If you are a prospective first-time buyer (FTB), you may have considered low or no-deposit mortgages to help you get on the property ladder. However, these are complex loans, so it is important to be fully informed before making a decision. The government has also recently announced a new FTB initiative, called Your First Home, which is expected to support eligible buyers with smaller deposits through a government-backed equity loan. As with any homebuying scheme, it is important to understand the eligibility criteria, costs and long-term implications before proceeding. Things to consider Higher loan-to-value (LTV) mortgages can come with higher interest rates than some lower-LTV alternatives, although this varies between lenders and products. Lower rates are available with a 5% or 10% deposit – your mortgage adviser can assess whether it’s advisable to save for a for a little longer so you can increase your deposit and access better deals. With such a high LTV ratio, you would be at greater risk of falling into negative equity – this is when the amount you owe your mortgage lender is more than the value of your property. Even if you have a low deposit, you will likely still need to pay a substantial sum of money upfront. You should factor in Stamp Duty, conveyancing fees, surveys, moving costs and other unforeseen expenses. You will therefore still need to prepare your finances to afford this. No deposit deals If you have a 100% LTV (with no deposit), you could consider guarantor or family-assisted mortgages. A guarantor mortgage is when a relative or close friend may become responsible for some or all of the mortgage debt if the borrower cannot meet their obligations. The guarantor does not have a share in the property, but their own home would be at risk if they cannot repay the loan either. The details of family-assisted mortgage vary depending on the lender. It can involve a relative putting a set amount of savings into an account linked to the mortgage - this acts as security on the mortgage, which is released back to the family member after a specific length of time. What are the limitations? Making overpayments would help you to pay off your mortgage quicker, if you are in a better financial position in future. Lenders generally have a limit on how much you can overpay and there may be repayment charges, so check the terms. Some low-deposit deals do not include certain new-build homes or they have a limit on the property’s value. This may affect your ability to buy your ideal home, so consider if it is worth the compromise. Seek advice Don’t jump into anything - talk to us first. Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage  Sources: https://www.gov.uk/first-homes-scheme https://www.whatmortgage.co.uk/news/no-deposit-mortgages-5-things-ftbs-should-watch-out-for/ Photo by Jakub Żerdzick on Unsplash

Whether you’re going on holiday or just heading out for the day, there are steps you can take to help protect your home from burglars. Between March 2024 and 2025, 245,284 burglaries were reported in England and Wales. With the nights getting longer, there are more opportunities for thieves to attempt a break-in under cover of darkness. While you cannot completely eliminate the risk of a burglary, there are precautionary measures to deter opportunistic burglars. Make use of technology Smart video doorbells have become increasingly popular – they allow you to keep an eye on activity outside your home when you aren’t in. Motion detection sensors that will send a notification to your phone when movement has occurred. Not only does this allow you to speak to a delivery driver while you’re away from home, it also helps you to spot any suspicious activity. Smart lightbulbs can also be useful, particularly if you’re going away. They can be controlled remotely from your phone and scheduled to switch on and off at different times, helping to create the impression that someone is at home, even when the property is empty. While the latest gadgets can be beneficial, it’s important not to overlook more traditional security measures. Check that your burglar alarm is working properly and get into the habit of setting it every time you leave the house. No empty driveways If you’re going away for an extended period, try to have a car parked outside your house - perhaps a friend or neighbour can help by using your driveway. They could also move your bins on the relevant days, so it is less obvious that the property is empty. Don’t attract attention Take a look at your home from the outside and check if any valuable items are visible through the windows. Laptops, televisions, game consoles and other expensive gadgets could attract the attention of a potential thief, so consider moving them out of sight. You should also lock away any ladders or tools that a burglar could use to gain access to your property. Before going away, check that all windows and doors are securely locked and avoid leaving spare keys in obvious hiding places, such as under a doormat or plant pot. Check your insurance If you are unlucky enough to experience a burglary, having the right cover will be essential. Buildings insurance will typically cover any insured damage to the structure of your home, such as broken glass and damaged locks. Contents insurance usually covers you for any possessions that have been stolen, subject to the policy terms, limits and exclusions. You may need additional cover for high-value items or bicycles, so it’s important to check the terms and conditions. Contact us to review your policy. As with all insurance policies, conditions and exclusions will apply. Sources: https://www.which.co.uk/news/article/10-tips-to-keep-your-home-safe-while-you-are-away-aF8t63i4fRA9 https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/crimeandjustice/bulletins/crimeinenglandandwales/yearendingmarch2025?utm_source=chatgpt.com Photo by Sarah Brown on Unsplash Photo by Sarah Brown on Unsplash

Research suggests that many buyers’ priorities have shifted, as they no longer look for properties requiring major renovation. A survey found that 53% of buyers would not take on a property that needed major work. Meanwhile, only 6% said they would actively look for a property that needs renovation. Some (41%) buyers were willing to consider taking on a project, provided that the asking price was reflective of the work that was required. First-time buyers (FTBs) have traditionally been attracted to fixer-upper properties because they offer a way to buy in a preferred location at a lower price. According to Nationwide, this is because it can enable new homeowners to buy in their preferred location and shape the home to their own taste. However, the survey by LRG indicates that FTB behaviour is changing, with only 5% saying they would seek out a home that needs renovating. The typical renovation project costs £85,000 or more, with 75% of FTBs carrying out more DIY on their new home than expected. The findings suggest that buyers may still be willing to renovate but are increasingly looking for the purchase price to reflect the cost and effort involved. We can help you – get in touch for mortgage advice. Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage. Sources: https://thenegotiator.co.uk/news/uk-housing-market-news/no-desire-for-doer-uppers-as-buyers-seek-certainty/ https://thepropertyai.co.uk/property-news/buyers-turn-away-from-renovation-projects-lrg-survey-finds?utm_source=chatgpt.com Photo by Roselyn Tirado on Unsplash Photo by Roselyn Tirado on Unsplash

Research has found that many parents with children under 18 do not have appropriate protection in place, potentially leaving their families vulnerable to financial shocks. The survey indicates that many parents would struggle to maintain their current standard of living if they were unable to work due to illness or injury. A third (32%) said they could cover essential expenses for less than three months if their income stopped. Meanwhile, if they were out of work for a year, the biggest concern for parents would be paying their household bills (50%) and keeping up with mortgage or rent payments (49%). Almost half (46%) were worried about being able to afford food and other necessities. Parents putting it off Four in ten parents expressed concern about providing for their family if their income stopped. This anxiety could be alleviated by taking out protection, which provides peace of mind that you will be covered through life’s unexpected moments. However, many survey respondents did not have adequate insurance in place. Over a third (37%) said they thought about getting income protection when they had children, but only 18% actually did so. This suggests that, while some parents understand the value of protection, it is not the top of their priority list. Justin Garbutt at Vitality commented, "There is a clear gap between how much parents value protection and how often it gets acted on. Many recognise its importance, but good intentions are not always translating into action.” Are your savings enough? It may be tempting to rely on your savings instead of a protection policy, but have you worked out how long these funds would realistically last? Nearly a third (31%) of respondents said they have less than £3,000 to fall back on if their income stopped. For most families, this would not be a sufficient financial buffer, so an additional layer of support would be necessary. Consult an adviser According to the survey, 13% of parents said that they would like to get protection, but they haven’t got round to it yet. Meanwhile, 31% are concerned that they can’t afford protection. A professional adviser can support you through the process and source a policy that works for your financial situation. We understand that when you’re a parent, there are lots of tasks on your to-do list, but protection is not something that should be overlooked. Making time to sort this now could significantly alleviate stress in the future, should you be unable to work. As with all insurance policies, conditions and exclusions will apply. Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage. Sources: https://protectionreporter.co.uk/one-in-three-parents-lack-protection-for-income-shock.html https://www.vitality.co.uk/media/new-research-suggests-income-shock-could-push-one-in-three-parents-into-hardship-within-three-months/ Photo by Lawrence Crayton on Unsplash Photo by Lawrence Crayton on Unsplash

Recent data has emphasised the importance of being transparent with your insurer, otherwise your protection claim could be denied. According to LV=, around 5% of protection claims were declined in 2025. The main reasons for this were misrepresentation or non-disclosure; policyholders commonly provided inaccurate information about their smoking status, alcohol consumption and medical history. Leaving out a detail or telling a small ‘white lie’ when applying for protection insurance may seem insignificant. However, even minor inaccuracies could affect the validity of your cover and ultimately prevent you from receiving a payout when you need it most. We understand that non-disclosure might not always be intentional. You may simply forget to mention a previous medical condition, particularly if it happened a long time ago. This is why it is important to take your time when completing an application and check your records carefully. Don’t let inaccuracies be the reason you don’t receive a payout. If you already have protection in place, it is worth checking that the information you provided when applying is accurate and your insurer has been informed of any changes in circumstances. As with all insurance policies, conditions and exclusions will apply. Sources: https://www.covermagazine.co.uk/news/4532874/misrepresentation-disclosure-reasons-denied-claims-lv https://www.lv.com/about-us/press/lv-pays-out-nearly-152-million-in-protection-claims-in-2025-its-highest-on-record?utm Photo by Vitaly Gariev on Unsplash Photo by Vitaly Gariev on Unsplash