First-Time Buyer Mortgages — Business & House Loan

🔒

FCA Regulated & Authorised

🏠

5% Deposit Accepted

💷

Rates from 3.2% APR

⚡

Decision in 48 Hours

📊

Soft Credit Check Only

First-Time Buyer Mortgages

Your First Home.
Your Fresh Start.

Getting on the property ladder is one of life’s biggest steps. We make it simple, affordable, and stress-free — from your very first enquiry to the day you get your keys.

Get My Mortgage → See How It Works

3.2%

Rates from

Min Deposit

4,200+

First-Time Buyers Helped

35yr

Max Term

🏠 First-Time Buyer Calculator

Property Value

Your Deposit

Annual Income

Mortgage Term

Est. Monthly Payment £1,265

Loan Amount £266,000

LTV Ratio 95%

Max Borrowing (4.5x) £202,500

✓ Likely Eligible — Apply Now

Start My Application →

Why Choose Us

We Make Buying Your First Home Easy

We know the first-time buyer journey can feel overwhelming. That’s why we’ve built everything around making it as clear, fast, and painless as possible.

🎯

Whole-of-Market Search

We compare hundreds of deals from every major UK lender to find the absolute best rate and product for your unique situation.

👤

Dedicated Personal Adviser

You’ll be assigned your own mortgage adviser from day one who handles everything and is reachable whenever you need them.

📊

Soft Credit Check Only

Your initial enquiry won’t leave a mark on your credit file. We only carry out a hard search with your permission when you’re ready to proceed.

💬

Plain-English Guidance

No jargon, no confusing paperwork. We explain every step in plain English so you always know exactly where you stand and what comes next.

💷

No Hidden Fees

Our fee structure is fully transparent. What we quote is what you pay. No surprise charges at any stage of the process.

4,200+

First-time buyers helped

Your Journey

From Application to Keys — Step by Step

Here’s exactly what happens when you apply for your first mortgage with us, with typical timelines for each stage.

Apply Online in 10 Minutes

Complete our simple online form with your income, deposit, and property preferences. No documents needed at this stage — just the basics.

📱 OnlineNo Documents Needed⏱ 10 mins

Agreement in Principle (AIP)

We’ll issue your Agreement in Principle within 24–48 hours. This shows estate agents and sellers you’re a serious buyer and gives you a clear budget to house-hunt with.

🔍 Soft Credit CheckNo Impact on Score⏱ 24–48 hrs

Find Your Property

Go house-hunting with confidence knowing exactly what you can afford. Your AIP is valid for 90 days. Once you’ve found the one, notify us and we’ll move to full application.

🏠 House HuntingAIP Valid 90 Days⏱ Your Timeline

Full Mortgage Application

We submit the full application to the lender on your behalf. You’ll need to provide payslips, bank statements, and ID. We handle all the lender communication.

📎 Documents RequiredWe Handle Everything⏱ 1–2 weeks

Valuation & Survey

The lender arranges a valuation of your chosen property. We recommend also booking an independent homebuyer’s survey to check for structural issues before you commit.

🏗️ Property SurveyLender Valuation⏱ 1–2 weeks

Mortgage Offer Issued

Once the lender is satisfied, they’ll issue your formal mortgage offer. Your solicitor receives a copy and begins the conveyancing process — contracts, searches, and legal checks.

✅ Formal OfferConveyancing Begins⏱ 2–4 weeks

Exchange & Completion 🔑

Contracts are exchanged and a completion date is set. On completion day, your mortgage funds are released, the seller receives payment, and the keys are yours. Welcome home!

🎉 Keys Handed OverYou’re a Homeowner!⏱ 4–12 weeks

📋 Documents You’ll Need

✓ Photo ID (passport or driving licence)

✓ Last 3 months’ payslips

✓ Last 3 months’ bank statements

✓ Proof of deposit (savings statements)

✓ P60 from last tax year

✓ Proof of address (utility bill etc.)

💡 First-Time Buyer Tip

Get your Agreement in Principle before you start house-hunting. Sellers and estate agents take you far more seriously when you can show you’ve already been pre-approved.

Get My AIP →

Government Schemes

Boost Your Buying Power

The UK government offers several schemes specifically designed to help first-time buyers get on the property ladder with smaller deposits and lower monthly costs.

🏛️

Mortgage Guarantee Scheme

From 3.2% · 5% Deposit

The government guarantees part of your mortgage, allowing lenders to offer 95% LTV mortgages at competitive rates — perfect if you have a small deposit saved.

Only 5% deposit required

Properties up to £600,000

Available on repayment mortgages only

Open to all buyers, not just FTBs

✓ Currently Available

🤝

Shared Ownership

From 3.9% · Buy 25–75%

Buy a share of a property (between 25% and 75%) and pay a subsidised rent on the remainder. You can buy more shares over time until you own 100%.

5% deposit of your share only

Lower monthly costs initially

Staircase to full ownership

New build and resale homes

✓ Currently Available

💰

Lifetime ISA (LISA)

25% Bonus on Savings

Save up to £4,000 a year in a Lifetime ISA and receive a 25% government bonus (up to £1,000 per year) to boost your deposit fund.

Open to ages 18–39

Use towards homes up to £450,000

£1,000 free government bonus per year

Can be combined with other schemes

✓ Currently Available

Deposit Guide

How Your Deposit Affects Your Rate

The bigger your deposit, the lower your Loan-to-Value (LTV) ratio — and the better the interest rate you’ll be offered. Here’s how it breaks down.

5% Deposit (95% LTV)4.49% APR

95% LTV

On a £280,000 property — deposit £14,000 · £1,548/month over 25yrs

10% Deposit (90% LTV)3.89% APR

90% LTV

On a £280,000 property — deposit £28,000 · £1,318/month over 25yrs

15% Deposit (85% LTV)3.59% APR

85% LTV

On a £280,000 property — deposit £42,000 · £1,189/month over 25yrs

20% Deposit (80% LTV)3.24% APR

80% LTV

On a £280,000 property — deposit £56,000 · £1,084/month over 25yrs

25%+ Deposit (75% LTV)2.99% APR

75% LTV

On a £280,000 property — deposit £70,000 · £997/month over 25yrs

📊 Deposit Calculator Summary

Minimum deposit accepted5%

Recommended for best rates20%+

Stamp duty (first-time buyers)0% up to £425k

Government bonus (LISA)Up to £1,000/yr

Rate difference (5% vs 25%)~1.5% per year

Monthly saving (5% vs 25%)~£551/month

💡

First-time buyers pay 0% stamp duty on the first £425,000 of a property purchase, and 5% on the portion between £425,001 and £625,000. This is a significant saving compared to subsequent buyers.

Check My Eligibility →

Affordability Checker

How Much Can You Borrow?

Enter your income and deposit details below for an instant estimate of how much you could borrow and what your monthly payments might look like.

🧮

Instant Affordability Estimate

Update the fields to see live results — no credit check required

Your Annual Income (£)

Partner’s Annual Income (£)

Your Deposit (£)

Mortgage Term

Max Borrowing

£202,500

Based on 4.5× income

Max Property Value
£222,500
Mortgage + your deposit

Est. Monthly Payment

£1,068

At 3.24% over 25 years

This is an estimate only. Your actual offer depends on a full affordability assessment, credit history and property value.

Get a Formal Decision →

Buying Costs

Budget Beyond the Deposit

Your deposit is just one part of the upfront costs of buying your first home. Here’s a full breakdown of everything you should budget for.

🏛️

One-Off Purchase Costs

Paid at or before completion

Stamp Duty Land Tax

0% up to £425k for first-time buyers. 5% on £425k–£625k.

0%–5%

Solicitor / Conveyancing Fees

Legal work for the property purchase, searches and transfer of title.

£1,000–£2,500

Mortgage Arrangement Fee

Some mortgage deals carry a product fee. Can often be added to the loan.

£0–£1,999

Valuation Fee

Lender’s basic valuation of the property. Many lenders offer this free.

£0–£500

Land Registry Fee

Fee to register your ownership with HM Land Registry.

£20–£500

🔧

Optional But Recommended

Smart spending for peace of mind

Homebuyer’s Survey

An independent survey to identify structural issues before you buy.

£400–£1,000

Full Structural Survey

Recommended for older or unusual properties. Comprehensive report.

£600–£1,500

Buildings Insurance

Required by all mortgage lenders from the day of exchange. Covers the structure.

~£150/yr

Mortgage Protection Insurance

Pays your mortgage if you’re unable to work due to illness or redundancy.

~£30/mo

Removal Costs

Professional removals firm to move your belongings to your new home.

£300–£1,200

💡

Typical total upfront costs: For a first-time buyer purchasing a £280,000 property with a 10% deposit (£28,000), expect to budget an additional £3,000–£5,000 for solicitor fees, survey, valuation, and miscellaneous costs — on top of your deposit.

Real Stories

First-Time Buyers Just Like You

Real stories from people who took the leap and got on the property ladder with our help.

★★★★★

“I had no idea where to start. Within a week of enquiring I had my Agreement in Principle. Six weeks later I was holding the keys to my first flat. I genuinely couldn’t have done it without them.”

Amy Wilson

First-Time Buyer · Bristol

Verified

★★★★★

“I was self-employed and terrified no lender would accept me. My adviser found a specialist deal within 24 hours and explained everything in plain English throughout. Absolutely brilliant service.”

Marcus Bell

Freelance Designer · Leeds

Verified

★★★★★

“As a joint first-time buyer with my partner, we used the Shared Ownership scheme and only needed a 5% deposit of our share. The team walked us through every stage. We moved in under 2 months after applying.”

Sophie & Luke

Shared Ownership Buyers · London

Verified

We compare deals from the UK’s leading mortgage lenders

🏦

Barclays

🏛️

NatWest

🌐

HSBC

🦁

Lloyds

🏢

Santander

🔵

Halifax

First-Time Buyer FAQs

Your Questions Answered

A first-time buyer is someone who has never previously owned a residential property, either in the UK or abroad. This applies to every person on the mortgage application — if you’re buying jointly and one applicant has previously owned a property, you may not qualify for all first-time buyer schemes and stamp duty relief.

Yes. Under the Mortgage Guarantee Scheme, lenders offer 95% LTV mortgages with just a 5% deposit. These are available on properties up to £600,000. Rates are slightly higher at 95% LTV, but it’s a fantastic option if you’re struggling to save a larger deposit.

Most lenders offer 4 to 4.5 times your annual salary. Some specialist lenders go up to 5.5 times for professionals with high earning potential. Joint applications use combined income. Use our affordability calculator on this page for an instant estimate based on your specific income.

First-time buyers pay 0% stamp duty on the first £425,000 of a property purchase, and 5% on the portion between £425,001 and £625,000. Properties over £625,000 do not qualify for first-time buyer relief and standard stamp duty rates apply. This relief can save you thousands compared to previous buyers.

Absolutely. Self-employed applicants typically need 2–3 years of accounts (prepared by an accountant) plus SA302 tax overviews. We work with specialist lenders who are experienced with self-employed incomes, sole traders, limited company directors, and freelancers. We’ll find the right lender for your situation.

An Agreement in Principle (AIP) — also called a Decision in Principle or Mortgage in Principle — is a conditional confirmation from a lender stating how much they’re prepared to lend you, subject to a full application and valuation. It only involves a soft credit check, won’t affect your credit score, and is valid for 90 days.

From application to receiving your keys typically takes 8–16 weeks in total. Getting your Agreement in Principle takes 24–48 hours. A full mortgage offer takes 2–4 weeks after you’ve found a property. Completion then depends on the legal process and any property chain — usually 4–10 weeks after the offer.

🏠 Ready to Take the First Step?

Your First Home Is Closer Than You Think

Apply online in 10 minutes. Get your Agreement in Principle within 48 hours. No impact on your credit score to enquire.

Get My Free AIP → All Mortgage Products

🔒 256-bit SSL Encrypted

✅ FCA Regulated

📊 No Credit Score Impact

💷 No Hidden Fees

Your First Home.Your Fresh Start.

We Make Buying Your First Home Easy

From Application to Keys — Step by Step

Boost Your Buying Power

How Your Deposit Affects Your Rate

How Much Can You Borrow?

Budget Beyond the Deposit

First-Time Buyers Just Like You

Your Questions Answered

Your First Home.
Your Fresh Start.