Welcome

Happy New Year! I hope you all had a wonderful festive time with friends and family at Christmas. Many of you will be planning on buying your first home this year, which is a very exciting prospect. We do know how challenging it can be though, and research by Pocket Living has found that the situation is particularly challenging for Londoners. The findings are fascinating, so go to pages 2428 where we also highlight some affordable homes in the capital and within an easy commute, which I hope you find of interest.

If you can’t afford to buy your first dream home at the moment, then London Living Rent might be the answer to help you eventually get on the property ladder. It is an excellent scheme and well worth considering, so do turn to pages 30-32 where we explain how it works and who is eligible.

There were some changes to Stamp Duty last year which is great news for first timers. Please turn to pages 88-89 where we explain what these changes are and how they will help you.

I hope you enjoy this issue which is packed with information and help on buying your first home – enjoy!

Until next time, happy house hunting

firsttimebuyeronline @firsttimebuyer

EDITOR’S PICKS…

I am so keen to get myself a new home and be right back where I belong, in Essex.

In order to save for the deposit, you can still use a Lifetime ISA to buy your rst home or save for later life.

Jonnie Irwin, Jonnie’s World, page 9

London Living Rent is a crucial foothold in the renting to homeownership pipeline.

Esaiyas Mollallegn, Save and buy with London Living Rent, page 30

Jason GordonCampbell, House Hunter, page 16

Buying a home for the rst time takes you out of your comfort zone.

Faye Winter, At home with, page14

Buying in a regeneration zone can provide a variety of bene ts, both nancial and lifestyle-related.

Kalumba Musambachime, Developer’s doctor, page 18

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For sale – the best FTB properties