First time buyer guide

Whether you’re renting or living with family, at Avant we’re here to make buying your first home possible!

We have a range of homes perfect for first time buyers, on developments in fantastic locations across the North and Midlands of England and East and West Scotland.

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Purchasing your first home is a very exciting milestone, and with our buying schemes, offers and expertise, we’ll make your first step onto the property ladder straightforward and enjoyable. Find out more about the first time buyer journey with Avant in our first time buyer guide!

Our first time buyer schemes

When you buy your first home with us, you will unlock access to exclusive new build buying schemes.

FTB fund

First time buyer fund

Receive up to £20,000 of tailored offers, perfect for your needs as a first time buyer.

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First Homes

First Homes

Buy your dream home at a 30% discount.

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Shared Ownership

Shared ownership

Buy a portion of your first home and pay a small monthly rental fee on the part you don’t buy.

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Own New

Own New

Choose from two buying schemes to make owning a new build home incredibly affordable.

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Bank of Mum and Dad

Bank of Mum and Dad

If your parents or family are helping you buy your first home, we will reward them with cash to say thanks!

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First time buyer FAQs

We know you’ll have some questions before buying. Some of the most common ones we get from first time buyers are:

How much deposit do I need?

Generally you need at least a 5% deposit for a home. For example if you want to buy a home which costs £250,000, you’ll need to save £12,500 for your deposit. However, this can differ based on your affordability, salary and personal circumstances. A new build mortgage expert financial advisor will be able to guide you through the process.

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What is a mortgage?

A mortgage is a loan used to purchase a home. When you buy your property and need additional funds to cover the full amount of the purchase, you’ll take out a mortgage from a lender, which typically is with a bank. You’ll repay this amount, normally with interest, over an agreed period of time.

How old do I have to be to buy a property in the UK?

In the UK, you normally have to be above 18 years old to purchase a property.

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Is buying a new build better for a first time buyer?

Each first time buyer will have different circumstances and requirements when buying their first home so there’s no “correct” answer to this question, however buying new with Avant comes with several benefits like access to schemes such as Bank of Mum and Dad and our First Time Buyer Fund.

Why do I need a solicitor?

Solicitors will check contracts, conduct searches and ensure that legally your property is yours.

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What does a mortgage advisor do?

An independent mortgage advisor has access to lots of mortgages, available from a multitude of lenders. This means they can find you the best mortgage for you, at the best rate. They can advise you on how much you can borrow, explain the different types of deals.

You might hear some unfamiliar language throughout your buying journey. We’ve put together a comprehensive jargon-buster guide so you’re well informed during your purchase and know exactly what certain terms mean. Read more here.

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Stylised Living room

Finding the first home of your dreams

When finding your first home, there’s lots to consider! The most important things usually are:

Style – Finding the right home layout and bedroom mix is usually top of the list! At Avant we have over 30 house types to pick from with lots of different formats, including semi-detached and detached homes, townhouses, bungalows and more.

Personalisation – Being able to personalise your home to your hearts content is a huge benefit of buying your first home with Avant. With Avant, you can choose your kitchen cupboards, worktop, tiles and lots more.

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Picturesque location

Location – Your first home must be in the right location! Whether that’s close to family, close to work, close to a major city or more rural. With our developments at over 60 locations, we are bound to have a place you want to live.

Amenities – Being close to the amenities you need is key. We always choose to build in areas well serviced by road links and amenities. Where we build in new up and coming areas, we always make sure there will be shops, schools and amenities built close by as part of the areas master plan.

Amenities
Stylish bedroom

Why buy new

For first time buyers, new builds are the perfect choice.

If you want a home that is low maintenance, better for the planet, and you’re the first to ever make memories in it then you’ve come to the right place.

Read our top reasons why you should buy new here.

Hear from people like you

Thousands of first time buyers have made their first step onto the property ladder with Avant.

Hear from a selection of our customers below!

Sam and Chloe

Sam and Chloe's story

Sam and Chloe chose the three bedroom detached Leyburn for their first home after realising how time consuming a renovation project would be. Read more about why they chose a new build Avant home as their first home.

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Tia and James'

Tia and James's Story

Tia and James moved from a small flat in the city centre into a new Avant home to give them more space, in a peaceful countryside setting. Read more about their first time buying journey with Avant.

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John

John's Story

John chose Avant Homes for his first home after hearing great things, including how well they finish properties with very little snagging issues. Read more about John’s story and why he wanted to buy new.

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