Supportive First Time Buyer Mortgage Advice
Chat with us online, or meet up in-person in St Albans, Hertfordshire or London.
Your mortgage is a loan secured against your home. Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up payments on your mortgage or on any other debt secured against it. The Financial Conduct Authority does not regulate some forms of Buy to Lets.
WELCOME TO THE MARTEL FAMILY
Why should First Time Buyers use a Mortgage Broker?
Buying your first home comes with a lot of moving parts. Solicitors, surveyors, lenders, estate agents, all with their own timelines and their own priorities.
My job is to sit in the middle and keep things moving. One number to call. One person who knows your case.
We search across high street lenders, specialist lenders and private banks to find the right fit for your situation. If your own bank has the right deal, I can arrange that for you too.
Get in touch with us by calling on 01727 309 160 (M-F, 9am-6pm) or submitting our online form. When you call, you'll speak to a real person, based in the UK. They'll take your details and your broker will get back to you directly.
HOW WE WORK TOGETHER
Taking things step by step
Whether you are down the road in St Albans, commuting from Harpenden, or dialling in from a different time zone entirely, we keep our process completely transparent
A Friendly Chat
We talk through your plans over the phone or a coffee to see how I can help.
The Search
We explore mortgage options from high street, specialist lenders, and private banks, to find the right fit for your situation.
The Paperwork
Once you send over your basic documents, we handle the application forms and chase the providers.
Our initial conversation is entirely without obligation. If you would like to run some numbers or just want to ask a quick question, drop us a message.
SPECIALIST FIRST TIME BUYER SERVICES
How can we help?
As a first time buyer, there are several schemes that could help you onto the property ladder. Here's what's currently available.
Lifetime ISA: Use your Lifetime ISA savings towards your first home deposit. You keep the 25% government bonus as long as you meet the eligibility rules.
Shared Ownership: Buy a share of a property and pay rent on the rest. You can increase your share over time.
Forces Help to Buy: Available to serving military personnel. Borrow up to 50% of your salary interest-free towards a deposit.
Right to Buy: If you're a council or housing association tenant, you may be eligible to buy your home at a discount.
Help to Buy - Equity Loan: Now closed to new applicants, but we can still help existing equity loan holders with their mortgage.
Scheme rules change. We'll talk through what's relevant to your situation before you make any decisions.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
Clear Mortgage Advice for First Time Buyers in St Albans & Beyond
Getting a mortgage on your first home does not have to be a stressful process. We are here to answer your questions and guide you through every stage of your purchase.
How much deposit do I need to buy my first home?
Most lenders ask for a minimum of 5% of the property price, though 10% gives you access to better rates. Some lenders offer specialist first time buyer products that may require a smaller deposit. The right amount depends on your situation and what's available at the time - and that's where advice from a qualified mortgage broker really pays off.
How much can I borrow as a first time buyer?
Most lenders will lend between 4 and 4.5 times your annual income, sometimes more if they specialise in First Time Buyers. This varies by lender and depends on your outgoings and credit profile.
Best to get in touch as soon as you start thinking about getting your own place - it's free to enquire and we'll work out a realistic figure before you start viewing.
What schemes are available for first time buyers in 2026?
The main options currently include Shared Ownership, Lifetime ISA purchases, Forces Help to Buy, Right to Buy, and Help to Buy: Equity Loan for remaining eligible cases. We have experience in them all and will happily talk you through what applies to your situation.
Can I use a gifted deposit to buy my first home?
Yes. Many lenders accept gifted deposits, usually from a close family member such as a parent or grandparent. The lender will ask for a signed letter confirming the gift is not a loan and has no expectation of repayment. We'll guide you through what's needed and make sure it's packaged correctly for the lender.
How long does it take to buy a first home?
From offer accepted to keys in hand, most purchases take between 8 and 16 weeks. The timeline depends on your chain, your solicitor, and how quickly the mortgage offer comes through. The most common causes of delay are slow solicitors, missing documents, and lender backlogs; we chase all of those on your behalf and keep you updated so you're never left wondering what's happening.
Do I need a mortgage broker if I'm a first time buyer?
You don't have to use one. But a broker gives you access to lenders your bank doesn't offer, and someone who knows which lenders are likely to say yes to your specific situation before an application goes anywhere near your credit file. For a first time buyer especially, getting that right first time matters — a declined application can affect your ability to apply elsewhere.
Have another question? We're happy to help.