Mortgage ready this spring? What first-time buyers should check now

Getting a mortgage for the first time can feel like navigating unfamiliar territory, but the preparation is more straightforward than many expect. If you are hoping to buy this spring, now is the time to check the key boxes so that when the right property comes along, you are ready to move with confidence.

April is one of the most active months in the property market, and for first-time buyers who have spent the winter saving and researching, it can feel like the moment everything becomes real.

Properties are coming to market regularly, viewings are being booked, and the momentum of the season makes the prospect of owning a home feel genuinely close. The buyers who are best placed to take advantage of that momentum are those who have done their preparation before they start viewing, not after.

Here is what to check now.

Your credit file

Lenders will assess your creditworthiness carefully before making any mortgage offer, and your credit file is central to that process. Check it before a lender does. All three main credit reference agencies, Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion, allow you to access your report, and it is worth reviewing all three as lenders may use different ones.

Look for any errors, outdated information, or accounts you do not recognise, and raise disputes promptly where necessary.

If your credit score is lower than you would like, the steps that improve it are well established: registering on the electoral roll at your current address, ensuring all bills are paid on time, keeping credit card balances well below their limits, and avoiding new credit applications in the months before you apply for a mortgage.

Small improvements take time, so the sooner you look, the better.

Your deposit and where it is held

Lenders will want to see evidence of your deposit, including where the funds have come from. Bank statements showing a consistent savings history are the most straightforward demonstration. If any part of your deposit is a gift from a family member, most lenders require a signed letter confirming it is a gift rather than a loan and that no repayment is expected.

If you hold a Lifetime ISA, confirm your balance and understand the process for withdrawing funds for a property purchase. The bonus is paid monthly, so timing matters. Your conveyancer will handle the withdrawal as part of the purchase process but understanding how it works in advance avoids surprises later.

What you can realistically borrow

Most lenders calculate the maximum mortgage amount based on a multiple of your annual income, though the exact multiple varies between lenders and depends on your individual circumstances. Run the numbers honestly against your income before you begin viewing, because falling in love with a property that is outside your realistic borrowing range creates problems that are difficult to step back from.

Use an online affordability calculator to establish a working figure but treat it as a guide rather than a guarantee. A broker will give you a more accurate picture based on your full financial situation, including any existing debt, childcare costs, or other significant outgoings that lenders factor into their assessments.

A mortgage in principle

A mortgage in principle, sometimes called a decision in principle or agreement in principle, is a conditional indication from a lender that they would be prepared to lend you a specified amount based on an initial assessment of your finances. It is not a formal mortgage offer, but it is an important signal to estate agents and sellers that you are a credible, prepared buyer.

In a competitive spring market, having a mortgage in principle in place before you begin viewing is strongly advisable. Some agents will not put forward offers from buyers who cannot demonstrate mortgage readiness, and in a situation where a property attracts multiple interested parties, being prepared can make the difference.

The right advisor 

Approaching your own bank directly is rarely the most effective route for a first-time buyer. A whole-of-market mortgage broker has access to products from dozens of lenders, many of which are not available on the high street and can search on your behalf to find the most competitive deal for your specific circumstances.

Look for a fee-free advisor whose advice is paid for by the lender rather than by you and ask them to walk you through the full cost of any product, including arrangement fees, not just the headline rate.

We recommend APR Money. Working together to help you move, John German meets the cost of the initial consultation which means there will be no broker fee to pay.

Spring 2026 offers genuinely encouraging conditions for first-time buyers. Rates are lower than they have been in some time and the choice of mortgage products is broad. Going into that market properly prepared makes the difference between watching opportunities pass and being ready to take them.

Speak to our mortgage team today and get your spring purchase moving.