Practical solutions to help more first time buyers onto the ladder

At a glance: Leeds Building Society offers brokers a range of solutions for eligible first time buyers, including Start Mortgage, Income Plus, Experian Boost, Reach Mortgages and Shared Ownership. Brokers can also access telephone BDMs, broker chat, the Service Desk and Mortgage Hub for case support.

For many aspiring homeowners, the ambition to buy remains strong, but the distance between that ambition and securing a mortgage has grown. Higher house prices, tighter household budgets and the challenge of saving while paying rent can all slow progress. Even applicants with stable incomes may be affected by affordability assessments, limited credit histories, changing work patterns or the size of deposit required.

Brokers are central to bridging that gap. First time buyers often arrive with enthusiasm alongside uncertainty, and their circumstances may not fit standard criteria. Brokers can help clients understand what’s possible, what’s sustainable and which routes may be available when part of an application is less straightforward. To do that effectively, they need lenders whose products reflect real borrower circumstances rather than an idealised customer profile.

Making smaller deposits go further with up to 98% LTV

Deposit pressure remains one of the biggest barriers. Family support or gifted deposits can help some buyers, but many must save while managing rent and everyday costs. Higher loan-to-value lending can therefore make a meaningful difference, provided responsible lending remains at its heart. Our Start Mortgage offers lending up to 98% LTV for eligible customers who may be able to afford the repayments but have not built a large deposit.

Supporting affordability with Income Plus at up to six times loan-to-income

Affordability is also more nuanced than a simple income multiple. Earnings must compete with rent, childcare, travel, debt commitments and the wider cost of living. This can particularly affect professionals early in their careers and households whose income is likely to grow. Where the minimum income criteria is met, Income Plus offers up to six times loan-to-income, giving brokers another option for clients whose overall affordability warrants closer consideration.

Opening up more routes with Experian Boost, Reach Mortgages and Shared Ownership

Experian Boost can improve a customer’s credit score by using open banking to recognise regular payments. We also offer the Reach Mortgage range for eligible clients with certain credit challenges. Shared Ownership remains important, particularly for buyers who can afford monthly commitments but cannot yet buy outright. Buyers are purchasing a share of the property while paying rent on the remainder, and the home is typically leasehold, so service charges, lease terms and future staircasing costs need to be considered carefully. Combined with thoughtful criteria and human underwriting support, it can give brokers more ways to structure a solution that is both achievable and responsible.

No single product will suit every first time buyer. Some have strong deposits but modest incomes; others have good earnings but limited savings. Applicants may be self-employed, buying through Shared Ownership or carrying historic credit issues that need context rather than an automatic refusal. A range of considered options gives brokers more scope to structure solutions that are achievable and responsible.

Getting case support from telephone BDMs, broker chat, the Service Desk and Mortgage Hub

Access to expertise matters just as much as product choice and support is available throughout the lifecycle of a case. Our dedicated team of telephone and WebChat BDMs are on hand to help with new business and criteria queries through to application submission, while local field-based BDMs are available face-to-face. Once an application has been submitted, our Service Desk provides ongoing assistance, and our Mortgage Hub system makes it easier to manage cases in one place. Together, these services offer support from the first conversation through to completion.

Find out more about our first time buyer mortgage range.