Browse our first-time buyer mortgage guides: deposits and government schemes, affordability, mortgage types and rates, credit history, and special situations like single buyers, shared ownership and guarantor mortgages.
First-Time Buyer Guides
The government has announced Your First Home in England. Explore its expected 2.5% deposit and 20% equity-loan design, and what awaits Budget confirmation.
A practical guide for first-time buyers with bad credit who also have a larger deposit, explaining how lenders may view risk, what matters most in the application, and how to improve your chances of securing a mortgage.
A practical guide to mortgage deposits in the UK, including typical deposit sizes, how lenders use deposit and loan-to-value (LTV), and what options may be available if you can’t save a large deposit.
A practical, step-by-step guide to the UK mortgage process for first-time buyers—covering deposits, affordability checks, mortgage types, buying costs, and what happens from application to completion.
Understand when stamp duty land tax applies to second homes in England and Northern Ireland, what counts as a second property, and the limited situations where you may reduce the cost or claim a refund.
A practical guide for first-time buyers with a Debt Management Plan (DMP), explaining how a DMP can affect mortgage applications and what to prepare before you apply.
A practical guide for first-time buyers with missed payments or credit issues, explaining how defaults can affect mortgage applications and how specialist broker support can help you present your case.
A practical guide for first-time buyers on how a CCJ can affect mortgage applications, what lenders typically consider, and how to strengthen your application.
An educational guide to fixed-rate mortgages for first-time buyers in the UK, covering how fixed rates work, deposit/LTV considerations, costs to expect, and common alternatives.
A specialist guide for first-time buyers on how bad credit can affect a shared ownership mortgage, what lenders look at, and what you can do to strengthen your application.
An educational overview of the Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) changes from 1 April 2025 for buyers in England and Northern Ireland, including how first-time buyer relief works and how to budget for Stamp Duty costs.
A practical checklist to help first-time buyers prepare for deposit saving, government support, Agreement in Principle, credit checks and the steps that follow.
A clear, broker-led Q&A on the UK 95% LTV Mortgage Guarantee Scheme—what it is, when it’s available, key limits, property and borrower requirements, and common practical considerations.
An educational guide to the Help to Buy equity loan scheme, how it works, key advantages and drawbacks, and the main options when the interest-free period ends.
Practical, realistic strategies to build a mortgage deposit on a low income, including budgeting, reducing outgoings, managing debts, and making the most of savings schemes.
Understand whether a mortgage at 5x your salary is likely to be available to you, what lenders consider, and how deposit, credit history, age and self-employment can affect affordability.
Understand what a 3x salary mortgage is, how deposit/LTV affects eligibility, and what lenders look at beyond income, credit history, affordability, age limits and self-employment.
A UK-focused step-by-step guide to the house-buying process, from first viewing to completion, highlighting the key mortgage and legal milestones first-time buyers typically face.
Understand how joint mortgages work for first-time buyers, how lenders assess shared applications, and the practical considerations around ownership, deposits, credit history and exit options.
A practical guide for first-time buyers and their families on deposits, guarantors, joint borrowing, loans and using savings or equity, with the risks and paperwork to consider.
Explore practical ways first-time buyers can purchase a home with a small deposit, including 5% deposit routes and shared ownership, plus how to plan for the costs that sit alongside your deposit.
Learn how gifted deposits work for first-time buyers, what lenders and solicitors typically need to see, and how to plan the paperwork and money trail to reduce delays.
A clear, mortgage-focused guide to how a Lifetime ISA works, the 25% government bonus, contribution limits, and the rules for using it towards your first home deposit.
A practical first-time buyer guide to what a mortgage broker does at each stage, from preparing your application and managing lender questions to coordinating the mortgage with conveyancing and supporting completion.
An educational guide to how Right to Buy works with mortgage underwriting, including how the discount can affect LTV, deposits, and the figures lenders use.
A news-style look at research comparing typical monthly costs for renters versus first-time buyers across the UK, including regional differences.
A data-led look at the average age first-time buyers reach before buying their first home, with regional differences across the UK.
Practical, first-time buyer-focused guidance on building a deposit, protecting your savings, and understanding how deposit size can affect mortgage options.
A practical guide to how joint mortgages with friends work, including ownership options, affordability checks, credit implications, and what to plan for if circumstances change.
An educational guide to flexible offset mortgages: how they work, what flexibility you may get, and the key factors to weigh before choosing this type of mortgage.
A practical guide for first-time buyers in the UK who have adverse credit. Learn what lenders typically consider, how different credit issues can affect affordability and risk, and what steps can strengthen your mortgage application.
An educational guide to the UK Shared Ownership Government Scheme for first-time buyers, covering how it works, the costs involved, staircasing, leasehold considerations and selling.
Understand what a joint mortgage with parents means, how joint borrowers differ from guarantors, how ownership can be structured, and the practical risks and alternatives for first-time buyers.
How the now-closed Deposit Unlock scheme worked for first-time buyers, its new-build restrictions, trade-offs, and currently available low-deposit alternatives.
Learn how family springboard mortgages work, what security is involved, the key risks for the family member, and how they compare with alternatives such as guarantor mortgages and gifted deposits.
A practical guide to JBSP mortgages for first-time buyers in the UK, explaining how ownership and repayment liability work, the key lender considerations, and how JBSP compares with joint and guarantor mortgages.
If you’re buying with a partner who has owned a home before, it can affect stamp duty relief, mortgage options, deposit strategy and affordability. Here’s how the position typically works and what to consider.
An educational guide to how guarantor mortgages work in the UK, what they mean for borrowers and guarantors, typical costs and restrictions, and the questions worth considering before you apply.
Understand the key eligibility requirements for Shared Ownership, including income limits, first-time buyer status, and how affordability is assessed.
A practical guide to understanding whether interest-only mortgages are available to first-time buyers, what lenders typically look for, and the alternatives worth considering.
A practical overview of the main UK government-backed homeownership schemes available to first-time buyers, including Lifetime ISA, Shared Ownership, Mortgage Guarantee, First Homes, and Right to Buy/Acquire.
Understand how family offset mortgages work, how the offset savings are used, typical repayment structures, key risks for both borrower and family, and what to consider before choosing this type of arrangement.
A practical guide to getting a mortgage in your teens or early twenties, including deposit options, government schemes, and how lenders typically assess younger borrowers.
Understand the key eligibility requirements for the UK First Homes Scheme, including first-time buyer status, income and price caps, local connection, and mortgage-related constraints.
An overview of what lenders typically look for when assessing first-time buyer mortgage eligibility, including deposit, income, credit history, property type and affordability checks.
Learn how UK government-backed options can help you buy with a 5% deposit, what schemes may apply, and what to consider when arranging a 95% mortgage.
Homeowner Mortgage Guides
Leasehold is the most common way to buy a flat in the UK; however, the important context to understand with Leasehold is that you are not buying a property; you are buying a tenancy. This exposes leaseholders to many ownership risks that are not present for property owners.
Bad credit doesn’t automatically rule you out of a mortgage. Understand why specialist lending may be available sooner than you think, what lenders look at, and how to strengthen your application.
A practical guide to how maternity leave can affect mortgage affordability, what lenders may consider, and how to strengthen your application when income is temporarily lower.
A clear guide to the main mortgage types in the UK, including repayment methods, fixed and variable rates, specialist options and government-backed schemes—helping home buyers understand what to look for.
Learn how repayment mortgages work, the main types of repayment structure and interest rates, and how they compare with interest-only mortgages.
A practical guide to getting a residential mortgage when you’re self-employed and only have one year’s accounts, including what lenders look for and how to strengthen your application.
Learn how late payments and missed payments can affect mortgage applications, what lenders typically look for, and practical steps to improve your chances of approval.
A clear guide for home buyers on how an Individual Voluntary Arrangement (IVA) can affect mortgage applications, typical waiting times, and what lenders look for once an IVA is satisfied.
A practical guide to buying a home with a sole mortgage applicant in the UK, covering affordability, deposits, self-employment, credit history, and common mortgage options.
Get in touch
We are your online mortgage broker, offering you the convenience of applying for a mortgage online. However, we understand that sometimes you may prefer to speak with a human - phone, email or in person.
- Phone number
- 01133 205 902
- hello@cyborg.finance
- Postal address
-
31 Bradford Chamber Business Park,
New Lane, Bradford, BD4 8BX
Looking for a career in Mortgage Advice? View job openings.
We are authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (No. 919921). The Financial Conduct Authority does not regulate most Buy to Let mortgages.
Think carefully before securing other debts against your home. Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage.
Our initial consultation is free. If you choose to proceed, we’ll explain any broker fees upfront before you commit.
Cyborg Finance Limited is registered in England and Wales (No. 12131863) at Bradford Chamber, New Lane, Bradford, BD4 8BX.