How will house buying for 2021 be affected? Over the last few months we had to adapt to the ‘new norm’, however, this year hasn’t seen a change yet.
Support
From now until the end of March, you can still take advantage of the LBTT holiday, which could save you thousands on that new home you’ve always wanted.
Also, the extension on the Help to Buy (Scotland) scheme offers buyers up to a 15% equity loan on a new build property.
Then there is the First Home Fund, available for First-Time Buyers who can obtain up to £25,000 towards buying a new home.
Mortgages
With the Bank of England dropping the interest rates to an all-time low of 0.1% due to the Coronavirus impact, lenders are still keen to find competitive mortgages for house buyers in 2021 and continue to pass on these savings to borrowers.
Market Trends
As the coronavirus is set to stay with us for some time yet, it is difficult to know how this will impact on the housing market.
Some areas are growing in popularity because of remote working, no longer to you need to consider your commuting distance to your place of work.
Staying at home allowed many people to re-evaluate their work-life balance and about 44% of those are looking outside the city centre and surrounding areas.
Whilst remote working becomes a necessity during the pandemic, this trend is expected to continue even when life becomes safer again.
With builders offering home and garden offices to those working from home, more rural and coastal locations are becoming hugely popular.
Buying Changes
Although the housing market remains open and building continues, how you buy has changed.
Before you could simply call into the Marketing Suite and view a showhome, now you need to phone ahead and make an appointment.
Precautions have been taken to ensure customers and staff’s safety, with strict guidelines implemented. At the same time, physical viewings are less, while virtual viewings are on the rise with technology’s help.
Reservation can be taken online, video walkthroughs let you see what you are buying, online and telephone communications are available to help you with all the information you need.
Changing
The housing market will look very different for house buyers in 2021 than today. Things that weren’t at the top of your list of essentials are now. Such as fibre optic fast broadband, money-saving heating options, USB connections.
If you are looking for more space, better home efficiency, a home office, speak to our Sales Advisors. We can guide you through all the options we have available at our locations across Central Scotland.
Make 2021 a new beginning!
