Let's Buy a Home

In this very personal solo episode of Let’s Buy a Home, I’mopening up about a decision I’ve recently made to renew my own life cover. As a dad of two, a business owner, a significant income provider for myhousehold and someone diagnosed with blood cancer two years ago, protecting myfamily financially has never felt more important. I explain why I’ve reviewed my cover following a house move and an...

The Government has announced a brand-new First Home Scheme,but what exactly is it, who will qualify, and could it actually help you buyyour first home? In this episode of Let’s Buy a Home: Dan breaks down the new scheme in simpleterms, including: - What the First Home Scheme is - How it’s expected to work - Who could be eligible - When it’s launching - How it compares with previous schemes like He...

Interest rates. Your bank saying no. Having a huge deposit. Your credit report. And the maximum mortgage a lender will give you. All five matter when you’re buying your first home but are they as important asyou might think? In this episode of Let’s Buy a Home, Dan Knott looks at five things first-timebuyers often obsess over and explains what actually matters, what doesn’t andwhy the answer isn’t...

In this September 2026 mortgage market update, Dan Knott breaks down what’s happening in the UK mortgage and property market and mostimportantly, what it actually means if you’re trying to buy a home. The Bank of England has held the Bank Rate at 3.75% but fixed mortgage rateshave been rising, with some lenders repricing their products significantly inrecent weeks. So why are mortgage rates increa...

Buyinga home can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re not sure what happens,when it happens or who you need to speak to along the way In this solo episode, I break down the UK home-buying process into 10 simplesteps, taking you from deciding you’re ready to buy right through to gettingthe keys. We’ll cover everything from understanding your budget and getting a mortgageagreement in principle,...

Think maternity leave, a poor credit history, being self-employed or working on a zero-hour contract means you can’t get a mortgage? Think again. In this solo episode of Let’s Buy a Home, Dan Knott breaks down some of the most common mortgage myths that could be stopping people from even exploring their options. We discuss: - Maternity leave: can you still get a mortgage while onmaternity leave? -...

Is shared ownership still worth considering if you’re tryingto buy your first home in 2026? In this episode of Let’s Buy a Home, Dan is joined by Sarah Ellis, ofMetropolitan Thames Valley (MTVH) an Affordable Housing Leader, for anotherdeep dive into shared ownership. Rather than simply explaining how the scheme works, we look at shared ownershipfrom the perspective of an affordable housing provid...

In this episode of Let’s Buy a Home, Dan Knott is joined byLynda Clark, Editor of First Time Buyer Magazine, to talk through some of the biggest questions first-time buyers face when getting onto the property ladder. From saving your deposit to understanding your credit score, speaking to a mortgage adviser and finding the right place to live, Lynda shares practical advice and insights from her ye...

Credit Scoring: What First-Time Buyers Really Need to Know What does your credit score actually mean when you’re trying to get a mortgage? In this episode, Dan breaks down credit scoring in simple terms: what lenders look at, what can hurt your credit profile, common myths, and practical steps you can take to put yourself in the best possible position before applying for a mortgage. If you’re hopi...

If you’re buying your first home, you’ve probably heardpeople say, “speak to a mortgage broker.” But what does a mortgage broker actually do? In this solo episode of Let’s Buy a Home, mortgage adviser Dan Knott breaks down exactly how a broker helps you through the home-buying journey, from understanding your budget and comparing mortgage deals to getting your application approved and supporting y...

Why are Black British households significantly less likely to own a home than White British households? This week, mortgage adviser Dan Knott is joined by financial educator Mr MoneyJar to discuss one of the UK’s biggest wealth inequalities and what can be done to address it. We explore the role of systemic barriers, generational wealth, the Bank of Mum and Dad, cultural factors and why the length...

Buying a home isn’t just about saving a deposit. There are plenty of additional costs that can catch first-time buyers offguard. That isn’t because they’re hidden, but because nobody has told you aboutthem yet. In this episode of Let’s Buy a Home, I’m breaking down the real cost of buyinga property in the UK, including: • Conveyancing fees • Survey costs • Stamp Duty • Mortgage arrangement and pro...

Thinking about buying your first home but struggling to afford it? This week on Let’s Buy a Home, I’m joined by Jo Short of the National Shared Ownership Campaign and Keaze, to break down one of the UK’s most misunderstood homeownership schemes. We cover: - What shared ownership actually is -  Who can benefit from the scheme - How buying shares in your home works - The pros and potential drawbacks...

Getting a mortgage when you're self-employed doesn't have to be difficult. In this episode of Let's Buy a Home, I explain everything business owners, sole traders, limited company directors and freelancers need to know before applying for a mortgage. We'll cover: - How lenders assess self-employed income. - How many years of accounts you'll usually need. - Dividends vs net profit for limited compa...

What does a property finder actually do, and could one help you find your ideal home? In this episode of Let's Buy a Home, Dan Knott is joined by London property finder Lexie Carducci to discuss how buyers can make better property decisions. They explore what a property finder does, how to get the most from property viewings, areas of London worth considering, and the key red flags that could save...

Buying a home can feel overwhelming, but it doesn't have to be. In this episode of Let's Buy a Home, I answer three real listener questions: - Should I add my partner to the mortgage? - Should I clear my debt before buying a home? - Should I use the homebuyer scheme? Expect straightforward, jargon-free mortgage advice to help you make informed decisions and buy with confidence. Have a question you...

This week, Let's Buy a Home goes LIVE from the London Home Show with a panel focused on some of the biggest affordable home buying schemes available today. Joining the conversation: - Jennifer Cobley discussing Shared Ownership - Jenny Anson breaking down Discount Full Ownership - Zai Jimoh explaining London Living Rent We cover: - Who these schemes are actually designed for - The pros and cons bu...

This week on Let's Buy a Home, we're joined by HomeWithMo, the Instagram creator sharing the real story behind home renovations and the finances that come with them. We dive into her renovation journey so far, the reality of managing budgets, dealing with the "renovation police" online, and the pressure to create a perfect home. We also explore a bigger question: will buying or creating your dream...

Saving for a house deposit can feel like the hardest part of buying your first home but it doesn't have to be. In this solo episode of Let's Buy a Home, I break down practical ways to build your deposit faster and smarter. We cover: - How the Lifetime ISA can help boost your savings - What a gifted deposit is and how it works - Why speaking to a mortgage adviser early can save you time and stress...

In this episode, we're joined by Dani from Home At Last, a service dedicated to guiding first-time buyers through every step of the homebuying journey, right through to getting the keys. We dive into how tailored home searches, assisted viewings, and expert negotiation support can make a huge difference when navigating the London property market. We also explore one of the biggest questions for bu...

Need to borrow more for your mortgage but your income hasn't changed? This episode breaks down practical, realistic ways to boost your borrowing power without needing a pay rise. We cover:                •              How reducing existing debts can significantly improve affordability                •              Why extending your mortgage term could increase what you can borrow               ...

This week's guest is housing campaigner Harry Scoffin, founder of Free Leaseholders. We unpack the complexities of the leasehold system, where the biggest issues sit and what needs to change. Harry shares his perspective on how leasehold impacts homeowners today, if leasehold flats are struggling to sell and what you should consider if you're buying or selling a leasehold property. Please note: th...

I'm joined by Ken and Mary from The Humble Penny, who became mortgage free in their 30s. We break down how they paid off their mortgage early in the UK, including the habits, discipline, and strategy that made it possible. We also explore a big question for homeowners: Should you overpay your mortgage or invest your money instead? Ken and Mary share how they balanced mortgage overpayments vs inves...

In this week's episode of Let's Buy a Home, mortgage adviser Dan Knott provides a mortgage market update and explains why rates have started rising again.   With global events, including the conflict involving Iran impacting inflation and expectations around interest rates, lenders have reacted quickly. Let's discuss what's really driving these changes, including swap rates, and why mortgage deals...

In this week's episode of Let's Buy a Home, I'm joined by Daniel Knight (DanTheSurveyorMan) from Home Scan Surveyors to discuss why property surveys are one of the most overlooked but important parts of buying a home. We talk about what surveys actually uncover, why so many buyers skip them, and whether Japanese knotweed really is as bad as its reputation suggests. If you're buying a home or plann...