Buying your first home is an exciting time and likely to involve some of the most important financial decisions you'll ever make. However, we're here to help and the process doesn't have to be difficult.
Getting the right information and meaningful advice is critical, so we've pulled together the most important things you need to know in our first time buyers guide to help you on your journey to becoming a homeowner.
Get a quick indication of the maximum you could borrow, please note this doesn't factor in your individual circumstances and we strongly recommend you follow this up with a Decision in Principle.
Benefits of a mortgage
A Decision in Principle (DiP) is an accurate indication of your borrowing potential, and is a useful marker for estate agents when you're viewing properties.
The DiP is not binding – it's not a guarantee that we will lend to you, nor does it mean you must borrow from us. It helps you to understand your borrowing potential based on what you tell us and our security checks, including a soft credit check.
We'll need to make an enquiry against your credit history, however, this is not a full credit check and won't appear on your credit file.
Once you've found the property you want and made an offer that's been accepted, it's time to apply for your mortgage. You can apply for a mortgage by making an appointment with one of our dedicated Mortgage Advisors who will provide you with advice and guide you through your application. Or if you already know which mortgage you wish to apply for you can complete your application entirely online, however you will not receive advice.
Think carefully before securing other debts against your home.
Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage.