FTB Mortgages

02/09/2026

🏡 Another happy first-time buyer! 🔑

Thank you so much for this lovely review! We’re thrilled we could make the process feel clear, simple and stress-free, while helping secure the right deal for you.

Congratulations on your new home! 🥂

28/08/2026

When buying a property, you may hear about a mortgage valuation and a home survey - but they’re not the same thing.

A mortgage valuation is arranged for the lender. It helps them decide whether the property provides suitable security for the mortgage.

A home survey, on the other hand, is for you as the buyer. It can highlight potential issues with the property’s condition that may not be obvious when viewing it.

Depending on the property, you may choose from different levels of survey, from a basic condition report to a more detailed building survey.

🔍 A survey could potentially identify issues that may need attention before you commit to the purchase.

While it’s an additional cost to consider, it’s worth understanding what you’re buying and making an informed decision.

If you’re unsure about the different checks involved when buying a home, we’re here to help explain the mortgage side of the process.



⚠️ Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up with repayments on your mortgage.

26/08/2026

Getting that phone call saying your offer has been accepted is a huge milestone! But what happens after the excitement wears off?

There are still a few important steps before you can get the keys:

📋 1. Instruct your solicitor
They’ll begin the legal work and arrange the necessary property searches.

🏦 2. Submit your mortgage application
If you don’t already have a formal mortgage offer, your application can now be submitted based on the property you’ve chosen.

📄 3. Receive your mortgage offer
Once the lender is happy with the application and property, they’ll issue your formal mortgage offer.

🔍 4. Searches & legal checks
Your solicitor will continue with the legal work and check everything is in order.

✍️ 5. Exchange contracts
Once contracts are exchanged, the purchase becomes legally binding and your completion date is agreed.

🔑 6. Completion!
The money is transferred, the purchase completes and you can finally collect the keys to your new home! 🏡

The journey between an accepted offer and getting the keys can feel like a lot of waiting and paperwork, but you don’t have to navigate it alone.

At FTB Mortgages, we’re here to support you throughout the process and help keep things moving wherever we can 😊



⚠️ Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up with repayments on your mortgage.

21/08/2026

When choosing a mortgage, it’s easy to focus on one thing - “How much will I pay each month?”

But your mortgage is likely to be one of the biggest financial commitments you’ll take on, so it’s important to think about the bigger picture too.

Things worth considering include:

✔️ How comfortable is the monthly payment within your budget?
✔️ How long is the mortgage term?
✔️ How much interest could you pay over the full term?
✔️ What happens when your initial deal comes to an end?
✔️ Could your circumstances change in the future?

A mortgage that looks affordable today also needs to work for you as your circumstances change.

There’s no one-size-fits-all mortgage, which is why looking at the bigger picture can be just as important as finding a competitive rate.



⚠️ Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up with repayments on your mortgage.

19/08/2026

If you’re applying for a mortgage, you may be asked to provide recent bank statements. But what are lenders actually looking for? 🧐

Bank statements can help a lender understand your overall financial situation, including:

✔️ Your regular income
✔️ Monthly household spending
✔️ Existing loans or credit commitments
✔️ Regular financial commitments
✔️ How you manage your money

It’s not simply about looking at how much money is in your account. Lenders are assessing whether the proposed mortgage is affordable alongside your existing financial commitments.

Every lender has their own criteria, so what one lender considers acceptable may differ from another.

If you’re unsure about your finances or what documents you’ll need for a mortgage application, getting advice early can help you feel prepared and avoid unnecessary surprises.



⚠️ Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up with repayments on your mortgage.

14/08/2026

The good news is that first-time buyers in England and Northern Ireland can currently benefit from Stamp Duty relief.

🏡 If your property costs £300,000 or less:
You won’t pay Stamp Duty.

🏡 If your property costs between £300,001 and £500,000:
You’ll pay 5% on the portion above £300,000.

🏡 If the property costs more than £500,000:
First-time buyer relief doesn’t apply.

Stamp Duty is just one of the additional costs to consider when buying a home, so it’s important to understand the full cost of your purchase before setting your budget.

If you’re unsure what costs you need to allow for, we’re here to help you understand the process.



⚠️ Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up with repayments on your mortgage.

12/08/2026

Everyone talks about first-time buyers, but moving home comes with its own set of questions and decisions too.

Whether you’re upsizing for more space, downsizing, relocating for work, or simply looking for a fresh start, choosing the right mortgage is just as important as finding the right property.

Every move is different, and we’re here to guide you through the process, answer your questions, and help make your move as straightforward as possible.

💬 If you’re thinking about moving home, we’d be happy to discuss your options.



⚠️ Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up with repayments on your mortgage.

07/08/2026

💬 Talking about money isn’t always easy… but it could be one of the most important conversations you have.

A recent BBC article highlighted how open conversations about finances helped one couple navigate everything from buying their first home to redundancy and even starting a business. By understanding their income, outgoings and future goals together, they were able to make informed decisions with confidence.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cz05rdn1n80o

🏡 If you’re buying a home with a partner, it’s worth discussing:
• Your income and monthly budget
• Savings and deposit contributions
• Credit commitments
• Your long-term financial goals

At FTB Mortgages, we’re here to make the mortgage side of that conversation as straightforward as possible. Whether you’re buying your first home together or moving up the property ladder, we’ll help you understand your options every step of the way.

📩 Get in touch if you’d like friendly, expert mortgage advice.

Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up with repayments on your mortgage.

Hannah and Max continued to pool finances after Max was made redundant but took "drastic measures" to cut spending.

05/08/2026

💬 “I didn’t think I’d get approved…”

It’s one of the most common things we hear from new clients.

Many people assume they won’t be able to get a mortgage because they don’t have a huge deposit, they’re self-employed, they’ve changed jobs recently, or they think their credit score isn’t “good enough”… The truth is, every situation is different!

There are lots of lenders available, all with their own lending criteria. What might not be suitable with one lender could be perfectly acceptable with another. That’s why it’s always worth having a conversation before ruling yourself out.

Even if you’re not planning to buy for another year or two, understanding your options now can help you plan ahead with confidence 😊

⚠️ Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up with repayments on your mortgage.

31/07/2026

When buying a property, you’ll often come across the terms freehold and leasehold. But what do they actually mean?

🏠 Freehold
If you own a property as a freeholder, you own both the property and the land it stands on. You’re responsible for maintaining the property, and there is no lease to expire.

🏢 Leasehold
If you buy a leasehold property, you own the property for a set number of years, but not the land it stands on. The land is owned by the freeholder (sometimes called the landlord).

As a leaseholder, you may need to pay charges such as:
✔️ Ground rent (where applicable)
✔️ Service charges
✔️ Maintenance costs for shared areas

The length of the lease can also be an important factor when buying a leasehold property.

Neither option is automatically better than the other - it depends on the property and your individual circumstances.

If you’re unsure what a property’s ownership type means for you, we’re always happy to explain your options.



⚠️ Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up with repayments on your mortgage.