Stamp Duty and investing in commercial property

[yamibone]

Hi there

Me and my wife are first time buyers and I am looking to invest in the property market. I am looking specifically at the commercial property sector and am looking to start a limited company to buy a portfolio of commercial (and possibly residential) properties in the future.

Me and my wife both have Help to buy ISA's and we would like to take advantage of the stamp duty rates when we buy our home in the next 2-4 years. But at the moment the priority is investing in a commercial property. The question is will we still retain first time buyer status if we buy commercial property (and what about commercial property if it has a flat above) and what would be the best way to take advantage of our first time buyer status as we would like to buy our first home in a few years but want to also invest in property right now?

[maths]

Purchase of a commercial property would not preclude qualifying as a first time residential purchaser.

However, purchase of a mixed commercial/residential property would preclude qualifying as a first time buyer residential purchaser unless the purchase of the mixed property was effected by a company.

[yamibone]

Hi
So what you are saying is if I bought a mixed property through a limited company I would still be a first time buyer?

I understood your other point

[maths]

That is my understanding.