First-time buyers

Lender bans bank of mum of dad for 98% mortgage

- Hilary Osborne

First-time buyers are being offered the chance to borrow up to 98% of the price of a property - but they cannot get help with their deposit from the bank of mum and dad.

Newcastle Building Society's First Step mortgage is designed to help those who have been saving to get on the housing ladder.

Last year, more than half (52%) of first-time buyers had assistance from their parents when buying a home, according to analysis by the property firm Savills.

The First Step mortgage, which has an interest rate of 5.25%, fixed for five years, is designed for those who need to go it alone and is one of a handful offering lending above 95% of a property's cost.