Whether it’s your very first home, or you’re moving for the third time in your life, moving house is always an exciting process. Amongst all of the giddiness though, there is usually a lot of stress involved. We all know that mortgages aren’t cheap, and that if we want to be able to cope with the monthly payments, we have to choose the right one for our needs and lifestyle. In 2017, homebuyers are left with a very difficult decision, as there are numerous types of mortgage loans on the market, all offering something unique but useful. If you’re amongst the thousands who are struggling to make a final decision, hopefully this in depth guide will help you to identify the right mortgage loan for you.

American home buyers had a fantastic 2017, with the average 30-year fixed-rate mortgage falling from 4.32% to 3.95% (before rising back to around 4.5% by May 2018) and total home sales rising 1% to 5.51 million, the highest figure since 2006. Beyond that, there was plenty of other big news in the mortgage industry last year, which we recap in this article.

Buying your first home is an equally exciting and daunting process. After months of renting properties, or even living at your family home, you finally have the money ready to begin the process… But where do you start? There are several legal and financial steps to take before you can buy a home. Read on for our complete first time buyer guide, which will help you get to grips with all of the steps required to purchase your very first house.