First Mortgage Guide

Below are some of our useful tips to getting your first mortgage

Research the area you wish to buy

Our recommended first step is to identify the area you wish to purchase, or shortlist a few. Property prices could vary massively depending on the area in which you wish to purchase, which will then determine how much deposit / mortgage is going to be required. Figuring out what type of property you wish to buy is also important, again this will determine how much is going to be required. For instance, in some areas flats will be far cheaper than houses. Having an idea on what you’re looking for will help us give you accurate information, but also will give you a set goal to work towards.

Determine your deposit amount

Working out what deposit you have / are aiming to have is important when you’re taking your first step onto the property ladder. In some cases, this may be savings. Working out exactly what your goal is will help massively, we can help you with that. Ideally most lenders require at least a 5% deposit, however there are some products out there which may allow less than 5% or even £0 deposit (subject to eligibility).

In some cases you may be expecting a gift from a family member, this is perfectly acceptable subject to additional documentation required to evidence the gifted monies. Even with a gift, it’s important to work out what deposit you’re looking to contribute – as this will then determine the mortgage amount required.

Check your credit score

Checking your credit score is one of the first steps we’d recommend when thinking about applying for a mortgage for your first home. Credit scoring is an integral part of the application process and although every lender will carry out their own credit searches as part of the application process, it’s important to know upfront whether there could be any potential issues. It’s likely we’ll ask for a copy of your credit report so we can check this thoroughly. The main things we are looking out for are below:

– Missed payments, if there are missed payments on your credit report this could cause issues when the lender comes to credit score you. Depending on when the missed payment was, how many there are and the background behind it can all influence whether you’ll pass the lenders credit score or not.

– Defaults OR CCJ’s, these are more serious than missed payments showing on your file. Defaults or CCJ’s are usually a result of consecutive missed payments resulting that particular account or commitment to going into default. This may result in a lender declining your application due to misconduct on your credit file.

– High credit usage, in other words whether you have used the majority of your available balance on credit cards or not. If you have used a high percentage of your ‘available’ balance, this may cause your credit score to dip.

If any of the above is found on your credit file, it doesn’t necessarily mean you won’t get a mortgage. We will thoroughly review your credit profile and start our research accordingly, as some lenders are far more flexible with credit issues / blips than others.

Speak to us

Speaking to a mortgage broker is vital when considering purchasing your first home. We are fully qualified to provide advice and guidance to getting a mortgage, which the majority of us are going to need to purchase a first home! We are here to take you from the very start, guiding you through the mortgage advice and application process. We will establish what mortgage amount you’d be eligible for as well as provide advice on what type of product is best suited to your needs and circumstances.

Prepare your documents

Being prepared for your mortgage application is important, there are some documents that will be required to apply for a mortgage. The main ones being:

– ID (scan of passport or driving license)

– Proof of income (payslips / self employed documentation)

– Proof of deposit (if gifted then will need a written letter confirming this is a gift and not a loan)

– Your last three months bank statements

There may be other documents required throughout the application process, we will of course advise accordingly.

If you are looking for further information on getting your first mortgage visit our first time buyer page or contact us to find out more.

Your property may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage.

We typically charge a broker fee of £495, however the amount we charge can depend on your individual circumstances.