Halifax is offering more incentive to first time buyers of houses.  The mortgage lending company is now offering to pay the one percent in stamp duty bill which is owed after the purchase of the house.  The company will cover the one percent tax bill on properties valued from 125,000 pounds to 250,000 pounds.  Any mortgage product is eligible to be part of the scheme offered by the Halifax.  Halifax is offering payment of the stamp duty to help first timers through the expensive process of affording their first house. 

The incentive is offered until the 7^th of July, 2013.  First timers are able to save up to 2,500 pounds through this generous scheme.

Craig McKinlay, mortgage director at Halifax, commented on the expense of stamp duty and how it can be missed when looking at the big picture of buying a house, saying: “Stamp duty can often be a cost that is overlooked, particularly for buyers who are focused on saving an initial deposit for a house.”

McKinlay added: “We’re keen to do what we can to support those buying their first home, and eliminate the additional burden of a Stamp Duty bill at what's already an expensive time.”

The Funding for Lending scheme kicked off by the government last year helped jumpstart the UK housing market in its bid to make a comeback.  Along with special programs offered by firms like the Halifax, the housing market is seeing growth occur before the official selling season begins.  As original loan activity begins to surge within the market, remortgages are also expected to increase over the coming months as well.