Consumer Corner: These are the financial supports you are entitled to when buying a house

Did you know that under the Help-to-Buy scheme, first-time buyers can receive a tax rebate of up to €30,000 or 10% of the purchase price of a newly built home?

Consumer Corner: Under the Help-to-Buy scheme, first-time buyers can receive a tax rebate of up to €30,000 or 10% of the purchase price of a newly built home

Newly-appointed Taoiseach Simon Harris said that he plans to fix the housing crisis “once and for all”. However admirable this plan is, today in Ireland it is still really difficult for many people to buy their first home. There are some initiatives that might help however aside from the traditional mortgage at the bank route.

Trevor Grant, chairman of the Association of Irish Mortgage Advisers says that with the rapid rise in regional house prices, many first-time buyers are finding themselves priced out of areas that were once within reach. He says however that to secure a spot on the property ladder this year, first-time buyers must stay proactive, ensuring they have the necessary deposit in the wings and explore what State schemes they may be eligible for.