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Santander UK has announced the launch of a new mortgage product aimed at helping first-time buyers overcome one of the biggest barriers to home ownership, saving for a deposit.
The new My First Mortgage allows eligible buyers to purchase a home with a deposit of just 2%, offering a potential route onto the property ladder for those who may have previously struggled to save a larger upfront amount.
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Buying a home is an exciting milestone, but if you are new to the process, the mortgage journey can feel unclear. Understanding what happens at each stage can help you feel more confident and prepared, from your first viewing right through to collecting the keys.
Whether you are just starting to browse properties or are ready to make an offer, here is a simple guide to the mortgage journey and how our independent mortgage advisers at Richard Kendall Estate Agent can support you along the way.
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As we move through 2026, interior design trends shift toward creating homes that feel personally meaningful, comfortable, and thoughtfully curated. Rather than following rigid style rules, this year's decorating approach emphasizes authenticity, sustainability, and spaces that genuinely support how you live.
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The timing question nobody answers honestly
Every property article promises perfect timing predictions. Buy now before prices rise. Wait because they'll fall. Meanwhile, actual buyers need homes to live in, not investment thesis validation. Here's what matters more than price direction: whether 2026 market conditions create genuine advantages for buyers who understand what's changed.
The answer? Yes - for specific reasons most buyers haven't recognised yet.
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The confusion costing both parties
You've heard Section 21 "no-fault" evictions are ending. You've read that tenants get more rights. You've seen landlords claiming the market will collapse whilst tenants celebrate finally getting protections. Meanwhile, the actual legislation contains nuances both sides are missing, and misunderstanding these changes will cost landlords money whilst leaving tenants unprotected if they don't understand what changed versus what they assumed.
Here's what separates those who'll navigate these reforms successfully from those who'll struggle: understanding what changed, what stayed the same, and how the practical implications differ from the political rhetoric surrounding the legislation.
