Saving for your first home: ISAs, bank accounts and more

For many first time buyers, the most daunting part of the home buying process is saving for a house deposit. In particular, many wonder how to save for a house on a lower income and whether it’s even possible to do it at all.

Pocket Living is built around the idea that everyone should have a fair opportunity to get onto the housing ladder, so we’re going to share our best tips on saving for your first home, whatever your circumstances. We’ve included a range of information on ISAs, bank accounts and more to show you that there are plenty of options to consider to get yourself onto the housing ladder. Let’s get started.

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Resident making a coffee in the kitchen of her Pocket home.

How to save money on gas and electric bills [tips for first time buyers]

The UK’s rising cost of living has affected us all, but if you’re a first time buyer, you might feel particularly keen to keep your finances in check. If you’re wondering how to save money on gas and electric bills, there are many simple ways to reduce your outgoings, particularly by living more sustainably.

Our residents are first time buyers on middle incomes, so we know how important it is to them to make savings wherever possible. Buying a new build home is a great start, and by making an energy savings plan, you can reduce your bills and rest assured that you’re taking measures to live more efficiently and cut down on unnecessary costs.

Read on to find out our tips for saving money on your bills. They may seem small but can make a big difference over time, so start now to let the pennies begin to add up!

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Haule’s tips for furnishing your first home with vintage finds

This Second Hand September, we’ve teamed up with Haule, an online marketplace for vintage and second hand homeware, to talk about furnishing your first home. Second Hand September was created by Oxfam in 2019 and has inspired thousands of people to shop in a way that is kinder to people and the planet. 

We invited Haule to give some advice on furnishing your first home using vintage and second hand items. Read on to find out what they have to say.

A blog by Haule

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Dimly lit bedroom in a Pocket home.

The benefits of buying a home (right now)

Buying a home is an investment in your future – but when you do it for the first time, it can feel really daunting. Considering the doom and gloom we hear every day on the news, it may seem particularly risky to take that next step. That’s why we asked Censeo Financial, our recommended Independent Mortgage Advisor, their thoughts on the benefits of buying a home right now, rather than waiting.

A blog by Censeo Financial

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Moving-Home-Broadband

Broadband and moving home in 2022

Approximately one million people are left without broadband for over a week when moving home. While that doesn’t sound very long, if you’re remote working, home schooling or stream your TV instead of watching live, a week can seem like forever!

A little forward thinking goes a long way to make the transition as smooth as possible, especially if you’re a first time buyer. Read on to find out all you need to know about broadband and moving home, as well as the service we provide in our homes at Pocket Living.

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First time buyer mortgage deposits: the ultimate guide

Did you know that a deposit is the biggest thing you need to save for in the home buying process? This can seem a bit daunting if you’re a first time buyer, especially if you’re not sure how big of a deposit you need or how to save for a deposit.

We’ve put together the ultimate guide on first time buyer mortgage deposits to get you on your way to homeownership, written especially with middle income earners in mind. Covering why a deposit is so important and what to do if you haven’t saved enough, this guide will help you put together a plan for saving for your first home.

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Can a mortgage offer be withdrawn or extended?

Buying a home can be a daunting experience. The mortgage process is not only the most important thing to understand, but arguably the most confusing. That’s why we’re here to help you get to the bottom of your most pressing questions so that you can begin your first time buyer journey.

If you’re a first time home buyer looking to demystify mortgage offers, read on. This blog post will provide a whistle stop tour of everything you need to know about mortgage withdrawals and extensions.

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