First home buyers reluctant to ask parents for help
A survey of first home buyers has found most would not consider asking parents to go guarantor on their home loan
The annual First Home Buyer survey from Mortgage Choice found Victoria had highest proportion of first home buyers who would not ask parents for help.
Mortgage Choice chief executive officer John Flavell said 59.7 percent of respondents to the survey would not consider asking their parents to go guarantor on their home loan and one reason is because they don’t understand what guarantor loans are and how they work.
“While guarantor loans have been around for a while, they have only enjoyed a surge in popularity in recent times," he said.
"As such, many first home buyers may not even be aware that guarantor loans exist.
“In addition, some first home buyers may feel as though they need to be able to prove they can buy a home on their own and don’t want to burden their parents by asking them to go guarantor on their loan.
“Nearly 65 percent of Victorian-based first home buyers said they would not consider asking their parents to go guarantor on their loan.
"With home prices rising month after month, many first home buyers were finding it increasingly difficult to get their foot onto the property ladder without some form of financial assistance.
Would you consider asking your parents to go guarantor on your loan? | National | NSW | VIC | QLD | SA | WA |
Yes | 35.7% | 43.8% | 32.5% | 37.5% | 31.9% | 33.7% |
No | 59.7% | 52.7% | 64.9% | 59.2% | 58.5% | 62.9% |
My parents and I don't know/ understand what guarantor is | 4.6% | 3.5% | 2.6% | 3.3% | 9.6% | 3.4% |
“Not only are property prices rising across most capital cities, but all of the states have now removed the first home buyer grant for those wishing to purchase an established dwelling.
He said according to Mortgage Choice data more than 80 percent of first home buyers will look to purchase an established dwelling, meaning the vast majority of first timers will not receive any type of government financial incentive.
“With that in mind, there are plenty of reasons why a first home buyer may need financial assistance from their family. And while it is clear the majority of first home buyers are uncomfortable about asking a parent to go guarantor on their loan, there is a lot of benefits associated with this type of loan structure.
“A guarantor can not only help first home buyers get their foot on the property ladder sooner rather than later, but they can also help them to avoid paying potentially costly Lenders Mortgage Insurance.
He stressed it was important to speak to a mortgage professional.
