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Throughout the COVID Pandemic, I have been working with first-time buyers to help provide them with the best advice, so that they are able to purchase their “dream first home”. Whilst working from home, and in an ever-changing market, I have found a new way of working. As with the rest of the world, I have had to adapt quickly to give, as ever, the best possible advice and outcome for my new clients given the fact that Mortgage lenders are changing lending criteria and their products on a weekly/sometimes daily basis, whilst they anticipate what is likely to happen to the economy after this COVID Pandemic. I wanted to share how the market has shifted during this Pandemic and how you as a first-time buyer can be best prepared. This is only advice I can offer on my experience up to date. Everyone's situation and circumstances are different, but I will always be transparent in my advice.

1.

Before the Pandemic hit, a lot of first-time buyers were able to get away with as little as just a 5% deposit. Now, that can be hard to obtain. This is due to the pressure on banks at present. There is still the option of 90% mortgages with some lenders but these are on a limited time offer only. They simply can't afford to have these offers available in the long term. It is worth maybe factoring this in your decision to buy your first home. With lockdown, people are currently able to save a bit more. If saving more of a deposit isn't an option, consider purchasing a cheaper property. It could be worth not pinning your hopes on a property at the higher end of your budget.