Sarah & James T.
A young couple renting in Manchester used The Mortgage Genie to buy their first home — with zero fees and keys in hand within 8 weeks.
"We were completely lost trying to get a mortgage as first-time buyers. The Mortgage Genie explained every option clearly, found us a rate we didn't even know existed, and we never paid a single fee. We got our keys in 8 weeks!"
— Sarah & James T., Manchester
£25,000
Deposit
£250,000
Property Price
4.19%
Rate Secured
8 Weeks
Time to Keys
The Situation
Sarah and James had been renting a flat in South Manchester for three years. With a combined income of around £55,000 and £25,000 saved for a deposit, they knew they wanted to buy — but had no idea where to start. They'd looked at a few high street banks but felt overwhelmed by the jargon and conflicting advice.
The Challenge
As first-time buyers with no experience of the mortgage process, their biggest challenge was understanding what they could actually afford, which type of mortgage to choose, and whether they qualified for any government schemes. One bank had told them they needed a bigger deposit; another quoted a much higher rate than they expected.
How We Helped
Their The Mortgage Genie advisor took time to understand their full financial picture — including Sarah's overtime pay and James's recent promotion. By looking across 90+ lenders, their advisor found a competitive 5-year fixed rate with a lender that accepted overtime income, giving them a much higher borrowing capacity than the high street banks had offered. They also qualified for a first-time buyer stamp duty exemption, saving them over £2,000.
The Outcome
Sarah and James completed on a 3-bedroom terraced house in Chorlton within 8 weeks of their initial enquiry. Their monthly payments were actually less than their rent. They also took out life insurance and buildings cover through The Mortgage Genie — all arranged at no cost.
Their Journey Timeline
Initial Enquiry
Sarah filled in the online form on a Sunday evening. Their advisor called back first thing Monday morning.
Fact-Find & Options
A detailed call to understand income, deposit, and preferences. Three mortgage options presented within 24 hours.
Mortgage Application
Application submitted to the chosen lender. All paperwork handled by their advisor.
Mortgage Offer Received
Formal offer received in just 12 working days.
Completion & Keys
Exchanged and completed within 8 weeks. Keys collected on a Friday afternoon.
"We honestly can't thank The Mortgage Genie enough. We went from feeling completely overwhelmed to being in our dream home in under two months. Our advisor was patient, knowledgeable, and always available when we had questions — even on evenings and weekends. And the best part? We didn't pay a single penny for their advice. We've already recommended them to three friends."
Sarah & James T. — Manchester
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