Case Study: First Time Buyers - Using Help to Buy to Bridge the Deposit Gap

Help to Buy – William & Huong

The challenge: a great new-build, but the deposit wasn’t quite there

William and Huong were first-time buyers who had found the right new-build property. They had support from family: their parents gifted them a small deposit. However, even with that help, they still needed a little more to make the purchase work.

Like many first-time buyers, they were also facing pressure from the developer. The sales team wanted them to use the on-site mortgage arrangement, which can feel convenient—but it doesn’t always give buyers the flexibility to explore the full mortgage picture.

The solution: using Help to Buy London to make the purchase possible

For eligible buyers in London, the Help to Buy London scheme provided a government-backed loan of 40% of the purchase price. William and Huong’s plan was structured around a repayment mortgage, and the scheme was used for their main home purchase (not for second homes or buy-to-let purposes).

In England, there is also a property value limit for the scheme—the home must not exceed £600,000.

By aligning their mortgage application with the Help to Buy London requirements, William and Huong were able to move forward with the purchase with a deposit position that was workable.

What the broker helped with

A key part of this case was managing the mortgage process efficiently while keeping the buyer’s goals at the centre. That included:

• Reviewing the deposit position and how the gifted funds could fit into the overall mortgage plan
• Ensuring the mortgage route matched Help to Buy London parameters (including the repayment mortgage approach)
• Preparing the application for speed, so it could be submitted without unnecessary delays
• Handling the practicalities of a new-build purchase, where timelines can be tight and decisions often need to be made quickly

Outcome: a mortgage offer in under 10 days

With the right structure in place, William and Huong were able to submit their mortgage application and secure a mortgage offer in under 10 days.

Their experience highlights a common first-time buyer theme: when the deposit is close but not quite enough, the difference can come down to selecting the correct mortgage route and presenting the application in a way that keeps the process moving.

What William & Huong said

“As first time buyers and using Help to Buy, we really didn’t know which way to turn. The developers at the site we were buying from wanted us to use their on-site brokers. However we done some research and decided to use a local broker. We are so happy that we used Mortgage Scout, Christina guided us through the process and got us a mortgage offer really quickly.”

Key takeaways for first-time buyers considering Help to Buy

• Help to Buy can be a deposit bridge where you have some funds available, but not enough to complete the purchase on your own.
• Eligibility details matter—the scheme is designed for main home purchases and is linked to specific mortgage and property parameters.
• New-build timelines can be demanding—having a mortgage plan that’s ready to progress can reduce stress during the buying process.
• You’re not limited to the developer’s preferred arrangement—it’s often worth comparing options to find the best fit for your circumstances.

Important notes

Mortgage terms, eligibility and availability depend on individual circumstances and lender criteria. Help to Buy schemes have specific rules and property limits, so it’s important to confirm details for your situation before proceeding.

There may be fees for mortgage advice. The fee is up to 1% but a typical fee is £499. Full details of fee structure can be provided by our brokers on request.