Buying your first property is probably the biggest financial step you've ever taken. We walk you through every part of the process so nothing catches you off guard.
A good mortgage broker finds you the best deal for your actual situation — not just the lowest rate on a comparison website. We search 90+ lenders, understand all the small print, and tell you when a deal is genuinely good and when it isn't.
For first-time buyers, that matters more than ever. You don't know what you don't know yet — and there's a lot to know. We've been doing this for 20 years. Let us make sure nothing trips you up.
Before anything else, we work out what you can genuinely afford — not just what a lender will technically offer you. We talk about your goals, your timeline, and whether now is actually the right time to buy.
We secure an AIP from a suitable lender. This gives you a real borrowing figure and shows estate agents and sellers that you're a serious buyer — which matters in a competitive market.
You search for properties knowing exactly what you can offer. We're available to flag anything worth knowing — leasehold issues, ex-local authority restrictions, anything that could affect your mortgage down the line.
Once your offer is accepted, we handle the full application, liaise with the lender on the valuation, and chase any queries. You won't be fielding calls from the bank asking for documents you've already sent.
We stay involved until completion. If anything comes up — and sometimes things do — you have someone who answers the phone and knows your situation inside out.
Just because a lender will give you £300,000 doesn't mean you should take it. We stress-test your payments at higher rates so you know the mortgage is genuinely manageable, not just affordable right now.
Product fees, early repayment charges, flexibility, overpayment limits — they all affect the total cost. The lowest rate on paper is often not the cheapest deal over the full term.
People buy their first home, then put off sorting life insurance. The right time to get it is before you need it — and ideally before you move in.
Most first-time buyers have never looked at their credit file — and some discover errors or surprises only after a lender flags them. Check before we submit anything. Check My File shows data from all three agencies — Experian, Equifax, TransUnion — in one place, which is the full picture lenders actually see. Try it FREE for 7 days, then £14.99/month — cancel online any time.
Lifetime ISA, First Homes, Shared Ownership — whether any of these are right for you depends entirely on your situation. We'll tell you which ones could genuinely help and which are more complicated than they're worth.
Technically 5% of the purchase price. Realistically, aim for 10% if you can — the jump in rates and lender choice at 90% LTV is significant. Our deposit guide goes into detail.
It's a soft commitment from a lender showing they'd be willing to lend you a specific amount, subject to a full application. Estate agents and sellers will often expect to see one before considering your offer seriously. We arrange it as part of the process.
Ours is typically £600. Many brokers are "fee-free" — be aware that means the lender pays them, which can quietly bias which lender they recommend. We charge so we can stay genuinely independent.
From offer accepted to keys, typically 8–12 weeks. The mortgage application itself is usually 2–4 weeks; the rest is conveyancing and chains. We push for the lender side; your solicitor pushes for the legal side.
It depends on why. Sometimes it's a simple fix (wrong lender for your situation). Sometimes it points to something that needs addressing first (credit file, recent job change). A broker's whole job is to apply to the right lender first time — and to know what to do if the answer comes back as no.
Yes. It's the single best £15 you can spend before a mortgage. You see what the lender sees, and you have time to fix any surprises.
Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage.
Book a free chat and let's talk through your situation — no pressure, just honest advice.