DeskLodge Expert Series: Making Buying Your First Home Easy

January is the perfect time to set big goals for the year ahead, and if buying your first home is on your list, we’re here to help! As part of our series of expert insights from DeskLodge members, Paul from WR Ethical shares his top tips on preparing for a mortgage. You’ll find Paul and his team in DeskLodge Beacon Tower every Monday & Tuesday, and they are always happy to chat about your mortgage questions.

If you’re a fellow Desklodger (and why wouldn’t you be - the atmosphere is fantastic, and the decor really helps you stand out from the crowd!), they’ll give you £50 off their (already very reasonable) fees.

Paul says:
"While we offer mortgages for all types of buyers, over half of the people we help are first-time buyers—and we love guiding them through this exciting milestone. If you’re aiming to step onto the property ladder in 2025, this blog and our First Time Buyer Timeline are great starting points.

Buying your first home is a very individual journey and everybody’s experience is different. While it is possible to fly through in less than 6 months, it often takes longer than you might anticipate - typically 9-12 months from first getting serious to moving day. 

When seen as one big task, the process can feel daunting. That’s why we recommend breaking it into these five clear stages:

Preparing Your Finances – Saving your deposit, improving your credit score, and understanding your budget.

Getting Mortgage Ready – Educating yourself on the different mortgage types, choosing the right mortgage and securing an agreement in principle.

Finding a Property – House-hunting tips and making an offer.

The Legal Part – Navigating contracts, surveys, and conveyancing.

Moving – Preparing for your big day with practical advice on removals, utilities, and settling in.

To help you stay organised, we’ve created a free A4 wall-planner that outlines each stage, with space to track your progress. Think of it as your home-buying roadmap.

We’ve also begun publishing a series of in-depth guides to supplement the planner. The first guide, Preparing Your Finances, is already available. Here’s what it covers:

‍Assessing Your Financial Health: Learn how to calculate your affordability and prioritise saving.

How to Grab £1,000 from the Government: Explore schemes like the Lifetime ISA to boost your savings.

Practical Tips to Save Your Deposit: Simple ideas to cut costs, from reducing subscriptions to using cashback apps.

Getting to Grips with Your Credit Score: Understand what lenders look for and how to improve your score.

Planning Your Finances Post-Purchase: Avoid surprises by budgeting for costs like utilities, council tax, and maintenance.

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Buying your first home is an exciting milestone, but it’s a journey that requires careful planning and preparation. With resources like our A4 wall-planner and detailed guides, we aim to make the process as smooth and stress-free as possible.

At WR Ethical, our award wining team are passionate about supporting first-time buyers with practical tools, expert advice, and friendly chats whenever you need. If you’re ready to get started—or simply want to explore your options—why not pop into our office in DeskLodge Beacon Tower or visit us online? Together, we’ll make your dream of home ownership a reality.

Remember, your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage."

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