Habito is introducing ‘Habito Go’, a new home-financing service which aims to provide first-time-buyers the advantages and negotiating power usually only enjoyed by cash buyers.
With Habito Go, buyers are able to ‘upgrade’ their mortgage recommendation to a guarantee of funds to buy the property in cash, while they simultaneously continue their mortgage application through Habito’s brokerage.
A recent survey of 2,000 buyers and sellers conducted by YouGov for Habito, showed that 34% of sellers said they would be more likely to consider accepting an offer from a buyer if they were to pay in cash.
Habito said its new service has also been designed to alleviate the fear of uncertainty associated with buying, something which affects 47% of first-time buyers, as well as delays – more than two in five would-be buyers said they were resigned to a long and drawn-out process.
43% would-be homeowners claimed that being able to fully trust the estate agent would make the home-buying process better. With that in mind, Habito Go offers a built-in concierge service meaning customers get an “expert” by their side throughout the process. Go customers will get insider tips and personalised advice from their expert on everything from bidding wars and price negotiation to what happens after their offer is accepted, right up to getting the keys to their home.
Daniel Hegarty, founder and CEO of Habito, said: “All our research tells us that home-buying is riddled with uncertainty and a lack of control that most people just don’t feel equipped for. And first-time buyers probably have it the hardest.
“With Habito Go, we hope to alleviate this by arming buyers with the power of a cash offer for their dream home while giving sellers the reassurance of a guaranteed sale that is achievable in a fraction of the time normally required to complete a purchase.”