Lots of things influence how much you can get for a mortgage and what a lender is willing to offer you. Here are the main ones:
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Your income
This includes your salary, bonuses or other regular earnings. If you’re applying with someone else, both incomes will be considered.
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Your outgoings
Lenders look at your regular spending, including rent, bills, childcare, subscriptions, and debts.
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Existing credit
If you’ve got loans, credit cards or car finance, that may reduce how much you can borrow.
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Your credit history
This shows how well you’ve managed money in the past. A good credit score can help your application.
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Deposit amount
The more you can put down upfront, the more likely you are to access better mortgage deals.
If you’re saving for your first home, a Lifetime ISA (LISA) could give your deposit a boost. The government adds a 25% bonus to what you save - up to £1,000 a year.
Find out how a Lifetime ISA works or see how much you could save with our Lifetime ISA calculator.
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Interest rates
These affect your monthly repayments. Higher rates might reduce the total amount you can borrow, as your repayments would be more expensive.