First-Time Buyer Schemes in 2026: A Simple Guide
From the Mortgage Guarantee Scheme to LISAs, Shared Ownership and First Homes — every key UK scheme explained in plain English.
By NestLink Team · Published 2026-06-27 · Updated 2026-06-27
# First-Time Buyer Schemes in 2026: A Simple Guide Buying your first home is exciting. But it can also feel hard, especially when it comes to saving up enough money. The good news is that there are several schemes built to help you. They can make your deposit go further or cut the cost of buying. In this guide, we explain the main schemes for first-time buyers in 2026 in plain English. We will keep it simple, so you know what each one does and whether it might suit you. ## What counts as a first-time buyer? First, a quick definition. A first-time buyer is someone who has never owned a home before, anywhere in the world. If you are buying with someone else, they must never have owned a home either. If you both qualify, you can use the schemes below. Now, let's look at your options. ## 1. The Mortgage Guarantee Scheme Most people need a deposit to buy a home. This is money you pay up front, while the rest comes from a mortgage (a loan from a bank). Normally a bigger deposit is easier, but saving one takes years. The Mortgage Guarantee Scheme helps by letting you buy with just a 5% deposit. So on a £200,000 home, you would need £10,000 instead of much more. It works like this: the gov