Home buying

As house prices have risen, the rules and thresholds around Lifetime ISAs (LISA) have become a pain point for some, with no additional help given to savers or investors in these products by the Chancellor in this year's Autumn Statement.

It’s a question many of us face when we think about funding our retirement – whether to invest in property, downsize your home, or focus more on a personal pension. Here are the pros and cons of each route to creating a stronger financial future.

With rising interest rates, the process of getting a mortgage and buying a home is getting trickier. We offer some tips to help you get your foot through the front door, whether you buy now or invest for later.

Our guide to the Lifetime ISA gives you the basics on tax-efficient investing that could help you purchase your first home, give your retirement a boost – or both. 

A property is likely the biggest purchase any of us could ever make. Not everyone wants to buy their own home, but for those still dreaming of getting on the ladder, investing can be a good way of helping you get there.

Mortgage rates have been trending higher over the past year, and this spiked more recently given unprecedented events in Westminster – the announcement, and subsequent U-turn, on fiscal expansion outlined in the Growth Plan. But what does this all mean for the housing market?

Netflix, avocado, coffee and brunch – we’ve all heard the clichés blaming Generation Rent’s struggles on their spending habits. Over the years a range of influential voices have come out and declared they’ve found the secret to reversing the decline in home ownership among the young, which has fallen continually over the past 30 years.[1]

We are a nation of homeowners – at least notionally we are. While the UK has traditionally had a love affair with property and home ownership – fostered by successive government initiatives from right to buy to help to buy – the reality is that for many getting a foot on the property ladder has never felt harder. 

Us Brits love to talk about our homes and house prices but are sometimes more hesitant to talk about other investments. But can buying property really be compared to investing in stock markets? And which is better suited for you?  

The Lifetime ISA, or LISA, is a government scheme for the younger generation that offers up to £33,000 in cash bonuses for money intended for two big financial goals – buying a first home and retirement.

When the Lifetime ISA was introduced in 2017, it was intended to help people put money away for their first home or retirement. If you’ve been using a Lifetime ISA (LISA) to get you onto the property ladder, it could be helpful to know what steps you need to take now that your home purchase is in sight.

Owning your own home – for some it’s a major life goal and picking out pillows, plants and appliances for your potential new home is exciting. But there can be major obstacles in your way; from saving your deposit, finding a property you can afford and going through the purchase process. We spoke to first-time buyers Luke and Mark about their experiences of getting on the housing ladder using a stocks and shares Lifetime ISA, where your contribution is topped up with a 25% government bonus.