Buying your first home? Here's how Debbie gets you there.
No jargon, no guesswork, no being passed around a call centre. This guide walks you through exactly what happens between "we'd love to buy" and keys in hand, and what Debbie does at every stage so you don't have to.
Find out what you can really borrow, before you fall in love with a house
Most first-time buyers do this backwards: they find the house first, then panic about the money. Flip it. A ten-minute conversation about your income, your outgoings and your deposit tells Debbie roughly what lenders will offer you, and which of the 100+ lenders she works with will look most kindly on your particular situation.
As a rule of thumb, lenders will stretch to around four and a half times your annual income, sometimes more with the right lender and a strong profile. But the headline multiple is only half the story, every lender runs its own affordability calculation, weighing your commitments, your credit history and even your childcare costs differently. Two lenders can look at the same payslip and come back thousands of pounds apart.
"The single most useful thing a first-time buyer can do is talk to me before they start viewing. I can usually tell you the same day what's realistic, what isn't, and what would change the answer, sometimes it's as simple as clearing one credit card or waiting two payslips."
Your deposit, smaller than you think, and family help counts
You do not need 20%. Plenty of Debbie's first-time buyers complete with 5%, and 10% opens up noticeably better rates. What matters more than the size of the deposit is where it comes from and how it's evidenced, lenders want a clean paper trail.
What actually happens, from first call to keys
A free chat with Debbie
Ten to fifteen minutes on the phone. You'll come away knowing your realistic budget, your likely monthly payment and anything that needs tidying up before an application goes in.
Agreement in Principle
Debbie secures a lender's written indication of what they'd lend you. Estate agents take you seriously with one in hand, and most leave no footprint on your credit file.
Find the house, make the offer
You hunt; Debbie's on the end of the phone. Before you offer, she can sense-check the numbers on the specific property, and a property report tells you what the street has really been selling for.
Full application, Debbie's job now
Offer accepted? Debbie submits the application, packages your documents the way the lender wants them, and chases it daily. You carry on with your life.
Valuation, offer and solicitors
The lender values the property and issues your mortgage offer. Your solicitor handles searches and contracts, Debbie keeps everyone moving and translates anything confusing.
Exchange, complete, move in
Contracts exchange (you're now legally committed, and so is the seller), then completion day arrives and the keys are yours. Debbie diarises your rate-end date so you never drift onto an expensive variable rate later.
The real costs of buying your first home
The deposit gets all the attention, but completion day has a supporting cast of costs. Rough guide:
| Cost | Typical range | Worth knowing |
|---|---|---|
| Solicitor / conveyancing | £1,000, £1,800 | Compare fixed-fee quotes from 70+ firms up front; Debbie can point you to firms her clients rate. |
| Survey | £400, £900 | The lender's valuation is for them, not you. A Level 2 survey is money well spent on most older homes. |
| Lender fees | £0, £1,099 | Some rates carry an arrangement fee. Debbie always compares the fee-and-rate combination, not the rate alone. |
| Stamp duty | Often £0 for FTBs | Relief applies up to £500,000 purchase price in England, run your number through the calculator. |
| Broker fee | Typically £499 | Payable on application, never more than £999, and Debbie tells you the exact figure before you commit to anything. |
| Removals & the boring bits | £300, £1,500 | Van hire, mail redirection, a locksmith if you're sensible. Budget it now, thank yourself later. |
Five things Debbie wishes every first-time buyer knew
First-time buyer FAQs
I'm self-employed with one year of accounts. Am I stuck?
Not necessarily. A handful of lenders will work with one year's figures, and it's one of Debbie's specialist areas. Read more or just ask her.
I work under CIS. Does that change things?
It can work strongly in your favour, some lenders use your gross CIS income rather than your net accounts. CIS mortgages explained.
My credit isn't spotless. Is it game over?
Rarely. A CCJ, a default or some missed payments narrows the field but seldom empties it. The honest answer depends on what happened and when, here's how Debbie approaches it.
How long does the whole thing take?
Budget roughly three to four months from offer accepted to keys, driven mostly by the legal work and the chain. The mortgage itself is usually the quick bit, offers often land within two to three weeks.
What does the first chat cost?
Nothing. The initial call is free and without obligation. If you go ahead, the broker fee (typically £499) is payable on application, you'll know the exact figure first.
Can my parents help without being on the mortgage?
Yes, a gifted deposit is the simplest route, and there are joint-borrower arrangements for boosting affordability too. Debbie will talk you through what fits.
See your credit file the way lenders see it
Check My File shows your data from Equifax, Experian and TransUnion in one report, the same picture a lender builds when they assess you. Spotting an error or an old default before an application is worth a lot more than discovering it during one. Free for the first 7 days. Cancel within the 7 days to avoid the £14.99 a month subscription fee.
Check your credit file →This is an affiliate link, DS Financial may receive a small commission if you use this service, at no extra cost to you.
Ready when you are
One free call with Debbie and you'll know your budget, your next step and exactly what to do about anything in your way.
Booked your call? Save time by registering on our secure client portal and completing the mini fact find first, so Debbie has your background before you speak.