Mortgage and legal advice

When you buy a home it is important that you make informed decisions so that you can afford to enjoy your new home for a long time.

We suggest a panel of independent mortgage advisors and solicitors to help you.

The organisations on these panels are professionally qualified and experienced in all matters associated with Help to Buy; this makes a big difference to how smoothly your purchase proceeds. They have been selected because they show service levels we expect to be provided to our customers. We monitor customer feedback to make sure they offer value for money and provide a good service. However, please note that Moat accepts no liability for the performance or actions of any of these organisations.

Increasingly, lenders are requiring purchasers to have some money to put towards a mortgage deposit. A larger deposit makes a big difference. For the majority of people who apply to us for Help to Buy, mortgages are still available and remain relatively affordable. Despite the current economic conditions, some 100% mortgages are available, subject to status and availability. However, the majority of purchasers are likely to require at least a 10% deposit (5% for FirstBuy). As a result your application form must confirm access to at least £5,000 in savings, to contribute towards your deposit, as well as other up-front purchase costs such as legal and mortgage arrangement fees.

Lenders are more likely to approve mortgages to people with clean credit histories. If you are unsure of your own credit history you can access a copy of your credit file via an organisation such as www.experian.co.uk. A fee is payable but this could save you time and money in the long run.

BBC news article: 'How to be a first-time buyer'

The BBC has written a useful article on 'How to be a first-time buyer' - Reproduced from the BBC News Business written on 28 February 2012.

Download details about our panel

Getting the right mortgage advice – Moat’s mortgage panelclick here

Getting the right legal advice – Moat's legal panelclick here

Moat staff are not qualified or regulated to provide mortgage advice. For further information please contact our mortgage panel.