First time buyers

Getting on that first rung can be tricky 

We’ve helped many people buy their first home, even those with less than perfect credit histories. That’s because we consider your individual circumstances, not just your credit profile (or lack of one!). So if you’ve never had credit, or had previous problems, you could still qualify for a first time buyer mortgage from us.

We’ll consider first time buyer mortgages for:

• ex-council houses, flats and maisonettes
• high-rise properties (yes, even ones above 6 floors)
• properties with poor valuations (when the property is in a less than perfect condition)
• non-standard constructions (when the property you want is a little out of the ordinary)
• ... as well as the more usual brick-built houses, flats and maisonettes.

Key features

• Mortgages from £3,000 to £1,000,000 (£1m+ by referral)
• CCJs and Defaults accepted
• Up to 75% LTV (loan to value)
• Variable rates from 6.37%
• Fixed rates available from 3.99%
• Interest only repayment options available

With added value

To help make things more affordable and easier to plan, we offer a 5-year fixed-rate product. Also, we don't hit you with early repayment charges if you want to pay off your mortgage early. And that’s even on fixed-rate mortgages.

Overall cost for comparison

For example: A mortgage of £85,000 payable over 5 years initially on a fixed rate for 5 years at 7.12% and then on a tracker rate for the remaining 25 years at 6.12% above the Bank of England Base Rate would require 60 monthly payments of £600.99 and 300 monthly payments of £634.89 plus a redemption administration fee of £150.00.

The total amount payable would be £212,483.52 made up of the loan amount plus interest on the loan (£117,222.40), processing fee (£2,125.00) and arrangement fee (£2,125.00) plus interest on these fees (£5,861.12) and the redemption administration fee (£150.00).

The overall cost for comparison is 7.7% APRC representative. 

The actual rate available will depend upon your circumstances. Ask us for a personalised illustration.

Getting your first mortgage in 8 easy steps

When you apply for a mortgage with us, one of our qualified mortgage advisers will guide you through each step of the process:

1. We’ll make sure we understand your circumstances fully before recommending a suitable mortgage. If you’re happy, you’ll receive a ‘mortgage illustration’ providing all the relevant details about the product you’re applying for.
2. Our mortgage advisers will take you through the full application process. We’ll tell you exactly what you need to do, and when, including sending us supporting documentation. For example, proof of income in the form of wage slips or your accounts.
3. When we have everything we need, we’ll assess your application and supporting information.
4. Then a surveyor will visit the property to ensure it’s mortgage-worthy.
5. If it is, we’ll make you a mortgage offer, which means we’ve accepted your mortgage application.
6. Our advisers will tell you what’s happening at each stage and, importantly, you’ll have their contact details if you want to get in touch.
7. (For Purchase Only) Your conveyancer or solicitor will start to discuss exchanging contracts with the sellers and agree a date to complete the sale. This is a good time to take out buildings insurance.
8. (For Purchase Only) Completion is the date you get the keys to your new home. We’ll transfer your mortgage funds to the seller’s solicitor. They’ll hand over the keys and there you have it... welcome to your first home.

Our lending criteria

• Maximum LTV (loan to value) – 75%
• Maximum mortgage– £1,000,000
• Borrow over 3 to 40 years
• Fixed rate terms – 2 and 5 years
• Maximum age – 80 years at end of term
• Credit profile – CCJs and Defaults accepted (even in the last 12 months)
• Income types – employed, self-employed, temporary/zero-hour contracts, DWP benefits, pension
• All property types considered – non-standard construction, ex-council, and high-rise over 6 floors (must be >40% residential use)
• We accept applicants with debt management plans completed more than two years ago. We can’t accept applicants currently in debt management plans.