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LF comments from brokers on any reasons to be cautious of developer incentives

Journalist: Laura Purkess, Freelance

ended 05. August 2026

Hiya, I'm looking for expert comments on any reasons to be cautious of incentives from property developers / any red flags to look out for, and an issues large incentives can cause for mortgages / raise eyebrows with lenders, for an article in The i Paper. Thank you!

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Editor
Stephen Perkins
Managing Director at Yellow Brick Mortgages
Developer incentives aren't automatically a red flag, but they should prompt buyers to ask more questions. If a builder is willing to contribute towards stamp duty, mortgage payments or furniture, it's worth understanding whether you're receiving genuine added value or simply paying for those incentives through a higher purchase price.

Lenders and surveyors also look closely at incentives because they can affect the property's true value. The right question isn't 'What am I getting free?', it's 'What is this home worth without the incentive?