Buying your first home can be one of the most exhilarating, yet most intimidating, experiences you will ever have. With changing house prices, new mortgages, and a staggering quantity of web guidance, how do you get past fact from fiction?
We met with Oliver Whitehead, Senior Mortgage & Protection Adviser and Managing Director at Oportfolio Mortgages, to get expert answers to the questions and inquiries first-time buyers are asking most in 2025.
Oliver Whitehead: First-Time Buyer Mortgage Advice 2025
Q1: What is the biggest issue you’re hearing from first-time buyers this year?
Oliver: The majority of first-time buyers in 2025 are concerned about affordability. With interest rates having stabilised but house prices remaining high in certain locations, they’re asking themselves: “Can I really afford to climb on the ladder?”
The good news is that there are a number of schemes, such as First Homes, Lifetime ISAs, and shared ownership, to make home-owning more affordable. And many lenders are introducing flexible products tailored for first-time buyers.
Q2: How much deposit do actual first-time buyers need in 2025?
Oliver: That old-fashioned idea that you have to save a 20% deposit? It’s a myth. In reality, you can buy with just a 5% deposit.
Naturally, the higher your deposit, the more favorable your mortgage rate can be, but we have helped numerous clients onto the ladder with low-deposit solutions. More importantly is making sure that you have your finances in order and understand what you can pay.
Q3: How has the first-time buyer mortgage process changed in recent times?
Oliver: Technology has clearly made the process faster and simpler, but with it, lenders are also demanding more, particularly for self-employed individuals or those with multiple sources of income.
It is more important than ever before that you have all the right documents to hand and that you have an adviser who can guide you through the process easily.
Q4: What are the most typical errors new purchasers make?
Oliver: One of the most common is starting house hunting without seeing a mortgage adviser first. It’s much too easy to fall in love with a place and then realize it’s out of their price range.
One mistake is simply calling at your bank for a mortgage quote. Being a broker like Oportfolio means that we have access to dozens of lenders and are therefore likely to be able to get more advantageous deals and options which buyers didn’t even know existed.
Q5: What would your top tip for first-time buyers in 2025 be?
Oliver: Get advised early and surround yourself with the right people. That’s an adviser who can render you mortgage-ready, a trusted conveyancer, and a clear plan for your deposit and monthly budget.
Don’t let the headlines deter you, with the right advice, buying your first home is perfectly within your reach. If you’re a first-time purchaser in 2025, don’t panic, you’re not alone, and you’re not isolated. Here at Oportfolio Mortgages, we specialize in helping new purchasers navigate the mortgage process with confidence every step of the way.
Want to talk through your mortgage options? Book a free call with Oliver Whitehead or a different adviser at Oportfolio Mortgages today.
