{"id":6534,"date":"2023-05-29T19:31:06","date_gmt":"2023-05-29T19:31:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.credit-score.com\/blog\/?p=6534"},"modified":"2023-06-01T19:29:28","modified_gmt":"2023-06-01T19:29:28","slug":"how-to-get-a-mortgage-a-beginners-guide-to-homeownership","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.check.co.uk\/blog\/homes\/first-time-buyers\/how-to-get-a-mortgage-a-beginners-guide-to-homeownership\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Get a Mortgage: A Beginner&#8217;s Guide to Homeownership"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Getting a mortgage for the first time can be overwhelming. To help, we&#8217;ve created a step-by-step guide for you to follow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_79_2 counter-flat ez-toc-counter ez-toc-custom ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">What&#039;s Included?<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.check.co.uk\/blog\/homes\/first-time-buyers\/how-to-get-a-mortgage-a-beginners-guide-to-homeownership\/#1_Budgeting\" >1. Budgeting<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.check.co.uk\/blog\/homes\/first-time-buyers\/how-to-get-a-mortgage-a-beginners-guide-to-homeownership\/#2_Check_your_credit_history\" >2. Check your credit history<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.check.co.uk\/blog\/homes\/first-time-buyers\/how-to-get-a-mortgage-a-beginners-guide-to-homeownership\/#3_How_big_is_your_deposit\" >3. How big is your deposit?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.check.co.uk\/blog\/homes\/first-time-buyers\/how-to-get-a-mortgage-a-beginners-guide-to-homeownership\/#4_Get_a_mortgage_agreement_in_principle\" >4. Get a mortgage agreement in principle<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.check.co.uk\/blog\/homes\/first-time-buyers\/how-to-get-a-mortgage-a-beginners-guide-to-homeownership\/#5_What_kind_of_mortgage_do_you_want\" >5. What kind of mortgage do you want?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/www.check.co.uk\/blog\/homes\/first-time-buyers\/how-to-get-a-mortgage-a-beginners-guide-to-homeownership\/#6_Prepare_your_paperwork\" >6. Prepare your paperwork<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/www.check.co.uk\/blog\/homes\/first-time-buyers\/how-to-get-a-mortgage-a-beginners-guide-to-homeownership\/#Frequently_Asked_Questions\" >Frequently Asked Questions<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-1-budgeting\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"1_Budgeting\"><\/span>1. Budgeting<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Before searching for your new home, it&#8217;s important to determine your monthly mortgage budget. Review your monthly bank statement to understand your incoming and outgoing finances and current financial obligations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The mortgage amount you can borrow varies between lenders as they have different criteria. However, the Credit-Score Home app can calculate an estimated mortgage amount based on income.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-2-check-your-credit-history\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"2_Check_your_credit_history\"><\/span>2. Check your credit history<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>When you request a mortgage, the lenders will check your credit report from one of the credit reference agencies like Transunion, Experian or Equifax to ensure that you have handled any previous debts responsibly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Before submitting your mortgage application, you should check your credit history for any potential issues that may hinder your chances of approval.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you have any credit card accounts you no longer use, closing them is better, as it can negatively impact your credit score. Even small things like not being registered on the electoral roll can harm your rating.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-3-how-big-is-your-deposit\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"3_How_big_is_your_deposit\"><\/span>3. How big is your deposit?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>To qualify for a mortgage, you must have a minimum of 5% of the property value as a deposit. It&#8217;s important to remember that you&#8217;ll also have to cover additional costs like stamp duty and conveyancing fees.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Saving a larger deposit will increase the variety of mortgages you can be approved for and result in better interest rates. Therefore, it is advisable to save as much as you can.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-4-get-a-mortgage-agreement-in-principle\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"4_Get_a_mortgage_agreement_in_principle\"><\/span>4. Get a mortgage agreement in principle<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Requesting a decision in principle or an &#8216;agreement in principle&#8217; from a lender before submitting a full mortgage application is recommended. By doing so, you will better understand the size of the mortgage they may be willing to offer you. To receive this agreement, you must provide basic information such as your income and requested borrowing amount. The lender will then contact a credit reference agency to perform a credit search on you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Please be aware that an agreement, in principle, for a mortgage does not guarantee you will receive a mortgage. However, it can demonstrate to sellers that you are committed to purchasing their property.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-5-what-kind-of-mortgage-do-you-want\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"5_What_kind_of_mortgage_do_you_want\"><\/span>5. What kind of mortgage do you want?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>To apply for a mortgage, consider the type of deal you want. If your priority is to have a stable monthly payment even when the interest rates increase, then a fixed rate mortgage is suitable. On the other hand, if you want to make large overpayments, a flexible deal may be preferred.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A mortgage broker can assist you in exploring your choices and determining the most suitable deal for your situation. They can also help you navigate the entire application process from beginning to end.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-6-prepare-your-paperwork\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"6_Prepare_your_paperwork\"><\/span>6. Prepare your paperwork<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>To expedite your mortgage application, gathering all the required paperwork is helpful. This includes proof of your income and expenses, such as childcare costs and utility bills. To do so, collect recent payslips, annual accounts (if self-employed) and bank statements that show your monthly spending.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>To satisfy lenders, you must provide identification that confirms your identity and residency. This will include a valid form of photo identification, such as a passport or driving license, as well as recent utility or council tax bills indicating your address.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you have any doubts or questions regarding the mortgage process, seek help from professionals. Our expert mortgage advisers can guide you and provide solutions that match your requirements. Getting a mortgage might be difficult, but you can find the right one with their knowledge and assistance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-frequently-asked-questions\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Frequently_Asked_Questions\"><\/span>Frequently Asked Questions<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle wp-block-ub-content-toggle-block\" id=\"ub-content-toggle-block-2e365478-4c13-498b-ad99-1123923a627b\" data-mobilecollapse=\"false\" data-desktopcollapse=\"true\" data-preventcollapse=\"false\" data-showonlyone=\"false\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion\" style=\"border-color: #4185f8;\" id=\"ub-content-toggle-panel-block-\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-title-wrap\" style=\"background-color: #4185f8;\" aria-controls=\"ub-content-toggle-panel-0-2e365478-4c13-498b-ad99-1123923a627b\" tabindex=\"0\">\n\t\t\t<p class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-title ub-content-toggle-title-2e365478-4c13-498b-ad99-1123923a627b\" style=\"color: #FFFFFF; \">1. What is a mortgage?<\/p>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-toggle-wrap right\" style=\"color: #FFFFFF;\"><span class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-state-indicator wp-block-ub-chevron-down\"><\/span><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<div role=\"region\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-content-wrap ub-hide\" id=\"ub-content-toggle-panel-0-2e365478-4c13-498b-ad99-1123923a627b\">\n\n<p>A mortgage is a loan that you take out to buy a property. The loan is secured against the property, which means that if you don&#8217;t keep up with your repayments, the lender can repossess your home\u00b9.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion\" style=\"border-color: #4185f8;\" id=\"ub-content-toggle-panel-block-\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-title-wrap\" style=\"background-color: #4185f8;\" aria-controls=\"ub-content-toggle-panel-1-2e365478-4c13-498b-ad99-1123923a627b\" tabindex=\"0\">\n\t\t\t<p class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-title ub-content-toggle-title-2e365478-4c13-498b-ad99-1123923a627b\" style=\"color: #FFFFFF; \">2. How much can I borrow?<\/p>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-toggle-wrap right\" style=\"color: #FFFFFF;\"><span class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-state-indicator wp-block-ub-chevron-down\"><\/span><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<div role=\"region\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-content-wrap ub-hide\" id=\"ub-content-toggle-panel-1-2e365478-4c13-498b-ad99-1123923a627b\">\n\n<p>The amount you can borrow depends on several factors such as your income, credit score, and deposit amount. Most lenders will lend up to four times your annual salary or three times your joint salary if you&#8217;re buying with someone else\u00b9.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion\" style=\"border-color: #4185f8;\" id=\"ub-content-toggle-panel-block-\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-title-wrap\" style=\"background-color: #4185f8;\" aria-controls=\"ub-content-toggle-panel-2-2e365478-4c13-498b-ad99-1123923a627b\" tabindex=\"0\">\n\t\t\t<p class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-title ub-content-toggle-title-2e365478-4c13-498b-ad99-1123923a627b\" style=\"color: #FFFFFF; \">3. What are the eligibility criteria for a mortgage?<\/p>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-toggle-wrap right\" style=\"color: #FFFFFF;\"><span class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-state-indicator wp-block-ub-chevron-down\"><\/span><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<div role=\"region\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-content-wrap ub-hide\" id=\"ub-content-toggle-panel-2-2e365478-4c13-498b-ad99-1123923a627b\">\n\n<p>To be eligible for a mortgage, you must have permanent full-time employment, meaning that freelancers and the self-employed have slimmer chances of being approved due to the lack of job security. The mortgage process in the UK is speedier for those who have lower monthly expenses or no dependents\u00b9.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion\" style=\"border-color: #4185f8;\" id=\"ub-content-toggle-panel-block-\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-title-wrap\" style=\"background-color: #4185f8;\" aria-controls=\"ub-content-toggle-panel-3-2e365478-4c13-498b-ad99-1123923a627b\" tabindex=\"0\">\n\t\t\t<p class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-title ub-content-toggle-title-2e365478-4c13-498b-ad99-1123923a627b\" style=\"color: #FFFFFF; \">4. What documents do I need to apply for a mortgage?<\/p>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-toggle-wrap right\" style=\"color: #FFFFFF;\"><span class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-state-indicator wp-block-ub-chevron-down\"><\/span><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<div role=\"region\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-content-wrap ub-hide\" id=\"ub-content-toggle-panel-3-2e365478-4c13-498b-ad99-1123923a627b\">\n\n<p>You&#8217;ll need to provide several documents such as payslips from the last three months, proof of your UK residency status (if applicable), a P60 (annual UK tax summary) form from your employer, three to six months of bank statements, proof of any UK pension or insurance benefits received, two to three years of accounts if you&#8217;re self-employed\u00b2.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion\" style=\"border-color: #4185f8;\" id=\"ub-content-toggle-panel-block-\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-title-wrap\" style=\"background-color: #4185f8;\" aria-controls=\"ub-content-toggle-panel-4-2e365478-4c13-498b-ad99-1123923a627b\" tabindex=\"0\">\n\t\t\t<p class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-title ub-content-toggle-title-2e365478-4c13-498b-ad99-1123923a627b\" style=\"color: #FFFFFF; \">5. How do I apply for a mortgage?<\/p>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-toggle-wrap right\" style=\"color: #FFFFFF;\"><span class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-state-indicator wp-block-ub-chevron-down\"><\/span><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<div role=\"region\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-content-wrap ub-hide\" id=\"ub-content-toggle-panel-4-2e365478-4c13-498b-ad99-1123923a627b\">\n\n<p>You can apply for a mortgage through a lender&#8217;s website or by contacting their customer service teams directly. You&#8217;ll need to provide several documents such as payslips from the last three months, proof of your UK residency status (if applicable), a P60 (annual UK tax summary) form from your employer, three to six months of bank statements, proof of any UK pension or insurance benefits received, two to three years of accounts if you&#8217;re self-employed\u00b2.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion\" style=\"border-color: #4185f8;\" id=\"ub-content-toggle-panel-block-\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-title-wrap\" style=\"background-color: #4185f8;\" aria-controls=\"ub-content-toggle-panel-5-2e365478-4c13-498b-ad99-1123923a627b\" tabindex=\"0\">\n\t\t\t<p class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-title ub-content-toggle-title-2e365478-4c13-498b-ad99-1123923a627b\" style=\"color: #FFFFFF; \">6. What is an agreement in principle?<\/p>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-toggle-wrap right\" style=\"color: #FFFFFF;\"><span class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-state-indicator wp-block-ub-chevron-down\"><\/span><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<div role=\"region\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-content-wrap ub-hide\" id=\"ub-content-toggle-panel-5-2e365478-4c13-498b-ad99-1123923a627b\">\n\n<p>An agreement in principle is a document that shows how much money a lender is willing to lend you based on your income and credit score. It&#8217;s not legally binding but can help you understand how much you can afford to borrow\u00b3.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion\" style=\"border-color: #4185f8;\" id=\"ub-content-toggle-panel-block-\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-title-wrap\" style=\"background-color: #4185f8;\" aria-controls=\"ub-content-toggle-panel-6-2e365478-4c13-498b-ad99-1123923a627b\" tabindex=\"0\">\n\t\t\t<p class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-title ub-content-toggle-title-2e365478-4c13-498b-ad99-1123923a627b\" style=\"color: #FFFFFF; \">7. What is an interest rate?<\/p>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-toggle-wrap right\" style=\"color: #FFFFFF;\"><span class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-state-indicator wp-block-ub-chevron-down\"><\/span><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<div role=\"region\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-content-wrap ub-hide\" id=\"ub-content-toggle-panel-6-2e365478-4c13-498b-ad99-1123923a627b\">\n\n<p>An interest rate is the amount of money that you&#8217;ll pay on top of your loan amount over time. It&#8217;s usually expressed as an annual percentage rate (APR). The interest rate depends on several factors such as the type of mortgage you choose and your credit score\u2074.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion\" style=\"border-color: #4185f8;\" id=\"ub-content-toggle-panel-block-\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-title-wrap\" style=\"background-color: #4185f8;\" aria-controls=\"ub-content-toggle-panel-7-2e365478-4c13-498b-ad99-1123923a627b\" tabindex=\"0\">\n\t\t\t<p class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-title ub-content-toggle-title-2e365478-4c13-498b-ad99-1123923a627b\" style=\"color: #FFFFFF; \">8. What is a fixed-rate mortgage?<\/p>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-toggle-wrap right\" style=\"color: #FFFFFF;\"><span class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-state-indicator wp-block-ub-chevron-down\"><\/span><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<div role=\"region\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-content-wrap ub-hide\" id=\"ub-content-toggle-panel-7-2e365478-4c13-498b-ad99-1123923a627b\">\n\n<p>A fixed-rate mortgage is a type of mortgage where the interest rate stays the same for an agreed period (usually two to five years). This means that your monthly repayments will stay the same during this period regardless of any changes in interest rates\u2074.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion\" style=\"border-color: #4185f8;\" id=\"ub-content-toggle-panel-block-\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-title-wrap\" style=\"background-color: #4185f8;\" aria-controls=\"ub-content-toggle-panel-8-2e365478-4c13-498b-ad99-1123923a627b\" tabindex=\"0\">\n\t\t\t<p class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-title ub-content-toggle-title-2e365478-4c13-498b-ad99-1123923a627b\" style=\"color: #FFFFFF; \">9. What is a variable-rate mortgage?<\/p>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-toggle-wrap right\" style=\"color: #FFFFFF;\"><span class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-state-indicator wp-block-ub-chevron-down\"><\/span><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<div role=\"region\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-content-wrap ub-hide\" id=\"ub-content-toggle-panel-8-2e365478-4c13-498b-ad99-1123923a627b\">\n\n<p>A variable-rate mortgage is a type of mortgage where the interest rate can change over time depending on market conditions. This means that your monthly repayments can go up or down depending on any changes in interest rates\u2074.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion\" style=\"border-color: #4185f8;\" id=\"ub-content-toggle-panel-block-\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-title-wrap\" style=\"background-color: #4185f8;\" aria-controls=\"ub-content-toggle-panel-9-2e365478-4c13-498b-ad99-1123923a627b\" tabindex=\"0\">\n\t\t\t<p class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-title ub-content-toggle-title-2e365478-4c13-498b-ad99-1123923a627b\" style=\"color: #FFFFFF; \">10. What are mortgage brokers?<\/p>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-toggle-wrap right\" style=\"color: #FFFFFF;\"><span class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-state-indicator wp-block-ub-chevron-down\"><\/span><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<div role=\"region\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"wp-block-ub-content-toggle-accordion-content-wrap ub-hide\" id=\"ub-content-toggle-panel-9-2e365478-4c13-498b-ad99-1123923a627b\">\n\n<p>Mortgage brokers are professionals who help people find and apply for mortgages. They work with several lenders and can help you find the best deal based on your circumstances\u2075.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"has-small-font-size\">References:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\" type=\"1\">\n<li class=\"has-small-font-size\">How to Get a Mortgage in the UK [2023 Info] &#8211; Review42. <a href=\"https:\/\/review42.com\/uk\/resources\/how-to-get-a-mortgage\">https:\/\/review42.com\/uk\/resources\/how-to-get-a-mortgage<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"has-small-font-size\">Mortgages in the UK: a guide for home buyers | Expatica. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.expatica.com\/uk\/housing\/buying\/your-guide-to-uk-mortgages-747470\">https:\/\/www.expatica.com\/uk\/housing\/buying\/your-guide-to-uk-mortgages-747470<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"has-small-font-size\">Best mortgage brokers in the UK 2023 | Finder UK. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.finder.com\/uk\/mortgages\/mortgage-brokers\">https:\/\/www.finder.com\/uk\/mortgages\/mortgage-brokers<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"has-small-font-size\">How to buy a home &#8211; GOV.UK. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gov.uk\/government\/publications\/how-to-buy-a-home\/how-to-buy\">https:\/\/www.gov.uk\/government\/publications\/how-to-buy-a-home\/how-to-buy<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"has-small-font-size\">How to get a mortgage for your first home | Barclays. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.barclays.co.uk\/mortgages\/first-time-buyers\/guides\/how-to-get-a-mortgage\">https:\/\/www.barclays.co.uk\/mortgages\/first-time-buyers\/guides\/how-to-get-a-mortgage<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"efore searching for your new home, it&#8217;s important to determine your monthly mortgage budget. Review your monthly bank statement to understand your incoming and outgoing finances and \n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":7273,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[475],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-6534","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-first-time-buyers"},"acf":[],"featured_image_src":"https:\/\/www.check.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/RAJune2023114.jpg","author_info":{"display_name":"Credit Score UK","author_link":"https:\/\/www.check.co.uk\/blog\/author\/coco\/"},"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v26.6 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>A Comprehensive Guide for First-Time Buyers | Credit-Score Home<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Learn the steps to secure a mortgage and become a homeowner. Our exopert guide provides everything you need to know. Trust Credit-Score Home.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.check.co.uk\/blog\/homes\/first-time-buyers\/how-to-get-a-mortgage-a-beginners-guide-to-homeownership\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_GB\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"A Comprehensive Guide for First-Time Buyers | Credit-Score Home\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Learn the steps to secure a mortgage and become a homeowner. Our exopert guide provides everything you need to know. Trust Credit-Score Home.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.check.co.uk\/blog\/homes\/first-time-buyers\/how-to-get-a-mortgage-a-beginners-guide-to-homeownership\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Check.co.uk - See the problems your credit score hides\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/creditscore.co.uk\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2023-05-29T19:31:06+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2023-06-01T19:29:28+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/www.check.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/RAJune2023114.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"2048\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"2048\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Credit Score UK\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Credit Score UK\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Estimated reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"5 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.check.co.uk\/blog\/homes\/first-time-buyers\/how-to-get-a-mortgage-a-beginners-guide-to-homeownership\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.check.co.uk\/blog\/homes\/first-time-buyers\/how-to-get-a-mortgage-a-beginners-guide-to-homeownership\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Credit Score UK\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.check.co.uk\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/46d3ee012d1252d0205193d587962971\"},\"headline\":\"How to Get a Mortgage: A Beginner&#8217;s Guide to Homeownership\",\"datePublished\":\"2023-05-29T19:31:06+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2023-06-01T19:29:28+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.check.co.uk\/blog\/homes\/first-time-buyers\/how-to-get-a-mortgage-a-beginners-guide-to-homeownership\/\"},\"wordCount\":1164,\"commentCount\":0,\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.check.co.uk\/blog\/#organization\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.check.co.uk\/blog\/homes\/first-time-buyers\/how-to-get-a-mortgage-a-beginners-guide-to-homeownership\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/www.check.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/RAJune2023114.jpg\",\"articleSection\":[\"First Time Buyers\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-GB\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"CommentAction\",\"name\":\"Comment\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/www.check.co.uk\/blog\/homes\/first-time-buyers\/how-to-get-a-mortgage-a-beginners-guide-to-homeownership\/#respond\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.check.co.uk\/blog\/homes\/first-time-buyers\/how-to-get-a-mortgage-a-beginners-guide-to-homeownership\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.check.co.uk\/blog\/homes\/first-time-buyers\/how-to-get-a-mortgage-a-beginners-guide-to-homeownership\/\",\"name\":\"A Comprehensive Guide for First-Time Buyers | Credit-Score Home\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.check.co.uk\/blog\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.check.co.uk\/blog\/homes\/first-time-buyers\/how-to-get-a-mortgage-a-beginners-guide-to-homeownership\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.check.co.uk\/blog\/homes\/first-time-buyers\/how-to-get-a-mortgage-a-beginners-guide-to-homeownership\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/www.check.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/RAJune2023114.jpg\",\"datePublished\":\"2023-05-29T19:31:06+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2023-06-01T19:29:28+00:00\",\"description\":\"Learn the steps to secure a mortgage and become a homeowner. Our exopert guide provides everything you need to know. Trust Credit-Score Home.\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.check.co.uk\/blog\/homes\/first-time-buyers\/how-to-get-a-mortgage-a-beginners-guide-to-homeownership\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-GB\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/www.check.co.uk\/blog\/homes\/first-time-buyers\/how-to-get-a-mortgage-a-beginners-guide-to-homeownership\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-GB\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.check.co.uk\/blog\/homes\/first-time-buyers\/how-to-get-a-mortgage-a-beginners-guide-to-homeownership\/#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.check.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/RAJune2023114.jpg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/www.check.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/RAJune2023114.jpg\",\"width\":2048,\"height\":2048},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.check.co.uk\/blog\/homes\/first-time-buyers\/how-to-get-a-mortgage-a-beginners-guide-to-homeownership\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/www.check.co.uk\/blog\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"Homes\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/www.check.co.uk\/blog\/category\/homes\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":3,\"name\":\"First Time Buyers\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/www.check.co.uk\/blog\/category\/homes\/first-time-buyers\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":4,\"name\":\"How to Get a Mortgage: A Beginner&#8217;s Guide to Homeownership\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.check.co.uk\/blog\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.check.co.uk\/blog\/\",\"name\":\"Check.co.uk - See the problems your credit score hides\",\"description\":\"See the problems your credit score hides\",\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.check.co.uk\/blog\/#organization\"},\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\/\/www.check.co.uk\/blog\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-GB\"},{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.check.co.uk\/blog\/#organization\",\"name\":\"Credit-score\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.check.co.uk\/blog\/\",\"logo\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-GB\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.check.co.uk\/blog\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.check.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/logo-check-black.png\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/www.check.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/logo-check-black.png\",\"width\":705,\"height\":279,\"caption\":\"Credit-score\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.check.co.uk\/blog\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/\"},\"sameAs\":[\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/creditscore.co.uk\"]},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.check.co.uk\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/46d3ee012d1252d0205193d587962971\",\"name\":\"Credit Score UK\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-GB\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.check.co.uk\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/74d40aef495429b17775a7833fc11d9c19fd577480ff6c9f5be25d7b642bd122?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/74d40aef495429b17775a7833fc11d9c19fd577480ff6c9f5be25d7b642bd122?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"caption\":\"Credit Score UK\"},\"sameAs\":[\"http:\/\/credit-score.co.uk\"],\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.check.co.uk\/blog\/author\/coco\/\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"A Comprehensive Guide for First-Time Buyers | Credit-Score Home","description":"Learn the steps to secure a mortgage and become a homeowner. Our exopert guide provides everything you need to know. Trust Credit-Score Home.","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/www.check.co.uk\/blog\/homes\/first-time-buyers\/how-to-get-a-mortgage-a-beginners-guide-to-homeownership\/","og_locale":"en_GB","og_type":"article","og_title":"A Comprehensive Guide for First-Time Buyers | Credit-Score Home","og_description":"Learn the steps to secure a mortgage and become a homeowner. Our exopert guide provides everything you need to know. Trust Credit-Score Home.","og_url":"https:\/\/www.check.co.uk\/blog\/homes\/first-time-buyers\/how-to-get-a-mortgage-a-beginners-guide-to-homeownership\/","og_site_name":"Check.co.uk - See the problems your credit score hides","article_publisher":"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/creditscore.co.uk","article_published_time":"2023-05-29T19:31:06+00:00","article_modified_time":"2023-06-01T19:29:28+00:00","og_image":[{"width":2048,"height":2048,"url":"https:\/\/www.check.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/RAJune2023114.jpg","type":"image\/jpeg"}],"author":"Credit Score UK","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"Credit Score UK","Estimated reading time":"5 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/www.check.co.uk\/blog\/homes\/first-time-buyers\/how-to-get-a-mortgage-a-beginners-guide-to-homeownership\/#article","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.check.co.uk\/blog\/homes\/first-time-buyers\/how-to-get-a-mortgage-a-beginners-guide-to-homeownership\/"},"author":{"name":"Credit Score UK","@id":"https:\/\/www.check.co.uk\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/46d3ee012d1252d0205193d587962971"},"headline":"How to Get a Mortgage: A Beginner&#8217;s Guide to Homeownership","datePublished":"2023-05-29T19:31:06+00:00","dateModified":"2023-06-01T19:29:28+00:00","mainEntityOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.check.co.uk\/blog\/homes\/first-time-buyers\/how-to-get-a-mortgage-a-beginners-guide-to-homeownership\/"},"wordCount":1164,"commentCount":0,"publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.check.co.uk\/blog\/#organization"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.check.co.uk\/blog\/homes\/first-time-buyers\/how-to-get-a-mortgage-a-beginners-guide-to-homeownership\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/www.check.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/RAJune2023114.jpg","articleSection":["First Time Buyers"],"inLanguage":"en-GB","potentialAction":[{"@type":"CommentAction","name":"Comment","target":["https:\/\/www.check.co.uk\/blog\/homes\/first-time-buyers\/how-to-get-a-mortgage-a-beginners-guide-to-homeownership\/#respond"]}]},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/www.check.co.uk\/blog\/homes\/first-time-buyers\/how-to-get-a-mortgage-a-beginners-guide-to-homeownership\/","url":"https:\/\/www.check.co.uk\/blog\/homes\/first-time-buyers\/how-to-get-a-mortgage-a-beginners-guide-to-homeownership\/","name":"A Comprehensive Guide for First-Time Buyers | Credit-Score Home","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.check.co.uk\/blog\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.check.co.uk\/blog\/homes\/first-time-buyers\/how-to-get-a-mortgage-a-beginners-guide-to-homeownership\/#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.check.co.uk\/blog\/homes\/first-time-buyers\/how-to-get-a-mortgage-a-beginners-guide-to-homeownership\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/www.check.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/RAJune2023114.jpg","datePublished":"2023-05-29T19:31:06+00:00","dateModified":"2023-06-01T19:29:28+00:00","description":"Learn the steps to secure a mortgage and become a homeowner. Our exopert guide provides everything you need to know. Trust Credit-Score Home.","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.check.co.uk\/blog\/homes\/first-time-buyers\/how-to-get-a-mortgage-a-beginners-guide-to-homeownership\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-GB","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/www.check.co.uk\/blog\/homes\/first-time-buyers\/how-to-get-a-mortgage-a-beginners-guide-to-homeownership\/"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-GB","@id":"https:\/\/www.check.co.uk\/blog\/homes\/first-time-buyers\/how-to-get-a-mortgage-a-beginners-guide-to-homeownership\/#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/www.check.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/RAJune2023114.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/www.check.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/RAJune2023114.jpg","width":2048,"height":2048},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/www.check.co.uk\/blog\/homes\/first-time-buyers\/how-to-get-a-mortgage-a-beginners-guide-to-homeownership\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/www.check.co.uk\/blog\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Homes","item":"https:\/\/www.check.co.uk\/blog\/category\/homes\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"First Time Buyers","item":"https:\/\/www.check.co.uk\/blog\/category\/homes\/first-time-buyers\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":4,"name":"How to Get a Mortgage: A Beginner&#8217;s Guide to Homeownership"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/www.check.co.uk\/blog\/#website","url":"https:\/\/www.check.co.uk\/blog\/","name":"Check.co.uk - See the problems your credit score hides","description":"See the problems your credit score hides","publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.check.co.uk\/blog\/#organization"},"potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/www.check.co.uk\/blog\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-GB"},{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/www.check.co.uk\/blog\/#organization","name":"Credit-score","url":"https:\/\/www.check.co.uk\/blog\/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-GB","@id":"https:\/\/www.check.co.uk\/blog\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/www.check.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/logo-check-black.png","contentUrl":"https:\/\/www.check.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/logo-check-black.png","width":705,"height":279,"caption":"Credit-score"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.check.co.uk\/blog\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/"},"sameAs":["https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/creditscore.co.uk"]},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/www.check.co.uk\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/46d3ee012d1252d0205193d587962971","name":"Credit Score UK","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-GB","@id":"https:\/\/www.check.co.uk\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/74d40aef495429b17775a7833fc11d9c19fd577480ff6c9f5be25d7b642bd122?s=96&d=mm&r=g","contentUrl":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/74d40aef495429b17775a7833fc11d9c19fd577480ff6c9f5be25d7b642bd122?s=96&d=mm&r=g","caption":"Credit Score UK"},"sameAs":["http:\/\/credit-score.co.uk"],"url":"https:\/\/www.check.co.uk\/blog\/author\/coco\/"}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.check.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6534","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.check.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.check.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.check.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.check.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=6534"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/www.check.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6534\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":7315,"href":"https:\/\/www.check.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6534\/revisions\/7315"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.check.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/7273"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.check.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6534"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.check.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=6534"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.check.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=6534"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}