you decide what a necessity is and what is unnecessary. You should be able to convince yourself that most of the things you’re spending money on aren’t necessary.
3 - Manage existing debts
As you’re planning to buy a house in the UK, that’s the time to pay off all your existing debts. If you’re already paying off your student loans, you should prioritise paying off your credit card bills.
If you manage to get rid of all your debts before you start saving for a house deposit, you’ll be able to save much more money. You could consolidate your debts by using a Debt Consolidation Loan scheme, which will lower your interest rates and help you pay off your debts.
4 - Sell items you no longer need
There are a lot of things we keep in our homes that we no longer need. Many of us keep old clothes, old electronic devices and a number of other things we no longer use.
If you’re a serious and organised person, you should look in your home for things you no longer need and sell them on eBay or at a car boot sale. You can also sell them on classified ads websites or on Facebook.
5 - Maximise your savings
In addition to limiting your spending, you should take advantage of as many of the income-boosting schemes as possible. Your debit card can be linked with a number of savings schemes, and you can also take out a monthly savings plan and a salary sacrifice scheme.
These extra income sources will help you save a lot more money, and your new mortgage will be a lot smaller if you manage to save this way.
6 - Get a side job
Getting a second job is a great way to boost your income, but it will also help you save a significant amount of money. You could also look for a student job that will help you pay for your fees and other college fees.
There are a number of online sites you can join to find a side job, or you can find a job on your own. There are many jobs available online that pay a lot of money, and they all require very little time and effort.
How long does it take to save a deposit to buy a house?
Saving for a deposit isn’t an easy task. If your current salary is too low, your only option is to find a new job that pays more or to start your own business, earn some passive income and wait until it starts making you money.
If you’re looking to buy a house in the UK, you should be able to save a deposit in less than two years, especially if you’re willing to curb your spending habits. With all the tips and tricks explained above, you can accelerate your savings and buy your first home in the UK a lot more quickly.
Conclusion
As you can see, saving a significant amount of money to buy a house in the UK is easier said than done, especially if you have a low income. However, there are a number of things you can do to make sure you’re able to save a deposit in the shortest period of time.
Saving for a house deposit isn’t easy, especially if you only earn a small salary. However, if you can curb your spending, you should be able to save a significant amount of money and buy a house within two years.
Once you are ready with your deposit, working with a skilled solicitor is a must. Conveyancing Calculator will help you find the best one! We provide instant online residential conveyancing quotations using our trusted and accurate Conveyancing Fees Calculator. If you are moving home, buying a house, selling a house or remortgaging a property, then simply use our conveyancing quote calculator, and we will provide you with instant prices direct from the UK regulated SRA property solicitor or CLC licensed conveyancer. Compare conveyancing quotes today!
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