Your first mortgage, without the guesswork.
Nobody is born knowing what an agreement in principle is. We'll walk you through every stage, tell you what things actually cost, and handle the lender paperwork so you can get on with finding a home.
From first conversation to front door key
Most first-time buyers complete in eight to twelve weeks from offer accepted. Here's what happens in between.
Work out your budget
We look at your income, outgoings and deposit, then tell you what lenders are realistically likely to offer, before you fall in love with something you can't borrow against.
Get an agreement in principle
A lender's provisional yes, usually within 24 hours. Estate agents take your offer far more seriously with one in hand.
Find the house, make the offer
Your part. Ours is being on the end of the phone when the agent asks how you're funding it.
We search the whole market
Thousands of products across the majority of UK lenders, compared on total cost rather than the headline rate.
Full application and valuation
We submit it, chase it, and translate anything the lender asks for. The valuation is the lender checking the house is worth what you're paying.
Mortgage offer issued
The formal yes, sent to you and your solicitor. Typically two to three weeks after a full application.
Exchange, complete, move in
Solicitors exchange contracts, funds move on completion day, and the keys are yours.
What you actually need to save for
The deposit is the big one, but it isn't the only one. Budget for these from the start and nothing lands as a nasty surprise.
Your deposit
Most first-time buyer deals start at 5% of the purchase price, but 10% or more usually unlocks a noticeably lower interest rate.
Try the calculator →Solicitor and searches
Conveyancing plus local authority searches. Get quotes early. The cheapest is not always the one that keeps your purchase moving.
Ask us who we rate →Survey
The lender's valuation protects the lender, not you. A homebuyer's report on an older property is money well spent.
Which survey? →Stamp duty and protection
First-time buyer stamp duty relief may mean you pay nothing at all. Then there's cover to keep the roof over your head if life goes sideways.
See protection →The things everyone asks us first
- How much can I borrow? Usually somewhere between four and five times your income, though it depends on your outgoings, credit history and the lender.
- Does a broker cost me more? We're paid by the lender on most cases. Where a fee does apply, you'll know the exact amount before you commit to anything.
- Will applying hurt my credit score? An agreement in principle is normally a soft search. Only the full application leaves a hard footprint.
- Can I buy with a friend or family member? Yes, joint applications and joint borrower sole proprietor deals both exist. We'll explain the difference.
- What if I'm self-employed? Perfectly doable. Lenders differ enormously on how they read accounts, which is exactly where a broker earns their keep.
That's all a first conversation takes. No obligation, and nothing to sign at the end of it.
Tell us where you're up to and we'll tell you what's realistic: what you could borrow, what you'd need saved, and what the monthly payment would actually look like.
Book your callAsk us about your first mortgage
Tell us where you are up to and an adviser will come back to you, usually the same working day.
- One of the five advisers on Eastfield Road, not a call centre.
- Usually the same working day.
- No obligation, and nothing to sign at the end of it.
Would rather talk now? Call 01733 602 033.
First home, first call.
Fifteen minutes on the phone and you’ll know where you stand. No pressure, no pushy sales pitch.