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Mortgages and deposits: the basics

5 articles

Understand how mortgages work and get advice on how to save up a big enough deposit to buy your first home.

What is a mortgage?

Last updated: Mar 2020

Find out what mortgages are and the basics of how they work in our easy-to-understand guide.

Mortgage interest rates explained

Last updated: Mar 2020

Mortgage interest rates determine how much you'll be charged to borrow and buy a property, and what your monthly repayments will be. Find out how they work and how to get the best mortgage interest rate.

How much deposit do you need for a mortgage?

Last updated: Mar 2020

Find out how much deposit you need for a mortgage, use our mortgage deposit calculator, and see how much deposit first-time buyers in your area are paying with our interactive map.

How to save for a mortgage deposit

Last updated: Mar 2020

Learn about saving for a property deposit plus expert tips on budgeting and schemes to help you buy your first home sooner.

A-Z mortgages jargon-buster

Last updated: Jul 2019

From agreements in principle and arrangement fees to porting and variable rates, our A-Z glossary explains all the words you'll hear during the mortgage application process.

Calculate mortgage costs

Use these calculators to see if you're financially ready to buy.

How much can I borrow: mortgage calculator Mortgage repayment calculator Stamp duty calculator

All 11 calculators