Introduction

Navigating the 2026 property market as a first-time buyer can feel like a maze of shifting rates and complex jargon. In this episode of the Greenstone Mortgages podcast, expert adviser Helen Clift breaks down the essentials—from why you might not need a 20% deposit to how a Decision in Principle can, with some lenders, help you secure a rate earlier in your journey. Whether you’re just starting to save or you’re ready to book your first viewing, Helen’s practical, no-nonsense advice will help you move forward with confidence. Watch the full conversation below:

TL;DR – What Helen wants first-time buyers to know

Plan early and speak to an adviser 6-12 months before you’re ready to buy so you can work on your deposit, credit file and affordability.
You often don’t need a 10-20% deposit; there are options with smaller deposits, and some specialist 100% products, all subject to criteria.
Even though fixed rates have risen, property prices and seller expectations have adjusted, so there can still be good opportunities in 2026.
A Decision in Principle (DIP) first makes you a stronger buyer and, with some lenders, can help you secure a rate while you’re still house-hunting.
Don’t panic about one or two missed payments – the “six-year myth” is just that. Get your full credit report and let an adviser match you with the right lender.

You can also watch the full conversation with Helen on our YouTube channel here:

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Meet Helen from Greenstone Mortgages

Welcome to the Greenstone Mortgages blog. In this episode of our podcast series, we’re joined by Helen Clift from Greenstone Mortgages. Between Helen and David, there’s over 40 years of experience in the financial services sector, and they’ve helped countless clients onto the property ladder. Many of those clients are first-time buyers, who regularly leave reviews praising the support and hand-holding they received throughout the process.

Helen’s journey into mortgages started at a high street bank, where she worked for around 13 years as a customer account manager and then an assistant manager. After a short career break to have children, she returned to financial services in an admin support role for a mortgage adviser, quickly realising she wanted to be back on the advising side. That led her to qualify as a mortgage adviser and eventually join Greenstone Mortgages.

If you’re looking for a location-specific written guide alongside the podcast, you might also like our First Time Buyer Guide in Reading, Berkshire on the Greenstone Mortgages website.

Why first-time buyers gravitate to Helen

Although Greenstone Mortgages works with all types of clients, Helen naturally specialises in first-time buyers. She finds that they often arrive with the same worries: how much deposit they need, whether their credit history is “good enough”, and whether now is the right time to buy.

Looking at her reviews, you can see that first-time buyers in particular value her calm explanations and her willingness to walk them through each step. Many don’t know where to start, and that’s exactly where Helen comes in, offering practical, step-by-step guidance from the first call to getting the keys.

“Nobody teaches you this at school” – why planning ahead matters

One of Helen’s key messages is that first-time buyers should plan ahead instead of waiting until they’ve found a property. She often speaks to clients 6-12 months before they’re actually in a position to make an offer, so they can work on their finances in advance.

In those early conversations, she looks at:

Your credit record – including any missed payments or existing accounts
Your current savings and how realistic your deposit target is
Your income and outgoings, and what that might mean for affordability
A rough timescale for when you want to buy

With that information, she can set you on the right path. That’s where the line “nobody teaches you this at school” really resonates, Greenstone steps into that gap and becomes the guide you never had in the classroom.

If you want a more detailed written checklist on deposits, schemes and realistic price ranges, you can read our 2026 First-Time Buyer Playbook article on the Greenstone Mortgages site.

Enhanced income multiples and first-time buyer options

In the podcast, Helen explains that more and more lenders now offer higher income multiples to certain borrowers, rather than sticking strictly to the traditional limits. If you fall into the right income and profession brackets and have an appropriate deposit, some lenders may consider higher borrowing levels that can help in higher-priced areas.

These enhanced multiples and various first-time buyer schemes are explored in more depth in our 2026 First-Time Buyer Playbook: Deposits, Schemes and Realistic Price Ranges in Reading. The same principles can often be applied in many parts of the UK, not just Berkshire.

“In terms of deposit, what are lenders looking for these days?”

When asked about deposits, Helen is clear that many clients overestimate what they need. People frequently assume you must have 10% or 20% to be taken seriously, but that’s not always the case. There are lenders who will consider smaller deposits for first-time buyers who pass their checks, and there are also specialist 100% products with strict criteria.

The key points Helen highlights are:

You don’t automatically need a 10-20% deposit to start a conversation.
Smaller deposits can work if the rest of your profile is strong.
A larger deposit usually gives you more product choice and potentially sharper rates.

For a fuller breakdown of deposit levels, different schemes and realistic price brackets, the 2026 First-Time Buyer Playbook article on the Greenstone Mortgages website is a useful companion to this podcast.

Is it still a good time to buy in 2026?

The podcast also addresses a big question Helen hears daily: “With everything going on and rates rising, should I wait or should I buy now?” Recent events have contributed to rate volatility and a cautious mood in the market, so it’s understandable that first-time buyers are unsure.

Helen’s answer is balanced. Yes, fixed rates are higher than they were a few years ago, but property prices and seller expectations have adjusted in many areas. That can mean:

More realistic pricing and scope to negotiate
The chance to secure a home that might previously have been out of reach
Opportunities to benefit if you are prepared and mortgage-ready

With some lenders, you can also secure your rate at Decision in Principle or application stage, which can be valuable while you are still house-hunting. It’s lender-specific rather than guaranteed across the board, and part of Helen’s role is to identify which lenders offer that option for your circumstances.

So rather than trying to “time the market”, Helen encourages first-time buyers to focus on whether the numbers work for them personally and whether the home fits their long-term plans.

The role of the “Bank of Mum and Dad”

When the conversation turns to parental help, Helen confirms that the “Bank of Mum and Dad” continues to play a big role for first-time buyers. Many of her clients use gifted deposits from parents or close family, and many lenders are comfortable with this type of support as long as the paperwork is correct.

Because this topic involves its own rules and lender criteria, Greenstone Mortgages has a separate in-depth article: Bank of Mum and Dad UK 2026 – Greenstone. That piece covers how gifts and loans can be structured, what lenders expect to see, and issues to consider as a family before proceeding.

Fixed vs variable: what’s best for first-time buyers right now?

Another common question is whether first-time buyers should choose a fixed rate or a variable rate in the current climate. Helen’s view, given how quickly fixed rates have been moving, is that many first-time buyers value the stability of a fixed rate.

She often starts by discussing 2-year and 5-year fixed options, and explains how:

A fixed rate gives you certainty over your monthly payments for the chosen term.
It can protect you from further base rate increases during that period.
Some lenders may offer slightly higher maximum borrowing if you choose a 5-year fix, because it is seen as more stable.

The right choice depends on your circumstances: how long you expect to stay in the property, your appetite for risk and whether you think your income will change significantly. These are the kinds of questions Helen works through with each client individually.

Missed payments and the “six-year myth”

One of the biggest myths Helen hears is that if you’ve had one or two missed payments, you have to wait six years before you can even think about a mortgage. She’s very clear: that’s simply not true.

Lenders look at context, not just the headline:

What type of credit the missed payment was on
How many payments were missed and how long ago
Whether the account is now up to date
What the rest of your profile looks like (deposit, income, other commitments)

That’s why Helen encourages first-time buyers to download their full credit report and review it regularly, rather than assuming they’re “ruined” for years. Tackling this six-year myth head-on not only reassures nervous buyers, it also positions Greenstone as a straight-talking, trustworthy adviser.

Practical tips to look after your credit file

On the podcast, Helen shares simple, practical steps she tells first-time buyers to follow:

Put essential bills and credit commitments on direct debit to reduce the chance of missing a payment.
Download your full credit file and review it monthly so you always know where you stand.
Deal with any errors or unexpected entries promptly, rather than leaving them until just before a mortgage application.

Building these habits gives you a stronger platform when you are ready to apply for a mortgage and helps avoid last-minute surprises.

Do car loans and personal loans affect your mortgage?

Yes, they can. When asked about car loans and personal loans, Helen explains that they may have a real impact on how much you can borrow. During your initial fact-find, she will go through your income, regular outgoings and all existing credit commitments.

Lenders then feed these numbers into their affordability calculators to work out your maximum borrowing. Any loan commitments count as outgoings and reduce the amount that can safely be lent. If you are thinking about buying in the near future, it is sensible to speak to an adviser before taking on a major new loan, especially for a car.

Should you get a Decision in Principle before house-hunting?

Helen always encourages first-time buyers to get their Decision in Principle (DIP) first. With a DIP in place:

Estate agents and sellers can see you’ve already passed an initial lender check.
Your offers are taken more seriously because you’ve demonstrated you are proceedable.
With some lenders, you may be able to secure a rate at DIP or application stage, which has been invaluable while fixed rates have been rising quickly.

Going out viewing without a DIP can lead to disappointment if you later find that the property is outside your borrowing range, so getting this done early can save a lot of stress.

Do you have to use the builder’s or estate agent’s mortgage adviser?

Another myth Helen tackles is that when you buy a new-build, you must use the developer’s recommended mortgage adviser or that you have to use the estate agent’s in-house broker. That’s not the case.

Greenstone Mortgages is a whole-of-market, fee-free broker, which means they can look at a wide range of lenders and products for you. Whether you’re buying a new-build home or a second-hand property, you’re free to choose your own adviser and still benefit from the same level of support.

Why Greenstone Mortgages is well placed to help first-time buyers

Towards the end of the podcast, Helen talks about how she and David are now at the life stage where their own children and their children’s friends – are starting to buy their first homes. That gives them a very personal understanding of how tough it can feel for young buyers in the current market.

First-time buyers working with Greenstone Mortgages can expect:

Clear explanations from that very first “we’re thinking of buying” chat
Honest guidance on deposits, schemes, credit issues and realistic price ranges
Support all the way from Decision in Principle to getting the keys

To dive deeper into specific topics mentioned in this episode, you can explore these related Greenstone articles:

First Time Buyer Guide in Reading, Berkshire – more location-specific examples and tips
2026 First-Time Buyer Playbook: Deposits, Schemes and Realistic Price Ranges – a written roadmap to accompany the podcast
Bank of Mum and Dad UK 2026 – Greenstone – for families considering gifted deposits or other support