The clue ought to be in the name – you’ve either bought a house before or you haven’t, right? If only it were that simple... first time buyer status isn’t as straightforward as it seems and you’re forgiven if – like a lot of first time home buyers – you’re not sure where you stand.
But finding out is really important, especially if you’re looking to take advantage of a first time buyer offer from a lender. Just remember not to automatically assume you do or don’t qualify; some lenders may classify you as a first time buyer even if others don’t. So be sure to double check.
Here are some simple pointers to determine who is typically considered to be a first time buyer: