First Time Buyer Mortgages in Great Dunmow
Help buying your first home in Great Dunmow, Felsted, Takeley, Stebbing and Great Easton.
Plain-English guidance
We explain each step so you know what to expect
Your plans, your budget
Advice based on your income, deposit and goals
Support to completion
We stay in touch from first call to getting the keys
Great Dunmow is a market town on the River Chelmer with a mix of period cottages in the centre and newer estates around its edges. It has no railway station of its own, so many buyers here drive to a station or to work, and the cost of that journey belongs in your budget alongside the mortgage.
We look at your income, outgoings and deposit, explain what a lender is likely to offer, and take you through each step to completion.
Buying your first home in Great Dunmow
First time buyers in Great Dunmow often choose between a newer home on one of the town’s estates and an older property in or near the centre. Older homes can be timber-framed, listed or even thatched, and lenders have their own rules on these. Some will not lend on a thatched roof at all, and others ask for a specialist survey, so tell us the address before you pay for one.
In the villages around the town, such as Felsted, Stebbing and Great Easton, many homes are on private drainage rather than the mains sewer. This does not stop you getting a mortgage, but lenders can ask for more checks, and the survey should cover it. If a relative is helping with your deposit, a lender will normally want a signed letter confirming the money is a gift, so mention it to us early.
How it works
Initial conversation
We talk about your plans, income and deposit.
Your options explained
We explain the mortgages that may suit you, and what we would recommend.
Agreement in principle
A lender gives an early indication of what it may lend. This can involve a credit check.
Find your home
You find a property and your offer is accepted.
Full application
We help you complete the application and provide the documents the lender needs.
Valuation, legal work and offer
The lender values the property and your solicitor carries out the legal work.
Completion
Funds are released and you collect your keys.
For the full guide, see our First Time Buyers page.
Frequently asked questions
Can I get a mortgage on a thatched or listed home near Great Dunmow?
Often yes, but fewer lenders will consider them and each sets its own conditions on the roof, the construction and the insurance. We check which lenders may suit before you commit to a survey.
Does private drainage affect my mortgage?
It can mean extra checks, because a lender will want to know the system is in working order and legally compliant. Your surveyor can check it, and we can tell you how lenders usually treat it.
How much deposit do I need?
It depends on the lender and the mortgage. Generally, a larger deposit gives you more choice, but some lenders accept smaller deposits. We will look at your position and explain what may be possible.
Can I get a mortgage if I am self-employed?
Many lenders will consider self-employed applicants. They usually ask for accounts or tax records covering recent years, and each lender looks at your income in its own way.
Important information
- Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage.
The information on this page is general and is not advice. Advice depends on your personal circumstances.
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