The amount that you can afford to put down as a deposit will directly affect how much you will be able to borrow for your mortgage. 

If you don’t yet have a deposit to put down on your first home, we have a range of savings products that can help you save. Have a look at our saving for your first home page.

If you’re buying a home using a gifted deposit from your parents or other family members, we're here to help you too! Check out our gifted house deposits guide.

Before the search for your perfect first home begins, you'll need to know how much you can afford to borrow for your mortgage. This is important as some estate agents won't allow you to view properties with them until they know that you're likely to find a lender.

Our how much can I borrow guide explains how we calculate the amount that we could be willing to lend you, based on your income and monthly outgoings. Alternatively, you can use our simple online mortgage affordability calculator for an idea of how much you could borrow before you speak to us.

Once you have an idea of how much you can borrow, you can compare mortgage deals to decide which one would be most suitable for you. 

There are several different types of mortgage deals on the market. This can sometimes make it tricky for you to know which one is the most suitable for you and your circumstances.

Our understanding different types of mortgages guide explains the available options for first time buyer mortgages and the features and benefits of each. You can then calculate the repayments you're likely to make on each type of mortgage with our quick mortgage repayment calculator.

It’s time for the exciting bit – looking for your first property! In our first time buyers' step-by-step guide to the house buying process, we break down the stages and typical timeline of buying a house. 

This includes everything from how to make an offer on a house, the mortgage application process and home buyers survey information. 

At this stage, it’s also worth considering what stamp duty you will pay on your new home, if any. Check out our everything you need to know about stamp duty guide.