Getting your finances right is a major aspect of first time buying.

Essential Guides & Advice First Time Buyers Finance Guide

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Contents:

Date Published:
22/05/2008

(All research information correct as of December 2007)

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How To Get A Deposit

There is no point sugaring the pill. You will be much more attractive to mortgage lenders if you have a deposit to put down. It will also provide a cushion in case properties fall in value this year.
The mortgage deals that allowed you to borrow more than the value of your property have gone. And although there are still some lenders offering 100% and 95% mortgages for now, high loan to value mortgages are likely to be more expensive. The bigger the deposit, the better the interest rate.

Buying your first house can be an exciting but stressful.

Can Your Parents Lend You A Deposit?

Parents seem to be increasingly resigned to bailing out offspring wrestling with student debt, the high cost of living and high property prices. Research from Abbey shows that already one in seven first time buyers are now given money from their parents to invest in their first home. And one in 17 borrows money from parents, with the average loan standing at £19,619! It's worth a try- they might be keener than you realise to get you to move out.

Clubbing Together To Buy A House

It's very popular now for first time buyers to boost their buying power by looking for property as a couple. In fact, joint ownership mortgages are available for up to four people (although lenders tend to lend on multiples of the two highest incomes). Lenders have become much more relaxed about who you can take out a joint mortgage with- family, friends, even a stranger looking for property to invest in.

But anyone considering a joint mortgage should ideally rent together first to make sure they really do get on and get a legally drawn up co-habitation or joint ownership agreement when they buy. You need to be clear what happens if someone loses their job, moves a boyfriend in, deposits, what belongs to whom, etc. See our guide with more about sharing.

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  1. I am an adviser and I have had experience of a multiple ownership scheme with 4 people. Essentially it was four young professionals with their head screwed on and they didn't want to be wasting their income on rent. The income of the applicants alone would not have been enough for the house, but together they had a joint income of ?65,000. A quarter share of a house, in their eyes, was worth more than giving rent to a landlord. In that case it really was clubbing together.
    Posted by Reverse Mortgage on 06/11/2009 23:43:26
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  2. I am a 26 year old student nurse on a bursary. I live with my partner and 3 year old daughter in a housing assosiation home. We are desperate to own our own home but at the moment see no way out of living here. It can be unbarable living here with bad neighbours! We want to break the cycle of living in affordable renting as both are parents do. We will struggle to raise a big deposit. Next year I will be earning 21000 & my partner 17000. Any advice to help us get on the ladder? What can we do?
    Posted by mwight on 06/08/2009 15:20:12
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  3. From my experience with mortgages, I think that there should never be less then a 20% down payment. If a person can put more down then that is great, it will also save him a lot in interest payments. But if he cant plunk down the 20% it is highly doubtful that he will get the loan. Even if he does he is risking high monthly payment.
    Posted by Mortgage Adviser on 06/08/2009 12:19:59
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  4. Hi im currently a 20 year old single student veterinary nurse living with my parents in sheffield. I Dont have any student debts etc but have little savings at the moment. Im planning to move out when i have qualified (in a couple of years) when my wage goes up. I earn at the moment just under £12000 per annum. not much. I am basically wanting to know what i can do now to start preparing for buying my first home, in a comfortable financial position. i.e. how much am i looking to save on average to get started and general advice on considerations, what things are all the basics i will need to know and the options which are available to me i.e. house sharing. Currently i have no idea on where to start or anything about the subject. Please help! thank you
    Posted by jess on 18/07/2009 22:36:34
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  5. Lenders have become much more relaxed about who you can take out a joint mortgage with- family......
    Posted by annualcreditreport.org on 15/05/2009 19:08:45
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  6. I thinking about buying a house with my partner, before we get married. I graduated from uni last september and my partner is a full carer. weare looking for some advice on how to get started and the option on getting a deposit to put down on a house
    Posted by Tasha on 07/04/2009 12:45:49
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  7. Nice guide..But how it will be useful for the first time buyers? I need more info than this..
    Posted by reverse mortgage on 24/03/2009 05:04:07
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  8. Hi K It's pretty difficult to get any good deals at the moment, but the best advice I can offer you is to seek independent (and I stress, independent), free financial advice. You can look for one on www.unbiased.co.uk
    Posted by 4Homes Ed on 12/08/2008 15:36:29
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  9. Me and my wife work and combined salary ( Basic) 50000/- and with overtime 70000/-. We have a car loan of 250/- pm. There are no other outgoings than usual family expences. We are married over 23 years. We dont have deposit. Can any firm give us 100% fin?
    Posted by K on 09/08/2008 17:41:25
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