You don't have to use a mortgage broker to buy your first home. For many first-time buyers, a broker is the simpler route to see what you can borrow, which lenders are likely to accept your application, and which deal fits your circumstances.

You can go directly to your bank instead, but you'll only see your bank's own mortgage deals.

This guide is for anyone deciding between going straight to a lender or speaking to a broker first.

Around 40% of first-time buyers believe their best option is to arrange a mortgage through their existing bank, compared with 26% of adults overall. But familiarity isn't always the same as finding the most suitable option. In some situations, a broker can make the process much easier. In others, going direct can work perfectly well.

If you are still at the beginning, it may help to start with the basics of buying your first home.

Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage.

The short answer: Should first-time buyers use a mortgage broker?

Many first-time buyers find using a mortgage broker simpler because they can compare lenders and help manage the application process, although whether a broker is right for you depends on your circumstances. A broker compares deals from many lenders, including some that are harder to compare on your own, helps with paperwork, and matches you to lenders likely to approve your application. Going direct can still work, but you'll only see that lender's products.

Why first-time buyers use a mortgage broker:

  • Access to a wider range of lenders, though no broker has access to every product and some direct-only deals still exist.
  • Support with first-time buyer schemes and low-deposit products, though eligibility still depends on the lender and your circumstances.
  • Fewer wasted applications in some cases, though no broker can promise approval.
  • Less admin to manage yourself, since the broker handles much of the paperwork and lender chasing, though you'll still need to provide documents and answer questions.

What a mortgage broker does for a first-time buyer

A mortgage broker or mortgage adviser helps first-time buyers work out what they can borrow, compare lenders, and manage the mortgage application process.

In practice, a mortgage broker and a mortgage adviser mean the same thing in the UK.

Most lenders use around 4.5 to 5 times income as a guide, but they also look at your outgoings, debts, and credit history. A broker can give you a more accurate borrowing estimate based on real lender affordability rules.

A broker can also help you compare:

  • Interest rates
  • Arrangement fees
  • Cashback
  • Overpayment rules
  • Product features that matter to your situation

They can then submit the application and chase the lender for updates, which is useful when you're juggling estate agents, solicitors, and deadlines for the first time.

If you want a deeper explainer, read more about what a mortgage broker actually does and the questions to ask a mortgage broker before you choose one.

When a broker is most useful for first-time buyers

A broker is often most useful when the lender choice becomes narrower, or the application needs a closer fit.

  • You have a smaller deposit and need a high-LTV deal. LTV stands for loan-to-value, which means the percentage of the property's value that you're borrowing. A broker can help you find lenders supporting 95% LTV mortgages for first-time buyers, and in some cases, very high-LTV products such as Skipton Track Record or Santander My First Mortgage, which are designed for buyers with smaller deposits.
  • Your income is less standard. If you're self-employed, on a zero-hours contract, or still on probation, some lenders may apply stricter affordability checks or want more evidence of stable income. A broker can help you look at lenders that are more flexible with self-employed mortgages and similar cases.
  • Your credit file is thin or has a few issues. If you have little credit history, missed payments, or older problems on your file, a broker can help narrow down lenders that may still consider you and steer you away from applications that are unlikely to fit. That can make a real difference if you're buying with bad credit.
  • You're using a scheme with specific rules. Shared Ownership, the First Homes scheme, the Mortgage Guarantee Scheme, and Deposit Unlock all come with lender-specific criteria, and not every lender supports every scheme. Some schemes also work differently depending on where you're buying in the UK.
  • You're buying with someone else in a less standard setup. Buying with a partner, parent, friend, or guarantor can narrow the lender choice. A broker can help if the application involves a guarantor or a joint borrower, sole proprietor arrangement.
  • You're short on time. If you want someone else to handle the paperwork, check the lender fit, and keep the application moving, a broker can take a lot off your plate.

When you might not need a broker

You might not need a broker if your case is very straightforward and you're comfortable doing the research yourself. For example, if you're employed, have a solid deposit, a clean credit history, and you've already compared a few lenders yourself, going direct can work perfectly well.

Going direct can also make sense if your existing bank offers you a competitive customer-only rate and you've checked it properly against the wider market. Some buyers also simply prefer having direct control over the process, especially if they already understand the lender's criteria and feel comfortable comparing products themselves.

If you go direct, you'll only see one lender's products. If you want to sense-check whether that lender is genuinely a good fit, it’s worth comparing mortgage deals before you commit.

Mortgage broker vs your bank for a first-time buyer

The mortgage broker vs bank decision mostly comes down to how many lenders you see and how much help you want in figuring out which ones are likely to accept your application.

What you're comparing Using a mortgage broker Applying direct to a lender
Lender choice Compares deals from many lenders, including ones you can't approach directly You see only that lender's own products
Knowledge of lender criteria Knows which lenders are more likely to accept your application based on your circumstances You'll need to research lender criteria yourself, or risk being declined
Paperwork Broker handles much of the paperwork and chases the lender on your behalf You manage the application directly with the lender
Cost Some brokers are fee-free and paid by the lender. Others charge from around £300 to £500 or a percentage of the loan No broker fee, but You'll need to compare products yourself to determine whether the lender's deal is competitive for your circumstances.
First-time buyer schemes Can match you to lenders supporting Shared Ownership, First Homes, Mortgage Guarantee Scheme and similar products Limited to whatever schemes the lender supports
If you're declined A broker may be able to suggest alternative lenders that could be suitable, depending on your circumstances and the lender's criteria. You'll need to apply somewhere else from scratch, which can affect your credit file

How a broker helps you access first-time buyer schemes and low-deposit mortgages

A broker helps by matching you to lenders that support the scheme you qualify for. Many banks don't support every first-time buyer product, and the rules are often very specific.

The main schemes and products where that matching matters:

  • Shared Ownership: You buy a share of a property and pay rent on the rest. Not every lender supports it, and the housing association rules add another layer.
  • First Homes: An England-only scheme offering at least a 30% discount on eligible new-build homes. The lender list is shorter than for standard purchases.
  • Mortgage Guarantee Scheme: The original scheme changed in 2025, with lenders continuing to offer products designed to support 95% lending. A broker can help you find lenders using the current version of the scheme.
  • Deposit Unlock: A private scheme linked to participating developers and new-build homes, so the number of lenders offering it is smaller.
  • Lifetime ISA: A savings account with a government bonus that can help with your deposit if you meet the rules and use it for a qualifying first-home purchase. Read more about the Lifetime ISA.
  • Skipton Track Record and Santander My First Mortgage: Examples of very high-LTV products with specific criteria around rent history, deposit size, or property type.

Investment values can go down as well as up, and returns aren't guaranteed.

The rules also differ across the four nations. First Homes is England-only, while Help to Buy equity loan is closed in England but still available in Wales. Scotland and Northern Ireland have their own schemes too, including the Low-Cost Initiative for First-Time Buyers (LIFT) in Scotland and Co-Ownership in Northern Ireland.

First-time buyer tax rules differ, too. Scotland uses Land and Buildings Transaction Tax (LBTT), while Wales uses Land Transaction Tax (LTT). England and Northern Ireland use Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT).

A broker can help you work out which schemes and rules apply where you're buying.

How much does a mortgage broker cost a first-time buyer?

Some mortgage brokers are fee-free, which means they're paid by the lender. That payment is usually called a procuration fee, and it's typically around 0.35% of the loan amount.

Other brokers charge you a flat fee, often around £300 to £600, or a percentage of the loan that can go up to about 1%. Some charge on top of the lender commission.

Your broker should give you an Initial Disclosure Document explaining how the service works, how they're paid, and whether any fee applies. If you want the full breakdown, see what mortgage brokers charge in the UK.

What to look for when choosing a broker as a first-time buyer

The most important thing is checking that the broker is FCA-authorised. You can do that on the FCA Financial Services Register.

Five quick checks worth making:

  • FCA-authorised: The minimum bar. Check the firm on the register before you commit.
  • Number of lenders: 'Whole of market' is a regulated term, but it doesn't mean every lender. Ask how many they actually search and whether the panel includes major high-street names.
  • Clear on fees: Ask whether they're fee-free or fee-charging, and when any fee becomes payable.
  • First-time buyer experience: Ask how often they deal with first-time buyers and with the schemes you may be using.
  • Reviews: Third-party reviews can help, but look for patterns rather than one-off complaints.

For a fuller checklist, see Habito's guide on how to find a mortgage broker you can trust.

Habito is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FRN 714187).

This article is for general information only and isn't personal financial advice.

Frequently asked questions

Quick answers to the questions first-time buyers ask most when deciding whether to use a broker.

Is a mortgage broker free for first-time buyers?

Some brokers are fee-free and paid by the lender through commission, while others charge you directly. A fee-charging broker may ask for around £300 to £500 or a percentage of the loan. It's worth asking how they're paid before you commit.

What questions should a first-time buyer ask a mortgage broker?

Ask how many lenders they search, whether they charge a fee, whether they have experience with the schemes you may use, and how they handle paperwork and updates. If you want a longer checklist, read the full list of questions to ask a mortgage broker.

Are mortgage brokers worth it for first-time buyers?

Many first-time buyers find a broker helpful, particularly where they have a smaller deposit, more complex income, or want support navigating lender criteria and schemes. A broker can save time and help you avoid lenders that are a poor fit. It's still situational, but many buyers find the support worth it.

When should a first-time buyer speak to a mortgage broker?

Ideally, speak to a broker before you start viewing homes seriously. That gives you time to work out how much deposit you need and get a mortgage in principle, so you know your realistic budget before making an offer.

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Talk to a Habito mortgage adviser

Habito's mortgage advisers can help you compare mortgage options from lenders available through Habito's panel, including ones aimed at first-time buyers. The service is fee-free, and you can get started online if you want to.

Talk to a Habito mortgage adviser.

Options available to you will depend on lender criteria, affordability, and your personal circumstances.

Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage.

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