The help-to-buy incentive has been the focus of attention in the wake of Budget 2017 but especially since the scheme opened for applications in January but considerable confusion still surrounds the practicalities of how the relief will work.

Put simply, to avail of this scheme you must be a first-time buyer, your mortgage must be for at least 70% of the value of the property, the property cannot be valued at more than €500,000, it must be newly built – ie no second-hand homes – and buy-to-let properties are excluded, so you must live there yourself.

Purchases Before Jan 1st 2017
The rules are slightly different for houses bought or built between July 19th 2016 and Dec 31st 2016. These properties will be eligible for tax rebates on purchases up to €600,000 – but the rebate will still be limited to €20,000.

Bonus: If first time buyers also manage to take out a mortgage with cashback they could get even more cashback.