First-Time Buyer Mortgage Advisors In 2025

How much could you borrow?

5-Step Mortgage Application Process for First-Time Buyers

Step 1: Calculate your borrowing power.

Use an affordability calculator to understand your potential budget.

Step 1

Step 2: Check your <span class="glossaryLink" aria-describedby="tt" data-cmtooltip="<div class=glossaryItemTitle>Credit Score</div><div class=glossaryItemBody> <!-- wp:paragraph -->Your credit score is a number predicting your financial reliability, based on your borrowing history. A low score can hinder your ability to secure a mortgage as lenders will see you as a risky borrower.<br/><!-- /wp:paragraph --> </div>" data-gt-translate-attributes='[{"attribute":"data-cmtooltip", "format":"html"}]' tabindex='0' role='link'>credit score</span>.

Step 2: Check your credit score.

Get expert advice tailored to your circumstances and a strategic plan.

Step 2

Step 4: Obtain an <span class="glossaryLink" aria-describedby="tt" data-cmtooltip="<div class=glossaryItemTitle>Agreement in Principle (AIP)</div><div class=glossaryItemBody> <!-- wp:paragraph -->An Agreement in Principle (AIP), also known as a mortgage or decision in principle, is a lender's initial assessment of how much they might be willing to let you borrow for a mortgage. As part of the assessment, lenders will ask for your core details, like your name, address, income, outgoings etc. They will also carry out a credit check. It’s not a guaranteed offer; however, it gives you an idea of your potential borrowing power and strengthens your position when making offers on properties you want to buy. In short, it's an early indication of mortgage approval.<br/><!-- /wp:paragraph --> </div>" data-gt-translate-attributes='[{"attribute":"data-cmtooltip", "format":"html"}]' tabindex='0' role='link'>Agreement in Principle (AIP)</span>.

Step 4: Obtain an Agreement in Principle (AIP).

Secure a preliminary lender assessment to confirm your borrowing potential.

Step 3

Step 5: Apply for your mortgage.

Submit your full application once you and your broker are confident you're ready.

Step 4

Step 5: Apply for your mortgage.

Submit your full application once you and your broker are confident you're ready.

Step 5

These five steps are crucial, but there's more to your homeownership journey. Ready for the complete roadmap?

Read our full first-time buyer guide

Your First-Time Buyer Advantage: The IMC Mortgage Brokers Difference

Buying your first home is a monumental step, and navigating the mortgage market can feel overwhelming. That's where our dedicated first-time buyer mortgage advisors come in. We don't just find you a mortgage; we become your trusted guide, simplifying every stage of the process:

Why Choose an IMC First-Time Buyer Mortgage Advisor?

As a first-time buyer, seeking assistance from a mortgage broker like us offers significant advantages that go beyond simply finding a loan. We're here to ensure you get the best deal, tailored to your unique situation, and supported every step of the way:

Access to exclusive deals: Through our established relationships with a wide range of lenders, we can often access exclusive interest rates and terms that aren't available directly to the public. These intermediary-only deals can save you money over the life of your mortgage.
Comprehensive market search: Forget countless hours researching lenders and comparing deals. We do the legwork for you, efficiently sifting through the vast mortgage market to find the most suitable lenders and rates based on your individual circumstances.
Expert, jargon-free guidance: The mortgage process is complex. We provide clear, jargon-free advice tailored specifically to first-time buyers, explaining complex terms and options so you feel confident and informed.
Strategic application support: We help present your application in the best possible light, increasing your chances of approval and securing competitive rates, even with unique circumstances or if you're exploring options like 95% mortgages.
End-to-end & future support: From understanding your borrowing power to securing an Agreement in Principle and managing the full application, we're with you every step. We even assist in finding you a new deal when your initial mortgage rate finishes, offering long-term support.

Why professional mortgage advice matters more than ever

While advice can come from many sources, understanding their limitations is key:

Relatives and friends: Offer invaluable first-hand insights, but their mortgage sector knowledge may not be current or specific to your situation.
The internet: Provides immense knowledge, but the sheer volume can make it hard to find accurate, relevant, and personalised information for your specific needs.
Direct lenders: Offer expert guidance on their own products. However, they can only suggest what they can provide, limiting your options to a single provider's offerings.
IMC Mortgage Brokers: We offer comprehensive guidance specifically tailored to your unique requirements, searching across a wide panel of lenders. Our specialists make every effort to locate the ideal mortgage for you, considering your individual circumstances, not just a single bank's offerings.

The Ultimate First-Time Buyer Mortgage Guide

From saving to moving in, understand all the steps you might need to take before you take out your first mortgage.

Read the guide

Understanding How Much First-Time Buyers Can Borrow & Affordability Assessment

Learn exactly how lenders assess what you can borrow and the factors that influence your borrowing power.

Read the guide

How to Get the Best First-Time Buyer Mortgage Rate

Discover strategies for finding competitive rates and making your application stand out.

Read the guide

Shared Ownership Mortgages

Get on the property ladder with a smaller deposit

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Right to Buy Mortgages

See if you qualify for the scheme and purchase your council home at a discount

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Your First Home Calculators

Ready to take the first step toward owning your home? These calculators offer quick, estimates to help you understand costs like mortgage repayments and stamp duty, so you can start planning with greater clarity.

View all mortgage calculators

Mortgage Affordability Calculator

See how much you could potentially borrow based on your income and expenses.

FIND OUT MORE

Mortgage Repayment Calculator

Find out what your monthly mortgage repayments could look like with ease.

FIND OUT MORE

Stamp Duty Calculator

Calculate the stamp duty you may need to pay for your first home.

FIND OUT MORE

- Who qualifies as a first-time buyer?
A lender considers you a first-time buyer if you've never owned a residential property (UK or abroad), or only commercial property. Joint applications where one person has previously owned a home, or if you've inherited a property, typically mean you won't qualify.
- How much deposit do first-time buyers need?
Generally, a minimum of 5% of the property's value is required. The deposit size significantly impacts available interest rates and mortgage options.

See how deposits affect your mortgage
- How much can first-time buyers borrow?
Lenders assess your income, financial commitments, credit history, and deposit. Affordability calculations are complex and tailored to your unique situation.

Find out how much you could borrow
- How do lenders work out affordability for first-time buyers?
Beyond just income, lenders consider numerous factors like your age, dependants, existing debts, and expenses to ensure the mortgage is truly affordable for you each month.

Explore how your affordability is assessed
- Finding the best first-time buyer mortgage rates?
First-time buyers access similar rates as other buyers, with some lenders offering extra benefits. Presenting a low risk (larger deposit, clean credit) and using a broker are key to securing competitive rates.

Learn more about how to get the best mortgage rate.
- Can first-time buyers get a Buy-to-Let mortgage?
Yes, it's possible, but requires a significantly higher deposit (25%+) and lenders focus on rental income.

Learn more about Buy-to-Let mortgages
- What is a guarantor mortgage?
A guarantor mortgage involves a third party (often family) agreeing to cover your repayments if you can't, providing security often via savings or their property.
- What are the mortgage costs for first-time buyers?
Key costs include deposit, Stamp Duty, legal fees, Land Registry fees, survey, and first-time buyer mortgage advisor fees.

See a detailed breakdown
- Can a first-time buyer get a mortgage with bad credit?
It's possible to get a mortgage with bad credit, but it's less straightforward. Lenders assess severity and recency of issues, and an experienced broker can help access specialist lenders.

Explore mortgages for bad credit

A lender considers you a first-time buyer if you've never owned a residential property (UK or abroad), or only commercial property. Joint applications where one person has previously owned a home, or if you've inherited a property, typically mean you won't qualify.

Generally, a minimum of 5% of the property's value is required. The deposit size significantly impacts available interest rates and mortgage options.

See how deposits affect your mortgage

Lenders assess your income, financial commitments, credit history, and deposit. Affordability calculations are complex and tailored to your unique situation.

Find out how much you could borrow

Beyond just income, lenders consider numerous factors like your age, dependants, existing debts, and expenses to ensure the mortgage is truly affordable for you each month.

Explore how your affordability is assessed

First-time buyers access similar rates as other buyers, with some lenders offering extra benefits. Presenting a low risk (larger deposit, clean credit) and using a broker are key to securing competitive rates.

Learn more about how to get the best mortgage rate.

Yes, it's possible, but requires a significantly higher deposit (25%+) and lenders focus on rental income.

Learn more about Buy-to-Let mortgages

A guarantor mortgage involves a third party (often family) agreeing to cover your repayments if you can't, providing security often via savings or their property.

Key costs include deposit, Stamp Duty, legal fees, Land Registry fees, survey, and first-time buyer mortgage advisor fees.

See a detailed breakdown

It's possible to get a mortgage with bad credit, but it's less straightforward. Lenders assess severity and recency of issues, and an experienced broker can help access specialist lenders.

Explore mortgages for bad credit

First-Time Buyer Mortgage Advisors

First-Time Buyer Mortgage Advisors

How much could you borrow?

5-Step Mortgage Application Process for First-Time Buyers

Step 1: Calculate your borrowing power.

Step 2: Check your credit score.

Step 4: Obtain an Agreement in Principle (AIP).

Step 5: Apply for your mortgage.

Step 5: Apply for your mortgage.

Your First-Time Buyer Advantage: The IMC Mortgage Brokers Difference

Why Choose an IMC First-Time Buyer Mortgage Advisor?

Why professional mortgage advice matters more than ever

More guides for first-time buyers