We explain how much you can borrow, what deposit you need and how the process works from start to finish.
Buying your first home is a significant commitment, but with the right advice, the process can feel straightforward and controlled.
Purchasing your first property is a significant financial commitment. With clear advice from the outset, the process becomes easier to understand and manage.
Buying your first home can feel complex. Lenders, solicitors, estate agents and affordability rules all moving at once. Our role is to simplify this and give you clarity before you commit.
Whether you’re buying alone or jointly, we assess your income, deposit and long-term plans to confirm what you can realistically afford before you start making offers.
We begin by reviewing:
From there, we confirm how much you may be able to borrow and explain the mortgage options, rates and costs available to you.
Before you make an offer, we can arrange an Agreement in Principle (AIP). This provides an indication of what a lender may be prepared to offer and strengthens your position with estate agents.
Once your offer is accepted, we submit your mortgage application, arrange the valuation and manage communication with the lender, estate agent and solicitor to keep the transaction moving.
We’ll also guide you through surveys, legal timelines and what to expect between exchange and completion so you always know where you stand.
Clear advice. No surprises.
Your deposit may come from savings, gifted funds, bonuses or other acceptable sources, subject to lender criteria. We review the origin of funds at the outset to avoid delays later in the process.
In addition to your deposit, you should budget for legal fees, valuation costs and, depending on the purchase price, stamp duty. We outline the full cost picture early so you can plan with confidence.
Shared Ownership allows you to purchase a percentage of a property and pay rent on the remaining share.
You take out a mortgage on the portion you own and place a deposit based on that share, rather than the full property value.
Over time, you may be able to increase your ownership percentage, a process known as “staircasing”, subject to scheme rules and affordability.
We’ll explain how this works and whether it is suitable for your circumstances.
If you are a qualifying local authority or housing association tenant, you may be eligible to purchase your property at a discount under the Right to Buy scheme.
The discount can reduce the purchase price significantly, although lending criteria, property type and affordability requirements still apply.
We’ll review your eligibility, explain how lenders treat the discount and confirm what may be achievable before you proceed.
If you’re unsure which route applies to you, we’ll assess your position and outline the most appropriate path before you begin your search.
Check if you’re eligible by taking this quiz.
Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage.
You may have to pay an early repayment charge to your existing lender if you remortgage.
There may be a fee for mortgage advice. The actual amount you pay will depend upon your circumstances. The fee is up to 1%, but a typical fee is £495 depending on your circumstances.
As a directly authorised and independent firm, we assess mortgage options across a broad range of lenders, including specialist providers for more complex circumstances
Most lenders calculate borrowing using an income multiple, typically between 4.5 and 5 times household income. In some cases, higher multiples may be available.
However, affordability is also assessed against monthly expenditure, credit commitments, dependants and the length of the mortgage term.
Mortgage terms typically range from 5 to 40 years, depending on the lender and your circumstances.
A longer term may be appropriate for younger applicants with many years until retirement, while older borrowers may be limited by a lender’s maximum age at the end of the mortgage term.
Affordability, income sustainability and retirement plans are all considered when determining the most suitable term.
A 5% deposit is common, although in limited cases some lenders may consider 100% borrowing, subject to strict eligibility and affordability criteria.
Generally, a larger deposit improves product availability and pricing, as risk reduces at lower loan-to-value levels.
Deposits are commonly funded through savings, inheritance, property sale proceeds or gifted funds.
In some cases, certain lenders may allow borrowed funds to form part of a deposit. However, this is subject to strict criteria, and any loan repayments will be included in affordability assessments.
It may be possible, depending on the type, severity and age of the adverse credit.
Some lenders will consider applicants with missed payments, defaults, CCJs or historic credit issues, subject to deposit levels and affordability.
Ideally, before you begin viewing properties or making offers.
Speaking to a mortgage adviser early allows you to understand what you can realistically afford, how lenders will assess your income and what the process involves. It also puts you in a stronger position when you’re ready to proceed.
Your initial consultation is provided on a no-obligation basis, giving you clarity before making any commitments.
Stamp Duty may be payable depending on the property price and your circumstances. First-time buyers can sometimes benefit from relief, subject to current rules.
We’ll confirm what applies to you and ensure it’s included in your cost breakdown.
An Agreement in Principle (AIP) is typically required when you are ready to make an offer on a property. Some estate agents may request one before arranging viewings.
We recommend arranging an AIP as early as possible. It confirms your potential borrowing capacity and helps prevent delays once you find a property you wish to proceed with.
The initial assessment and AIP can be arranged on a no-obligation basis.
We often aim to secure a mortgage offer within approximately 14 days, subject to lender and valuation timescales.
Complex cases may take longer, but we manage progression closely and keep you informed throughout.
New builds can be purchased by first-time buyers, home movers and, in some cases, investors subject to lender criteria.
Deposit requirements, incentive limits and valuation policies can vary, so we’ll assess your position and confirm what’s achievable before you proceed.
A mortgage creates long-term financial commitments, so protecting your income and household finances should form part of the overall plan.
Life insurance, critical illness cover and income protection can help ensure mortgage payments and other commitments remain manageable if your circumstances change.
We will always discuss protection as part of the mortgage advice process to ensure the right safeguards are considered.
