First-time buyer mortgage advice

First-time buying made easy.

Buying your first home is exciting, but we understand that getting on the housing ladder is hard.

At Moat Mortgages, we are here to make buying your first home as easy as possible.

Our expert advisers help first-time buyers secure the right mortgage and guide you every step of the way to your new home.

How we help:

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Free and friendly advice

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Whole-of-market mortgage searched

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Support with deposits and affordability

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Help with government schemes

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Personal guidance from start to completion

Moat. The key to your first home.

Everyone gets nervous when it’s their first time.

So, at Moat, we handle first-time buyers with care, guiding them through the process, keeping things simple and stress-free.

We compare hundreds of mortgage deals to find the right deal and support you every step of the way, including:

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Understanding how much you can borrow

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Getting a Mortgage Agreement in Principle

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Finding competitive mortgage rates

•

Navigating the application process

•

Communicating with lenders and solicitors

Our goal: to make your first home-buying experience smooth, simple, and stress-free.

The two numbers first-time buyers should know.

Two of the biggest questions for first-time buyers are how much deposit you need and how much you can borrow. Here are some simple rules of thumb:

1. How much deposit do you need?

Most lenders require at least 5% of the property price.

2. How much can you borrow?

Most lenders offer 4 to 4.5 times your annual income.

Helpful Government schemes for first-time buyers.

There are several government schemes designed to help first-time buyers get onto the property ladder sooner.

At Moat Mortgages, we’ll help you understand which schemes you may qualify for and whether they’re right for you.

First Homes Scheme

Buy a new-build home at 30–50% below market value, helping reduce the deposit and mortgage needed.

Lifetime ISA (LISA)

Save for your first home and the government will add a 25% bonus to your savings, up to £1,000 per year.

Shared Ownership

Buy a share of a property (usually 10–75%) and pay rent on the rest, making it easier to get started with a smaller deposit.

Mortgage Guarantee Scheme

Allows buyers to purchase a home with just a 5% deposit, with lenders supported by a government guarantee

First-time buyer FAQs.

How much deposit do you need?

Most lenders require at least 5% of the property price. While a larger deposit can often secure you a lower interest rate, many first-time buyer schemes are specifically designed to help those with smaller savings get onto the ladder.

How much can you borrow?

Standard lending usually offers 4 to 4.5 times your annual income. However, the market is becoming more flexible for first-time buyers. Some lenders now offer specialised "booster" products that can stretch your borrowing power significantly further—sometimes up to 5.5 or even 6 times your income. These products often come with specific eligibility criteria, such as a minimum income threshold or a requirement to take a longer fixed-rate term.

What does “Mortgage-Ready” mean?

Being mortgage-ready means your finances, paperwork, and borrowing power are all in place before you apply. It puts you in a position to move quickly and secure the best mortgage deal when the time is right.

Why don’t you just get me a Decision in Principle straight away?

Many brokers rush to get a Decision in Principle (DIP) from a single lender early on. The issue is that mortgage rates and deals change frequently, so that deal may not be the best option when you’re ready to proceed. That’s why our mortgage-ready approach focuses on getting you fully prepared first, so when the time comes we can secure the best available deal in the market.

How quickly can you secure a mortgage once I’m Mortgage-Ready?

Because the groundwork is already done, we can usually secure the best available mortgage deal within 24–48 hours once you’ve found a property or are ready to remortgage.

Can I become Mortgage-Ready even if I’m months away from moving?

Yes. Many clients become Mortgage-Ready several months before they plan to move or remortgage. That way, when the moment feels right, or the perfect home appears, everything is already in place.

How long does it take to get a mortgage as a first-time buyer?

From application to mortgage offer, the process typically takes 2–6 weeks, although it can vary depending on the lender and whether property valuations or additional checks are required.

What other costs should first-time buyers budget for?

In addition to your deposit, you should allow for costs such as solicitor or conveyancing fees, mortgage arrangement fees, property surveys and valuations, and moving expenses. Budgeting for these in advance can help make the buying process smoother.

Are there government schemes for first-time buyers?

Yes. Some buyers may qualify for schemes such as Shared Ownership, the First Homes Scheme, and Lifetime ISAs, which can help reduce the deposit required or lower the purchase price of a property.

When should I speak to a mortgage adviser?

Ideally before you start viewing properties. That way we can get you Mortgage-ready, confirming how much you can borrow, sorting the paperwork, and making sure there are no surprises. Then, when the right home appears, you’re ready to move quickly and secure the best mortgage deal available.

Contact Moat

Fear not, first-time buyers.

Our mortgage experts are on the line waiting for your call.

01279 792 756

Or email us

Authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.

Contact Moat

Fear not, first-time buyers.

Our mortgage experts are on the line waiting for your call.

01279 792 756

Or email us

Authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.

Contact Moat

Fear not, first-time buyers.

Our mortgage experts are on the line waiting for your call.

01279 792 756

Or email us

Authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.

Contact Moat

Fear not, first-time buyers.

Our mortgage experts are on the line waiting for your call.

01279 792 756

Or email us

Authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.

Why choose

to find your mortgage?

Set up a remortgage reminder

Remortgaging needn’t be a mammoth task

Find Out More

Totally independent.

We work for you not the mortgage lenders. So, we look across the whole market to find you the best mortgage to suit your needs perfectly.

No hassle.

We’ll brief you on the information you need to provide and then we’ll handle all the paperwork. All you need to do is check it and sign it off.

Fully qualified. Fully regulated.

All our advisers are fully qualified and fully regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority, so our advice is safe as houses.

Personal service. Digitally enabled.

A dedicated broker will personally guide you through the process via video calls at times that work for you.

No advice fee.

That’s right, we charge you absolutely nothing. The lender or provider pays us, not you.

Call: 01279 792 756

Why choose

to find your mortgage?

Set up a remortgage reminder

Remortgaging needn’t be a mammoth task

Find Out More

Totally independent.

We work for you not the mortgage lenders. So, we look across the whole market to find you the best mortgage to suit your needs perfectly.

No hassle.

We’ll brief you on the information you need to provide and then we’ll handle all the paperwork. All you need to do is check it and sign it off.

Fully qualified. Fully regulated.

All our advisers are fully qualified and fully regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority, so our advice is safe as houses.

Personal service. Digitally enabled.

A dedicated broker will personally guide you through the process via video calls at times that work for you.

No advice fee.

That’s right, we charge you absolutely nothing. The lender or provider pays us, not you.

Call: 01279 792 756

Why choose

to find your mortgage?

Set up a remortgage reminder

Remortgaging needn’t be a mammoth task

Find Out More

Totally independent.

We work for you not the mortgage lenders. So, we look across the whole market to find you the best mortgage to suit your needs perfectly.

No hassle.

We’ll brief you on the information you need to provide and then we’ll handle all the paperwork. All you need to do is check it and sign it off.

Fully qualified. Fully regulated.

All our advisers are fully qualified and fully regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority, so our advice is safe as houses.

Personal service. Digitally enabled.

A dedicated broker will personally guide you through the process via video calls at times that work for you.

No advice fee.

That’s right, we charge you absolutely nothing. The lender or provider pays us, not you.

Call: 01279 792 756

Why choose

to find your mortgage?

Set up a remortgage reminder

Remortgaging needn’t be a mammoth task

Find Out More

Totally independent.

We work for you not the mortgage lenders. So, we look across the whole market to find you the best mortgage to suit your needs perfectly.

No hassle.

We’ll brief you on the information you need to provide and then we’ll handle all the paperwork. All you need to do is check it and sign it off.

Fully qualified. Fully regulated.

All our advisers are fully qualified and fully regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority, so our advice is safe as houses.

Personal service. Digitally enabled.

A dedicated broker will personally guide you through the process via video calls at times that work for you.

No advice fee.

That’s right, we charge you absolutely nothing. The lender or provider pays us, not you.

Call: 01279 792 756

The Moat Approach

Get ready to pounce

Discover how we get you mortgage-ready, so you can secure the best mortgage deal, exactly when you need it.

Our process

The Moat Approach

Get ready to pounce

Discover how we get you mortgage-ready, so you can secure the best mortgage deal, exactly when you need it.

Our process

The Moat Approach

Get ready to pounce

Discover how we get you mortgage-ready, so you can secure the best mortgage deal, exactly when you need it.

Our process

The right advice for free

Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage.

Moat Mortgages is a trading name of Hazelwood Financial Services, which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). Our FCA Register number is 303934. Registered Address: 12 Hamlet Hill, Roydon, Essex, CM19 5LA

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