Harbor Mortgage Advice is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA no. 987654). Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage.

First-time buyer mortgage guide

This guide walks through the main stages of buying your first home in Norwich or wider Norfolk—from saving a deposit to collecting keys on completion day.

  • Saving your deposit and Help to Buy legacy schemes
  • Agreement in principle vs full application
  • Surveys, searches and exchange explained
  • Glossary of common mortgage terms

Frequently asked questions

What is an agreement in principle?

An AIP is a conditional indication of what a lender might lend based on initial checks. It helps when making offers—not a guarantee of final approval.

Do I need a survey?

Your lender conducts a valuation. A homebuyer survey or full structural survey is optional but often recommended for peace of mind.

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