15 Jul 2025
Nationwide ease criteria for first-time buyers
As of 16th July 2025, Nationwide will ease their 'Helping Hand' mortgage that is designed to help first-time buyers get onto the property ladder by allowing them to borrow up to six times their income.
The change will allow first-time buyers earning at least £30,000 (previously £35,000), and joint applicants with a combined £50,000 (previously £55,000) to apply for the Helping Hand mortgage.
Nationwide anticipate this revision will help an extra 10,000 first-time buyers per year.
The reason for the change comes following the Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA) announcement allowing lenders to increase high loan-to-value lending.
There are several first-time buyer schemes and products available from a variety of lenders. To learn more, click here. or contact our independent mortgage brokers on 01628 507477.
Recent posts
Housing Secretary Angela Rayner has announced a new measure to protect leaseholders in England and Wales from high fees and poorly regulated property management companies.
Saturday 26th September, Andy Burnham announced a new equity loan scheme called “Your First Home”. The scheme, which will be confirmed at next month’s budget, is aimed at first-time buyers looking to purchase a new-build property from a developer signed up to the scheme.
Losing your job or finding yourself ‘between jobs’ is, unsurprisingly, a stressful place to be. Keeping a cool head and taking action is important.
Best UK Mortgage Rates this Week
8 days ago
Here are the lowest fixed mortgage rates of the week, available to first-time buyers, home movers, buy-to-let, and those remortgaging.
Call us for more information: 01628 507477 or email: team@mortgagerequired.com.
Flats 40% cheaper to buy than houses
12 days ago
This price gap between the cost of houses and flats is the biggest it has ever been. Houses are now costing 1.7 times more than a flat, which is 0.4 times higher than 10 years ago
Take a look at our list of houses vs. flats per area.
Are mortgage rates set to increase?
22 days ago
We have seen several lenders increase their mortgage rates over the last couple of weeks. This suggests mortgage rates are likely to rise.
Although nothing is set in stone, lender repricing, rising swap rates, and continued economic uncertainty suggest borrowers should prepare for higher mortgage costs.
AI-altered images put off over half of buyers
24 Aug 2026
According to data from House Buyer Bureau, where over 900 UK homebuyers were surveyed, 54% of people said that they immediately ruled out digitally enhanced property listings.
April Mortgages offer 7x Income Mortgage
13 Aug 2026
April Mortgages - only accessed via a mortgage broker - offers first-time buyers, renters, and home-movers the option to borrow up to 7 times their income on its longer-term mortgages.
More information
Trusted by
