You have to “staircase” your way out. That means buying back chunks of the government’s 20% loan over time. Unless you plan to sell, of course.
If you sell, you have to pay back 20% of the current market price. Not what you paid, not what you owe. The current price. If your house goes up in value? You owe more. That’s a bitter lemon to swallow.
Help to Buy Scheme Explained: How It Works in 2026 | Mozo
On the flip side, if the market tanks? You win. You pay back less. It’s a weird gamble on the housing gods.
The Deposit Trick You Need to Know
The real magic of Help to Buy is the 5% deposit. Without it, you’d need 10-15% down. For many of us, that’s the difference between “maybe in a decade” and “I can move next spring.”
That 5% gets your foot in the door. Literally. But remember, you still need a mortgage for the other 75-80%. Rates on those are spicy right now, like a jalapeño you didn’t expect.
Your monthly payments might be higher than renting. Wait, higher than renting? Yes. It happens. Don’t assume ownership is cheaper. It’s just… yours.
