Buying your first home? Let's make it simpler.

Taking your first step onto the property ladder can feel daunting. We're here to make the mortgage side of things clearer, explain your options and guide you through the process from start to finish.

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FIRST-TIME BUYERS

Your first home. Your first mortgage. We're here to help.

Buying your first home is exciting, but getting your head around mortgages, deposits, affordability and lenders can feel like a lot.

That's where we come in. We'll take the time to understand your circumstances, explain your options clearly and help you understand how much you could potentially borrow and what your monthly payments might look like.

From your first conversation with us through to getting the keys, we'll be here to guide you through the mortgage process and help keep things moving.

HOW WE CAN HELP

Taking the guesswork out of buying your first home.

There are plenty of things to think about when you're buying your first home. We'll help you understand the mortgage side of things and guide you through each stage.

01

Understanding Your Budget

We'll look at your income, commitments and circumstances to help you understand how much you could potentially borrow and what you could realistically afford.

02

Your Deposit

Whether you've been saving for years, have help from family or are exploring the options available with a smaller deposit, we'll explain what could work for you.

03

Finding The Right Mortgage

We'll search the mortgage market and help you understand the different options available, including the interest rate, term and monthly repayments.

04

Getting You To Completion

Once you've found your home, we'll help with the mortgage application and keep you updated as things progress, helping make the journey as straightforward as possible.

Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage.

OUR LENDER & INSURANCE PARTNERS

More choice.
More ways to find the right mortgage.

Buying your first home can feel like there is a lot to work out. Which lender? How much can you borrow? What deposit do you need? And which mortgage is actually right for you?

We have access to a wide range of mortgage lenders and protection providers, giving us more options to consider when we look at your individual circumstances.

Below are just some of the lenders and insurance providers we work with. Our panel includes a wider range of providers, giving us the flexibility to explore the options available and recommend a mortgage that fits your circumstances.

Mortgage Lenders
Danske Bank
Bank of Ireland
Santander
Progressive Building Society
Nationwide
NatWest
Barclays
Danske Bank
Bank of Ireland
Santander
Progressive Building Society
Nationwide
NatWest
Barclays
Insurance & Protection Providers
Royal London
Aviva
Legal & General
LV=
MetLife
Royal London
Aviva
Legal & General
LV=
MetLife
These are examples of some of the providers available to us and do not represent our entire panel.
Free First Time Buyer Guide

Get Your Free First Time Buyer Brochure

Filled with practical advice, our First Time Buyer brochure is perfect if you're not ready to enquire about a mortgage today, but would like more information.

The brochure is completely free to download and provides 10 essential tips that every first time buyer needs to know about.

10
Essential first time buyer tips Practical guidance to help you feel more confident about your first home.

Get Your Free Guide

Enter your details below and we'll send you your free First Time Buyer brochure.

    Buying in Northern Ireland

    Could Co-Ownership help you get on the property ladder?

    If buying a home outright feels just out of reach, Co-Ownership could give you another route to home ownership.

    Co-Ownership is Northern Ireland's shared ownership scheme. You buy the share of the property you can afford, while Co-Ownership buys the remaining share.

    £230k
    New-build property limit

    From 15 September 2026, the maximum property value for eligible new-build homes through Co-Ownership has increased to £230,000.

    How it works

    A different way to buy your home.

    Instead of needing to buy the whole property yourself, you buy a share that you can afford and Co-Ownership buys the rest.

    01

    Find your home

    Choose a suitable property within the relevant Co-Ownership property limits.

    02

    Buy your share

    You can initially buy between 50% and 90% of the property, depending on what you can afford.

    03

    Co-Ownership buys the rest

    Co-Ownership purchases the remaining share, helping make the property more affordable.

    04

    Increase your share

    As your circumstances change, you can choose to buy additional shares in your home.

    Who could benefit?

    Could Co-Ownership be right for you?

    First-time buyers

    If you can't currently afford to buy a property outright, Co-Ownership could provide another route onto the ladder.

    Limited borrowing capacity

    It could help if you can afford monthly payments but can't borrow enough to purchase the whole property.

    Struggling to save

    Co-Ownership doesn't require a deposit for its standard Co-Own product, although your mortgage lender may have its own criteria.

    Looking for more options

    It may also be available to people who have previously owned a property and meet the current eligibility criteria.

    FAQs

    Co-Ownership questions, answered.

    Do I need a deposit?

    Co-Ownership does not require a deposit for its standard Co-Own product. However, individual mortgage lenders may have their own deposit requirements.

    Can I eventually own 100% of my home?

    You can choose to buy additional shares in your home as your circumstances allow, potentially working towards full ownership.

    Is Co-Ownership only for first-time buyers?

    No. Although many customers are first-time buyers, people who have previously owned a property may also be eligible if they meet the current criteria.

    Can I apply with my partner?

    Yes. Couples can generally apply together, subject to Co-Ownership's eligibility and affordability criteria.

    Can McDaid Mortgages help me with Co-Ownership?

    Yes. We can explain how Co-Ownership works, look at your mortgage options and help you understand whether it could be suitable for your circumstances.

    Considering Co-Ownership?

    Let's see if it could work for you.

    Talk to us about your circumstances and we'll help you understand your options.

    Speak To A Mortgage Adviser

    Co-Ownership eligibility is subject to the scheme's current criteria and your individual circumstances. Mortgage lending is also subject to lender criteria and affordability assessment.

    CLIENT REVIEWS

    Buying your first home? You're in good hands.

    Choosing a mortgage adviser is a big decision. Here's what some of our clients have said about their experience with Mc Daid Mortgages.

    Lauren Parkhill profile picture
    Lauren Parkhill
    2 months ago
    Would highly recommend Mc Daid Mortgages! Patrick was brilliant at providing me with all the information I needed when buying my first home. He was friendly, responsive and professional and quickly put my mind at ease with the mortgage process. Any questions I had were answered super quickly and effectively and he was great at checking in on the process. He gave some great advice and sorted everything I needed seamlessly. Super happy with the service and will be back in the future. Thank you Patrick
    Aaron Cregan profile picture
    Aaron Cregan
    4 months ago
    Pat was absolutely fantastic. So supportive from start to finish had everything covered and made it seem easy! THANK YOU!
    santi crilly profile picture
    santi crilly
    10 months ago
    9 Months ago I decided to send the guys at McDaid mortgages a message regarding applying for a Mortgage whilst cross border working, fast forward to today and myself and my partner are spending our first Christmas in out brand new home, partly in thanks to the amazing work McDaid Mortgages did for us. Quick call to get details, a few emails requesting statements etc and we where mortgage approved in no time. Then when we went sale agreed, they helped us out with the whole Process always on hand to assist with questions and found us a decent life insurance cover for the mortgage. Brilliant company who really care about getting the beet outcome for their customers, can’t recommend them enough!
    Jamie Jennings profile picture
    Jamie Jennings
    10 months ago
    I’ve recently bought my first home and Patrick at McDaid made this process so much smoother and always answered my questions with good details and gave me a good understanding at what the next step was i could not of asked for anyone more helpful
    Lorcan James Bannon profile picture
    Lorcan James Bannon
    11 months ago
    I recently worked with Rory at McDaid Mortgages, and as a first time homebuyer, I couldn’t be more impressed with the service I received. From start to finish, Rory guided me through the entire process with exceptional professionalism and care. He handled everything efficiently, explained each step in a clear and reassuring way, and went above and beyond to make sure everything ran smoothly. What really stood out was Rory’s friendly and personal approach. He made what could have been a stressful experience feel straightforward and manageable. Nothing was ever too much trouble, and he was always available to answer my questions and offer support. Thanks to Rory’s expertise and dedication, I felt confident at every stage. I would absolutely recommend him and McDaid Mortgages to anyone looking for a mortgage adviser who combines knowledge, efficiency, and a genuinely approachable manner.
    Nicola Shaw profile picture
    Nicola Shaw
    12 months ago
    Bought my first house in NI about a year ago, Patrick was my mortgage adviser, he was very responsive and efficient, made the process very easy and I would definitely use Mc Daid again. Apologies Patrick for taking a year to do a review 😅
    Tin May Htut profile picture
    Tin May Htut
    12 months ago
    We were with Rory for our first house purchase. Rory was very responsive to any of our questions which I appreciate the most. It is a difficult journey for the first time buyers but with his help, we find it easy enough. Definitely recommend to go through them for mortgages.
    conor oneill profile picture
    conor oneill
    12 months ago
    I can’t recommend this service enough. Our mortgage advisor was Rory, he was able to make every step of the process a lot easier and was always available to answer any questions we had. If your thinking about buying a house but don’t know where to start contacting mcdaid is a great first step
    Caoime profile picture
    Caoime
    1 year ago
    Great experience working with Rory. He was helpful and professional throughout and made the house buying process as easy as possible. Would recommend and look forward to working with him in the future.
    Gemma Ringland profile picture
    Gemma Ringland
    1 year ago
    Patrick at McDaid Mortgages made buying our first home so much easier. He explained everything clearly, was always quick to answer our questions, and genuinely had our best interests at heart throughout the whole process. Highly recommend to anyone needing a straightforward, honest mortgage advisor!
    Cathal Meehan profile picture
    Cathal Meehan
    1 year ago
    Had a fantastic experience with Pat from start to Finish. I initially went to Pat for my first mortgage over 5 years ago and have gone back twice now for both remortgages. Will certainly recommend to anyone looking for great advice and service!
    Erin McLaughlin profile picture
    Erin McLaughlin
    1 year ago
    I recently worked with Patrick to secure a mortgage, and I couldn't be happier with the experience. From start to finish, he was professional, knowledgeable, and incredibly supportive. They took the time to explain all of my options in detail, answered every question I had, and made sure I felt confident throughout the entire process. Thanks to Patrick, I was able to find a mortgage that fits my needs and budget. Great service
    Siobhan Eunan profile picture
    Siobhan Eunan
    1 year ago
    Fantastic service, professional and friendly, the guys (Pat & Patrick) done all the hard work out of the equation and made it plain sailing. I really was out of my depth, I was prepped in advance, knowing each step and action required on my side making process less stressful and overwhelming. I cannot recommend these guys highly enough...thank you so much 😊🏘️🔑
    Anonymous profile picture
    Anonymous
    2 years ago
    Recently used Pat to help secure a mortgage for our new home. Lots of bumps along the way which Pat expertly helped navigate us through & get the home we wanted. Couldn’t have done it without Pat. Very easily reachable & always happy to answer the phone to you with any queries. Highly recommend using McDaid mortgages to take away all the stress. Thanks again Pat for your all your help. Jack
    Chris Gurney profile picture
    Chris Gurney
    2 years ago
    Patrick was a great help in organising our mortgage. Very quick to reply to any questions or queries I had. Much appreciated.
    M L profile picture
    M L
    2 years ago
    I worked with Patrick for my mortgage..and it was seamless! Patrick was very attentive, explained everything in detail and made sure I understood everything. Nothing was too big of a job, he helped me from the get go - getting my credit score to a stable level, then proceeding through the process of acquiring a house and mortgage. Patrick kept me informed every step of the way, his communication was excellent. I would highly recommend using McDaid's mortgage advisors. Thank you again. Happy new year!
    Jewel Cassidy profile picture
    Jewel Cassidy
    2 years ago
    As a first-time buyer Patrick was absolutely invaluable, so responsive and accessible. He guided me through every step and was extremely reliable throughout! I would recommend him to anyone.
    Jade Gallagher profile picture
    Jade Gallagher
    2 years ago
    I cannot recommend Pat enough and would like to say a HUGE thank you for all of his hard work in securing me a mortgage and for guiding me through the purchase step by step. From the very first time I met with Pat, he couldn't have been more helpful. He was always just a message away to clear up queries or concerns, and he always explained things in a way that made the whole process less overwhelming. I will always recommend Pat to anyone I know who is deciding to purchase a house. Thank you again!
    Conal profile picture
    Conal
    2 years ago
    I recently used Mc Daid Mortgages to purchase my first home. Patrick was fantastic at finding me the best deal to suit my situation and his expertise and professionalism made everything easy and stress-free. I highly recommend them for anyone needing a reliable mortgage advisor.
    Shane Oconnor profile picture
    Shane Oconnor
    2 years ago
    Patrick was helpful throughout the process making sure everything was done on time and answering any questions
    Courtney Young profile picture
    Courtney Young
    2 years ago
    Fantastic throughout the whole home buying process. Supportive and no question seemed too ridiculous to ask.
    natasha higgins profile picture
    natasha higgins
    2 years ago
    Patrick was so approachable and was great and keeping in touch and providing reassurance when needed. He explained the process step by step. Highly recommend
    David Pointon profile picture
    David Pointon
    2 years ago
    Pat has helped me for many years now. Firstly, when my self build mortgage came to an end and the then provider literally hung me out to dry. I didn't know where to turn. Pat was recommended and I have truly never looked back. Subsequently I bought some buy to let's and Pat has handled the mortgages on them. Always sound advice! Maybe sometimes, what you don't want to hear, but never the less the safest hands I've ever met where finance is concerned. I thoroughly recommend McDaid Mortgages. I won't go elsewhere!
    Rhiannon profile picture
    Rhiannon
    3 years ago
    Patrick was brilliant, super quick at completing the DIP through to advising on general queries during the process towards completion.
    Geri profile picture
    Geri
    3 years ago
    Cannot recommend highly enough. Patrick was amazing - the help, guidance and expertise was beyond words. My situation was complex - i was refused a mortgage elsewhere and told by other brokers that there was no point in applying as the result would be the same. I feel so lucky to have came across Mc Daid mortgages and Patrick. His perseverance, knowledge. positive attitude and determination was outstanding. He was patient and completely thorough in all the documentation that he gathered, compiled and presented on my behalf...and he made sure that all the evidence required was organised and presented to the highest standard. He communicated with me throughout the process and did this with kindness answering any questions i may have had and ensuring all documentation was sourced and gathered. I now have a mortgage thanks to Patrick and i am so relieved! With this mortgage comes complete peace of mind and I am so thankful and so grateful to be in this position and it is all due to Patrick. Thank you.
    Adam McC profile picture
    Adam McC
    3 years ago
    Would definitely recommend McDaid Mortgages!! I worked with Pat firstly then Patrick and the process couldn't have been any smoother. As a first time buyer I constantly had questions but Patrick was always available at the end of the phone to clear anything up. Would highly recommend McDaid Mortgages for a professional, knowledgeable and friendly service!
    Paul Mc Ginley profile picture
    Paul Mc Ginley
    3 years ago
    I would highly Recommend Pat and Patrick as they were brilliant at arranging our mortgage for us.Their advice from Day 1 was a massive help and they were very quick and efficient getting things sorted quite quickly.thanks for all your help.. Paul and Sharon Mc Ginley.
    Ruaigin Kavanagh profile picture
    Ruaigin Kavanagh
    3 years ago
    Would definitely recommend McDaid mortgages. Patrick dealt with my remortgage - he was a pleasure to work with, sorted out my mortgage with minimal hassle to me, kept me up to date with progress at each stage - ensured everything ran smoothly from that first phone call to completion. Thanks a million Patrick - will be back looking for a new deal when this one is coming to an end 🙂.
    Hello, we are a Spanish family who had some complications to obtain a mortgage. Today everything is solved thanks to Ryan, a great professional but a better person. Thank you Ryan for fulfilling our dream ? forever grateful to you
    Jess Wilson profile picture
    Jess Wilson
    3 years ago
    Ryan was more than helpful in helping us to get the best deal for our new mortgage rates. He was very flexible with his time and great at communicating. Highly recommend?
    Coleen Barr profile picture
    Coleen Barr
    3 years ago
    Worked with Ryan to buy the property we have been renting the last couple of years. Ryan was super efficient and helpful. He handled our application with the upmost attention. From the very beginning until completion, Ryan kept in contact with us. He also helped us with any insurances we needed. Thank you very much Ryan - highly recommend!
    Ciara McDermott profile picture
    Ciara McDermott
    3 years ago
    Worked with Patrick to buy the property we have been renting last couple of years over COVID. Patrick was so helpful, gave us lots of information, processed application quickly and kept us up to date throughout the process until we got approval. Thank you very much - highly recommend!!!!
    catherine houten profile picture
    catherine houten
    3 years ago
    I can highly recommend Mc Daid Mortgages, having used their services recently to change my mortgage supplier. Pat was knowledgeable, professional and friendly. He kept me informed at each step of the process and was always flexible when it came to meeting. Thanks to Pat and his team, the switch was quick, straight forward and stress free.
    Pat sorted my mortgage and life insurance would highly recommend.
    d f profile picture
    d f
    4 years ago
    It was great to work with Pat to refix my mortgage. I really appreciated the professional and expert guidance Pat provided, especially during the uncertainty of the current financial climate. Thanks again, Caroline
    Still going through the process but Pat has been so attentive and helpful. He explains the normally baffling process of home ownership in a way that makes sense!
    Kevin Brown profile picture
    Kevin Brown
    9 years ago
    Having been dealing with Mc Daid Mortgages and Pat for over 15 years - very personalised, professional and efficient business. Would highly recommend for all insurance, mortgage and financial planning - 5 stars!