First Time Buyer

For most first-time buyers, and plenty of people who've done it before, the mortgage process feels like a black box. You hand over your documents, your application goes in, and then... you wait. And wonder. And occasionally panic when you haven't heard anything for a few days. It doesn't have to feel that way. Here's exactly what happens after you apply, from the first conversation all the way to the day you pick up your keys.

A study published by Lloyds Bank in August 2026 found that more than a third of prospective first-time buyers are so worried about being rejected that they haven't even started the conversation. Many are making real sacrifices - delaying travel, putting off marriage, not having children - while waiting to hit a financial standard they've invented for themselves. Here are the most common myths we hear and what's actually true.

If you’ve been researching buying your first home and you’ve come across stamp duty figures that seem lower than expected, there’s a reason for that and it’s worth knowing about before you budget for your purchase. In April 2025, the stamp duty thresholds that had been temporarily raised since September 2022 came to an end. The rules changed, and first-time buyers are among those most affected.

Told You Can't Get a Mortgage? We've Heard That Before and We've Proved It Wrong There's a particular kind of frustration that comes with being told no when you know you can afford a home. You've done the sums. You know what your income is. You know what you can comfortably pay each month. And yet somewhere along the way - whether it was a bank, a comparison website, or another broker - someone looked at your situation and told you it wasn't possible.

Buying a home is one of the biggest decisions you'll ever make. It can feel overwhelming at first as there's a lot of information out there, a lot of people with opinions, and a lot of steps between where you are now and holding the keys. But when you strip it back, getting the foundations right comes down to three things. Get these in place early, and everything else becomes a lot more manageable. 1. Have a Clear Budget in Mind Before you look at a single property, you need

Do You Feel Stuck as a Renter? Buying Your First Home Could Be Easier Than You Think

Why Getting Declined Isn't Always the End of the Story

When most people plan to buy a home, they focus on one number - the deposit. Save enough for that, and the rest will follow. But the deposit is just the beginning.

Getting the keys to your new home is a feeling like no other. Here's a practical guide to everything you need to sort out when you move in, so nothing slips through the cracks.

If you've been putting off buying your first home because you don't have a big deposit saved, you're not alone and you might be working from outdated information.

“There’s no point looking - I need at least 15% saved.” It’s one of the biggest barriers stopping people from even exploring their options. Let’s clear that up.

Many people assume that unless they have a 10% deposit saved, buying a home simply isn’t possible. The truth? You may not need a 10% deposit at all.

Many people put off speaking to a mortgage adviser because they think they’re not prepared. The truth? Getting mortgage-ready is simpler than most people think.

Many people worry that their bank statements will instantly stop them getting a mortgage. The truth? It’s rarely that simple.

Many buyers are told there’s a hard limit on how much they can borrow. The truth? In the right circumstances, some borrowers can access mortgages of up to 7 times their income.

Being told you can’t borrow enough can feel like a full stop on your homeownership plans. The truth? It’s often just the first opinion, not the final answer.

If you’re living in the UK on a visa, you’ve probably heard you can’t get a mortgage until you have permanent residency. The truth? Many people on visas CAN get a mortgage.

Thinking of buying your first home in Basingstoke? Here’s what first-time buyers need to understand in 2025: what you can afford, what mortgage options are out there, and how to set yourself up for success.

Struggling to afford the home you really want? Some lenders now offer mortgage loans of up to six times your income if you meet certain criteria.

Looking to step onto the property ladder but unsure if you can afford it alone? Shared ownership might be the solution.