Free Guide For First-Time Buyers
Think You Need A 10% Deposit? You Might Be Wrong.
Gifted deposits, 5% deposit routes, and the two options worth thinking twice about, explained straight by a Lanarkshire broker who talks you through it honestly.
Helping Lanarkshire first-time buyers get their deposit sorted, honestly and without the jargon. Rated 5 stars by 235+ clients on Google.
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Getting your deposit sorted, step by step
A simple process from that first chat right through to picking up your keys.
Quick chat about your situation
We look at every deposit route open to you
Get a clear borrowing figure, sorted early
Support right through to completion
The deposit routes covered in the guide
Straight from the PDF, so you know exactly what you're getting before you hand over your email.
Gifted deposits
What counts as a gift, the letter your solicitor will need, and why some lenders are stricter than others about who's gifting.
5% deposit routes
How 95% mortgages work, plus Scotland's LIFT scheme for first-time buyers who need a bit more help getting there.
Under 5% deposits
The specific circumstances where this can work, and why it's worth a proper conversation rather than ruling yourself out.
Routes to think twice about
Personal loans and family loans used for a deposit, and why they can catch people out if a lender isn't told upfront.
Local advice, no jargon, no pressure
15+ years doing this, based right here in Carluke, not a call centre.
- ✓Searches 28,000+ deals from 100+ lenders rather than pushing one
- ✓Explains everything in plain English, jargon left at the door
- ✓Knows the Scottish buying process inside out, Home Reports, LBTT, offers over pricing, and working with your solicitor
- ✓No pressure and no hard sell, just a straight answer on what's realistic
- ✓Here from your first chat right through to getting the keys
First-time buyer deposit questions, answered straight
How much deposit do I actually need to buy my first home in Scotland?
Less than most people think. A 5% deposit is often possible, and in certain circumstances even under 5% can work. It comes down to your income, credit history, and the property, so it's worth a proper conversation before you rule yourself out.
Can my family or friends gift me the deposit?
Usually, yes. You'll need a signed gifted deposit letter confirming it's a genuine gift with no expectation of it being paid back, and your solicitor will need it early on as part of the anti-money-laundering checks. Some lenders are stricter about which relatives count, so tell me who's gifting before we pick a lender.
What's the LIFT scheme?
LIFT (the Low-cost Initiative for First Time Buyers) is the Scottish Government's shared equity scheme for first-time buyers who can't quite get there on their own. It's worth asking about alongside the standard 5% routes.
Can I use a personal loan for my deposit?
Most mainstream lenders won't accept it, and even where it's technically allowed you'd be repaying the loan and the mortgage at the same time, which affects how much you can borrow. If it's genuinely your only route, tell me before you apply for the loan, not after.
How long does it take to get mortgage-ready in Lanarkshire?
It varies, but a lot of first-time buyers get a clear borrowing figure within a week or two of that first chat. The sooner we look at your deposit options, the more time you've got to plan around them.
Meet your adviser
Hi, I'm Tony Flynn
I'm a mortgage and protection adviser based in Carluke, helping people across Lanarkshire and Scotland.
I've spent 15+ years in finance and have been named Mortgage Professional of the Year at the Prestige Awards Scotland five years in a row. I'll explain your options in plain English and search 28,000+ deals from over 100 lenders, so you know exactly where you stand.