FIRST TIME BUYER MORTGAGES
A first-time buyer mortgage is simply a mortgage designed for someone who is purchasing their very first home. These mortgages work much like any other, but many lenders and schemes offer extra support or favourable terms to help people get onto the property ladder for the first time.
What You Need to Know as a First-Time Buyer:
Deposit Requirements
Most first-time buyer mortgages require a minimum deposit of 5–10% of the property value. The bigger the deposit, the better the mortgage deals you’ll likely qualify for.
Affordability Checks
Lenders will look at your income, outgoings, credit score, and other financial commitments to determine how much you can borrow.
Fixed or Variable Rates
You can choose between fixed-rate mortgages (where your monthly payments stay the same for a set period) or variable-rate mortgages (which can go up or down with interest rates).
Help & Support Available
First-time buyers may be eligible for:
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Buying schemes (like Shared Ownership or First Homes)
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Help to Buy ISAs or Lifetime ISAs to boost savings
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Stamp duty relief on homes up to a certain value (in England)
First Time Buyer?
How Can CJ Mortgages Help?
At CJ Mortgage Hub, we specialise in helping first-time buyers understand the process, compare deals, and feel confident in their decisions.
We’ll explain everything clearly, help you gather the right documents, and guide you step-by-step, all the way to your moving day.
MOVING HOME?
If you're already a homeowner and planning to move, your mortgage options will depend on your current deal, how much equity you have in your property, and your future plans. Moving house doesn't mean starting from scratch—it just means reassessing what’s best for you now
What Are Your Mortgage Options When Moving Home?
Porting Your Mortgage
Many mortgages are portable, meaning you can transfer your existing deal to your new property. This can be a good option if you’re on a competitive rate and want to avoid early repayment charges. However, you’ll still need to reapply and meet the lender’s criteria for the new property.
Taking Out a New Mortgage
If your existing deal isn’t portable, or if a better rate is available, you might consider paying off your current mortgage and taking out a new one. This can also give you the opportunity to borrow more if you're moving to a higher-value home.
Using Equity to Your Advantage
If your home has increased in value since you bought it, you may have built up equity that you can put towards your next deposit. The more equity you have, the better the deals you may qualify for.
How Can A Mortgage Advisor Help?
At CJ Mortgage Hub, we understand that moving home can be both exciting and stressful. We’re here to make the mortgage side of things as simple and stress-free as possible.
We’ll talk you through your options, whether that’s porting your current mortgage or finding a new deal, and help you plan your next steps with confidence.
We’ll handle the details, explain everything clearly, and make sure your move goes smoothly from start to finish.
WHAT IS A "REMORTGAGE"?
A remortgage is when you switch your existing mortgage to a new deal, either with your current lender or a new one, without moving home.
People remortgage for all sorts of reasons, and it can be a smart way to save money, unlock funds, or simply get a mortgage that better suits your current situation.
Why Do People Remortgage?
To Get a Better Interest Rate
Many homeowners remortgage when their initial deal (like a 2- or 5-year fixed rate) comes to an end. Without switching, you might be moved onto a lender’s standard variable rate, which is often higher. A remortgage can help lower your monthly payments or reduce how much interest you pay overall.
To Release Equity
If your property has increased in value, remortgaging can allow you to release some of that equity—perhaps to fund home improvements, pay off debts, or invest elsewhere.
To Change the Mortgage Term
You can shorten or extend the term of your mortgage to suit your finances. Shortening it may help you become mortgage-free faster, while extending it can reduce your monthly payments.
To Consolidate Debt
In some cases, homeowners remortgage to pay off other debts. This can simplify your finances, but it’s important to understand the long-term implications—which is where expert advice is key.
When Should You Start Looking at Remortgage Options?
Ideally, around 3 to 6 months before your current deal ends. This gives you time to explore your options and avoid slipping onto a higher variable rate.
How Can We Help with Remortgages?
We’re here to make remortgaging straightforward and stress-free.
Whether you’re looking to save money, release equity, or just want to know what your options are, we’ll give you honest, tailored advice. We'll search the market for the most suitable deal and guide you through the process, from paperwork to completion, with clear explanations and a personal approach every step of the way.
BUY TO LET MORTGAGES
A Buy-to-Let (BTL) mortgage is specifically designed for people who want to purchase a property to rent out, rather than live in. Whether you're a first-time landlord or looking to expand your property portfolio, a buy-to-let mortgage helps you finance that investment.
How Does A Buy-To-Let Mortgage Work?
Buy-to-let mortgages are slightly different from residential mortgages.
Key differences include:
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Higher deposit – Typically, you’ll need at least 20–25% of the property’s value as a deposit.
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Interest-only options – Many landlords choose interest-only mortgages to keep monthly payments lower, repaying the full amount when the property is sold.
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Rental income-based lending – Lenders assess how much you can borrow based mainly on how much rent the property is expected to generate, rather than your personal income.
Who Can Get a Buy-to-Let Mortgage?
Most lenders require that you:
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Are aged 21 or over (some lenders require 25+)
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Already own a residential property (in some cases)
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Have a good credit history
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Earn a minimum income (varies by lender)
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Can provide a suitable deposit
Even if you're self-employed or a first-time landlord, there are still plenty of options—we'll help you explore them.
Disclaimer - Not all Buy to Lets are regulated by The Financial Conduct Authority.
How We Can Help With Your
Buy-To-Let?
Investing in property is a big step, and we’re here to make sure it’s the right one for you. At CJ Mortgage Hub, we take the time to understand your goals, whether you’re looking for steady rental income, long-term growth, or both.
We’ll explain how buy-to-let mortgages work, what costs to expect, and help you find a deal that fits your plans and financial situation.
We’re here to support you at every stage, from finding the right lender to understanding landlord responsibilities, so you can invest with confidence and clarity.
MORTGAGE SCHEMES
These schemes are designed to help first-time buyers and home movers make owning a home more achievable—especially when saving for a deposit or affording a full mortgage upfront feels out of reach. Here's a closer look at the most common options:
Equity Loan (Help to Buy – now replaced in some areas)
This scheme offered an interest-free loan of up to 20% (40% in London) of a new-build home’s value from the government, meaning you only needed a 5% deposit and a 75% mortgage. Although the official Help to Buy scheme ended in most areas in 2023, some regional or developer-backed equity loan schemes still exist.
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Great for: First-time buyers struggling with a large deposit
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Requires: Buying a new-build home from a registered developer
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Important: Repayable after 5 years with interest (after the interest-free period ends)
Help to Buy ISA (Now Closed to New Applicants)
While no longer available to new savers, those who already opened a Help to Buy ISA before the deadline can still use it. The government adds a 25% bonus to savings (up to £3,000) when used to buy your first home.
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Great for: First-time buyers who already opened an account before the scheme closed
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Bonus: Added at completion of your property purchase
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Replaced by: Lifetime ISA (LISA), which works similarly but allows higher savings and use for retirement too
Shared Ownership
Shared Ownership allows you to buy a percentage of a property (typically between 25% and 75%) and pay rent on the rest to a housing association. You can increase your share over time in a process known as “staircasing.”
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Great for: People with smaller deposits or incomes
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Lower upfront costs: Smaller mortgage and deposit needed
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Available for: First-time buyers, those who’ve owned a home but can’t afford one now, or existing shared ownership residents
First Homes Scheme (England Only)
This newer scheme offers new-build homes at a discount of at least 30% (sometimes up to 50%) to local first-time buyers and key workers. The discount stays with the home if it's sold in the future, helping more people in the area.
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Great for: First-time buyers and key workers buying locally
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Benefit: Lower purchase price with long-term affordability
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Requirement: Must meet local council and lender criteria
Helping You Understand
Mortgage Schemes
At CJ Mortgage Hub, we know these schemes can be confusing—and often surrounded by jargon. We're here to give you clear, honest guidance about which options might suit your situation best. We’ll help you understand eligibility, navigate the paperwork, and make sure you feel confident every step of the way.
