The Government has confirmed the £4.7bn Your First Home equity-loan scheme, with applications expected from February 2027. The scheme is intended to support eligible first-time buyers, including London purchasers buying properties up to £650,000, with reports indicating deposits could start from 2.5%.
However, Zoopla has warned that income and local property-price caps may mean the scheme has only around half the impact of Help to Buy. Advisers will need to distinguish between headline eligibility and practical availability in each local market, while also preparing clients for the new First Time Buyer ISA, which is due to replace the Lifetime ISA in April 2029.
AI can help firms model deposit trajectories, assess regional property-price data and flag clients who may be approaching eligibility. It should be used as a planning tool rather than as a substitute for checking scheme rules, lender criteria and the client’s full circumstances.