Consumer Corner: A first-time buyer’s guide to getting a mortgage

All the usuals, plus some of the more surprising 'red flags' noticed by mortgage brokers

Brokers advise to take applying for mortgage approval as a process, and to break it down into steps

The road to getting a mortgage can seem like a long and painful one. Even that Paddy Power app downloaded in March when Cheltenham was on could go against you — but bear in mind that mortgages are applied for, and approved every day. Knowing how to start can go a long way. Also, remember that getting a mortgage may not be easy and that you have to put in hard work to get there. You could be facing months of cutting out takeaways and trips in order to secure a deposit for a home.

Online gambling, overdrafts and erratic spending patterns could all go against you as you apply for your mortgage. However, all will not be lost and there is always a way to sort things out and get mortgage-ready.