You may not think anyone over the age of 40 would be applying for their very first home, let alone anyone in their fifties - but Ripley's believe it or not, they are.

According to data from the National Housing Finance and Investment Corporation, 11% of applicants for the First Home Loan Deposit Scheme are aged between 40 and 59-years-old. 

The scheme, which launched on 1 January, helps eligible first home buyers secure a home loan with a deposit as low as 5% without having to pay Lenders Mortgage Insurance (LMI).

Figures from NHFIC show that while the majority of applicants were aged between 18-29 (55%), 11% of applicants (roughly over 500) were over the age of 40. 

The guarantee is limited to 10,000 loans each financial year. Since launching, nearly 6,000 guarantees have been reserved for first home buyers according to Housing Minister Michael Sukkar, who updated Parliament yesterday. 

Of those, 3,000 places have progressed to pre-approval. Over 1,100 first home buyers in New South Wales have been given pre-approval, followed by Victoria (800), Queensland (700), Western Australia and South Australia (150 each), and over 100 in Tasmania, the Australian Capital Territory and the Northern Territory.

"It's very pleasing that these places have been distributed throughout the country in cities, regional centres and rural areas and also the scheme is reaching the Australian's the Prime Minister wanted us to reach, people on middle incomes," Mr Sukkar said. 

According to the NHFIC, the average income for singles who have applied for the scheme is $67,000 while the average income for couples is $110,000. That's compared with the scheme's income threshold of $125,000 for singles and $200,000 for couples, which previously came under fire for being too high.

CoreLogic's Head of Residential Research Australia Eliza Owen recently said the income thresholds risked giving advantage to those who could have gotten into the scheme without assistance.

"That is because they can save a 5% deposit more quickly, and the scheme is currently limited to 10,000 guarantees a year, awarded on a 'first-in, first served basis. High income earners are being offered the same advantage as lower income earners," Ms Owen said last month.  

"The scheme, in its current state risks awarding home ownership to those who may have otherwise attained it with time."

The table below displays a selection of variable-rate home loans on offer, featuring a low-rate pick from each of the following three categories: the big four banks, the top 10 customer-owned banks, and the larger non-banks.

Lender

VariableMore details
4.6 Star Customer RatingsIncludes Nov RBA Rate Increase
4.6 Star Customer RatingsIncludes Nov RBA Rate Increase

loans.com.au – Variable Home Loan (LVR < 90%)

    VariableMore details
    Unlimited Redraws
    • No annual fees – None!
    • Get fast pre-approval
    • Unlimited additional repayments free of charge
    • Redraw freely – Access your additional payments when you need them
    • Home loan specialists available today
    Unlimited Redraws

    ubank – Neat Variable Home Loan (Principal and Interest) (LVR < 60%)

    • No annual fees – None!
    • Get fast pre-approval
    • Unlimited additional repayments free of charge
    • Redraw freely – Access your additional payments when you need them
    • Home loan specialists available today
    VariableMore details

    ANZ – Standard Variable Home Loan (Principal and Interest) (LVR < 80%)

      Important Information and Comparison Rate Warning

      Base criteria of: a $400,000 loan amount, variable, fixed, principal and interest (P&I) home loans with an LVR (loan-to-value) ratio of at least 80%. However, the ‘Compare Home Loans’ table allows for calculations to be made on variables as selected and input by the user. Some products will be marked as promoted, featured or sponsored and may appear prominently in the tables regardless of their attributes. All products will list the LVR with the product and rate which are clearly published on the product provider’s website. Monthly repayments, once the base criteria are altered by the user, will be based on the selected products’ advertised rates and determined by the loan amount, repayment type, loan term and LVR as input by the user/you. *The Comparison rate is based on a $150,000 loan over 25 years. Warning: this comparison rate is true only for this example and may not include all fees and charges. Different terms, fees or other loan amounts might result in a different comparison rate. Rates correct as of December 10, 2023. View disclaimer.





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