Question 1

Why is my first mortgage payment higher than expected?

Accepted Answer

A first mortgage payment can be higher because a lender may collect interest from completion to the end of that month as well as the following regular monthly payment. The exact calculation and first payment date depend on your lender, so check its payment schedule rather than assuming there is an error.

Question 2

Can I still open a Help to Buy ISA in 2026?

Accepted Answer

No. You cannot open a new Help to Buy ISA. If you already have one, you may still be able to pay in up to £200 a month and claim its Government bonus when you buy, subject to the scheme rules. A Lifetime ISA is a separate savings product with different conditions.

Question 3

Is a 95% mortgage the same as the Mortgage Guarantee Scheme?

Accepted Answer

No. A 95% mortgage means borrowing 95% of a property's price with a 5% deposit. The Mortgage Guarantee Scheme is a Government-backed arrangement for participating lenders that helps support the availability of some 91% to 95% loan-to-value mortgages. It is not a separate pot of money a buyer applies for.

Question 4

Is Your First Home the same as Help to Buy?

Accepted Answer

No. Your First Home is a newly announced proposed scheme, while Help to Buy: Equity Loan is closed to new applications in England. Both involve an equity-loan approach, but Your First Home's final interest, repayment, price-cap and eligibility rules have not yet been published.

Question 5

My remortgage is due to complete before my fixed rate ends. What should I check?

Accepted Answer

Check the end date of your current fixed deal, the early repayment charge shown in your mortgage paperwork or redemption statement, and the planned completion date for the new mortgage. If those dates do not line up with what you expected, raise it before completion. Whether a charge applies depends on your own lender and deal.

Question 6

Can I use Your First Home to buy an older home?

Accepted Answer

Not on the announcement so far. Your First Home is expected to be for prospective first-time buyers in England purchasing a new-build property from a developer signed up to the scheme. The final eligibility rules, local price caps and launch timing have not yet been published.

Question 7

Alsager property market: September 2026

Accepted Answer

The Alsager property market in September 2026 is stable, with a median asking price of around £320,000 across 91 homes for sale, according to Perch's Alsager market dashboard updated 4 September 2026. Sold prices are up around 3% over the past 12 months on the same source, following a post-2023 cooling. Supply is healthy and demand is steady rather than frantic.

Question 8

Is financial risk cover worth the monthly cost?

Accepted Answer

For a household with a mortgage, the question is not simply whether the monthly cost is worthwhile. It is what would happen to the mortgage and bills if income stopped and there were no plan in place.

Question 9

Rates rose again last week: why leaving a remortgage late can cost more

Accepted Answer

Fixed mortgage rates rose in early September while Bank Rate remained at 3.75%. It is worth understanding when a lender can offer a new deal before a fixed rate ends, and the potential cost of moving onto a standard variable rate.

Question 10

Can a mortgage adviser adapt how they communicate if I have a neurodivergent condition like ADHD or autism?

Accepted Answer

Yes. A mortgage adviser can adjust how things are explained, how meetings are structured and how information is delivered to suit how you process best. A conversation at the start about what works for you is a practical place to begin.

Question 11

What are swap rates, and why do they move my mortgage rate?

Accepted Answer

Swap rates are one of the funding-market measures that can influence a lender's fixed mortgage pricing. When they rise or fall, fixed deals may move even if Bank Rate has not changed.

Question 12

If I reserve a new mortgage deal now and rates fall, am I stuck with it?

Accepted Answer

Usually not, if you are eligible and your lender is a Mortgage Charter signatory. The Charter allows a request for a better like-for-like deal with the same lender until the new deal starts, if one is available.

Question 13

My fixed rate ends before April 2027. When should I start looking?

Accepted Answer

For eligible borrowers with a participating lender, the Mortgage Charter allows a new deal to be locked in up to six months before a fixed rate ends. The right timing can still depend on the lender and your circumstances.

Question 14

Do I need a 10% deposit to buy my first home?

Accepted Answer

No. Many lenders accept a deposit of 5% of the purchase price, and a few routes may ask for less. A bigger deposit can open up more options and lower monthly payments, but 10% is not a rule.

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