{"id":1565,"date":"2026-05-18T10:00:26","date_gmt":"2026-05-18T10:00:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/epbfinancial.co.uk\/?page_id=1565"},"modified":"2026-05-18T10:13:11","modified_gmt":"2026-05-18T10:13:11","slug":"first-time-buyer-guide-uk-2026","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/epbfinancial.co.uk\/pl\/first-time-buyer-guide-uk-2026\/","title":{"rendered":"First-Time Buyer Guide UK 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-page\" data-elementor-id=\"1565\" class=\"elementor elementor-1565\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3e537a4 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"3e537a4\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1bbd0cc e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"1bbd0cc\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-345cb44 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"345cb44\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ae0b0ab elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"ae0b0ab\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">First-Time Buyer Guide UK 2026<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b07adbe e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"b07adbe\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-474a89f e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"474a89f\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f1dfee6 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"f1dfee6\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/epbfinancial.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/0ed1f71c-516c-4429-aeda-9656e20610a5-1024x683.png\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-1570\" alt=\"0ed1f71c 516c 4429 aeda 9656e20610a5\" srcset=\"https:\/\/epbfinancial.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/0ed1f71c-516c-4429-aeda-9656e20610a5-1024x683.png 1024w, https:\/\/epbfinancial.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/0ed1f71c-516c-4429-aeda-9656e20610a5-300x200.png 300w, https:\/\/epbfinancial.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/0ed1f71c-516c-4429-aeda-9656e20610a5-768x512.png 768w, https:\/\/epbfinancial.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/0ed1f71c-516c-4429-aeda-9656e20610a5.png 1536w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" title=\"First-Time Buyer Guide UK 2026\">\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7321814 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"7321814\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-10d3f56 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"10d3f56\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 data-section-id=\"63e63\" data-start=\"36\" data-end=\"97\">Everything You Need To Know Before Buying Your First Home<\/h3><p data-start=\"99\" data-end=\"304\">Buying your first home can feel exciting and overwhelming at the same time. With so many mortgage options, lenders and costs involved, it is important to understand the process before making any decisions.<\/p><p data-start=\"306\" data-end=\"619\">At EPB Financial, we help first-time buyers across the UK find mortgage solutions tailored to their financial situation, budget and future plans. Whether you are just starting to save for a deposit or already searching for your first property, our advisers are here to guide you through every step of the journey.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-93ba7e9 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"93ba7e9\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-abb14a5 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"abb14a5\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2 data-section-id=\"17okc2q\" data-start=\"626\" data-end=\"654\">What Deposit Do You Need?<\/h2><p data-start=\"656\" data-end=\"803\">Most mortgage lenders require a deposit before offering a mortgage. In many cases, first-time buyers need between 5% and 15% of the property value.<\/p><p data-start=\"805\" data-end=\"840\">Generally, the bigger your deposit:<\/p><ul data-start=\"841\" data-end=\"970\"><li data-section-id=\"11h17ub\" data-start=\"841\" data-end=\"880\">the better your mortgage rates may be<\/li><li data-section-id=\"1xns94n\" data-start=\"881\" data-end=\"927\">the lower your monthly repayments can become<\/li><li data-section-id=\"wygbrg\" data-start=\"928\" data-end=\"970\">the more lenders may be willing to offer<\/li><\/ul><p data-start=\"972\" data-end=\"1088\">Saving for a deposit is often the biggest challenge for first-time buyers, which is why planning ahead is essential.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d8ed067 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"d8ed067\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b83928e e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"b83928e\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f9f9439 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"f9f9439\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2 data-section-id=\"ddkmt7\" data-start=\"1095\" data-end=\"1134\">Understanding Mortgage Affordability<\/h2><p data-start=\"1136\" data-end=\"1241\">Lenders will assess whether you can comfortably afford monthly mortgage repayments. They usually look at:<\/p><ul data-start=\"1242\" data-end=\"1341\"><li data-section-id=\"ce1yai\" data-start=\"1242\" data-end=\"1255\">your income<\/li><li data-section-id=\"7yylny\" data-start=\"1256\" data-end=\"1274\">monthly expenses<\/li><li data-section-id=\"xxfhpi\" data-start=\"1275\" data-end=\"1304\">existing credit commitments<\/li><li data-section-id=\"8bkw3w\" data-start=\"1305\" data-end=\"1324\">employment status<\/li><li data-section-id=\"1wf1yp3\" data-start=\"1325\" data-end=\"1341\">credit history<\/li><\/ul><p data-start=\"1343\" data-end=\"1461\">Improving your credit score and reducing unnecessary debt can significantly improve your chances of mortgage approval.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-922e8b7 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"922e8b7\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b8a8575 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"b8a8575\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/epbfinancial.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/f4cc9420-6eba-434c-8db9-aa867fb35d09-1024x683.png\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-1569\" alt=\"f4cc9420 6eba 434c 8db9 aa867fb35d09\" srcset=\"https:\/\/epbfinancial.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/f4cc9420-6eba-434c-8db9-aa867fb35d09-1024x683.png 1024w, https:\/\/epbfinancial.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/f4cc9420-6eba-434c-8db9-aa867fb35d09-300x200.png 300w, https:\/\/epbfinancial.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/f4cc9420-6eba-434c-8db9-aa867fb35d09-768x512.png 768w, https:\/\/epbfinancial.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/f4cc9420-6eba-434c-8db9-aa867fb35d09.png 1536w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" title=\"First-Time Buyer Guide UK 2026\">\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5b271d1 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"5b271d1\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-bfafee1 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"bfafee1\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2 data-section-id=\"xcohdg\" data-start=\"1468\" data-end=\"1499\">Additional Costs To Consider<\/h2><p data-start=\"1501\" data-end=\"1599\">When buying your first property, there are additional costs beyond the deposit. These may include:<\/p><ul data-start=\"1600\" data-end=\"1689\"><li data-section-id=\"1qk5zbb\" data-start=\"1600\" data-end=\"1616\">solicitor fees<\/li><li data-section-id=\"118crny\" data-start=\"1617\" data-end=\"1631\">survey costs<\/li><li data-section-id=\"1q5lppf\" data-start=\"1632\" data-end=\"1659\">mortgage arrangement fees<\/li><li data-section-id=\"zgx5of\" data-start=\"1660\" data-end=\"1677\">moving expenses<\/li><li data-section-id=\"1k9bsj6\" data-start=\"1678\" data-end=\"1689\">insurance<\/li><\/ul><p data-start=\"1691\" data-end=\"1777\">Understanding these costs early helps avoid unexpected surprises later in the process.<\/p><hr data-start=\"1779\" data-end=\"1782\" \/><h2 data-section-id=\"1ay4fqk\" data-start=\"1784\" data-end=\"1809\">Getting Mortgage Ready<\/h2><p data-start=\"1811\" data-end=\"1860\">Before applying for a mortgage, it is helpful to:<\/p><ul data-start=\"1861\" data-end=\"2011\"><li data-section-id=\"kne3h8\" data-start=\"1861\" data-end=\"1887\">check your credit report<\/li><li data-section-id=\"aaherz\" data-start=\"1888\" data-end=\"1913\">organise your documents<\/li><li data-section-id=\"ql7950\" data-start=\"1914\" data-end=\"1949\">avoid large unnecessary purchases<\/li><li data-section-id=\"pzhxwc\" data-start=\"1950\" data-end=\"1969\">save consistently<\/li><li data-section-id=\"czq847\" data-start=\"1970\" data-end=\"2011\">speak with a qualified mortgage adviser<\/li><\/ul><p data-start=\"2013\" data-end=\"2110\">Having the right preparation can make the mortgage application process faster and less stressful.<\/p><hr data-start=\"2112\" data-end=\"2115\" \/><h2 data-section-id=\"1gv31xy\" data-start=\"2117\" data-end=\"2146\">How EPB Financial Can Help<\/h2><p data-start=\"2148\" data-end=\"2289\">We compare mortgage products from a wide range of lenders to help first-time buyers secure competitive rates and suitable mortgage solutions.<\/p><p data-start=\"2291\" data-end=\"2444\">Our CeMAP qualified advisers provide honest, professional and straightforward guidance tailored to your needs \u2014 helping you move forward with confidence.<\/p><h3 data-section-id=\"vw1gmt\" data-start=\"2446\" data-end=\"2507\">Ready to take your first step onto the property ladder?<\/h3><p data-start=\"2508\" data-end=\"2583\">Contact EPB Financial today and speak with one of our experienced advisers.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>First-Time Buyer Guide UK 2026 Everything You Need To Know Before Buying Your First Home Buying your first home can feel exciting and overwhelming at the same time. With so many mortgage options, lenders and costs involved, it is important to understand the process before making any decisions. At EPB Financial, we help first-time buyers [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"site-sidebar-layout":"no-sidebar","site-content-layout":"page-builder","ast-site-content-layout":"full-width-container","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"disabled","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"disabled","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"set","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-1565","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/epbfinancial.co.uk\/pl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1565","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/epbfinancial.co.uk\/pl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/epbfinancial.co.uk\/pl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/epbfinancial.co.uk\/pl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/epbfinancial.co.uk\/pl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1565"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/epbfinancial.co.uk\/pl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1565\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1573,"href":"https:\/\/epbfinancial.co.uk\/pl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1565\/revisions\/1573"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/epbfinancial.co.uk\/pl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1565"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}