Sarah Fox - Mortgage and Protection Adviser

09/06/2026

Take a moment today to ask yourself:-
Are you financially prepared if something were to happen to you?
It’s not always easy to think about—but it’s one of the most important questions you can ask for your future and your family.
At Mortgage Advice Bureau, we’re here to help you put the right protections in place, including:
✅ Family Income Benefit
✅ Income Protection
✅ Life Insurance
✅ Critical Illness Cover
Because protecting your income and your loved ones isn’t just an option…
it’s peace of mind.
💬 If you’ve never reviewed your protection, now is the time to start the conversation.💑

28/05/2026

GREAT NEWS FROM HALIFAX FOR FIRST TIME BUYERS🏠

If you have savings of £5,000 you can apply for the £5k Deposit mortgage. This mortgage may then get you on the property ladder sooner as you could borrow more than 95% of the property value.
Is a £5k Deposit mortgage right for me?

Saving for a mortgage deposit can be difficult. With the £5k Deposit mortgage, if you have savings of £5,000 you can apply for the £5k deposit mortgage.
You may qualify if the following applies to you.
You are a first-time buyer with a deposit of at least £5,000.
You are aged 18 years or over.
The property you want to buy is worth between £102,000 and £300,000.
The property will be your only residence.
Subject to application.

https://www.halifax.co.uk/mortgages/first-time-buyers/5k-deposit-mortgage.html

26/05/2026

Chapter 5: Your First-Time Buyer Checklist - 👇

Use this to track your progress. Tick each item off as you go:

Before you start😎

☐ Check my credit report and fix any errors

☐ Register on the electoral roll at my current address

☐ Save 3 months of bank statements (lenders will want these)

☐ Avoid applying for new credit in the 3 months before applying

☐ Calculate my rough borrowing potential (income × 4–4.5)

Getting mortgage-ready🏠

☐ Book a free call with a mortgage broker

☐ Get an Agreement in Principle

☐ Gather documents: payslips, bank statements, passport/driving licence, P60

☐ Instruct a solicitor (can be done before you find a property)

Once your offer is accepted👏

☐ Submit full mortgage application

☐ Book a homebuyer's survey

☐ Chase solicitor weekly — conveyancing moves slowly without prompting

☐ Arrange buildings insurance (required from exchange)

☐ Confirm completion date and arrange removal van

22/05/2026

Chapter 4: The Mistakes That Catch Buyers Out👉

These are the most common — and most costly — errors we see first-time buyers make:

❌ Not getting an Agreement in Principle first
Estate agents may not take your offers seriously without one. It costs nothing and takes minutes.

❌ Applying for new credit before your mortgage
A new car on finance, a credit card, even a phone contract — all of these affect your credit score and can delay or reduce your mortgage offer.

❌ Only looking at the interest rate
A low rate with a high arrangement fee can cost more overall. Always compare the total cost, not just the headline figure.

❌ Going direct to your own bank
Your bank only offers its own products. A broker searches hundreds of deals across the whole market.

❌ Forgetting to budget for buying costs
See Chapter 2. Many buyers are caught short at completion.

❌ Underestimating how long it takes
From offer accepted to completion is typically 8–12 weeks. Plan accordingly — especially if you're in rented accommodation.

22/05/2026

21/05/2026

Chapter 3: -The Step-by-Step Process👇

Here's exactly what happens from the moment you decide to buy, to the day you get your keys.

1. Get mortgage-ready
Check your credit report (free via Experian, Equifax or Credit Karma). Make sure you're on the electoral roll, and avoid any new credit applications.
2. Speak to a mortgage broker (free)
A broker searches the whole market and tells you exactly what you can borrow — with no obligation. This usually takes 20–30 minutes.
3. Get an Agreement in Principle (AIP)
A soft credit check that gives you an official borrowing figure. Agents and sellers take you seriously once you have one.
4. Find your home
Now you're house hunting with confidence, knowing exactly what you can afford.
5. Offer accepted
You formally apply for the mortgage. You'll need payslips, bank statements, and ID. Your broker handles the paperwork.
6. Survey & searches
Your solicitor runs legal searches. A surveyor checks the property. This stage can take 4–8 weeks.
7. Mortgage offer issued
The lender formally approves your mortgage. Usually within 2–4 weeks of application.
8. Exchange of contracts
You and the seller are legally committed. You pay your deposit at this point. No more pulling out without penalty.
9. Completion
The remaining funds transfer. The property is legally yours. Keys in hand.

20/05/2026

Chapter 2: What Does Buying a Home Actually Cost? 🏠
The mortgage is just one part of the equation. Here are the other costs first-time buyers often
underestimate: 👉
Cost Typical Range Notes
Solicitor / conveyancing fees £1,000 – £2,000 Plus disbursements (searches, Land
Registry)
Survey £300 – £700 Homebuyer's report recommended
Mortgage arrangement fee £0 – £1,500 Can often be added to mortgage
Stamp Duty Land Tax (NI) 0% up to £425k
(FTBs)
NI follows the same SDLT rules as England
Moving costs £300 – £1,500 Depends on distance & volume
Buildings & contents
insurance
£150 – £400/yr Required from exchange of contracts
�💡 Budget tip
As a rough rule, budget an additional £3,000–£5,000 on top of your deposit to cover all
buying costs. Having this ready avoids nasty surprises.
�🏠 Northern Ireland: Co-Ownership Housing
If you can't quite stretch to buying outright, Co-Ownership NI is a government-backed
scheme that lets you buy a share of a home (between 50% and 90%) and pay rent on the
rest — with the option to buy more shares over time. It's one of the most popular routes for first-time buyers in Northern Ireland - Ask your adviser whether you're eligible?

19/05/2026

Chapter 1: How Much Can You Borrow?

The first question most buyers have — and the answer might surprise you.
The income multiple rule
Most lenders will offer between 4 and 4.5 times your gross annual income. If you're buying with a
partner, both incomes typically count.

Annual Income At 4x and At 4.5x
£25,000 £100,000 £112,500
£35,000 £140,000 £157,500
£50,000 £200,000 £225,000
£60,000 (joint) £240,000 £270,000

These are rough guides — your actual borrowing limit depends on your outgoings, credit history,
and the specific lender. A broker can give you an accurate figure quickly.
Your deposit matters too -
The size of your deposit directly affects the interest rate you're offered. Here's a simple
breakdown:

• 5–9% deposit: You can get a mortgage, but rates will be higher
• 10% deposit: Significantly more deals available
• 15–20%+ deposit: Access to the best rates on the market

📌📌 Quick tip
Even a small improvement in your deposit percentage can save you thousands over the life
of your mortgage. It's worth waiting an extra few months if it moves you into a better
bracket.

18/05/2026

Welcome — You're In the Right Place!

Over the next 5 nights we will be touching on the process of buying your first home

Buying your first home is one of the biggest decisions you'll ever make. It can feel overwhelming
— mortgages, deposits, solicitors, surveys — but it doesn't have to be.
This guide breaks it all down into plain English. By the time you've finished reading, you'll know:
• How much you could borrow
• What the full cost of buying really looks like
• The step-by-step process from application to keys
• The common mistakes that catch first-time buyers off guard
• Exactly when and how to get expert help
💡💡 A note before we start
Everyone's situation is different. This guide gives you a solid foundation, but a free 20-
minute call with a mortgage broker can give you a personalised picture in minutes — with
no obligation.

12/05/2026

GREAT NEWS FROM THE MORTGAGE MARKET THIS WEEK!!🏠🌞

From today 12th May, both Nationwide and Virgin Money are cutting fixed rates:

👉Nationwide - reductions of up to 0.36% across First Time Buyer, Home Mover and Remortgage ranges.
👉Virgin Money - reductions of up to 0.26% on Remortgage products.

POSITIVE movement for clients at every stage of their property journey.

Rate windows don't stay open forever - keeping in touch with your financial adviser is important! 😎