★★★★★ 1,650 Feefo reviews · Exceptional Service Award 2026
★★★★★ 1,650 Feefo reviews · Exceptional Service Award 2026
Home of Mortgages helps first time buyers find the right mortgage, including buyers who are self employed or have bad credit. We handle the paperwork and keep you updated, so you can get on with choosing paint colours.
Same day advice
You will not have to wait to know your numbers.
Whole of the market
We search our full panel of 150+ lenders to find the lender to meet your circumstances.
Proactive communication
We keep you updated before you need to ask.
A first time buyer mortgage is a loan to help you buy your first home to live in. You borrow from a lender to buy the property, then repay it plus interest in monthly payments, usually over 25 to 35 years.
It works like any other residential mortgage, but some lenders offer extra help to first time buyers, such as deals for smaller deposits or higher borrowing limits for eligible buyers. Most lenders ask for a deposit of at least 5%, and some offer 100% mortgages, subject to lender criteria.
Home of Mortgages compares mortgages for first time buyers mortgages rates from a wide range of lenders, from high street banks to building societies, to find the one that fits your situation.
To see how much you could borrow as a first time buyer, use our mortgage affordability calculator.
Your free first time buyer guide
Buying a house for the first time? Our free first time buyer guide takes you through the whole process, from your first chat to collecting your keys.
Three steps from your first chat to getting the keys to your first home.
We look at your income, savings and credit history, then tell you how much you could borrow. We can also get your mortgage in principle.
Once your offer is accepted, we complete your mortgage application and deal with the lender. You sign everything digitally.
The lender carries out a mortgage valuation and, once happy, issues your mortgage offer. We keep everyone updated until completion day.
Amazing service, amazing advice, amazing staff!
Our experience with Home of Mortgages was fantastic, and myself and my fiance couldn't recommend them enough. Trevor and Lydia were absolutely amazing, getting us the best deal possible on our mortgage, which helped us purchase our first home at a monthly rate we thought would be impossible. Thank you so much both of you - I will be recommending you to EVERYONE who will listen!
Karry K.
Ready to buy your first home? Tell us a little about your plans and one of our mortgage advisors will be in touch.
In England and Northern Ireland, first time buyers pay no stamp duty on homes up to £300,000. Between £300,001 and £500,000, they pay 5% on the part above £300,000. Above £500,000, first time buyer relief does not apply. Scotland and Wales have their own rules. Check your figure with our stamp duty calculator.
You are usually a first time buyer if you have never owned a home before. Not sure if that is you? Get started and your advisor will check for you.
Usually not, if you have owned a home before. Every situation is different, so get started and your advisor will look at your options, including home mover deals.
Yes. Help for first time buyers includes:
Schemes change regularly. Get started and your advisor will check which ones could work for you.
There is no single best mortgage for first time buyers. A fixed rate keeps your payments the same for a set period, which many first time buyers like for budgeting. A tracker rate moves with the Bank of England base rate. Your advisor will explain which suits your situation.
An agreement in principle can often be ready within a day. Once you apply, a mortgage offer typically takes two to four weeks, depending on the lender and the valuation. The whole purchase, from accepted offer to getting the keys, often takes three to four months.
Your solicitor sends the money to the seller’s solicitor, the home becomes legally yours and the estate agent hands over your keys.
With shared ownership, you buy a share of a home, usually with a mortgage, and pay rent to a housing provider on the rest. You may be able to buy more shares later, which is known as staircasing. It can mean a smaller deposit and mortgage than buying outright, but rent, service charges and lender criteria apply. Your advisor can check whether it could work for you.
Book a free, no obligation chat with a specialist advisor.
Same day advice, even on the tricky cases.
The Home Group
Specialist advice across your whole property journey, from one trusted group of experts.
Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage.
