Case Study: First Time Buyers - Getting a Mortgage with Credit Defaults

Meet George and Paige

George and Paige had been living with Paige’s mum in Sheffield, South Yorkshire, for the previous four years. George, 25, worked as a Sales Manager for a local plastics engineering company, while Paige, 27, was a legal secretary for a large UK law firm.

When they reached the point where they wanted independence and their own space, they decided to take their first steps on the property ladder.

The challenge: a credit issue and limited options

Their plans were affected by a default recorded on George’s credit profile from 2021. The default stemmed from a loan he took out to cover repairs to his car. Although the loan company later faced issues and George received financial compensation, the impact on his credit profile remained.

As they began their search, they approached two mainstream lenders. Both declined their applications:

• One lender indicated a maximum borrowing limit of £58,000.
• Another lender required a minimum 20% deposit before it would consider their application further.

With a modest deposit saved and still feeling the weight of their earlier credit history, George and Paige nearly stepped away from the idea of buying a home.

Finding a route forward

They continued monitoring their credit position through Experian and, at that stage, came across a mortgage broker who could look beyond a single lender decision. For George and Paige, the turning point wasn’t just the outcome—it was the reassurance that their situation could be assessed properly rather than dismissed.

How did we help?

George and Paige first came to our brokers in March 2025. At the outset, they were understandably apprehensive. Their mortgage advisor reviewed their circumstances—including the default on George’s credit record—and focused on what specialist lenders may consider.

Rather than treating their case as a simple “pass or fail”, the approach was to match their situation to lenders that are more likely to assess applications with a fuller understanding of individual circumstances.

Building a plan around timing and affordability

They also needed time to find the right property and to ensure they had enough funds available for the costs involved in moving.

By August 2025, they found a home in Worksop, around 20 miles outside Sheffield, and agreed a purchase price of £135,000.

With a 5% deposit saved (totalling £6,750), the next steps moved quickly:

• Their Agreement in Principle was secured in two days.
• Their mortgage offer followed a few weeks later.

What George and Paige say

“The team gave us the confidence we needed to believe that buying our own home was possible. At first, we still thought our application would be rejected, but we received regular updates at every step and just needed to be patient.

“The process felt really clear and easy to follow. The online portal was simple to use, allowing us to upload our documents there and then. The communication was great and the whole team were amazing from start to finish.

“Now we have all the space we need in a home we can call our own.”

Key takeaways from George and Paige’s journey

• A credit issue doesn’t always end the story: it can change the lender landscape and the strategy.
• Specialist lenders may consider cases differently: matching the application to the right type of lender can make a real difference.
• Timing matters for first-time buyers: having a plan for both the property search and the costs of moving helped keep momentum.
• Clear communication reduces stress: regular updates and a structured process supported them through the mortgage journey.