First-time buyer mortgages
- Access schemes that help you buy sooner
- Buy with deposits from as little as 5%
- Pay less stamp duty as a first-time buyer
Paths to owning your first home
5% deposit mortgages
- Buy with a 5% deposit
- Compare lenders and first-time buyer schemes
- Find options that match your budget
Explore low deposit mortgages →
Shared ownership
- Buy part and rent part
- Start with a smaller deposit
- Lower the upfront cost of buying
Explore shared ownership →
New build mortgages
- Buy with a smaller deposit
- Access schemes such as Deposit Unlock
- Compare lenders for new builds
Explore new build mortgages →
Joint mortgages
- Combine incomes to borrow more
- Share the costs of buying
- Explore options for both buyers
See joint mortgage options →
Gifted deposits
- Add to your deposit with a gift
- Improve your position as a buyer
- Access more options upfront
Learn about gifted deposits →
Guarantor mortgages
- Add a family member as a guarantor
- Strengthen your application
- Explore options with extra support
Explore guarantor mortgages →
Buying schemes for first-time buyers
Explore a range of schemes designed to help you get on the property ladder, from low deposit options to government-backed support.
First Homes
Scheme
Benefit from a discounted home in England, subject to eligibility, local rules and property availability.
Mortgage Guarantee Scheme
Some 95% mortgages are supported by a government-backed guarantee through participating lenders.
Lifetime ISA
(LISA)
Boost your first-home savings with a 25% government bonus, if the Lifetime ISA rules are met.
Rent to
Buy
Rent below market level for a period while you save towards a deposit, subject to availability and eligibility.
How much can I borrow?
- Estimate how much you can borrow
- Buy with deposits from as little as 5%
- Pay less stamp duty as a first-time buyer
What lenders look for when assessing first-time buyers
Deposit size
Income and affordability
Credit history
Employment stability
Existing financial commitments
Loans, credit cards and other financial obligations are taken into account when lenders calculate affordability.
Property value and purchase price
First-time buyer essentials
How much could you afford?
Check how lenders may assess your income, spending, deposit and debts before you start viewing homes.
Check what affects affordability →
How much deposit do you need?
Work out how your deposit, upfront costs and moving budget could shape your first home target.
Plan your deposit target →
What helps you get approved?
See what lenders may check before you apply, including credit history, income, debts and deposit.
Prepare for mortgage approval →
See what lenders might offer. Get an Agreement in Principle
- Know how much you could borrow
- Show sellers you're financially ready
- Browse homes within your budget
Arrange your first mortgage
As a whole-of-market independent broker, Muttuo searches through over 20,000 mortgage options from more than 100 lenders. We’re here to find the perfect fit for your unique needs.
How we work in 3 easy steps
Getting a mortgage can feel like a big step, but the process is much easier when you know what happens next.
Muttuo Mortgages helps you compare your options, understand what lenders may look for and move from early advice to application with clear support throughout.
Share your details with Team Muttuo, and we’ll provide you with personalised advice for your mortgage journey.
Our independent mortgage experts will outline your options and compare over 20,000 deals from more than 100 lenders to find the right solution for you.
Leave it to Team Muttuo; we’ll manage the paperwork and application process, liaise with the lender, and guide you through until your mortgage completes.
Why choose Muttuo Mortgages
Voted best mortgage broker for multiple years, Muttuo combines modern technology with award-winning mortgage expertise. We combine smart tools with real advisers to make buying, moving and remortgaging simpler.
Whole-of-market comparison
Clear, expert guidance
We handle the process for you
Support for unique situations
First-time buyer mortgage timeline
- Work out what you could borrow (1 to 3 days)
- Get an Agreement in Principle (same day to 2 days)
- Start viewing properties (2 to 12 weeks)
- Offer accepted (a few days)
- Mortgage valuation and survey (1 to 2 weeks)
- Receive mortgage offer (2 to 4 weeks)
- Legal checks and searches (6 to 12 weeks)
- Exchange contracts and pay the deposit
- Completion and collect your keys
Want a more detailed breakdown?
First-time buyer stamp duty calculator
- Calculate stamp duty on your purchase
- See if first-time buyer relief applies
- Understand your total buying costs
A complete guide to buying your first home
- Step-by-step guidance from mortgage to move-in
- Simple explanations of deposits, fees, and legal steps
- Expert tips to make buying stress-free
The latest mortgage news
First-time buyer mortgage questions answered
What counts as a first-time buyer?
A first-time buyer is someone who has never owned a residential property before, either in the UK or abroad.
If you previously inherited a property and later sold it, even if you never lived there, most lenders will no longer consider you a first-time buyer.
What does loan-to-value actually mean?
Loan-to-value, usually shortened to LTV, describes how much of the property price you are borrowing compared with the size of your deposit.
For example, if you purchase a £200,000 property with a £20,000 deposit, you would borrow £180,000. This results in a 90% loan-to-value mortgage.
In general, a larger deposit lowers your loan-to-value, which can help unlock more competitive mortgage rates.
The typical steps to getting your first mortgage
Most first-time buyers follow a similar process when arranging their mortgage:
- Review your finances and monthly budget
- Compare mortgage rates and lenders
- Decide the mortgage term that suits you
- Choose a monthly repayment you can comfortably afford
- Arrange an Agreement in Principle
- Start searching for a property to buy
- Submit your mortgage application and receive an offer
What mortgage rates do first-time buyers usually get?
Mortgage rates for first-time buyers depend on several factors, including:
- the property price
- the size of your deposit
- your loan-to-value ratio
- your income and credit profile
Mortgage deals change regularly as lenders update their products, so it can help to review the latest rates available.
How long does a mortgage offer normally remain valid?
Most lenders issue mortgage offers that remain valid for 3 to 6 months, though this can vary slightly by lender.
If your property purchase takes longer than expected, some lenders may allow you to request an extension.
What mortgage types are available to first-time buyers?
There are several mortgage options available.
A fixed-rate mortgage keeps your monthly payments the same for a set period, which can provide stability when budgeting.
Other options include tracker mortgages, discount mortgages, and standard variable rate mortgages, where payments may change as interest rates move.
Some lenders also offer offset mortgages, which allow savings to reduce the interest charged on your mortgage balance.
What questions should you ask a mortgage adviser?
Speaking to a mortgage adviser can help you understand your options more clearly and avoid surprises later in the process.
Questions you may want to ask include:
- Can you compare deals from across the whole mortgage market?
- How many lenders do you work with?
- Are you authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority?
- What documents will I need for my application?
- How much could I realistically borrow?
- What interest rates might be available to me?
- Which mortgage type may suit my situation?
- How long should I fix my mortgage rate?
- Am I eligible for any home-buyers’ schemes?
- What fees are involved in arranging the mortgage?
- What could my monthly payments look like?
- How long does mortgage approval usually take?
How do you decide which mortgage is right for you?
There is no single mortgage that suits every first-time buyer.
The right option will usually depend on factors such as your income, deposit size, monthly budget, and how long you expect to keep the property.
Some buyers prefer the certainty of fixed monthly payments, while others may consider mortgages where rates can move up or down.
Understanding your options can help you choose a mortgage that fits both your finances and your long-term plans.
How to apply
Speak to Team Muttuo
Call 0333 012 4015, and we’ll guide you through your budget and next steps. Lines open Monday to Saturday, 9am to 5pm.
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