5 Mistakes First-Time Buyers Make (And How to Avoid Them)

Buying your first home is exciting — but it’s also easy to fall into a few traps along the way. Here are five common mistakes first-time buyers make in 2025 (and how to sidestep them):

1. Not checking affordability first
   – Always get an agreement in principle before viewing homes.

2. Underestimating fees
   – Factor in solicitors, surveys, and stamp duty (if applicable).

3. Using the wrong lender
   – Some banks are stricter with contractors or zero-hour contracts. A broker can help you avoid the “computer says no” scenario.

4. Ignoring protection
   – What happens to your mortgage if you get ill or can’t work? Life and income protection matter more than ever.

5. Going it alone
   – A mortgage broker works for you, not the bank.

At Cambs Ely Mortgages, we help first-time buyers across Cambridgeshire make confident, informed decisions — with friendly, jargon-free support.

You never forget your first home — or the mistakes that almost stopped it from happening.

Let me tell you about Tom and Emily.

They were your classic first-time buyers: excited, hopeful, scrolling Rightmove at midnight. They found the perfect house in Littleport, viewed it the next day, and made an offer on the spot.

But they forgot one small thing: they didn’t have an agreement in principle.

The seller rejected their offer because they couldn’t prove they were “mortgage ready.” Within 48 hours, the house was gone. They were crushed.

Then there was Jason, a brilliant guy in his 20s who budgeted for his deposit to the penny — but didn’t account for solicitor fees, surveys, or the £999 lender fee.

And Olivia? She said yes to the first bank that offered her a mortgage — and ended up locked into a 5-year deal at 0.7% higher than what we later found her friend.

The point is: it’s easy to make mistakes when you’re buying for the first time. But they’re all avoidable with the right advice.

So here’s what I tell every first-time buyer:

• ✅ Get a mortgage in principle before house hunting.

• ✅ Speak to someone who compares lenders, not just one bank.

• ✅ Know all the costs before you fall in love with a property.

We help buyers every day in Ely, Cambridge and across Cambs. We’ll walk you through it — no pressure, no jargon, just support.

🏡 Ready to write your success story? Book a free first-time buyer call