First Time Buyer Mortgages

We could write a book about first time buyer process, pitfalls, tips and tricks and if you are looking for a truckful of info please get in touch. For the super condensed but still super version please see below!

1st gear…

Accommodation requirements and room to grow. Add absolute non-negotiables which may be off street parking/shower/garden or any number of others. You may find your list expands or contracts!

Area

Transport links/commuting

Target price

Into 2nd…

Get in touch to get an indication of maximum mortgage availability and associated buying costs. We recommend you take this step before viewing properties because the result of this may change some of your thinking in step 1!

We research for you to get the right lender, the right products and handle the application and paperwork for you when you find your property. We may suggest we carry out an agreement in principle which we do not charge for and is an excellent indication of your available mortgage amount. Simples!

Accelerate to 3rd…

Find your property with help from an estate agent or online. Be prepared to view many properties or you may be lucky and find your dream place immediately!

And 4th…

When you have found the right place and agreed the right price let’s talk again!

Find a reputable and ideally recommended solicitor or licensed conveyancer to conduct the legal work for you (we can recommend several if you do not have one).

We will identify the mortgage product and provider available at the time that is right for your needs… and budget and apply for the mortgage for you.

Paperwork? We will handle that along with the lender valuation.

The result: A formal offer of a mortgage will be issued to you quickly and with minimal fuss.

5th…

You have your mortgage offer and your legal team are happy that the property is suitable you sign your contract and contracts are “exchanged” with a your moving (completion) date agreed at that time. Plan your packing…

Top gear…

Up early, final packing and load up. You should get a call during the day from the agent or solicitor that completion has taken place and you can pick up the keys. Enjoy your day!

Unless you are super chilled(like ice cold)most will find some (or all) of this process quite stressful.

At Oakwood we ease the trauma, navigate you along the way, answer all your questions (like Siri but in HUMAN form) and generally be your partner in the process from start to finish.

Get in touch for a fee-free and confidential initial chat about how we can make your journey to your first property smooth and stress free and to answer any other questions that you may have.

Blog Archives

Google Rating

5.0

Oakwood Mortgage Services Ltd

5.0

Victoria McCarrick

21:08 12 Sep 24

Oakwood Mortgage Services have been invaluable in securing the best mortgage deal for buying our house. Friendly, helpful, extremely professional and very responsive. Made the whole process of securing a good mortgage for us so much easier. Couldn’t recommend them more highly. Thank you Richard and team for all your hard work!

jaki mace

15:37 12 Aug 24

My Husband and I were recommended to Jake to help us to navigate our pensions and to sort them out as best as possible to suit our needs. Nothing was too much trouble for Jake and he was very friendly, professional and patient throughout the entire process. He carefully advised us and facilitated the consolidation of our pensions into a simple and efficient option and we felt a lot of peace of mind in doing this with him. We had been putting off doing this for ages but Jake made it a nice experience. We would not hesitate to recommend him to anyone that is thinking of assessing their pensions to ensure that they are working as hard as they can to suit you.

Charlotte Hannant

07:39 06 Jul 24

Jake was brilliant throughout the the purchase of our first house. As first time buyers we didn’t know anything about the process and Jake took the time to walk us through it so we knew what to expect at each stage. Jake showed us multiple mortgage options, some of which we didn’t know were available to us and resulted in us buying the perfect first home. We also really appreciated Jake’s recommendation for the solicitors as they made the process quick and stress free and Jake kept us regularly updated. After this Jake walked us through all our financial cover options so we could make the best decision for us. Overall, Jake made buying our first house incredibly easy from start to end and I’ve already recommended him to friends who have been incredibly grateful for him too!

Angelica Gearap

20:15 03 Jul 24

Jake Ward was our Mortgage Adviser. He was absolutely amazing through all the process. Very patient, knowledgeable and giving us the best advise based on our case. We faced challenges together, but we emerged successfully and because of him we secured the best deal for our dream home. Thank you so much for everything Jake. You went above and beyond and also the price versus service was very good. We strongly recommend Jake. He is the best

Luigi Del Vecchio

16:32 27 Jun 24

I have recently used the services of Jake Ward to re-mortgage. My previous mortgage was going to expire in May, so we started looking at options in January. Jake advised me to secure one offer, after having browsed through the entire market. Jake took time to explain to me all the many offers and options available to me. I am very glad that I followed his advise, because soon after the rates increased even more! I would recommend Jake Ward’s services to anyone with similar needs. Cheers Jake!

Tim Waterson

07:07 19 Jun 24

Jake provided a fantastic service and did not give up despite several rejections due to being self employed and awkward lending criteria. He worked tirelessly to find me the right product and kept me informed throughout. the information and advice was clear and easy to understand and I would highly recommend Oakwood.

Sam Jones

10:43 11 Jun 24

Jake Ward made our experience of buying our first property extremely stress free. I cannot recommend using him enough, the timescale was short for a purchase, we were kept well informed, and any bump in the road was solved quickly and treated urgently. Money well spent on using him and Oakwood.

shaun penticost

09:16 11 Jun 24

I would like to thank Jake from Oakwood mortgage services for his excellent service when re-mortgaging to buy our dream home. Jake went above and beyond and left no stone unturned to ensure a smooth transaction from start to finish. I would highly recommend Jake to any of my friends family and business networks. Thanks once again Shaun and Sarah

Gavin Waller

18:40 10 Jun 24

‘Our journey to buy our first house was challenging due to a number of issues. At times throughout the last few years we thought the dream of owning our own home was years away. Having been knocked back by so many mortgage advisors, we reached out to Jake. What can I say!!! Jake is not only an extremely good mortgage advisor, he is an amazing person. Despite our circumstances, Jake refused to give in and was relentless in his pursuit to deliver us our own home. At times, it felt Jake wanted it as much as we did, which only serves to demonstrate his personal and committed approach. Despite several knock backs, Jake continued to review the market without instruction from us (we thought our dream had gone), only to successfully find us a mortgage a few weeks later. We brought our family home in March this year which was incredible. Jake is not only someone we will rely on in the future in all financial matters, I'm proud to call him a friend. A friend who has changed our lives forever! Thank you Jake.’

Liam Kapota

18:33 10 Jun 24

Jake came highly recommended and he quickly showed us why!A font of knowledge who has been incredibly patient with helping us with our first mortgage.His welcoming and informative approach also enabled us to look at (and enhance) our protection.

Chris Doney

18:30 10 Jun 24

Jake Ward was absolutely amazing! He was very patient with me as a first time buyer. I had loads of questions and he was happy to answer them all and explain things to me. He looked at all different offers for the best price for us. He IS THE REASON we were able to buy our first home. We didn’t think we could afford it but he found us the exact deal that was both affordable and gave us enough to purchase our first home. On top of this we was able to refer us to a great conveyancer to smooth the process. After this he was available to assist us in relative life cover. When we come to remortgage or more to a different home, he will be the first person I call.

Melanie Day

17:36 10 Jun 24

Jake was incredibly helpful when we were trying to secure a mortgage. He went above and beyond to get us the offer we needed. He was really supportive and explained everything really thoroughly. Would highly recommend.

Anthony Said

13:15 10 Jun 24

Kate was able to jump in and help us with our remortgage at short notice. It has been a pleasure working with Kate who has made us feel at ease during this. We have ended up making significant savings due to Kate's quick actions and responsiveness, and very much look forward to working with her again.

Evan Horton

17:05 21 May 24

My wife and I have known Andy Sweetman for 14 years and can testify to his absolute integrity. When Andy qualified as a Finacial Adviser we were very pleased we could entrust our finances to him..Our pensions were scattered across several different pension schemes.Through Andy’s diligent work in consolidating all of these; it is now a great relief to understand our financial situation and feel in control with retirement looming..We greatly appreciate Andy’s personal touch, his regular updates, his advice and dedicated care of our finances. We highly recommend Andy and Oakwood Mortgage Services..

Isabel Hargreaves

08:00 08 May 24

Dave Pearn recently helped us with renewing our mortgage. He was absolutely superb in every way. We were fairly skeptical as we thought the best deals would be on line directly with the providers but we were proved wrong. We are so pleased that we chose to use a broker and Dave was fantastic and kept us up to date with all the progress throughout. Thanks so much. We are so grateful.

Sally Ross

19:36 14 Apr 24

Would 100% recommend Oakwood Mortgage Services. As an 'older' couple in rented accommodation we had some serious doubts as to whether we would be able to get a mortgage or not. We had a consultation with Stuart and after a very simple, yet informative, meeting he told us that he felt we stood a good chance. Application process was easy and Stuart guided us through the whole thing, keeping us updated regularly. It didn't take long for Stuart to find us a great deal and our application was successful. Thank you Stuart we very much appreciate you and all at Oakwood.

Vanessa Frampton

08:50 11 Apr 24

I cannot speak highly enough of Jake Ward, our mortgage adviser, who guided us through the remortgaging process with exceptional skill and professionalism.As someone who was initially apprehensive about our eligibility due to the complexities of our financial situation – having started a new business since our last mortgage application and with less than two years of accounts - Jake's expertise immediately put us at ease. He navigated our circumstances with ease, demonstrating a deep understanding of the industry and a commitment to finding the best solution for us.Jake's proactive approach proved invaluable, especially given the current volatility in mortgage rates. Following his advice to start the process six months in advance was instrumental in securing the most favourable terms for us. When activity intensified at the three-month mark, with lenders unveiling new products and rates almost weekly, Jake's guidance was indispensable. Left to our own devices, we would have struggled to keep pace with the rapidly changing landscape.Despite what I initially perceived as limiting circumstances, Jake explored all available options and facilitated our transition to a new lender offering the most preferential rate. He managed the entire process seamlessly, overseeing the legalities and liaising with the lender on our behalf. His unwavering support and attention to detail ensured a smooth and stress-free experience from start to finish.Without hesitation, I wholeheartedly recommend Jake to anyone in need of mortgage advice. His expertise, dedication, and personalised approach make him an invaluable asset, and we are immensely grateful for his assistance.

Tony Mills - Eight Miles Away

17:16 06 Mar 24

Aren’t we all searching for that Financial advisor who seems driven by a deeper integrity about what is good for you, rather than having one eye on their own potential commission? Andy is someone I’ve known for years as a man of impeccable character, and now he’s a heavily qualified financial advisor, him becoming my trusted go-to-guy is a move that I am supremely happy with. I feel he’s genuinely interested in building me a happy and long term financial future, and that’s exactly what I am looking for. His advice is both solid and creative and I’d trust him with my life. I can’t recommend him highly enough.

Alice Goacher

21:00 26 Feb 24

We honestly couldn’t recommend Oakwood Mortgage Services Ltd enough! Kate has been incredible throughout the whole process from talking us through our options when we first contacted Oakwood to getting our mortgage offer. She has been there every step of the way answering all our questions (as first time buyers we had a fair few) and reassuring us along the way.She always is happy to go above and beyond to make sure the process is as easy as possible! We couldn’t have got through this without her and cannot wait until we get the house & are able to share the news with her! Thank you so much Kate! Will definitely be recommending you! - Alice & Guy!

charley smeeth

14:41 19 Feb 24

Kate has been amazing from start to finish, we sorted out all of the details within a week! I fully trust Kate and her expertise, she has supported us and communicated with us consistently. I highly recommend Oakwood Mortgage Services Ltd, they have been a breath of fresh air! Very professional, thorough and organized. Thank you again Kate & Oakwood Mortgage Services- Charley & Nick!

CH Chan

09:05 05 Feb 24

I wholeheartedly recommend Jake Ward for his outstanding mortgage advice and unwavering support. As a first-time buyer unfamiliar with the UK mortgage process, Jake's patience and detailed explanations were invaluable. His recommendation of an excellent conveyancer further streamlined the journey. Even after my mortgage was approved, Jake continued to follow every step with dedication and attention to detail, ensuring a seamless transition. His commitment to excellence and ongoing support make Jake Ward a standout professional. I am grateful for his expertise, thorough guidance, and the exceptional experience he provided throughout the entire home-buying process.

Pavel Palmer

14:15 15 Jan 24

Oakwood Mortgage Services has been nothing short of fantastic, and I can't thank Dave enough for being brilliant through the process. His expertise in mortgages is impressive, but what really stood out was his genuine and patient approach. Dave took the time with us, answered all our questions and made the entire experience surprisingly stress-free.

Sara Burge

14:47 22 Sep 23

Kate has been brilliant with helping me to work out how much I can raise for a mortgage. Going through a divorce is tough enough, and Kate has been proactive with answering my emails in a timely manner and getting back to me with the answers I have needed to work out my financial situation. She has made the whole process stress free and done it in a friendly manner too. Thank you.

Anthony Scales

10:11 02 Aug 23

Richard and Emma were incredibly helpful in sorting out my mortgages at a time when mortgage rates were fluctuating wildly, even to the point of replying and working on my applications whilst he was on holiday to ensure that the quoted rates didn't expire.Very good customer service and very informative about the different options available to me, will definitely be recommending them and using them again.

Gordon Saunders

10:13 01 Aug 23

We contacted Kate at Oakwood Mortgage Services, to help us find remortgage solutions for our buy-to-let properties. She has been superb in cutting through the mortgage minefield, and so far has helped arrange a new fixed rate deal. As well as being responsive to any queries we have, her friendly, approachable manner makes her a joy to work with, and we're confident she will continue to find us the best mortgage deals, even in these challenging times.

Amanda Brennan

11:12 25 Jul 23

It's a tricky time to get a Mortgage, but Dave Pearn at Oakwood was excellent in his approach to getting our daughter's first mortgage. He was friendly and professional with his timely and clear communications. He guided us every step of the way and I would thoroughly recommend Dave and Oakwood Mortgage Services Ltd.

M Poll

19:15 14 May 23

Stuart and team have just completed our remortgage. We were obviously after the best rate so the process started early due to current changes and the fluctuating market. Stuart kept on top of the best rates for us, securing one rate, suggesting we wait, and then finally securing an even better one at the last minute. Very helpful and informative throughout the process. Would highly recommend.

Kristopher Januszajtis-Neale

20:55 30 Aug 22

I have been a client of Oakwood for 4 years. On this Occasion my partner and I wished to buy our own home together. As with previous dealing with Oakwood, Stuart's services supported by the fantastic Emma was exceptional. At every stage in the process, we were kept regularly and clearly informed, and our transaction went through seamlessly as a result of their professionalism.

Richard BARLOW

08:19 22 Aug 22

Paul Denyer at Oakwood has done a fantastic job supporting us through the process of finding the best mortgage.He was recommended to us through a family connection and I'd happily pass this recommendation on publicly!As first time buyers, Paul made the time to communicate with us regularly. He explained the process in a friendly and knowledgeable way using his connections to help things progress swiftly. What a superstar!

21:29 05 Aug 22

I feel very fortunate to have had Jake assisting and supporting me throughout my journey as a first time buyer. Jake was extremely professional and genuine, taking time to explain the basics, ensuring I felt empowered and confident in my decision making. Jake went above and beyond, taking the time to provide updates and to offer reassurance throughout the buying process, offering knowledge on alternative products such as conveyancing, pension and investment advice. I felt truly valued and respected by Jake and his team and would thoroughly recommend Jake to friends and family needing similar services

S Barnes

10:56 21 Jun 22

Have used Stuart Jacobs of Oakwood Mortgage Services for my last four house purchases. He is knowledgeable, responsive and very straightforward to deal with - and got me an absolutely cracking rate on my last purchase. No hesitation in recommending to others.

S Hameed

17:01 20 May 22

I have been a client of Oakwood Mortgage Services since 2014. Stuart Jacob is one of the most proffesional and lovely people I met. He understands our situations and advises us accordingly to make the best financial decisions for me and my family.His expertise in mortgages is impeccable and he works hard to get the best deal in the market for the client. I look forward to a continued relationship with Oakwood Mortgages. I would say, "You are in safe hands, the best and most trustworthy professionals in the industry"

Sam Richardson

15:27 01 Dec 21

We were recommended Oakwood by a friend and couldn't be happier we took their recommendation. Stuart Jacob, Emma Claydon and Mike Black in particular were a pleasure to deal with, and they always went the extra mile to help and advise when circumstances changed or we weren't sure what next steps were - which as first time buyers was invaluable. Would give them 6 stars if I could!

Duncan Wilson

10:27 30 Nov 21

It's been great to work with Stuart again on securing our new mortgage. Stuart's patience, advice and help in all areas of this process was invaluable. We can't recommend Oakwood highly enough.Duncan and Gail

alice macrae

19:30 16 Nov 21

David was amazing at helping and explaining to me the whole process of getting my first mortgage. He was also incredibly efficient at returning email and getting everything I needed to make the process of purchasing a little less stressful! Would highly recommend

It’s Jacob And Sophie

19:18 08 Nov 21

Stuart and Emma at Oakwood were amazing throughout the whole house buying process. They were non judgemental and supportive at every stage. As first time buyers the process seemed overwhelming at times and with out their support and guidance we wouldn't have made it through to collecting the keys. Thanks again guys.

Julie Luckin

14:15 30 Jul 21

Very friendly customer-focused service providing a range of services.Stuart and the team regularly communicate and support the process and client and as a result we felt respected and valued. Knowledgeable and professional advice provided.

Michelle Chilcott

14:21 25 Jul 21

I can't recommend Oakwood enough for their professional and friendly service. As first time buyers we nervous and un-educated in all matters regarding buying a house! Our advisor David helped us with all aspects, he was extremely patience and made what is a difficult process as simple as possible. It has been our dream to own a home for many many years and Oakwood Mortgage Services helped make this dream come true. Thank you.

Julie South

21:28 12 Jul 21

I contacted Oakwood for advice on a mortgage, they were professional and quick to respond but most importantly treat you like part of the family and not a client. Super friendly to deal with.I absolutely would recommend them and would not hesitate to contact them again on other matters.

Jassy Earl

15:16 03 May 21

Stuart contacted me with professional advice and a second opinion on my financial situation, with securing a mortgage. He is supportive, knowing and incredibly compassionate and went out of his way to help! Thoroughly recommend!

Andrew South

10:56 06 Feb 21

Stuart has helped me to find the best deals for me from the beginning 2 years ago when I bought my first help, kept constant contact with me with updates and helped me find a better deal.Quick to response on any questions I might have, high recommend Stuart and the fantastic service he provides.

Francois Morrow (Fran)

13:16 02 Feb 21

Richard at Oakwood has been helping us with our various mortgages (our home and buy-to-lets) for years now and we couldn't be more happy with the service. He is quick and very patient with us. He always takes time to look into our options so we feel confident about making informed decisions. One of the best things for us is that Richard gets in touch months before a mortgage is due for review and quickly and painlessly gets things sorted. I highly recommend Richard and Oakwood.

Sharon Price

15:30 12 Aug 20

In these current times Stuart has assisted me with a temporary solution to my mortgage issues which went very smoothly. I will be working with Stuart again very soon to change mortgage product completely. Thank you Oak wood Mortgage Services

Ben Brown

16:38 31 Jul 20

I would like to say a huge thank you to Oakwood Mortgage Services and in particular to Richard Burley who seems capable of working miracles, particularly when dealing with the complicated applications of a sportsman. Richard’s calm manner and problem solving have been brilliant over the years and allowed both Katie and I to stay relaxed and in control during stressful house buying moments, as well as helping us to navigate the the complex buy-to-let market! We owe a huge debt of gratitude to Richard and Oakwood mortgage services ahead of moving house next week, and I would highly recommend their services. In particular I would recommend them to other sports people who have previously struggled with mortgage companies based on our short contracts and the potentially volatile nature of our work. Thanks again Richard. Ben and Katie

Gwenie Ralph

20:57 06 Jul 20

I gave Stuart at Oakwood Mortgage services a challenge of finding me an impossible mortgage. I knew I wouldn't get exactly what I wanted, but he came up with some nice surprises. He explained everything, not pushy at all, a friendly and professional approach. Thank you

nicky Myers

19:17 25 May 20

We were first time buyers and dealt with Richard around the mortgage application. He helped us understand each process, explaining everything thoroughly and came to meet us twice where he was very personal and efficient. Dave took us through the building and contents and life insurance process, again coming to meet us in person and took us through the options, step by step. Dave was very communicative and answered any questions we had.Emma was there throughout this process and on hand with any urgent queries we had and was a delight to deal with.They managed to make it all happen, even during lockdown!Highly recommend Richard, Dave, Emma and Oakwood. We are very happy in our new home!

Daniella Castro Gouveia

11:31 19 May 20

I have worked with a number of the Oakwood team over many years and they are all excellent and totally professional at what they do. Dave came to our family home a few years ago to discuss and advise us in terms of financial insurance. He was very knowledgeable, really easy to talk to. Sometimes discussing financial things can be quite tricky to understand, but I felt at complete ease with Dave. I would highly recommend speaking to him if you need insurance or even need a mortgage as he covers both areas. Thanks for all your support Dave. It's always good to have someone who has your back!

Richard Craven

19:12 03 May 19

Stuart was excellent, helped me obtain a mortgage quickly and painlessly with minimal effort and was always ready to promptly answer any questions I had.

Andrew South

17:50 26 Mar 19

Stuart was very profession and friendly, He was there to help when something went wrong.Highly recommend!!

Ian L

13:45 03 Jan 19

When we started looking for a house, we contacted Stuart based on a work colleague's recommendation. Having not bought a house in the UK before, we had a lot of questions.Stuart guided us through the process and was always available to answers questions and provide advice that was easy to understand.We had a protracted period between initial contact and purchase, in this time Stuart was patient, professional and provided us with a high level of confidence that we were in capable hands.A huge thank you to Stuart and the staff at Oakwood, we would not hesitate to recommend them.Ian and Yoosun

Claire Vince

22:13 21 Dec 18

Great service. Paul talked us through everything really clearly and made the whole process very smooth and straightforward. We have recommended Oakwood to friends as a result.

Christopher Relph

23:27 29 Aug 18

The team is very friendly, professional and knowledgeable on their given subject. My situation was rather unusual and my options were very limited, if i had tried on my own i wouldn't have found the best deal for me. The information provided to me was well presented and insightful, if anything was unclear they made sure that i understood things fully. In the end they found the best deal out there that ticked all the boxes i needed and went above and beyond. To make sure i wasn't put into a position i couldn't afford to be in Stuart would go to an agent and tell them when things weren't possible, even when they were insistent on getting a deal, Stuart had my back in it!I can't recommend them enough, and will be returning to them down the line myself!

Sam Eccles

15:35 24 Jul 18

Top notch service. Friendly, prompt and accessible no matter where you are based (I'm in the Highlands). Much better service than that experienced by local face-to-face advisers with a large portfolio of companies that ensure you can get the mortgage to suit your needs. Have happily referred to others in less than usual circumstances, all of whom have come away delighted

Michelle Ames

18:20 07 Jul 18

Highly recommend. We were first time buyers and Stuart made the process simple and efficient. We found our property and made an offer on the spot, but the agents needed to speak to Stuart before stopping further viewings, so he dropped everything whilst at a conference and the rest is history. Buying a house is an emotional time, so having the mortgage element handled by a professional, yet down to earth person like Stuart was invaluable to us. Thanks Stuart.

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