First Time Buyer Mortgage Advice

Here to Help with Your First Property

Welcome to EBR Mortgages! We’re here to make buying your first home an easy and exciting experience. We specifically design our service for first-time buyers, so you get the guidance and personal support you need. It’s a big step, and doing things in the right order is crucial to avoid unnecessary stress and setbacks. We’ll make sure you transition smoothly from an aspiring buyer to a happy homeowner.

Step-by-Step to Your First Home with EBR Mortgages

Getting ready to buy your first home? We’ll guide you through each step, making sure everything is easy to understand and as simple as possible.

1

Connect with Your Mortgage Adviser

Contact us to get started. It is crucial to assess your finances at the earliest opportunity to avoid unnecessary stress. We’ll consider your income, savings, and financial commitments to determine your options. Next, we’ll offer advice to help you achieve your home-buying goals.

2

Secure a Mortgage in Principle

This step confirms your mortgage eligibility and sets a clear borrowing benchmark. You’ll feel confident making an offer, knowing you can afford it. Additionally, it shows the estate agent you’re a serious buyer.

3

Find a Property

With your budget and mortgage eligibility in hand, you can start viewing properties. Once you find the right property, you can express your interest and make an offer, all with the support of EBR Mortgages. We’ll guide you in negotiating with an estate agent, helping boost your chances of getting your offer accepted.

4

Apply for Your Mortgage

We submit your mortgage application and send documents like proof of income and bank statements to the underwriter for assessment. A mortgage valuation will be instructed on the property. Once the lender confirms affordability and the criteria are met, they will approve your mortgage and issue an offer.

5

Arrange Suitable Insurances

At EBR Mortgages, we’re insurance experts too. We’ll help you understand options like life insurance, critical illness cover, and income protection. These policies are designed to provide financial protection if the unexpected happens, giving you peace of mind that you and your loved ones can stay in your home long-term.

6

Appoint a Solicitor or Conveyancer

Your solicitor or conveyancer handles the legal side, including local authority, land registry, and environmental checks. They will liaise with the seller’s solicitor to address any queries or concerns. You can choose any solicitor or conveyancer, provided they are on the approved panel of your mortgage lender. EBR Mortgages can provide you with recommendations for a suitable solicitor or conveyancer.

7

Finalise the Purchase

After all checks and legalities are complete, you will pay your deposit to the solicitor and exchange contracts. You will agree on a completion day, allowing you to start planning your move. We’ll also ensure your insurances are in place to keep you protected.

8

Completion

On completion day, the mortgage account opens, your solicitor transfers funds to the seller, and you receive your new keys. Congratulations, you’re a homeowner!

Our Services for First Time Buyers

Here at EBR Mortgages, we specialise in providing a wide range of mortgage options suited to your needs. We’ll help you make sense of the buying process and support you through each step.

First Time Buyer Schemes

Although buying your first home can feel unachievable, government-backed schemes like Shared Ownership and the First Homes Scheme make homeownership more accessible. We’ll guide you through the eligibility criteria, application process, and benefits of these schemes. Our goal is to help you understand each option fully and determine whether they’re the right fit for your home-buying journey.

Fees for First Time Buyers

Understanding the fees associated with buying your first home is crucial for effective financial planning. EBR Mortgages provides transparency regarding the costs involved, including legal fees, survey fees, stamp duty, and other potential expenses. We aim to ensure first-time buyers fully understand the financial commitments of purchasing a property.

Budget Evaluation

We thoroughly assess your budget to determine how much you can borrow, and we ensure it’s affordable once you move in. This includes assessing your income, expenditure, and potential deposit. We guide you through the process of securing a mortgage that aligns with your budget and financial goals.

Low or No Deposit Mortgages

It’s possible to buy a property with limited savings, and we’ll guide you through the options available. The government-backed mortgage guarantee scheme reduces lender risk, allowing 95% mortgages with just a 5% deposit. While some 100% mortgage deals exist, we’ll advise you on their suitability, considering higher interest rates and the risk of negative equity. Other options include family gifts, Shared Ownership, or using a family member’s savings or property equity for a zero deposit mortgage.

Guarantor Mortgages

Even if you have enough savings for a deposit, your income might still fall short for the mortgage you need. If a friend or family member is willing to help, we can combine their income with yours to boost affordability. This could result in a joint mortgage, with both names on the property or just yours through a Joint Borrower Sole Proprietor mortgage.

Bad Credit Mortgages

You can still get a mortgage with bad credit, including missed payments or defaults, but finding the right one isn’t easy. That’s why you need an experienced broker. At EBR Mortgages, we specialise in securing deals for clients with adverse credit histories.

Why Choose Us to Assist with Your First Time Buyer Mortgage? 

At EBR Mortgages, our commitment is to guide you through every step of your first home purchase. From assessing your budget to guiding you through the entire buying process until you get the keys, we are here to make your journey to homeownership a positive and memorable experience.

Our Frequently Asked Questions about First-Time Buyer Mortgages 

A mortgage broker like EBR Mortgages can offer tailored advice, comparing products across lenders to find options suited to your needs. We guide you through the entire process, from assessing your budget to securing a mortgage in principle and ensuring you’re fully prepared.

First-time buyers face several fees, including legal fees, survey fees, and stamp duty. For information on stamp duty, see the Stamp Duty Calculator – GOV.UK.

The First Homes Scheme helps first-time buyers purchase discounted properties in their local area. Learn more about eligibility and benefits from First Homes Scheme – GOV.UK.

Shared Ownership allows you to buy a percentage of a property and pay rent on the remaining share, making homeownership more affordable. Learn about eligibility and benefits at Shared Ownership – GOV.UK.

Checking your credit score is important. Use Experian or Equifax to check your score, and consider improving it by paying down debts, making timely payments, and avoiding new credit.

The Help to Buy ISA and Lifetime ISA offer savings boosts for first-time buyers. However, new Help to Buy ISAs are no longer available, while Lifetime ISAs are still open. Learn more at Lifetime ISA – GOV.UK.

Most lenders require a minimum of 5-10% of the property’s value for a first-time buyer. See more about low-deposit options with the Mortgage Guarantee Scheme – GOV.UK.

An Agreement in Principle (AIP) is a lender’s initial decision on what you can borrow, based on a soft credit check. It’s helpful for making offers on properties with confidence.

Start by assessing your finances, saving for a deposit, and understanding your credit score. Consult with a mortgage adviser to set a realistic budget, then begin exploring properties and getting your Agreement in Principle.

We’re Here to Help

Getting the right mortgage can seem daunting. However, with EBR Mortgages, it’s made much simpler. We offer clear guidance, expert advice, and access to the best rates. From the start of your application to the day you complete, we’ll make sure your experience is free from stress.