Let's Buy a Home

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...

This week's episode is all about the insurances you should consider when buying a home. Host Dan Knott is mortgage and protection adviser and talks through what is compulsory and what could be advisable. When you get a mortgage, you'll often hear about things like life insurance, income protection, critical illness cover and home insurance. But what do these policies do, and which ones really matt...

Can you really buy a London home for 20% less - with 100% ownership? In this week's episode of Let's Buy a Home, mortgagee adviser Dan Knott is joined by Pocket Living, the developer focused on helping London's middle-earning first-time buyers get onto the property ladder. They build and sell new homes at a 20% discount to market value - without shared ownership, rent, or part-buy/part-rent struct...

This week mortgage adviser Dan Knott is joined by property investor and Property Week award winner James Gerrard to unpack one of the biggest questions in today's housing market: Who is buying up UK homes? We discuss:                •              The reported price falls in Prime Central London                •              Whether the UK housing market is cooling - or simply shifting            ...

Thinking about buying a home with no deposit? In this solo episode, mortgage adviser Dan Knott breaks down the reality of 100% mortgages and low-deposit options currently available in the UK mortgage market. We cover: - How Skipton's Track Record mortgage works - Accord's 1% deposit mortgage explained - Who these products are designed for - The compromises you may need to make - The risks of borro...

This week on Let's Buy a Home, Dan Knott is joined by financial broadcaster and podcaster Georgie Frost for an honest conversation about renting, homeownership, and the money habits that shape her life.   Georgie shares how renting influenced her financial journey, why she didn't buy her first home until her 40s, and her very strong feelings about the Lifetime ISA. She also reveals the single mone...

Conveyancing… exciting? We promise - this one is! This week on Let's Buy a Home, Dan Knott is joined by Yas from Hudson Conveyancing, who's gone viral on TikTok for sharing the real-life highs and lows of being a conveyancer. Together, they break down what conveyancers actually do, why the profession gets such a bad reputation, and how to choose the right conveyancer (spoiler: cheapest isn't alway...

Buying vs renting — which is better for you? In this solo episode of Let's Buy a Home, Dan Knott (first-time buyer mortgage adviser) breaks down the rent vs buy debate honestly and without bias. You'll learn when buying makes sense, when renting is the smarter option, and how to decide based on your finances, lifestyle and future plans - not pressure or headlines. This episode is perfect if you're...

Buying your first home in the UK can feel more difficult than ever. In this episode of Let's Buy a Home, Dan Knott is joined by Nick Lieb, COO of Share to Buy, one of the UK's leading property portals dedicated to affordable homeownership and first-time buyer schemes. Together, they unpack the biggest challenges facing first-time buyers, explain how Shared Ownership really works, and explore alter...

Buying your first home isn't just about saving for a deposit - your credit history matters more than you might think. In this episode, mortgage adviser Dan Knott talks with Tom Eyre, CEO of LOQBOX, about the truths behind credit scores, the pitfalls of credit cards, and practical ways to boost your credit before applying for a mortgage. We cover:                 •               How LOQBOX helps pe...

Buying your first home starts long before you view a property - and in this episode, I'm breaking down everything first time buyers need to know to make sure they're mortgage ready for 2026. This is a foundational, start-to-finish guide designed to give you clarity, confidence and a plan. I'll walk you through:                •              How to book and prepare for your first mortgage appointme...

Thinking about buying your first home but intimidated by auctions? This week, I chat with Dan from BID, to uncover the secrets behind buying at auction. We dive into:                •              How first-time buyers can spot amazing opportunities.                •              A step-by-step guide to the auction process.                •              Common mistakes that could cost you big.    ...

In this episode of Let's Buy a Home, Dan Knott (aka Dan Does Mortgages) is joined by Laura Ann Moore, a money mindset coach, to explore the hidden money blocks that stop people from building wealth and buying a home. If you've ever wondered why you earn decent money but still feel stuck, anxious, or behind financially, this conversation explains how your relationship with money shapes your financi...

What does home really taste like? This week on Let's Buy a Home, I'm joined by Lauren Leyva, a low-cost, low-waste food expert who's built a loyal following by making home cooking feel doable, fun, and far less intimidating. We dig into how food shapes our idea of home, why confidence in the kitchen matters (especially for first-time homeowners), and how cutting down on food waste can be one of th...

In this week's solo episode, Dan breaks down the Christmas money traps that can quietly sabotage your chances of buying a home in 2026. The festive season is meant to be fun but a few costly decisions now can show up on your bank statements, your credit report, and ultimately… your mortgage application. Dan covers the key red flags lenders look for during and after the Christmas period, including:...