v BRINGING THE GOOD NEWS TO YOU SINCE 1994 v 12th March 2026 • The HERALD • Page 63 ASK A PROFESSIONAL Helen Sparks Mortgages & Financial Services Offering professional advice since 1985 Mortgages Residential Life Time Equity Release Buy to Let – first time landlords Property Portfolios Help to Buy Insurance Buildings & Contents Insurance Life Assurance Critical Illness Income Protection YOUR PROPERTY MAY BE REPOSSESSED IF YOU DO NOT KEEP UP REPAYMENTS This firm usually charges a fee for mortgage advice. The amount of the fee will depend upon your circumstances and will be discussed and agreed with you at the earliest opportunity. Some forms of buy to let mortgage are not regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. 023 8084 4108 enquiries@helensparks.com Helen Goodall T/A Helen Sparks Mortgages & Financial Services is an appointed representative of PRIMIS Mortgage Network, a trading name of First Complete Ltd which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority Top Tips For First Time Buyers With a ordability one of the key concerns for rst time buyers, Barratt David Wilson Homes Southampton Division has released three tips to help get nances in order. Understand what you can afford Having a clear picture of your income and expenses is a basic starting point for most. From this, you can create a feasible savings plan that works for you. Understand how much you can reasonably set aside each month, factoring in irregular costs like holidays or car MOTs. You will also need to factor in how much you can a ord to use for your deposit, as most lenders ask for 5-10% of the property price. Speak to a mortgage advisor An independent mortgage adviser can help you assess your nancial situation, o er tips to improve your mortgage eligibility and guide you through the application process. ey can also talk you through the di erent types of mortgages, such as xed-rate and variable-rate mortgages, to help you understand the di erences and choose one that suits you. If you’re planning to buy a new build home, consider getting in touch with a new homes mortgage adviser to receive specialist advice. Explore the incentives ere’s lots of buying incentives and schemes available to rst-time buyers and those with smaller deposits to give them a helping hand. For example, if you’re a rst time buyer, you may be eligible for the Government-backed First Homes scheme. Barratt also o ers incentives like a Key Worker Deposit Contribution Scheme, Deposit Unlock and Deposit Boost which have all been designed to help rst time buyers get on the housing ladder. Sales Director at Barratt David Wilson Homes Southampton division, Tammy Bishop said: “A new build home brings with it a whole host of benefits especially for first time buyers. Lower energy bills, an easier move and modern designs are just some of the plus points that make it a more attractive buying option for many. Better still, there’s almost always an incentive available with a new build to give you a helping hand up the property ladder.”
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