Buying your first home as a couple can be an exhilarating, yet daunting experience. From navigating the ever-changing housing market, to determining a budget that accommodates both of your finances and goals, it’s important to seek help from a specialist mortgage adviser to make this milestone decision flow as smoothly as possible.
Our customers, Hannah and Jack, reached out to Gail Reid Mortgage Services at the start of 2024, after living at home to save up for a deposit to purchase their first home together, with the hope of stepping on the property ladder as soon as possible.
We recently caught up with Hannah to find out more about their journey with Gail Reid Mortgage Services, and the advice she would share with other first-time buyers…
What were your circumstances when you were looking to move home?
“Jack and I had been in a relationship for just over five years when we decided it was time to take the next step and search for our first home together. We were both living separately with our parents in order to save for a deposit – Jack in Inverurie and me in Kemnay – but wanted to get on the property ladder as young (and as soon) as possible.
“At the beginning of 2024, we decided it was time to start properly looking for our first home. Although we hadn’t done much research, we knew that we wanted to stay in Aberdeenshire near Kintore, Inverurie or Kemnay, because it was close to both of our families. Ultimately, we decided to start our search in Inverurie because it had more to offer in terms of amenities, including a variety of shops and a train station. It was the ideal location for us!”
What stage were you at in the process when you decided to get in touch with Gail?
“When we decided to reach out to Gail Reid Mortgage Services, we hadn’t delved that deeply into the home buying process. We had initially contacted a mortgage broker based down south, however, after receiving multiple recommendations for Gail and the team, we thought it would suit us better to use a local mortgage broker rather than relying on a company based further afield.
“We had seen a few properties that we were interested in viewing, so I decided to contact Gail and her team in January 2024. Danielle was prompt in responding to our enquiry and on the same day, we found out our maximum mortgage available and had an agreement in principle with a mortgage provider. This step was incredibly helpful and meant we didn’t waste time looking at properties beyond our budget.
“Things progressed quickly thanks to the guidance we received from the team at Gail Reid Mortgage Services, and we were in a strong position to move out a lot sooner than we had first anticipated!”
Can you share a summary of what the process looked like for you?
“Once we had our mortgage in principle in place, Jack and I viewed three properties, two of which were new builds. After each viewing, I had multiple questions for Danielle and sent her an email seeking advice around how we would go about securing a flat that we’d fallen in love with.
“Following Danielle’s expert guidance, we took the plunge and decided to put an offer in on our dream home. Danielle walked us through the whole process step-by-step and provided us with an idea of the monthly payments we’d be making after putting down our deposit, based on interest rates at the time.
“After reserving, Danielle swiftly made our mortgage application and by mid-February, our mortgage was approved and we had our mortgage offer!
“Danielle also put us in touch with Seonaid, who handles mortgage protection at Gail Reid Mortgage Services. Seonaid walked us through our options tailored to our needs, and the whole process was extremely straightforward.
“Since I can work from home but Jack can’t, the team at Gail Reid Mortgage Services always made an effort to accommodate us and were willing to schedule calls in the evening so Jack could join. Danielle and Seonaid never made us feel silly for asking questions and were always responsive. The whole process was smoother and faster than I could have ever imagined, and we were over the moon to move into our first home.”
What stood out to you most when working with Gail Reid Mortgage Services?
“The main thing we liked about Gail Reid Mortgage Services was its local presence. Having previously spoken with a mortgage adviser based further south, it didn’t have the same local or personal feel as dealing with Gail and the team. Being based in Inverurie, it felt good to support a reputable local business that’s right on our doorstep.
“Another benefit was the flexible opening hours. There were times that I spoke with the team later in the evening or at the weekend, and no time was ever a ‘bad time’ for them. They always kept us fully informed and in the loop throughout the whole mortgage process.
“Additionally, Gail and the team sent Jack and I an email the weekend we moved in to wish us luck in our new home. That gesture felt really special and personal to us, and highlighted the genuine care and attention Gail Reid Mortgage Services provides to its clients.”
What would be your advice to other people considering reaching out to a mortgage adviser?
“I would say the most important thing is to speak to an experienced mortgage broker. Even if you feel as though you aren’t in a position to purchase your first home right away, receiving financial advice and finding out what you can afford means that you won’t be wasting time viewing properties outwith your budget. You may also discover that you can afford more than you initially thought!
“Using a local mortgage broker really helped us because if we needed a face-to-face appointment, the office was extremely accessible. Jack and I also know several people who have used Gail Reid Mortgage Services in the past for mortgage advice, which gave us peace of mind before reaching out, as we knew it was a reliable firm.
“As first-time buyers, we were both absolutely clueless with regards to the buying process and receiving advice from a broker that has experience with getting first-time buyers on the property ladder was essential to us.
“I’d recommend Gail Reid Mortgage Services to anybody. In fact, I’ve already recommended Gail and the team to my friends who are looking to purchase their first home!”