Local Authority Affordable Purchase Scheme

The Affordable Purchase Scheme bridges the gap between what you can borrow, what you’ve saved, and the cost of a new home, making that first step onto the property ladder possible.

We’ve been involved from the very beginning, including delivering the first Affordable Purchase Scheme in Ireland at Summerfields, Waterford. It helped real buyers, many of whom thought home ownership was out of reach , move into homes of their own.

Whether you’re renting long-term or simply assumed buying a home wasn’t realistic, affordable housing schemes are changing that.

If you’re ready to explore what’s possible, we’ll help you understand what you can buy, what support is available, and how to take the next step with confidence.

What makes it Affordable?

A Whitebox home costs the same as a comparable new home on the private market but affordability is about what it costs you every month, not just the purchase price.

Because you may need to borrow less, your monthly mortgage repayments can be lower. And because all Whitebox homes are A-rated for energy efficiency, your heating and running costs are also reduced.

So, while the price is the same, the monthly cost of living in the home is lower and that’s what makes it more affordable.

Do I quality for Affordable Purchase?

If your current maximum mortgage approval is less than 85.5% of the purchase price, and you have at least 10% deposit of the purchase price of the property you could qualify. The Help to Buy (HTB) scheme can be used to make up the deposit.

Examples of previous Affordable Purchase homes sold by Whitebox:.

Getting Started

Before beginning your home buying journey, there are a few simple steps to complete. These steps are free, straightforward, and come with no obligation, simply an opportunity to understand your options.

Step 1: Apply for Your Mortgage

We recommend speaking with a mortgage broker to determine your maximum borrowing capacity and to obtain a Mortgage Approval in Principle (AIP).

This will give you a clear understanding of how much you may be able to borrow, and the price range you should be considering when searching for a home.

For professional advice, contact our trusted mortgage broker partner, Mortgage ABC. They are experienced and extremely helpful, and can guide you through the entire mortgage process from assessing affordability right through to securing your Approval in Principle.

In addition to traditional bank lending, some credit unions may also offer mortgage options under affordable purchase schemes. These can sometimes provide flexible and competitive alternatives, depending on your eligibility.

Step 2: Apply for the Help to Buy Scheme

Next, apply for the Help to Buy Scheme through the official Revenue website:
Help to Buy Scheme (Revenue)‍

You will also need to register and log into the Revenue Online Service (ROS) to complete your application.

This scheme allows eligible first-time buyers to claim a refund of income tax paid over the past four years, which can be used towards your deposit. Depending on your circumstances, it can be worth up to €30,000.

For many buyers, this is a valuable first step — in some cases, the tax already paid over recent years may be enough to cover a significant portion of the deposit requirement, reducing the need for additional savings.‍

Section 3 - Make your application

Step 3: Gather Your Application Documents

Before applying for an Affordable Housing Scheme, make sure you have all of your required documents ready. Having everything prepared in advance will help you complete your application quickly when a scheme opens.

Use the Application Checklist below to ensure you have all the necessary documentation before you apply.

Checklist: ‍

Step 4 Stay Up to Date with Affordable Housing Schemes

Affordable Housing Schemes are released throughout the year by local authorities. New developments can receive a high volume of applications, so it's important to act quickly.

Applications are submitted through your local authority's website. For many schemes, applications are processed on a first-come, first-served basis (subject to meeting the eligibility criteria), so having your documents prepared in advance can make a real difference.

To improve your chances:

• Monitor your local authority's Affordable Housing page regularly.
• Sign up for email alerts where available.
• Prepare all required documents before applications open.
• Submit your application as soon as the portal goes live.

Being prepared can help you avoid missing out when new homes become available.

Also, all Affordable Homes Nationwide are advertised at https://affordablehomes.ie/buy/

Step 5: Await Your Application Assessment

Once you have submitted your application, the Local Authority will assess your eligibility.

If your application is approved, we will be notified and will contact you to guide you through the next steps in the purchasing process.

Step 6: Choose Your New Home

Now for the exciting part – choosing your new home!

Congratulations on being approved under the Affordable Purchase Scheme. Once your approval has been confirmed, you'll be introduced to our appointed sales agent.

Your sales agent will:

• Help you select your new home.
• Guide you through the booking process.
• Arrange payment of your booking deposit.
• Issue your Sales Advice Note.

Section 4 – Contract Stage.

Now that you have mortgage approval and have selected your new home, the next stage is to complete the legal process and progress towards closing.

Appoint a Solicitor

You will need to appoint a solicitor to act on your behalf throughout the purchase process. Below are some trusted local options who are all experienced in the Affordable Purchase Scheme:

• Parker Law
  Ms Suzanne Parker
  9 Henrietta Street, Waterford
  Tel: 051 878 090
  Email: sparker@parkerlaw.ie
• Jacob Law
  Mr Damian Woods
  Unit 4, Complex 1 Riverstown, Waterford, X91 KF96
  Tel: 051 271 013
  Email: info@jacoblaw.ie
• MW Keller & Son
  Mr Thomas Carroll
  8 Gladstone Street, Trinity Without, Waterford, X91 E896
  Tel: (051) 877 029
  Email: info@mwkeller.ie

Step-by-Step Guide to Closing‍

Please follow our user-friendly step-by-step guide to completing the purchase process.

It is important to note that each step must be completed in order before progressing to the next stage.

Step 5 – Collect Your Keys

Once all legal and final completion steps are finished, you will complete your snag list and receive confirmation to proceed to handover.

You can then collect your new home keys - congratulations on becoming a homeowner.

We remain available to support you with any queries during this stage and beyond.

Please note that there is a 12-month defects liability period during which we will address any issues that arise. Our Fix Flow system is in place to make reporting and resolving defects simple and efficient.