Five County Mayo homes have became available for purchase under an affordable housing scheme.

The three-bed homes, based within a development of new social housing units at Golf Course Road, Westport, will generally be available only for first-time buyers who do not own a home, although a small number of exceptions apply.

The homes range in market value from €310,000 to €345,000, with a minimum sale price ranging from €232,000 to €259,000.

A gross household income will be assessed as per Mayo County Council's Income Assessment Policy for Affordable Housing.

To apply and subsequently purchase one of these homes an applicant must satisfy the following eligibility criteria of the scheme:

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Purchasers will enter an affordable dwelling purchase arrangement with Mayo County Council.

Under this arrangement the council will take a percentage equity share in the dwelling equal to the difference between the market value of the dwelling and the price paid by the purchaser, expressed as a percentage of the market value of the dwelling.

The council may not seek realisation of its affordable dwelling equity for a 40-year period (other than for breach of the agreement). However, the purchaser may choose to redeem or buy out the affordable dwelling equity at any time by means of one or a series of payments to the council.

Eligible applicants will be prioritised based on Mayo County Council's Scheme of Priority. In relation to 30% of the dwellings as per Mayo County Council's scheme of priority, date and time of application will be one of the criteria on which eligible applications will be prioritised under the council's Scheme of Priority. This means that eligible applications received first will be given priority.

Applications will be accepted via an online application portal which will open on Friday, January 17 at 9.30am and close on February 7.