First-Time Buyers – You’re in Safe Hands
We’re here to help you find the right mortgage for you
First time buyers
Not sure where to start?
Stepping onto the property ladder for the first time can feel both exciting and overwhelming. At Fluent Money, we understand this is one of the biggest financial decisions you’ll ever make—which is why we’re here to support you from start to finish. With our experience, in-depth knowledge in the first time buyer mortgage market and well maintained working partnerships, our customers are always in safe hands.
Whether you’re just starting to think about buying, working out how much you can borrow, or ready to apply, our experienced advisors and easy-to-use app help make the journey smooth, clear, and confident.
Nervous and unsure where to begin?
Buying your first home is a big step, and it’s normal to feel uncertain. That’s why we offer a First-Time Buyers Guide and expert help to walk you through the very first steps, like checking your credit score, calculating your budget, and preparing essential documents. You’ll know exactly what’s needed to get started.
Can I afford to get on the property ladder?
Use our simple affordability calculator to get an estimate of how much you can borrow based on your income and expenses. It’s quick and easy to start planning your home purchase.
How can I afford the deposit for my new home?
Saving for a deposit can feel like a challenge, but there are ways to make it more manageable. We’ll run through different deposit levels (typically between 5–10%) and outline some of the support options that might be available to you – whether that’s help from family or government schemes.
Which mortgage deal is best for me?
Use our mortgage calculator to check the latest rates from a range of lenders. It’s a quick way to get an idea of what you could borrow and what your monthly payments might look like.
How long does the buying journey take?
Great question! We’ll help you map out a clear timeline and provide budgeting tips and saving strategies to help keep you on track, even if your goal is a little further off. Sometimes a little planning goes a long way.
Am I ready to speak to an advisor?
If you’re wondering whether you’ve ticked all the boxes, we can help with that too. Our advisors are here to give you confidence you’re on the right track, and that when you do speak to us, you’ll know what to expect and what info you’ll need.
Important information.
Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage.
There may be a fee for mortgage advice. The actual amount you pay will depend on your circumstances. The fee is up to 1% but a typical fee is £995
FAQs
A mortgage is a loan secured against a property, typically paid off over 5 to 50 years. Your home acts as security until the loan is fully repaid.
Why not arrange a FREE call with one of our mortgage advisers today and see how much you could borrow?
Usually, you’ll need a 10% deposit. But with the Help to Buy Scheme, some developers accept as little as 5%. Want the best rates? A 40% deposit can help.
Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) is a government tax on property purchases. If you’re a first-time buyer purchasing under £300,000, you don’t pay any. If your property is above this, you only pay 5% on the amount between £300,000 and £500,000.
Saving for your first deposit is difficult for anyone, however there are a number of different tools which can help you:
Try the Lifetime ISA
A long-term savings account where the money can either be used to buy a first home or for retirement.
This is a special type of account, because the Government will match 25% of your savings up to £1,000 every year until you reach the age of 50.
So, if you’re looking to bump up your deposit savings, a LISA is worth considering. There are a few boxes you need to tick though:
- You must be aged 18 – 40
- You can only put a maximum of £4,000 into the account each year
- If you’re buying a home, it must be for you and not rented out
- The property can be worth no more than £250,000 (or £450,000 in London)
Yes! If they own a home, they might be able to release equity, through a lifetime mortgage, to gift you part of your deposit.
This means they can access a percentage of their home’s value as tax-free cash, which could help you get on the property ladder.
Want to find out more? Visit our equity release page or call 0800 860 0024.
Absolutely. With just a 5% deposit, the government lends you up to 20% of the home’s value (or 40% in London), interest-free for 5 years. You only need a mortgage for the remaining portion.
Example: You’re buying a £200,000 home with Help to Buy
- Deposit: £10,000 (5%)
- Government loan: £40,000 (20%)
- Mortgage needed: £150,000 (75%)
You must repay the government loan within 25 years or when you sell. If your home increases in value, you’ll repay the same percentage, not the original amount.
Example: If your property was £200,000 when you bought it, but sells for £240,000
- You will have to pay the Government a percentage of that £40,000 increase
- If they loaned you 20% initially, this will be £8,000 on top.
Ready to Start?
Let Fluent Money take the stress out of your first-time mortgage journey. Get expert advice, tools to help you save, and full support from start to finish.
