Ahead of the announcement of the budget later today, house buyers are expected to receive a windfall in the form of ‘ultra-low’ deposit mortgages.
Under the scheme, of which details are expected to be set out later, current homeowners and new buyers will be able to take out a mortgage on a property of up to £600,000 with a deposit of just five per cent.
Starting in April, the government will offer to take on some of the risk of low deposit loans, meaning lenders would have some protection from potential losses.
Low deposit loans are often seen as more of a risk because borrowers could end up in negative equity if house prices fall – meaning they owe more than their property is worth.