FIRST-TIME BUYER MORTGAGE ADVICE

Feeling overwhelmed as a first-time buyer by the mortgage process? From deals to deposits, we simplify the process and guide you throughout.

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How to get a mortgage

To get a mortgage as a first-time buyer with UKMC, start by booking a free 20-minute call with a member of our team to explore deposit options and benefit from available schemes. We’ll secure an Agreement in Principle (AIP) to show sellers you’re a serious buyer.

Once your offer is accepted, we’ll apply for a formal mortgage offer from your lender. You and your solicitor will conduct the necessary property survey and legal searches, exchange contracts, and we’ll help you finalise the purchase. We ignore all the online noise and opinions – it’s all about you and your first home.

Our years of invaluable experience and expertise will help you understand and navigate the entire home-buying process with ease, allowing you to focus on the most important things – like new flooring, comfy couches, and where to put the TV. Whether you’re worried about borrowing enough money or have had to reduce your deposit, we can help you overcome these issues with our expert first-time buyer mortgage advice, getting you closer to your dream of owning a home.

Why UKMC FOR YOUR FIRST MORTGAGE

We specialise in making the mortgage process simple and straightforward. We’ll help you to understand and navigate through the entire home-buying process with ease, leaving you to focus on the most important things – like new flooring, comfy couches, and where to put the TV.

Our years of invaluable experience and expertise in finding the best mortgages for first-time buyers will get you closer to your dream of owning a home. Regardless of whether you’re worried that you won’t be able to borrow enough money to afford your ideal property or you’ve had to reduce the size of your deposit, we can help you to navigate these issues with our expert first-time buyer mortgage advice.

We search the whole of market, looking and comparing 1000s of mortgage rates for you. We’ll review your eligibility across hundreds of lenders and make sure to find the most suitable deal for you!

You’ll be assigned a dedicated mortgage adviser and case manager from your first call with UKMC, providing you with a single point of contact throughout your home-buying journey, ensuring you won’t be passed around to different team members for each query.

Your personal first-time buyer mortgage adviser will liaise with your chosen lender, surveyor, and solicitor on your behalf, helping to minimise stress and save you valuable time.

With our easy access portal, you’ll be able to seamlessly access and download comprehensive reports on your property with just a few clicks.

Reports include:
Broadband speed
Energy efficiency rating
Property price trends in your postcode
Breakdowns of property types, tenure, professions, and crime in your area
Flood risk
Geology report
Infrastructure projects
Radon risk

You can also access a handy home buying check list!

Life happens, and let’s face it, when you work a 9-5 job, it’s often impossible to make appointments during standard business hours. That’s why we offer late-night appointments 5 days a week. We are committed to accommodating your schedule, ensuring you receive the support you need at a time that works best for you.

Let’s get you moving

The buying process made simple

Step 1
Affordability

When determining how much you can afford, consider your salary and other income as well as any pre, or post-tax deductions such as share save schemes, season tickets, or loans. Estimate your borrowing capacity and check your credit file. With this information and your deposit, we’ll know the value of properties you can potentially purchase.

Step 2
Choosing Your Mortgage

Deciding on a mortgage product involves considering interest rates, your deposit, the mortgage term, and any associated fees. It's crucial to ensure you can afford the mortgage while maintaining your standard of living. While opinions on suitability vary, the mortgage must fit your current needs and personal circumstances.

Step 3
Agreement In Principle

To strengthen your negotiating position when purchasing a property, consider applying for an Agreement in Principle (AIP) from your chosen lender. This confirms your offer with the estate agent and indicates the amount the lender is willing to lend after a credit check and affordability assessment. It can also be known as a Decision In Principle.

Step 4
Finding Your Home

You can start your search online and with local estate agents at houses in the right area you would like to view. Set out a criteria does it have to be 2 or 3 bedrooms? Do you mind if there is no off-road parking? These are all things you need to consider when buying your first home, but it will make your property search a lot easier!

Step 5
Offer Accepted

Once you've found your property and had your offer accepted, you'll need to appoint a solicitor to carry out the conveyancing. Your solicitor will tell you what you can expect to pay and ask you to pay for the property searches. There are plenty of solicitors to choose from locally, or ask your adviser and they will be able to point you in the right direction.

Step 6
Application

Once the offer has been accepted and you've chosen your solicitor, we will go ahead with your chosen lender and make the formal mortgage application. At this stage we may ask for some additional documents, such as payslips and bank statements. We'll stay in touch with you throughout the process making sure you stay up to date every step of the way!

Step 7
Property Valuations

Once your lender has received your application and assessed the relevant documents they have requested. A survey will be booked. The lender values the property to make sure it's worth the value of the loan. Once this has been carried out they begin to underwrite the case to produce your formal mortgage offer.

Step 8
Mortgage Offer

At this stage, the mortgage has been formally approved by your chosen lender. A copy will also be sent to your adviser and solicitor, so that they can begin the legal work associated with the property. At UK Mortgage Centre, we stay in contact with you and your solicitor to make sure you have a smooth transition into your first home!

Step 9
Getting The Keys

Once the solicitor has completed their work and you have exchanged contracts with the vendor, you’ll set a completion date. The completion date is the day you get your keys and be able to move into your own home. You'll be able to decorate your space the way you want. The next time you hear from us will be when it's time for your first remortgage!

First Time Buyer Mortgage Schemes

First Home Scheme

This scheme is designed to give first time buyers the opportunity to buy their first home at 30-50% discount.

Guarantee Scheme

This scheme helps first time buyers get onto the property ladder by allowing them to only put down a 5% deposit.

Shared Ownership

This is where you buy a share of a home & pay rent on the other share. You can buy a bigger share in the property up to 100% of its value.

There are so many options when it comes to boosting your affordability book a free call with a member of our expert team and let’s make you a homeowner.

Frequently asked questions

A typical mortgage term is usually around 25 years. However, lenders can offer you a mortgage much longer than this depending on your age and personal circumstances.

If you choose a longer the mortgage term, the lower your monthly repayment will be, as it will take longer to pay off. However, you’ll end up paying more interest to the lender over a longer period of time.

If you choose a shorter mortgage term, the higher the monthly repayments will be, but you will clear your mortgage quicker and pay less interest to the lender.

When choosing how long you want your mortgage to be, think carefully of your monthly budget, because you’ll be committed to paying this every single month!

This depends on your personal circumstances! But you will need to contact us by filling out a form or calling us.

You’ll need to demonstrate to lenders that you’ll be able to afford the monthly payments, and they’ll also want to see how you’ve managed debts in the past. To do this, they’ll get a copy of your credit report, so it’s worth requesting a copy yourself before applying so you can see how good your score is. We can help you understand what the lenders are looking for and help you with ways to improve it.

Most lenders will ask for 5-10% of your purchase price, so for example, if you were to buy a home for £225,000, you’d need £11,250-£22,500 deposit for that home.

However, there are products called 100% mortgages, which means you do not need a deposit as a first-time buyer. This is aimed at helping renters over the age of 21 get onto the property ladder. They generally come with no fees and are subject to affordability and credit score as well as evidence of 12 months of good track of rental history.

Lenders will want to verify the data used on your application before they can issue you a binding mortgage offer, so to make sure the home buying process is as stress-free as possible, it makes sense to get everything you need to hand prior to applying for the mortgage.

Your lender may want to see any or all of:

  • Your last three months’ bank statements
  • Your last three months’ pay slips
  • Proof of bonuses/commission
  • Your latest P60 tax form, showing income and tax paid
  • Your last three years’ accounts or tax returns (if self-employed)
  • Proof of deposit (e.g. latest 3 months’ savings account statements)
  • ID documents (usually a passport or driving licence)
  • Proof of address (e.g. utility bills or credit card bills)
  • A gift letter; If you’re receiving help with your deposit, the lender will need a letter from the person providing the gift explaining that they won’t part own the home and that it’s not a loan

The freeholder of a property owns the property and the land that the house is situated on.

If you buy a freehold, you’re responsible for maintaining your property and land, so you may need to budget for these costs. By owning the house as freehold, you won’t need to worry about paying ground rent, the lease running out, or having to deal with the freeholder (landlord).

With a leasehold, you own the property (subject to the terms of the leasehold) for the length of your lease agreement with the freeholder. When the lease ends, ownership returns to the freeholder, unless you can extend the lease.

If you wish to apply for a joint mortgage and qualify for the stamp duty relief, both applicants must be first-time buyers.

To be eligible for any first-time buyer schemes, it is essential that all individuals mentioned on the mortgage are first-time buyers.

Typically, you can borrow between 4 to 4.5 times your salary for a mortgage as a first time buyer. If you’re buying with someone else like a partner, this will be based on your combined salary. However there are many first time buyer schemes and help which can boost your affordability.

Give Us
A Call

You can either book a call here at your convenience or give our friendly first-time buyer mortgage broker team a call today on 01925 573328.

Submit An
Enquiry

Request a call back at a more convenient date and time using our online contact form, or simply send us your enquiry via email to hello@ukmc.co.uk

Book An
Appointment

Why not speak to our supportive team in-person. Located in the heart of Warrington, this family-run business also welcomes office visits!

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