Photo ID
One document
Passport or full UK photocard driving licence. Must be in date.
First-time buyers
Your first home, without the guesswork
Buying your first home involves a lot of steps nobody explains. Tell me your deposit and roughly what you earn, and I will tell you what that means in practice, what a lender will check, and what happens in what order.
- A realistic budget before you start viewing, not after
- Every step explained in order, with no jargon
- One point of contact from first call to keys in hand
Speak to me about your first mortgage
The first conversation is free and there's no obligation.
Access to hundreds of lenders across the UK
Compare the options and find the mortgage that fits your circumstances.
Lenders available through Mortgage Lane include NatWest, Nationwide, Barclays, Halifax, Santander, HSBC UK, Accord, Coventry, Skipton, Kensington, Precise, Together.
Rates
Latest first-time buyer rates
Illustrative examples, updated September 2026.
Residential First Time Buyer
| Initial rate | Initial payment | Reversion rate | Total fees | Type | APRC | Initial period | Early repayment charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4.22% | £607.57 | 6.49% | £999.00 | Tracker | 6.28% | 24 months | Yes |
| 4.31% | £613.24 | 6.74% | £0.00 | Tracker | 6.52% | 24 months | No |
| 4.44% | £621.49 | 6.24% | £1,249.00 | Discounted | 5.99% | 24 months | Yes |
| 4.62% | £633.00 | 6.50% | £1,499.00 | Fixed | 6.30% | 26 months | Yes |
| 4.69% | £637.51 | 6.74% | £270.00 | Fixed | 6.55% | 24 months | Yes |
The examples in this table are based on a property valued at £150,000 with a £112,500 mortgage secured against it, excluding any additional fees.
Figures assume a capital and interest repayment mortgage over a 25 year term.
These are illustrative examples, not live pricing and not an offer of credit. Rates, fees and criteria change frequently, and the amount you can borrow depends on your own circumstances.
Residential mortgage calculator
£
Indicative loan size
£0.00
Indicative only, based on an income multiple of 5.5. Lenders assess income, outgoings, credit history and the property, so your own figure may be higher or lower. This is not a lending decision or advice.
What You'll Need
Nothing here is a surprise. Get these together before we speak and I can usually give you a realistic answer on the first call.
Everyone needs these
Proof of address
Two documents
Two different items dated within the last 3 months — utility bill, council tax bill, bank statement. Can't be the same document as your ID.
Personal bank statements
Last 3 months
All accounts your salary lands in or your outgoings leave from. Full statements, not screenshots — they need to show your name, account number and the full period.
Proof of deposit
One set of statements
Statements showing where the money is and how it got there. If it's been building up over time, savings statements covering that period.
Credit commitments
Latest statement for each
Anything you're repaying — loans, credit cards, car finance, BNPL, student loan if it shows on your payslips.
These are what most lenders ask for. Some want less, a few want more. I'll confirm exactly what yours needs once we've picked one.
Not sure which of these apply to you? Send me what you've got and I'll tell you what's missing.
Process
The mortgage process, start to finish
Four stages. You will always know which one you are in and what happens next.
- 1
Understanding the case
Everything starts with a proper conversation. I go through your income, your deposit or equity, the property itself and what you are trying to achieve. If it is an investment purchase, that includes rental figures, any refurbishment plans and how the property is being held. Once I have the full picture, I search the market and come back with a recommendation and the reasoning behind it.
- 2
Decision in principle
When you are happy with the recommendation, I put the case to the lender for a decision in principle — usually the same day. This confirms the lender is willing to lend, and on what terms, before anything is committed. In here, you pay an initial fee to process your case. Lender and valuation fees become payable when we move to full application.
- 3
Application, valuation and underwriting
I submit the full application and package the supporting documents so the underwriter has everything in one go — this is where most delays happen, and where preparation earns its money. The lender books the valuation, underwriting runs alongside it, and I chase both. If a query comes back, I deal with it rather than passing it to you.
- 4
Offer to completion
Once the formal offer is issued, your solicitor takes over the legal work. I stay on the case — keeping the lender, solicitor and agent moving, flagging anything that looks like it is drifting, and making sure the offer does not expire while everyone waits on each other. [CLOSING LINE — one sentence on staying in touch after completion, e.g. reviewing the rate before the product ends.]
Common questions
How much deposit do I need as a first-time buyer?
Usually a minimum of 5% of the purchase price. A larger deposit generally opens up more products and better terms.
How much can I borrow on my income?
Most lenders work to a multiple of income, adjusted for your outgoings, credit commitments and dependants. Two applicants are assessed together.
Does an agreement in principle affect my credit file?
An agreement in principle usually involves a credit check, but our first conversation does not. Nothing is submitted until you are happy to proceed.
Can I use a gifted deposit from family?
Yes, in most cases. The lender will want a short letter from whoever is gifting it, confirming the money is a gift and not a loan.
What does the advice cost?
The first conversation is free. A fee is payable when your case is submitted for a decision in principle, and it is confirmed in writing before you commit to anything.
REVIEWS
What my clients say
Sample reviews shown for illustration only. Genuine client reviews will appear here once collected.
Client reviews coming soon
Sample review 1
14 August 2026
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Sample review 2
3 September 2026
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21 July 2026
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Sample review 4
29 August 2026
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Let's get you started
Tell me your deposit and roughly what you earn, and I will tell you what that means in practice. No obligation, and nothing goes on your credit file at this stage.
Request a call back
If you would rather talk it through than read about it, the first conversation is free.