As of last week, the government launched its Help to Buy scheme. In its current form, this is an equity loan where the Government will lend anyone with a 5% deposit up to 20% of the value of a residential property. This scheme, however, only applies to those wishing to purchase new build homes – a catch that is designed to simultaneously boost the housing market as well as the housebuilding industry. This article in The Guardian explores some of the drawbacks of the scheme because of its emphasis on mass housebuilding properties built with profits high on the agenda, including unforeseen expenses and problems: Does Buying a New Home Leave you on Shaky Foundations? Help to Buy will open up in January 2014 to people wishing to buy existing properties under a mortgage guarantee scheme. For a selection of high-quality, modern homes, visit: The Modern House