Let's Buy a Home

In this very personal solo episode of Let’s Buy a Home, I’mopening up about a decision I’ve recently made to renew my own life cover.

As a dad of two, a business owner, a significant income provider for myhousehold and someone diagnosed with blood cancer two years ago, protecting myfamily financially has never felt more important.

I explain why I’ve reviewed my cover following a house move and an increase inmy mortgage, and why I’ve chosen three different types of protection:

- Decreasing life cover to help repay my mortgage.

- A lump sum to help my family manage immediate expenses.

- Family income benefit to provide a monthlyincome to help replace some of what my family would lose, until my youngestchild turns 25.

I’ve covered protection in more depth on previous episodes but this one isdifferent. It’s about my own circumstances, my own decisions and why I believeprotecting the people you love deserves a place in the conversation aboutbuying a home.

It’s a serious topic with a little bit of humour, and a reminder that while wecan’t control everything life throws at us, we can take steps to help protectour family’s future.

Because buying a home is one thing. Making sure the people you love can keep itis another.

If you’ve bought a home, started a family or taken on a bigger mortgage, thisepisode is for you.

Mortgage Appointment
Book a FREE mortgage appointment with Dan here:
https://calendly.com/danknottmortgageadviser/mortgage-appointment-strategy-call⁠

Dan Knott
Follow Dan on Instagram here:
https://www.instagram.com/dandoesmortgages_/

The Government has announced a brand-new First Home Scheme,but what exactly is it, who will qualify, and could it actually help you buyyour first home?

In this episode of Let’s Buy a Home: Dan breaks down the new scheme in simpleterms, including:

- What the First Home Scheme is

- How it’s expected to work

- Who could be eligible

- When it’s launching

- How it compares with previous schemes like Help to Buy

- What it could mean for deposits, affordability andmortgage borrowing

- And whether it could genuinely make getting onto theproperty ladder easier

If you’re a first time buyer wondering whether the new scheme could help youbuy your first home, this episode is for you.

This episode discusses the Government’s announced proposals.Eligibility, rules and launch details may be subject to change as furtherinformation is released.

Interest rates. Your bank saying no. Having a huge deposit.Your credit report. And the maximum mortgage a lender will give you.

All five matter when you’re buying your first home but are they as important asyou might think?

In this episode of Let’s Buy a Home, Dan Knott looks at five things first-timebuyers often obsess over and explains what actually matters, what doesn’t andwhy the answer isn’t always as straightforward as you might expect.

We look at:
- Why the lowest interest rate isn’t necessarily the best mortgage.
- Why your bank saying “no” doesn’t necessarily mean you can’t get a mortgage.
- Whether you really need a huge deposit.
- Why your credit score isn’t the whole story.
- Why the maximum mortgage you can get isn’t necessarily the amount you shouldborrow.

The aim isn’t to tell you these things don’t matter. They do. It’s aboutputting them into perspective and looking at your whole financial picture whenbuying your first home.

If you’re a first-time buyer worrying about one particular number, this episodeis for you.

Mortgage Appointment
Book a FREE mortgage appointment with Dan here:
https://calendly.com/danknottmortgageadviser/mortgage-appointment-strategy-call

 
Dan Knott
Follow Dan on Instagram here:
https://www.instagram.com/dandoesmortgages_/

In this September 2026 mortgage market update, Dan Knott breaks down what’s happening in the UK mortgage and property market and mostimportantly, what it actually means if you’re trying to buy a home.
The Bank of England has held the Bank Rate at 3.75% but fixed mortgage rateshave been rising, with some lenders repricing their products significantly inrecent weeks.
So why are mortgage rates increasing when the Bank of England hasn’t increasedits rate?
Dan explains what’s happening with swap rates, inflation, lender pricing,and how this can affect your mortgage repayments and borrowing power.
We’ll also look at the latest UK house price figures, including what’shappening with property prices and the current level of choice available tobuyers.
In this episode:

• Bank of England interest rate update

• Why fixed mortgage rates are rising

• What swap rates have to do with your mortgage

• The latest two-year and five-year fixed rates

• UK house price movements

• Whether buyers currently have more negotiating power

• How rising mortgage rates affect affordability

• What first-time buyers should be thinking about right now

If you’re saving for your first home, already have amortgage agreement in principle or you’re simply trying to work out whether nowis the right time to buy, this episode will help you understand what’shappening behind the headlines.

Mortgage Appointment
Book a FREE mortgage appointment with Dan here:
https://calendly.com/danknottmortgageadviser/mortgage-appointment-strategy-call

Dan Knott
Follow Dan on Instagram here:

Buyinga home can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re not sure what happens,when it happens or who you need to speak to along the way

In this solo episode, I break down the UK home-buying process into 10 simplesteps, taking you from deciding you’re ready to buy right through to gettingthe keys.

We’ll cover everything from understanding your budget and getting a mortgageagreement in principle, to making an offer, instructing solicitors, surveys,mortgage applications, exchange and completion.

Whether you’re a first-time buyer or simply want a refresher on how the processworks, this episode gives you a clear roadmap of what to expect and some of thecommon things that can catch buyers out along the way.

10 steps. One home. A much clearer idea of what happens next.

Mortgage Appointment
Book a FREE mortgage appointment with Dan here:
https://calendly.com/danknottmortgageadviser/mortgage-appointment-strategy-call

Dan Knott
Follow Dan on Instagram here:
https://www.instagram.com/dandoesmortgages_/

Think maternity leave, a poor credit history, being self-employed or working on a zero-hour contract means you can’t get a mortgage?

Think again.

In this solo episode of Let’s Buy a Home, Dan Knott breaks down some of the most common mortgage myths that could be stopping people from even exploring their options.

We discuss:

- Maternity leave: can you still get a mortgage while onmaternity leave?

- Credit history: does having a poor credit history automatically mean you’ll be declined?

- Business owners: how lenders actually assess your income.

- Zero-hour contracts: can you get a mortgage without aguaranteed income?

- When to speak to a mortgage adviser: why waiting until you’ve found your dream home could be a mistake.

The biggest takeaway? Mortgage lending isn’t always as black and white as you might think.

Before you rule yourself out, understand what’s actually possible.
If you enjoy the episode, please follow Let’s Buy a Home, leave a rating, and share it with someone who’s planning to buy their first home.

Mortgage AppointmentBook a FREE mortgage appointment with Dan here: ⁠https://calendly.com/danknottmortgageadviser/mortgage-appointment-strategy-call⁠
Dan Knott
Follow Dan on Instagram here:⁠https://www.instagram.com/dandoesmortgages_/

Is shared ownership still worth considering if you’re tryingto buy your first home in 2026?

In this episode of Let’s Buy a Home, Dan is joined by Sarah Ellis, ofMetropolitan Thames Valley (MTVH) an Affordable Housing Leader, for anotherdeep dive into shared ownership.

Rather than simply explaining how the scheme works, we look at shared ownershipfrom the perspective of an affordable housing provider and explore thequestions first-time buyers actually want answered.

We discuss:

- How shared ownership works

- Who it’s really suitable for

- The biggest misconceptions

- Affordability and monthly costs

- Buying additional shares in your home

- What happens if your circumstances change

- The potential drawbacks

- Why shared ownership can still be a useful route onto theproperty ladder

If you’re a first-time buyer considering shared ownership, this episode shouldhelp you understand whether it’s right for you.

Subscribe to Let’s Buy a Home for practical, honest advice on buying your firsthome. From mortgages and deposits to shared ownership, surveys and everythingin between.

Mortgage Appointment
Book a FREE mortgage appointment with Dan here:
https://calendly.com/danknottmortgageadviser/mortgage-appointment-strategy-call

Dan Knott
Follow Dan on Instagram here:
https://www.instagram.com/dandoesmortgages_/

Metropolitan Thames Valley:
Find out more about Metropolitan Thames Valley:
https://www.mtvh.co.uk/

Sarah Ellis
Find Sarah on LinkedIn:
https://uk.linkedin.com/in/sarah-ellis-cihcm-890723176

In this episode of Let’s Buy a Home, Dan Knott is joined byLynda Clark, Editor of First Time Buyer Magazine, to talk through some of the biggest questions first-time buyers face when getting onto the property ladder.

From saving your deposit to understanding your credit score, speaking to a mortgage adviser and finding the right place to live, Lynda shares practical advice and insights from her years working with first-time buyers.

We discuss:

- How to realistically save for a house deposit

- What your credit score really means when applying for amortgage

- When you should speak to a mortgage adviser

- What to look for when viewing a property

- How to choose the right location for your first home

- The mistakes first-time buyers should try to avoid

- Why buying your first home isn’t just about finding theright house

If you’re hoping to buy your first home, this episode is packed with practical tips to help you understand the process and prepare yourself for one of the biggest purchases you’ll ever make.

Watch, listen and subscribe to Let’s Buy a Home for more conversations, advice and real-world insights to help you buy a house and make it a home.

Mortgage Appointment
Book a FREE mortgage appointment with Dan here:https://calendly.com/danknottmortgageadviser/mortgage-appointment-strategy-call

Dan Knott
Follow Dan on Instagram here:https://www.instagram.com/dandoesmortgages_/

First Time Buyer Magazine
Follow First Time Buyer Magazine on Instagram here:https://www.instagram.com/firsttimebuyermag/

Find out more about First Time Buyer magazine here:https://www.firsttimebuyermag.com/

Credit Scoring: What First-Time Buyers Really Need to Know

What does your credit score actually mean when you’re trying to get a mortgage?

In this episode, Dan breaks down credit scoring in simple terms: what lenders look at, what can hurt your credit profile, common myths, and practical steps you can take to put yourself in the best possible position before applying for a mortgage.

If you’re hoping to buy your first home, this episode will help you understand your credit and avoid mistakes that could make getting a mortgage harder.

Listen now and get mortgage-ready.

If you enjoy the episode, please follow Let’s Buy a Home, leave a rating, and share it with someone who’s planning to buy their first home.

Mortgage Appointment

Book a FREE mortgage appointment with Dan here: https://calendly.com/danknottmortgageadviser/mortgage-appointment-strategy-call

Dan Knott

Follow Dan on Instagram here:

https://www.instagram.com/dandoesmortgages_/

If you’re buying your first home, you’ve probably heardpeople say, “speak to a mortgage broker.” But what does a mortgage broker actually do?

In this solo episode of Let’s Buy a Home, mortgage adviser Dan Knott breaks down exactly how a broker helps you through the home-buying journey, from understanding your budget and comparing mortgage deals to getting your application approved and supporting you right through to completion.

You’ll learn:

- What a mortgage broker actually does day-to-day.

- Why a broker can save you time, money and stress.

- When you should speak to a broker if you’re planning tobuy your first home.

Whether you’re saving for your deposit, house hunting, or getting ready to apply for a mortgage, this episode will help you understand how a broker can make the process much simpler.

If you enjoy the episode, please follow Let’s Buy a Home, leave a rating, and share it with someone who’s planning to buy their first home.

Mortgage Appointment

Book a FREE mortgage appointment with Dan here:
⁠https://calendly.com/danknottmortgageadviser/mortgage-appointment-strategy-call⁠

Dan KnottFollow Dan on Instagram here: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/dandoesmortgages_/