A First Time Buyer Solution with April Mortgages: Buying a first home is rarely just a financial decision.
It is also a test of timing, patience and trust. Many first-time buyers can afford monthly rent. Yet they struggle to build the deposit needed to move from renting to ownership.
That is where April Mortgages may offer a practical solution for first-time buyers.
This is not about borrowing without thought. It is about asking a better question. If a buyer has stable income, good credit and clear affordability, should the deposit be the only barrier?
April Mortgages offers a different answer for some eligible buyers.
At a Glance
April Mortgages may help eligible first-time buyers who have income but limited savings.
The product may offer:
- 0% deposit borrowing for eligible applicants
- Up to 100% loan-to-value
- Fixed rates over 10 or 15 years
- A rate that can reduce as loan-to-value improves
- No early repayment charges when moving home or repaying with own funds
- Unlimited overpayments
- Access through mortgage advisers only
However, a 100% mortgage needs careful advice. Borrowing the full property value can increase the risk of negative equity if house prices fall.
If you are comparing options, Connect Mortgages can review April Mortgages alongside other first-time-buyer mortgage options.
Why First-Time Buyers Need a Different Conversation
For many buyers, the challenge is not only the monthly payment.
It is the deposit.
Halifax reported that the average first-time buyer deposit in 2024 was £61,090. The average first-time buyer home cost £311,034.
That gap can make ownership feel distant, even for buyers with steady income.
A first-time buyer solution should therefore consider three things:
- Can the buyer afford the monthly repayment?
- Can the buyer meet lender criteria?
- Does the product remain suitable if life changes?
April Mortgages is designed around these questions.
How April Mortgages Works for First-Time Buyers
April Mortgages offers long-term fixed-rate products. These can help first-time buyers plan their monthly repayments over a longer period.
For eligible applicants, April also offers a no-deposit mortgage. This means the buyer may be able to borrow the full purchase price of the property.
This is known as a 100% loan-to-value mortgage.
The product is not open to everyone. April Mortgages says applicants need a stable income, good credit history and full affordability assessment. The lender also applies property and eligibility rules.
This makes advice important before any application begins.
You can read more about the wider product route on April Mortgages.
Technical Features at a Glance
| Product feature | What it may mean for first-time buyers |
|---|---|
| 0% deposit option | Eligible buyers may not need a cash deposit. |
| 100% loan-to-value | The mortgage may cover the full property value. |
| 10 or 15-year fixed rate | Monthly payments can be planned for longer. |
| Automatic rate reduction | The rate may fall as loan-to-value improves. |
| Unlimited overpayments | Buyers may reduce the balance faster if affordable. |
| No early repayment charges in some situations | Moving home or repaying with own funds may be more flexible. |
| Adviser-only access | Buyers need to apply through a mortgage adviser. |
| Full affordability assessment | Income, credit history and commitments still matter. |
Why the Long Fixed Rate Matters
A long fixed rate can feel unusual to many UK buyers.
Most people hear about two-year or five-year fixed rates. These can work well. However, they also mean borrowers may need to remortgage more often.
A 10 or 15-year fixed rate changes the shape of the decision.
It may give the buyer more certainty over monthly repayments. It may also reduce the need to keep reviewing the mortgage every few years.
However, certainty is not the same as suitability.
A longer fixed rate should be considered alongside income, future plans, property type, expected life changes and total borrowing cost.
The right mortgage is not simply the one that gets a buyer through the door. It is the one they can live with after completion.
The Practical Appeal of 0% Deposit
A 0% deposit mortgage may help where the buyer has income but limited savings.
This can be relevant for renters who pay rent each month but struggle to save enough for a 5% or 10% deposit.
For example, a buyer looking at a £250,000 home may need £12,500 for a 5% deposit. That figure does not include legal fees, moving costs, surveys or other costs.
With April Mortgages, eligible buyers may be able to buy without a deposit.
Yet other costs can still apply. Buyers should still plan for legal work, valuation costs, moving costs, insurance and any stamp duty that applies.
Use the stamp duty calculator to check possible stamp duty costs before you apply.
The Risks First-Time Buyers Must Understand
A no-deposit mortgage is not risk-free.
Because the mortgage may start at 100% loan-to-value, the buyer has no starting equity. If the property value falls, the buyer could owe more than the home is worth.
This is called negative equity.
Negative equity can make it harder to sell, remortgage or move home. It may also reduce flexibility if circumstances change.
That does not mean the product is wrong. It means the product needs proper advice.
A buyer should consider:
- How secure their income feels
- Whether their monthly budget is realistic
- How long they may stay in the property
- Whether they can manage other buying costs
- How they would cope if property values fell
- Whether they may want to overpay later
A mortgage should support progress, not create pressure.
Who April Mortgages May Suit
April Mortgages may suit some first-time buyers who:
- Have stable household income
- Have good credit history
- Can afford the monthly repayments
- Are struggling to save a deposit while renting
- Want longer-term payment certainty
- Understand the risks of 100% borrowing
- Want flexibility to overpay when possible
- Prefer advice before applying
It may not suit buyers who need the lowest short-term rate, expect major income changes, want a new-build property, or need a mortgage outside the lender’s criteria.
A Connect Mortgages adviser can review whether this route fits your circumstances.
April Mortgages Compared with Other First-Time Buyer Routes
April Mortgages is one option. It should not be viewed in isolation.
First-time buyers may also consider:
- 95% loan-to-value mortgages
- 90% loan-to-value mortgages
- Shared Ownership
- gifted deposit options
- family support mortgages
- standard fixed-rate mortgages
- other low-deposit products
A smaller deposit may provide access to more lenders. A larger deposit may improve rates or choice.
However, waiting to save more can also mean paying rent for longer.
That is why the decision needs balance.
The question is not only “Can I buy now?” It is also “Can I buy well?”
To understand wider borrowing options, use the residential affordability calculator.
Why Adviser Support Matters
April Mortgages products are available through mortgage advisers.
This matters because the lender’s criteria, product structure and risks need to be understood before an application is submitted.
An adviser can review:
- income and affordability
- credit history
- employment type
- property type
- deposit position
- loan-to-value
- future plans
- alternative lender options
If April Mortgages is not suitable, another first-time buyer mortgage may be better.
Connect Mortgages is a credit broker, not a lender. Our role is to review your circumstances and help identify suitable mortgage options.
If you would prefer to compare advisers by location or need, you can also use the first-time buyer brokers page on Connect Experts.
A Simple Example
Consider a first-time buyer with stable income and good credit.
They have paid rent for several years. Their bank statements show regular monthly commitments. However, saving a large deposit has been difficult.
A traditional route may mean waiting longer.
April Mortgages may offer another route if the buyer meets the lender’s rules and passes affordability checks.
The buyer could benefit from long-term payment certainty. They may also have the option to overpay if their income improves.
However, they must understand the risks of borrowing at 100% loan-to-value.
This is where advice becomes more than paperwork. It becomes a filter between possibility and suitability.
Questions to Ask Before Choosing April Mortgages
Before applying, first-time buyers should ask:
- Do I meet April Mortgages’ eligibility rules?
- Can I afford the payment now and later?
- What happens if property values fall?
- How long do I expect to live in the property?
- Can I cover legal, moving and insurance costs?
- Would a 95% mortgage be more suitable?
- Can I overpay without creating pressure?
- What are the total costs over the fixed period?
These questions help turn a product into a decision.
Is This a Good First-Time Buyer Solution?
For the right buyer, April Mortgages may offer a serious first-time buyer solution.
It can help bridge the gap between renting and ownership. It may also provide certainty through a longer fixed rate and flexibility through overpayments.
However, it is not a shortcut around affordability.
The product still requires responsible lending, strong credit, stable income and careful advice.
Home ownership should not be treated as a race. It should be treated as a commitment that needs the right structure.
April Mortgages may help some first-time buyers move sooner. The important point is making sure they move safely.
Speak to Connect Mortgages
If you are a first-time buyer and want to know whether April Mortgages could suit you, speak to Connect Mortgages.
We can review your affordability, deposit position, credit profile and wider mortgage options.
Start with our guide to no deposit mortgages if you want to understand 100% borrowing in more detail. You can also contact Connect Mortgages to speak with an adviser.
FAQs: A First-Time Buyer Solution with April Mortgages
Can first-time buyers get an April Mortgages product?
Yes, some first-time buyers may be eligible. April Mortgages applies lender criteria, affordability checks and credit checks before approving any application.
Does April Mortgages offer a 0% deposit mortgage?
April Mortgages offers a no-deposit option for eligible applicants. This may allow borrowing up to 100% of the property value.
Is a 100% mortgage risky?
Yes, it can be. If property values fall, the buyer could face negative equity. This means the mortgage balance may be higher than the property value.
Why does April Mortgages use long fixed rates?
Long fixed rates can help buyers plan repayments over a longer period. However, the product should still be checked against future plans and overall cost.
Can I overpay with April Mortgages?
April Mortgages states that unlimited overpayments may be available. Buyers should still check the product terms before proceeding.
Do I need a mortgage adviser to apply?
Yes. April Mortgages products are available through mortgage advisers. An adviser can check suitability, criteria and affordability before application.
Is April Mortgages right for every first-time buyer?
No. It may suit some buyers with stable income and good credit. Other buyers may be better suited to a 95%, 90% or standard first-time buyer mortgage.
