ARE YOU worried that you can’t afford to buy in your area? Do you think that the Government helps only public sector workers? If you earn less than £60,000 a year you could qualify for a government home-ownership scheme. Answer the questions below to see if you qualify:

What is your total household income per year?

1: Less than £52,500 – go to next question

2: Between £52,500 and £60,000 – go to next question 3: More than £60,000 – go to outcome C

Related Internet Links

• An essential guide for first-time buyers

Background

• Getting on the property ladder: DIY approach

• Affordable first-time buyer homes

• New homes offer a first step on the housing ladder

Ten things you need to know about... buying your first home

Soaring property prices have made it difficult for first-time buyers to get onto the property ladder. But a slower market could provide new opportunities: find out how to make the most of them

• A step-by-step guide to buying your first home

Related Internet Links

• First-time buyer special

• Property guides

First-time buyers are deserting property market

According to figures, first-time buyers are leaving the property market, with numbers falling by a fifth in the past six months

• Where there’s the will there could be a way

• First time buyers risk negative equity

Background

• How to get onto the property ladder

• Useful websites for first-time buyers

• Rise in buyers borrowing five times their income

• Where there’s the will there could be a way

Background

• We need more homes

• Grab a home in Tuscany

• Furnished with brainpower

• Auction stations

Background

• The home town exiles

• Affordable first-time buyer homes

• First-time buyers face highest mortgage costs in 15 years

• Useful websites for first-time buyers

Background

• A problem shared is a problem solved

• Beware of bidding for bargains

• Step on to the property ladder

• Young home-buyers forced into record debt

Background

• Wimpey to fight for first-time buyers

• Chic and cheerful

• First rung

• Beware of giving it 110 per cent with your loan

Background

• Keep it in the family

• How do I get in?

• The rise of parent power

• Pester power

Related Links

• New homes offer a first step on the housing ladder

Have you ever owned a property in the past?

1: No, I have never been able to afford to buy in my area – if you answered 1 above, go to outcome A. If you answered 2 above, go to outcome B

2: Yes, but due to a change in circumstance (eg, I am recently divorced or am unwillingly affected by demolition or clearance) I am now unable to retain that property – go to outcome B 3: Yes, but I would like to own another property for the use of family members – go to outcome C

If you work in the public sector, answer this question regardless of your previous answers. Do you work in one of these roles?

1: NHS clinical worker, teacher, police or community support officer, social worker, educational psychologist, children’s and family court adviser or support staff, town planner, environmental health practitioner, fire and rescue worker, Connexions adviser, traffic officer – go to outcome A

2: Prison officer, probation officer, member of staff at the Ministry of Defence, therapist employed by my local authority – go to outcome B

3: My work directly contributes to local public services but I am not categorised as a key worker – go to outcome B

4: Doctor, dentist, ex-NHS worker – go to outcome C

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