Help to Buy has ended.
The Help to Buy equity loan scheme closed to new applicants. For Hertfordshire first-time buyers, the alternatives include: 95% LTV mortgages, Shared Ownership, Lifetime ISAs, First Homes discount scheme, family deposit schemes and specialist high-income-multiple lending.
Several lenders offer 95% LTV products — meaning a 5% deposit. On a £350,000 property that is £17,500. Rates are higher than at 90% LTV but the scheme makes ownership accessible. We search all 90+ lenders for the best 95% rate.
Buy a 25–75% share and pay rent on the rest. Available on new-build schemes in Welwyn Garden City, Hatfield, Stevenage and Hemel Hempstead. Deposit is only on the share you buy — typically £5,000–£15,000.
Save up to £4,000/year and receive a 25% government bonus (£1,000/year). Two people saving for 4 years = £8,000 in bonuses. Must be used for a property under £450,000 — which covers large parts of Hertfordshire.
We help Hertfordshire first-time buyers navigate all available schemes and find the maximum borrowing from 90+ lenders. Call 0199 267 6961 — free advice, no broker fee.
Help to Buy created artificial demand and inflated new-build prices. Its removal has normalised the market. The alternatives — 95 percent LTV mortgages, Shared Ownership, Lifetime ISAs, specialist high-income-multiple lending — are arguably better for most buyers because they work on any property, not just overpriced new-builds from participating developers. A Hertfordshire first-time buyer in 2026 has more genuine options than at any point during the Help to Buy era. The key is knowing which options apply to your specific income, deposit and target area. That is what our free initial call is for.
The information in this guide reflects the advice we give Hertfordshire clients every day. But every buyer's situation is different — your income structure, deposit, credit history, target area and timeline all affect which lender and product is optimal. A guide can inform your thinking but it cannot replace a conversation with an adviser who can assess your specific numbers. Call 0199 267 6961 for a free 30-minute assessment. We will confirm your borrowing capacity, identify the best lender for your circumstances, and issue an agreement in principle within 24 to 48 hours. Evening and weekend appointments are standard for Hertfordshire clients. No broker fee at any stage.
For further reading, see our other Hertfordshire mortgage guides: how much to buy in St Albans, Watford, Stevenage and Hertford; when to remortgage in Hertfordshire; the self-employed mortgage guide for Hertfordshire professionals; our buy-to-let investment guide covering yields by town; and the contractor mortgage guide for day rate specialists. Each guide includes worked examples with real Hertfordshire numbers. All guides are available at our blog page or by searching the articles section of this site.
Call 0199 267 6961 for a free initial conversation. We gather your income details, deposit position and target budget, then search 90 lenders to find the best combination of rate and borrowing capacity for your specific circumstances. Within 24 to 48 hours we issue an agreement in principle so you can start viewing and making offers with confidence. The call takes 20 to 30 minutes and there is no obligation at any stage. We manage the entire mortgage process from first call through to completion — lender selection, application packaging, underwriting liaison and solicitor coordination. Evening and weekend appointments are available as standard for Help to Buy Alternatives clients. No broker fee — we are paid by the lender on completion.
A bank branch offers its own products — typically 10 to 15 options from a single provider. We compare over 90 lenders including specialist providers that your bank cannot access. For Help to Buy Alternatives property values, the rate and borrowing differences between lenders are not marginal — they determine whether you can afford your target area, how much your monthly payments are, and how much interest you pay over the full term. Self-employed buyers, contractors and those with complex income benefit most from whole-of-market advice because specialist lenders routinely offer tens of thousands of pounds more borrowing than standard banks for the same income. Free advice, no broker fee.
Free mortgage advice — no broker fee — 90+ lenders searched for you
📞 0199 267 6961Yes. Our whole-of-market mortgage advice carries no broker fee. We are paid by the lender on completion.
90+ lenders — high street banks, building societies and specialist lenders. Significantly more than any bank or tied adviser.
Usually within 24-48 hours of your first call.
Yes. St Albans, Watford, Hertford, Stevenage, Welwyn Garden City and every town across the county. Phone and video appointments available.
Yes. Self-employed, contractors, company directors, freelancers, multiple income streams — we have lender options for most situations.
Yes. We are FCA authorised and follow strict data protection requirements. Your information is never shared without your consent.
We frequently help buyers declined by banks. Specialist lenders have different criteria and we know which ones match your circumstances.
No broker fee. No obligation. Whole-of-market advice from a Hertfordshire mortgage broker who picks up the phone.
0199 267 6961Localnest Mortgages is an Appointed Representative of [Network Name], which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage. The information on this website is for guidance only and does not constitute financial advice.