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
Use family support to strengthen your deposit and unlock more options.
- 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 →
Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage
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
Muttuo compares more than 20,000 mortgage options from more than 100 lenders across the market. Our advisers will help you find the right mortgage based on your needs and circumstances.
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 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.
Options from 100+ lenders
We compare more than 20,000 mortgage options across our lender panel to help find the right mortgage for your needs.
Clear, expert guidance
We handle the process for you
Support for unique situations
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
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
The latest mortgage news
First-time buyer mortgage questions answered
Clear answers to the questions that matter when preparing to buy your first home.
What counts as a first-time buyer?
You will generally need to have never owned a residential property before.
This can include property owned overseas or a share inherited or gifted to you, even if you have never had a mortgage. Definitions can vary between lenders, schemes and property-tax rules.
For first-time buyer Stamp Duty relief in England and Northern Ireland, everyone buying together must qualify and intend to occupy the property as their main home.
How much can a first-time buyer borrow?
There is no single income multiple that applies to everyone.
Lenders assess your income, regular spending, debts, dependants, credit history, deposit and proposed mortgage term. The property and expected monthly repayments also matter.
An affordability calculator can provide an estimate, while an Agreement in Principle gives a more personalised indication. Neither guarantees approval.
How much money do you need besides your deposit?
You should budget for the wider cost of buying and moving.
Possible costs include conveyancing, searches, a property survey, lender or product fees, mortgage advice, insurance, removals and property-purchase tax where applicable.
Some expenses are payable before completion and might not be refundable if the purchase falls through, so keeping a separate financial buffer is sensible.
Can you get a mortgage with debt or poor credit?
Existing debt or previous credit problems do not automatically prevent you from getting a mortgage.
Lenders will consider your outstanding balances, monthly repayments and payment history alongside your income and other spending.
Missed payments, defaults or county court judgments may reduce your options, but their age, value and circumstances can all matter. Criteria differ between lenders.
What is the difference between an AIP and a mortgage offer?
An AIP is an early indication, while a mortgage offer is a formal lending decision.
An Agreement in Principle estimates what a lender may be prepared to lend based on initial information about your finances and credit profile.
A mortgage offer comes later, after a full application, document checks and valuation of a specific property. An AIP is not a mortgage offer or guarantee of approval.
What is the difference between a mortgage valuation and a survey?
A mortgage valuation protects the lender; a survey helps protect you.
The lender’s valuation checks whether the property provides suitable security for the mortgage. It is not a detailed inspection of its condition. An independent survey can identify defects, repairs or other concerns before you commit.
If the lender values the property below your offer, you may need to renegotiate, increase your deposit or reconsider the purchase.
Things to consider
Mortgage availability and borrowing depend on your circumstances, the property and lender criteria. First-time buyer schemes and tax reliefs are subject to eligibility, availability and regional rules. An AIP is not a mortgage offer or guarantee of approval. Smaller deposits can mean higher rates and a greater risk of negative equity if property values fall.
How to apply
Call Team Muttuo
Talk through your budget, deposit and first mortgage with an adviser. Lines open Monday to Saturday, 9am–5pm.
