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First time buyer guide
Buying your first home is a huge milestone, but we know it can feel a bit overwhelming. Our step-by-step guide breaks down the process into simple stages, helping you feel more informed and confident along the way.
Work out how much you can afford to borrow
If you're looking to buy a home, you'll probably need to apply for a mortgage. This is a loan which is secured against the value of the property. With TSB you can get a mortgage with just a 5% deposit. It's important to remember, the more money you are able to put down upfront, the less you'll have to borrow.
Before you start your property search:
- Use our mortgage calculator to find out how much you could borrow and how much the monthly repayments may be
- Make sure you've fully thought through buying a home. It's important that you can still manage if interest rates rise
- It's a good idea to look into different schemes that may be available to you. To find out more about affordable housing schemes click here
Before you start your property search:
Your deposit
Mortgage product fees - fees charged by lenders for setting up your mortgage
Conveyancer/solicitor fees - paid for handling the legal process of buying a property
Stamp Duty (or Land and Buildings Transaction Tax in Scotland) applies to properties over a set price. Check gov.uk or revenue.scot for current rates
Moving costs
Buildings insurance is required as part of your mortgage agreement. Find out more here
Tiny tip
Online budgeting tools such as Moneyhelper's budget planner can help you find out what you can afford and how much you can save each month.
How to improve your credit score:
- Be on the electoral register
- Stay on top of payments for loans, credit cards, phone contracts, and utilities or any other existing borrowing
- Cancel any unused store cards, credit cards and bank accounts
For more information check out our Money Confidence article on improving your credit score
Remember:
Missed or late payments will be reflected on your credit report and could stay there for years
Be sure to keep paying bills on time, even if it's just the minimum amount
It's important to keep your borrowing within your credit limit to optimise your credit score
Open a savings account to support your goals
Building a deposit often starts with opening a savings account and making saving whatever you can a regular habit. Think about whether you’ll need instant access to your money or if you’re ok with locking it away in a fixed-term account for better rate.
Once you’ve found the right savings account
- Work out how much you need to save each month to reach your goal
- Set up a standing order to transfer a realistic amount into your savings account each month
- Learning to save now makes it easier to handle future surprises or rainy days
Take a look at our Money Confidence article on how to save as a first time buyer
Smart ways you could reduce spending
- Before you start saving, it makes sense to focus on paying off any high-interest credit cards and debts. This can save you more in the long run
- Are you getting the best deal on your mobile, internet or energy plan? You could use comparison sites to find better offers and cut down your monthly costs
- If your mobile contract is ending, consider keeping your old handset and opting for a cheaper sim-only deal
Need to chat about your money?
Our goal is to help you get more from your money. Our Money Confidence Experts are available 7 days a week. Request a call over the phone, video call, or face to face.
