GUIDES
Mortgage for Bad Credit First-Time Buyer - GoMortgage®
First time buying and credit’s not perfect? We’ve got it covered.
Becoming a homeowner feels huge. Doing it when your credit history isn’t flawless feels even bigger. But it is possible. At GoMortgage, we specialise in helping first-time buyers with bad credit — with no judgement, just a smart plan and real solutions.
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Bad Credit Mortgages - Mortgage for bad credit first time buyer
Why this page matters
If you’re a first-time buyer and you’ve had credit problems (late payments, defaults, payday loans, no credit history, etc) then the usual “just plug in your details” approach won’t cut it. You need a broker who knows how to match your story to the right lender, not the other way round. That’s what we do.
Can a first-time buyer get a mortgage with bad credit?
Yes – absolutely. But, as the major lenders say, it is harder. You won’t be on the best products, but with the right deposit, good income, and the right broker, you can secure a first home.
Access Your Credit Report
Knowing exactly what lenders see is the first step. Checkmyfile lets you view your full credit picture across all three UK agencies in one place, helping you spot issues, track progress, and avoid surprises before you apply.
What lenders will want to see
Here’s what will count when you apply as a first-time buyer with imperfect credit:
- A stable income and employment.
- A realistic deposit or equity (often higher than standard).
- A clean recent record (fewer issues in the last 12-24 months).
- Details of any credit issues: what happened, when, how it’s been resolved (or is being resolved).
- Strong affordability: your outgoings and commitments must stack.
- If you’ve never used credit (thin file) then extra evidence of reliability.
Deposit, rates & what to expect
Because you’re in a more challenging category, expect:
- A bigger deposit than borrowers with clean Some cases may require 10-20% or more.
- Higher interest rates initially, as you are more risk to the lender.
- A narrower choice of lenders – many high street lenders won’t accept compromised credit first-time buyers, so you’ll need specialist lenders.
- A plan to improve and remortgage later when your credit improves.
How GoMortgage works with first-time buyers with bad credit
Here’s our process:
- Initial chat – we get your full background: credit issues, deposit, employment,
- Credit review – we pull your multi-agency check (free link) and map what’s on your file.
- Strategy session – we determine whether you’re ready now or need short-term
- Lender matching – we identify specialist/whole-of-market lenders who accept your type of case.
- Application prep – we build your story: explain the credit problems, show how you’ve changed and strengthened your position.
- Submission & chase – we manage the process, keep you updated, get you through offer to completion.
Aftercare – once you’re in your first home, we set a roadmap to remortgage or improve terms as your credit purifies and equity grows
Tips to strengthen your case before applying
- Pull your own full credit report (three agencies). Know what you’re up against.
- Pay all current commitments on time for at least 3-6 months.
- Save consistently – the more deposit you can put down, the stronger your case.
- Avoid new credit applications – each search or new card can hurt your profile.
- Explain the context of any past credit problems (job loss, illness, pandemic, etc) and show how things have stabilised.
- Work with a broker who knows specialist bad-credit first-time buyer lenders (hint: that’s us).
Ready to start your first-time buyer journey?
Even with less-than-perfect credit, you still can become a homeowner. The key: the right plan, the right expert, and the right time.
Call us at 01253 935050 or start with your multi-agency credit report: Get Your Free Trial Here
At GoMortgage: real people. Real plans. Real first homes.
Speak With A Mortgage Advisor today
Contact our friendly mortgage advice team. Sound mortgage advice from the experts at GoMortgage.
Author: Chris Days Head of Content
- 5 Mins
- Updated: Nov 5 2024
Frequently Asked Questions
Will a deposit of only 5% work if I’ve had bad credit?
Unlikely. With compromised credit you’ll normally need more than the standard minimum to compensate for lender risk.
Is there a minimum credit score for first-time buyers with bad credit?
No fixed minimum. Each lender sets its own criteria. What matters is the detail of your case: timing, size and resolution of issues.
Can I apply if I have a default or CCJ?
Yes – but the older, smaller and settled the case is, the better. We’ll match you to lenders used to dealing with these items.
What if I’ve never had credit at all (thin file)?
That can be treated similarly to “bad credit” – you’ll need to show you’re reliable in other ways (deposit, employment, savings).
Should I wait 12-24 months before applying?
Sometimes yes. If you’ve had recent problems, a short improvement period may improve your approval chances and terms. We’ll advise you honestly.
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