MORTGAGES
First-time Homebuyer programs
- You'll experience an unrivalled customer service
- We offer a comprehensive range of products from across the market but not deals that you can only obtain by going direct to a lender.
- You can contact us 24/7, we're always available to help
Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage.
Advice and guidance for First-time homebuyer initiatives
First-time homebuyer programs is anyone planning to buy their first home to be used as their primary residence. In recent years it’s been difficult for First Time Buyers to get onto the property ladder, however, getting the right knowledge and preparing in advance of your application can be instrumental in obtaining a competitive mortgage offer.
Do I need an Agreement in Principle?
An agreement in principle, also known as a decision in principle, is a conditional mortgage offer from a lender, prior to your full application. This is by no means a requirement but can be beneficial to First Time Buyers.
Obtaining an agreement in principle prior to making a mortgage offer can increase the chance that your offer is given serious consideration by the vendor. First Time Buyers are in an incredibly strong buying position purely because they do not have to sell a property prior to buying and with confirmation via an Agreement in Principle this should ensure any offer made by a First Time Buyer stands out from the crowd.
The additional benefit as a First Time Buyer to obtaining an Agreement in Principle prior to finding a home and making an offer is peace of mind that the offer made can progress through to completion and avoid later disappointment of not being able to subsequently purchase the property you have fallen in love with.
How much can I borrow as a First Time Buyer?
The fact that you are a First Time Buyer shouldn’t determine how much you are offered by lenders. Your loan amount is calculated based upon your financial circumstances and credit score, much like any other applicant.
Your mortgage offers are likely to vary from lender to lender, as they all have their own criteria. To get an idea in advance of how much you might be able to borrow, there is a range of free mortgage calculators available online, however the accuracy behind these calculators is based upon input placed within and we would strongly recommend liaising with one of our Mortgage Brokers to ensure delivery of accurate outcomes to avoid disappointment. A Mortgage Broker such as ourselves can also help you check your affordability with many lenders in the touch of a button, saving you time and effort, whilst also checking lending criteria requirements alongside.
How can improving my credit score help?
Alongside your income, your credit score has the most impact on whether or not your mortgage application will be accepted. Before approaching any lenders to apply for a mortgage, it’s essential to be aware of your credit rating, taking steps to improve it, where needed:
How to improve your credit score
- Check that your current address appears on all accounts in your name
- Remain within 50% of your available credit for any existing credit agreements
- Ensure you’re on the electoral roll at the correct address
- Pay instalments on any credit agreements on time and in full, where possible
- Some will have a low score due to never having taken credit. A special credit builder credit card can be helpful to show yourself as a responsible borrower
How much deposit do I need?
What help is available for First Time Buyers?
What fees are involved with buying a home?
Arrangement Fees
Most mortgage lenders charge an administrative fee for the arrangement of the mortgage. This will vary from lender to lender. You may even find that some specialist lenders offer no arrangement fees for those in certain jobs.
Valuation Fees
You will need to have your chosen property independently valued, again, these fees will vary depending on the lender chosen.
Legal Fees
The mortgage application process requires the appointment of a solicitor, who will arrange conveyancing and local authority searches, usually payable directly to the solicitor.
Stamp Duty
Under normal circumstances, Stamp duty is due on the purchase of all properties and is based upon the value of your home, amongst other things. First Time Buyers currently benefit from an exemption on Stamp Duty on purchases up to £300,000.
How can Mortgage Matchmakers help First Time Buyers?
Buying your first home can be intimidating.
From trying to establish which type of mortgage is best suited to you, through to finding a lender offering competitive mortgage rates to First Time Buyers. Qualified and experienced Mortgage Brokers can be comforting and reassuring throughout the process of making life-altering decisions.
Even the most confident buyer, however, can benefit hugely from Mortgage Brokers’ advice. We have a wide market view, which gives us access to mortgage deals that you won’t find on the high street. This means that we can not only find you the most suitable mortgage deals available but are able to divert your efforts towards those lenders most likely to accept your application.
Your home/property may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage.
Some Buy-To-Let Mortgages are not regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.
Happy Clients
Jyoti Bains2026-04-02I’ve known Mohit for past so many years, and in that time I’ve seen firsthand just how dedicated, honest, and knowledgeable he is, both professionally and personally. As a mortgage advisor, Mohit goes above and beyond. He takes the time to really understand your situation, explains everything clearly (no jargon or pressure), and make what can feel like a stressful process so much smoother and more manageable. What really stands out is his integrity, you genuinely feel he has your best interests at heart. It’s rare to find someone who combines expertise with such a personal touch. Whether you’re a first-time buyer or remortgaging, you’re in very safe hands. Highly recommend to anyone looking for trustworthy, reliable mortgage advice!
Dripesh Chauhan2026-03-26I would like to thank you Mortgage Matchmakers in helping out the mortgage for our second home. Specially I would like to thank you Bhavna for her dedication and professionalism during the process. I will highly recommend Bhavna of Mortgage Matchmakers Limited for anyone looking for a mortgage. Dripesh & Reena
Jaya Bhardwaj2026-03-17Our experience with Bhavna from mortgage matchmakers has been absolutely fantastic. We have been using her for a while now to get mortgages on several of our properties, including buy to let properties purchased through our limited company and she has always managed to find fantastic deals for us. What particularly stands out is her communication, prompt responses to any queries and her efficiency. Even after the mortgage is approved, she constantly keeps looking to see if any better deals arrive on the market and lets you know if this is the case. She manages everything for you and we have never had any issues with any of the mortgage deals she has sorted for us. Doing business with her is a great pleasure and I would highly recommend Bhavna at Mortgage matchmakers for all of your mortgage needs.
Avanish Tantry2026-03-17I have used Mortgage Matchmakers for several mortgages now and am very happy with their service. Bhavna Grover, who has been our mortgage advisor, is excellent and I can’t recommend her enough. She is professional, very hard working, extremely prompt with her responses and gets things done in super quick time. She has always managed to find really competitive deals for me, including limited company but to let mortgages, and keeps looking out for better deals right till the end. I couldn’t ask for anything more and she completely takes the stress and hassle out of obtaining mortgages. If you are looking for a mortgage advisor and company, look no further than Bhavna and Mortgage Matchmakers.
Richard Smith2026-03-11Mohit was very professional and clearly has a good knowledge of the mortgage market. He was able to secure us a rate ahead of the increase that came in 8 hours later! Would highly recommend for all mortgage related enquiries.
Michael Wheller2026-03-04Excellent service and useful advice all the way through the process of setting up the new mortgage.
Julianaa Raghu2026-02-18I had an exceptional experience working with Mohit Mehra. As a first-time buyer, I was nervous about the process, but Mohit made everything feel straightforward and stress-free. He was incredibly responsive, patient and always answering my questions quickly and explaining complex terms in plain language. The communication was exceptional. I felt they truly had my best interests at heart and went above and beyond to ensure a smooth closing. I highly recommend their services to anyone looking for a reliable and professional mortgage broker!
Hameed Wahedi2026-02-01I was dealing with Ankur for my remortgage and I am highly recommend him to anyone looking to buy or remortgage their property. Thanks
Sope Famo2025-11-21Mohit from Mortgage Matchmakers was a pleasure to work with, making the process as simple as it could have ever been and was always on call to answer any questions. He was super helpful and impressively quick, which is rare when it comes to securing a property/mortgage. Thanks to Mohit we've had our mortgage approved and can move on to the next steps. I would highly recommend Mohit due to reliability and speed along but also his friendliness! Thanks a lot Mohit!!
Angela Kibia2025-11-20We had an excellent experience working with Mohit Mehra at Mortgage Matchmakers. From the beginning he was professional and very supportive. He made the whole process smooth as his communication was amazing. He was always quick to respond and provided updates. Thanks to Mohit we received a successful mortgage offer! We highly recommend Mohit to anyone looking for a reliable mortgage broker.