We’re naturally approaching the time of year when many of us start thinking about our goals for the months ahead. For lots of us, 2026 may be the year we move home and, for some, even the year of stepping onto the property ladder for the very first time. Buying your first home is undoubtedly one of the most exciting things you can achieve, but there are a few things you’ll need to do before you can start scrolling through Rightmove! Applying for a mortgage is one of them.
A mortgage is a loan from a lender that helps you to purchase a property and is repaid over a number of years (25 to 35-year mortgages are the most common for first-time buyers). It’s the key tool that makes homeownership possible for most first-time homeowners, but that doesn’t mean that everybody can get one. Lenders will look closely at your financial behaviour and stability before they decide you’re suitable for borrowing.
Preparing early can make all the difference when the time does come for you to get a mortgage. Even if you’re not planning to start looking at houses yet, there are several practical steps you can take now to strengthen your position and give yourself the very best chance of securing a mortgage when the right time comes in 2026. Here are our 7 top tips.
1. Watch Your Credit
Your credit profile is one of the main things lenders will look at when deciding whether to lend to you. Essentially, it demonstrates how responsible you are with your money, including whether you pay your bills on time, how much credit you use compared to what’s available to you, and whether you’ve missed payments in the past.
If you’re keeping on top of these things and managing your money well, your credit is likely to be good and signal lower risk to a mortgage lender. This can make a huge difference when it comes to the different products and features available to you and whether you even qualify for a mortgage in the first place. It’s therefore wise to stay on top of things now to get mortgage ready, keeping credit utilisation low, avoiding late payments, and making sure that your credit report includes the most up-to-date picture of your standing.
2. Register To Vote
Particularly for first-time buyers with a relatively limited financial history, building credit can feel tricky. You won’t necessarily have years and years of employment and borrowing under your belt, so opportunities to prove you are responsible with your money can feel hard to come by. However, one of the easiest ways you can build and improve your credit is by making sure you are registered to vote at your current address. Lenders use the electoral roll to verify your identity and address history, so this is a quick and easy job to tick off your list as you get mortgage ready for 2026.
3. Save, Save, Save
To get a first-time buyer mortgage, you’ll need to put down a deposit. This is usually at least 5%, but aiming for 10% or more will stand you in good stead for opening up more products and favourable rates. To get mortgage ready, it’s therefore vital that you take a look at your current savings and work out how much more you might need to save before a mortgage is a genuinely viable option.
When you’re saving, remember to factor in not just the deposit but also all of the extra costs that come with buying your first home. Solicitor fees, mortgage fees, survey costs and removals all add up and knowing exactly how much you’ll need to manage the process comfortably helps you to create a realistic timeline and savings strategy.
4. Keep Up With Payments
Your financial behaviour in the months leading up to your mortgage application matters more than you might think. Lenders will go through your bank statements with a very fine-tooth comb and scrutinise your spending, so staying on top of monthly payments and subscriptions can go a long way towards proving you’ve got a consistent and responsible track record.
With this in mind, it’s also wise to keep new debts to a minimum and avoid taking out any new accounts unless absolutely necessary. Consider whether the shiny new car with monthly finance payments can wait, and whether you really need to give in to your next buy now, pay later temptations.
5. Prepare Key Documents
When the time does come to apply for your mortgage, your mortgage adviser will ask for a range of important documents on behalf of the lender. These typically include around six months’ worth of bank statements, payslips, your P60, and proof of identity and address.
Whilst you might still need to download the most recent versions at the right time, it’s a good idea to get as organised as you can ahead of time. Check that you know how to access old payslips and bank statements, and ensure your passport and/or driving licence are up to date. If anything is missing or you’re not sure where to find it, now is the ideal moment to find out or request a duplicate rather than the day before you need to make your application!
6. Stay In Employment
In case you hadn’t guessed by now, lenders love stability, and a steady income is one of the biggest indicators that you can afford a mortgage. This means that, if at all possible, it’s worth holding off on switching jobs or taking a career break (even if you think you can afford it) before you apply for a mortgage. As we have already covered, you’ll be expected to provide recent payslips when you apply so any sudden change in employment could make this more complex.
If you’re self-employed, it might feel a bit trickier to tick this box. Don’t worry, though, as you can still absolutely get a mortgage. You’ll just need to make sure that your accounts are in order, tax returns up to date, and that you speak to a suitable mortgage adviser to find out what else you might need to do to prove that you are mortgage ready for 2026.
7. Speak To Us
Once you’ve made some progress on the steps above, it’s probably time to speak to a mortgage adviser! At Mewstone Mortgage Advice, our mortgage advisers in Plymouth can help you understand exactly what else you might need to do to get mortgage ready, then guide you through the process when the time is right.
We’re here to help you from the very start of your journey as a first-time buyer, whether that’s with very early planning and affordability advice, to securing your mortgage in principle so that you can go on your first viewing. Even if buying your first home in 2026 still feels a bit like a distant goal, a quick conversation with us can give you some clarity about what it would take for you to get mortgage ready and start your next chapter.
If you’re a prospective first-time buyer in Plymouth and the surrounding areas, get in touch with us via 01752 938933 or book a call at a time that suits you.
Mark John
CeMAP Certified Mortgage Adviser
Mark has called the South Hams home since age 2, attending school in Ivybridge. Art, music, skating and guitar filled his younger days. Though he never reached rock star status, Mark did qualify as a sound engineer.
Now Mark resides in Wembury with his wife Chloe. Living by the sea shapes their life, even inspiring some dodgy surfing! Outnumbered by sons Ethan, Eli and Leo, their pride and joy is their VW camper van.