Three-time Prestige Award winner
First Time Buyer Mortgages Livingston
Whole-of-market mortgage guidance for first time buyers in Livingston and throughout West Lothian. We manage the lender conversations, the paperwork and the technical terms, leaving you free to concentrate on choosing your first home.
✓ Solutions for applicants who have had credit problems before
✓ Phone or video appointments arranged around your routine
✓ Free first consultation with no obligation
95%
Loan to value available, subject to circumstances
3X
Prestige Award winner, three years running
£0
Initial consultation is FREE with no obligation
FCA
Appointed representative.
Buying your first home in Livingston
First time buyers, we're here for you
Buying a first home can feel like a big leap. There's a lot of advice online, but plenty of it is out of date or doesn't apply to your situation. Prestige Mortgage Solutions will support you from the first conversation right through to completion.
Our panel of lenders includes providers who will consider small deposits, deposits gifted by family, borrowed deposits and deposits that come through a government scheme. We also have routes for applicants with a damaged credit history who might be declined by the main high-street banks.
Getting first-time buyers onto the property ladder is what we're good at. We can liaise with your lender, solicitor and estate agent for you, explain each stage clearly, and give you the guidance you need to secure a strong deal on the home you're after.
To find the right mortgage for you, contact us today and book a free consultation.
Buying in Scotland
How does buying in Livingston work?
Scotland has its own property tax, its own method for making offers and its own Home Report. Here's what first time buyers in Livingston should keep in mind.
LBTT, not Stamp Duty
Scotland charges Land and Buildings Transaction Tax instead of Stamp Duty. First Time Buyer relief lifts the nil-rate band to £175,000, so a lot of first homes in Livingston fall below the point where tax is payable. We'll check the exact numbers against your budget.
The Home Report
When you buy an existing home, the seller supplies a Home Report containing a surveyor's valuation. Lenders read it closely, and how the valuation compares with the asking price can affect how much they'll lend.
Offers over, and closing dates
If a property draws plenty of interest, the selling agent may set a closing date for offers. An agreement in principle already in your hand shows your offer is genuine, which matters if you only get one chance to put it in.
How it works
Your journey from first chat to new keys
Step 1
Free consultation
A friendly, no-obligation talk about your income, your deposit and the sort of home you'd like.
Step 2
Affordability check
We look at your finances and tell you honestly what's realistic in Livingston.
Step 3
Agreement in principle
A document that supports your offers, so you can act quickly even if a closing date is set.
Step 4
Whole-of-market
We compare lenders from the big banks to niche specialists, then give you a clear recommendation.
Step 5
Application to keys
We keep your lender, solicitor and estate agent on track until the purchase is complete.
Why Us
Why choose Prestige Mortgage Solutions?
We aim to give you more than the average mortgage broker and to leave no stone unturned.
☑ Mortgage support built around your own circumstances.
☑ Professional advice that saves you time, money and stress.
☑ Access to rates across the whole mortgage market.
☑ We manage communication between your lender, solicitor and estate agent.
☑ We'll stay with you for as long as it takes to reach your dream home.
☑ All quotes come with no obligation.
Livingston areas where we help first time buyers
⚲Almondvale ⚲Dedridge ⚲Deans ⚲Craigshill ⚲Howden ⚲Knightsridge ⚲Ladywell ⚲Murieston ⚲Kirkton ⚲Adambrae ⚲Eliburn ⚲Livingston Village ⚲Bellsquarry ⚲Polbeth ⚲West Calder ⚲Mid Calder ⚲East Calder ⚲Bathgate ⚲Broxburn ⚲Whitburn ⚲Armadale
Can't spot your area? Call us, as we help buyers across the whole of the UK.
What our first time buyers say
★★★★★
"Chris has been a great help throughout our mortgage application process through to completion with superb communication and in depth knowledge of the market."
- Charlotte William
★★★★★
"We have been customers of Prestige Mortgage Solutions since 2016 & we’ve just completed our third mortgage with them. The level of service & attention detail is exceptional. Highly, highly recommended."
- S M
★★★★★
"3rd company I tried with getting a mortgage and they didn't disappoint, Chris is a great guy, easy to talk to and even put me on to a solicitor to help my mortgage after they got my accepted for smy mortgage, will definitely be using again for next property."
- Grant Montgomery
FAQs
First time buyer questions, answered
How much of a deposit do I need to buy my first home in Livingston?
Most lenders ask for at least 5% of the purchase price, which is about £7,000 on a £140,000 home. A larger deposit generally gives you access to better rates. Our lender panel includes providers who accept small deposits, family gifts, borrowed deposits and deposits from government schemes.
How much can I borrow as a first-time buyer?
It depends on your income, how you're employed, your credit record, your existing commitments, your deposit and the property's value. We can run an affordability assessment so you understand your borrowing potential before you start viewing homes.
Do first time buyers pay LBTT in Scotland?
First Time Buyer relief raises the LBTT nil-rate band to £175,000, so many first purchases in Livingston involve no tax. If the price is higher, you pay tax only on the portion above the threshold. We'll confirm the current figures for your budget.
Can I get a mortgage if I have bad credit?
Potentially, yes. We help people with missed payments, defaults, CCJs, debt management plans and low credit scores. Having bad credit doesn't automatically rule out a mortgage, because we work with lenders who specialise in adverse credit.
Should I get an agreement in principle before making an offer?
We'd strongly advise it. If a Livingston property goes to a closing date, an agreement in principle shows the selling agent that your offer is backed by funding.
Do you charge for your advice?
Your initial consultation and quote are free, with no obligation. If you go ahead and apply for a mortgage, we usually charge a fee for arranging it, depending on your circumstances. A typical fee is £499, payable only when you receive your mortgage offer from the lender. We always explain any fee clearly before you commit.