Taking your first step onto the property ladder can be intimidating. To make things easier we've spoken to our customers and staff, collecting their thoughts and tips to help guide you through the process.

Five things to do now

Build your
deposit quicker
with the right
savings account

Take an honest look at what you can afford each month

Use our
budget planner

Know your price range with
our calculator

Make sure you can cope with the repayment

Find out before
you commit yourself with our
calculator

Research the right type of product for you

Take a look at our full range of mortgages

Advice from the Helpful Banking team

Our advisers help lots of people in your situation every day - so they can pass on expert advice.

Amit Baswe,
Customer Adviser,
Victoria

"Assess your finances and clear your debts. Set up a standing order for pay day to put funds into a higher interest bearing savings account."

Lynsey Carter,
Customer Adviser,
Liverpool

"Speak to us first to find out what you could afford so you are not looking outside your budget then apply for an agreement-in-principle so you know you could get a mortgage and your credit history is okay."

Alex Bascombe, Branch Manager,
Portishead

"There are shared equity schemes available through the Government and housing developers which could help build your deposit."

Tips from our customers

We asked some of our customers who’ve bought a home in the last year for their top tips.

"Get help from friends and family who have gone through the process before. They know you very well and can give sound advice."

Anas, 25, Wales

"I registered with almost every estate agent - but don't tell them the exact amount you can borrow!..."

"...Also I suggest you take someone who knows about houses with you on viewings."

Rachel, 30, South West

Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage

Ready for the next step?

Call Mortgages Direct on

0800 158 2950

Minicom: 0800 917 0789

Line are open: Mon to Fri 8am-8pm, Sat 9am-4pm, (excl. public holidays). Calls may be recorded

Nearest Branch

Jargon buster

Loan to Value (LTV): The size of your loan compared to the value of your property. E.g. An £80,000 loan on a £100,000 home is 80% LTV.

Stamp Duty: Tax on the purchase of homes worth £175,000 or more, paid as a percentage of the value.

Fixed rate: Your mortgage has a fixed rate of interest & payments for a set period of time, you know exactly what you'll be paying each month.

Standard variable rate (SVR): If you have a variable rate mortgage your payments can go up or down in line with a lender's standard interest rate. They often change this when the Bank of England base rate changes.

Tracker mortgage: The tracker rate is linked to the Bank of England rate or a lenders own 'base rate'. This means that interest on your mortgage can go up or down.