First-Time Buyers Grant - Budget 2016

First-Time Buyers Grant - Budget 2016

I'm a little bit in shock! I think that's the first time any Budget has actually targeted me directly,it's usually the big cheeses! All the talk pre-budget was that the grant would not include self builders which appears now to be full of holes as the cheese! You can now use this newly announced benefit to help secure a self build mortgage (I hope) and pour it into the deposit.

My own deposit has been nibbled away as I pay my Architect / Quantity Surveyor and other professional fees. While one of the banks told me this is included under "allowable" expenses it was still a worry. There's still some clarity required and Revenue will hopefully have a website up to apply for it by January 2017 but it's a welcome move and encourages me to pursue my dream a bit further.

The costs are significant but I hope to have QS figures back shortly and see exactly what I'm likely to be looking at. That plus the choices it will drive will ultimately determine the future of my build.

But at least this is one direct benefit the budget has offered in time for me and may well make the difference in the final estimates.