First-time buyer
Know what you can borrow, what deposit you need and what to do next.
Explore your options →★★★★★ 5.0 from 429 Google reviews
A mortgage built around your real circumstances.
Mortgage brokers in Northern Ireland and Scotland
Straightforward mortgage advice for first homes, moves and remortgages and specialist help when income, credit history or circumstances are more complicated.
✓ Around 2 minutes✓ No obligation✓ No credit check
Whole-of-market adviceMore lenders, more optionsNI, Scotland & UKLocal people, national reachFCA authorisedReference 912358
429Google reviews
5.0★Google rating
9Expert advisers
10 yearsHelping people buy homes
HOW WE CAN HELP
Whatever your starting point,
we’ll find the clearest way forward.
Not sure which box you fit into? That’s normal. Tell us your situation and we’ll take it from there.
Moving home
We line up the mortgage around your move and keep every part moving.
Explore your options →Self-employed
Company director, contractor or sole trader? We understand how lenders assess your income.
Explore your options →Buy to let
Straightforward advice for new landlords, portfolios and limited companies.
Explore your options →Remortgage
Review your options early and avoid drifting onto an unsuitable rate.
Explore your options →Complex income
Foreign income, benefits, RSUs, visas or a case another broker could not place.
Explore your options →SMARTER MORTGAGE ADVICE
“We don’t believe in ‘computer says no’. We believe in finding the lender who understands your story.”
The Smart Mortgages team
WHY SMART MORTGAGES
Good advice changes what’s possible.
Mortgage criteria can be confusing. Our job is to understand your full picture, choose the right lender and make your application as strong as it can be.
- Human advice, not a comparison tableYou’ll know who is handling your case and what happens next.
- Experts in cases that don’t fit neatlySelf-employed, foreign income, benefits, credit issues and high-value lending.
- Fast, digital and easy to followUpload documents securely and track progress without chasing.
CLIENT STORIES
Don’t just take our word for it.
G5.0 ★★★★★429 Google reviews
★★★★★
“Literally had our mortgage sorted within hours. The whole experience was made so easy.”
★★★★★
“Mortgage secured within four days of sending the documents. Straightforward from start to finish.”
★★★★★
“Transparent, quick and exceptionally knowledgeable. I can’t recommend Smart Mortgages enough.”
CLIENT REVIEWS
Google reviews
Derry office
Heather Rennie
2 days ago
Orla McLaughlin
3 weeks ago
Edwin was extremely helpful, everything was very straightforward.
Jamie Okane
3 weeks ago
We couldn’t recommend Edwin highly enough he has been absolutely fantastic throughout the whole mortgage process.
My partner and I didn’t really know much about the mortgage process or what to expect, but Edwin made everything so easy for us. He basically took it all out of our hands and dealt with everything from start to finish, which took so much stress and worry away from us.
Everything was dealt with so quickly and efficiently, and Edwin was always there to answer any questions we had. Nothing ever felt like too much trouble, and he kept us informed and reassured throughout the whole process.
We’re so grateful for all of his help and support and genuinely couldn’t have asked for a better mortgage adviser. Thank you so much, Edwin.
Jamie Mccarron
1 month ago
I honestly can not thank Edwin enough at smart mortgages. Right from the very start he has been amazing to work with i would of not been able to purchase as a first time buyer with out his help. He is very professional at this job and i would highly recommend Edwin. Thank you again Edwin for all your help.
Damian Grant
1 month ago
Just had my remortgage completed with smart mortgages. Edwin made the entire process seamless and answered any questions I had comprehensively. He made what could have been a stressful process incredibly easy and stress free. Would highly recommend
trey doherty
4 months ago
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I honestly don’t know where to begin when describing the incredible service I received from Smart Mortgages. From start to finish, Aaron, Ryan, and the entire team have been nothing short of exceptional.
Their level of attentiveness, dedication, and professionalism is truly outstanding. They provide constant support throughout the process and work tirelessly behind the scenes, liaising with lenders, solicitors, and accountants to keep everything moving forward. No question is ever too small, and they are always available during working hours to offer advice, reassurance, and guidance whenever needed.
Buying a home can be an overwhelming and stressful experience, especially as a first-time buyer, but Smart Mortgages made the journey feel so much more manageable. Their efficiency, communication, and commitment gave me confidence every step of the way.
I started my journey with Smart Mortgages in January as a first-time buyer, and by June I was signing the paperwork and preparing to move into my very first home. That timeline is a testament to the hard work and determination of everyone involved.
Thank you so much, Aaron, Ryan, and the whole team, for helping turn what felt like a distant dream into a reality. I cannot recommend Smart Mortgages highly enough to anyone looking for expert mortgage advice and genuinely outstanding customer service. You truly make dreams come true. 🏡✨🩵
Sophie Cooper
4 months ago
I honestly cannot thank Aaron, Joel and the entire team at Smart Mortgages enough. Their service has been exceptional from start to finish.
My journey wasn't straightforward. I had two separate property purchases fall through due to down valuations, throughout every setback, Aaron, Joel and the team remained positive, proactive and determined to find a solution.
Their knowledge, communication and dedication were second to none. They kept me updated every step of the way, explained everything clearly, and worked tirelessly behind the scenes to overcome challenges that would have defeated many others.
What impressed me most was that when things seemed impossible, they found a way forward, and thanks to their persistence and expertise, I am have now completed on my home.
If you're looking for mortgage advisers who genuinely care, go above and beyond, and deliver results, I would not hesitate to recommend Smart Mortgages. Aaron, Joel and the entire team have been absolutely impeccable, their knowledge and service is unrivalled and I have worked in the property/finance industry for 16 years.
Thank you for making the impossible possible!
Dion Stewart
5 months ago
Absolutely outstanding service from start to finish. The whole mortgage process was explained clearly and made completely stress-free. Communication was excellent throughout, with quick responses and regular updates at every stage. I really appreciated the professionalism, honesty, and support in finding the best deal for our situation. Everything was handled efficiently and smoothly, and I felt confident the entire time. I would highly recommend Aaron and the team to anyone looking for reliable and knowledgeable mortgage advice.
catrine moyo
5 months ago
We had such great experience with John Duffy we cannot thank him enough, from start to finish he was so helpful and always available to allay our anxiety.
He took the time to explain everything clearly, kept us updated every step of the way, and worked hard to find the best mortgage option for our situation. Nothing ever felt like too much trouble, his support and reassurance really made a difference.
We genuinely couldn’t have asked for a better service and would highly recommend him to anyone looking for a reliable and trustworthy mortgage adviser.
Thank you John we really appreciate the work you do.
Clare Odoherty
7 months ago
We had a fantastic experience working with Edwin as our mortgage broker. Even though we’re based just outside Liverpool and he’s in Derry, the distance made absolutely no difference - everything was handled smoothly and efficiently.
From the very beginning, Edwin was professional, approachable, and incredibly knowledgeable. He took the time to really understand our situation and what we were looking for and then worked hard to find us a mortgage deal that suited us perfectly. What really stood out was how clearly he explained everything … no jargon, just straightforward advice that made the whole process feel much less stressful.
Communication was excellent throughout. Edwin was always quick to respond, kept us updated at every stage, and made sure nothing was overlooked. It genuinely felt like he was looking out for our best interests the whole time.
Thanks to his help, we secured a great mortgage deal and the entire process was far easier than we expected. We wouldn’t hesitate to recommend Edwin to anyone looking for a reliable, knowledgeable, and supportive mortgage broker - no matter where you’re based.
Antrim office
Emma McDowell
2 days ago
Me and my partner recently bought our first home and it genuinely wouldn’t have been possible without the help of Teneille and Ryan, they were great and were with us every step of the way. Smart Mortgages were one of the first company’s to take us seriously as young first time buyers along with getting us the best possible mortgage they could have nothing was ever an issue with them and any questions we had they answered both politely and quickly. I would 100% recommend them to anyone who are looking to buy their first time home or any home in general, we cannot thank them enough for everything in which they have done for us it is greatly appreciated!
Nia Gilbert
3 days ago
As a first-time buyer, I couldn’t have asked for a better mortgage advisor. Tennielle and Ryan made the whole process so simple and straightforward, explaining everything clearly and keeping me informed throughout. They were incredibly helpful, efficient and always available when I needed advice. I genuinely couldn’t have had a better experience and would highly recommend them to anyone, especially first-time buyers.
Roberta Watson
1 week ago
Tennielle helped us with a remortgage, she was fantastic ,working fast, contacted me out of her working day to help with forms etc, nothing was too much trouble, chased down Solicitors on final day to get everything signed off! Thankyou Tennielle 👏👏
Fiona Gribben
2 weeks ago
We couldn’t recommend Tennielle highly enough. From start to finish, she made the whole remortgage process feel incredibly straightforward and stress-free.
We really appreciated how streamlined Tennielle made everything and how quickly our application was progressed through to mortgage offer. It was a pleasure dealing with her and we wouldn’t hesitate to recommend Smart Mortgages to friends/family looking for help with their mortgage.
tommy Irwin
1 month ago
Outstanding service from start to finish. The team was professional, responsive, and made the mortgage process easy to understand. They worked hard to find the best solution for my situation and kept me informed every step of the way. Highly recommended!
Where Is Kevin?
4 months ago
First of all, a massive thank you to Tennielle and Ryan of Smart Mortgages! Someone recommended Smart Mortgages (Antrim branch) to me couple of weeks ago when I was still viewing houses and clueless on what to expect. They’ve been very helpful and reassuring. They constantly guided and updated myself all these weeks of my mortgage application. The reassurance that they will get the mortgage offer for me is top tier! They’ve even looked for the best lender that suits my capacity and had smooth processing. Amazing and professional people. All the best in the future! x Kevin
Starr Hamilton
5 months ago
Would highly recommend Tennielle to any first time buyers out there. We were going into purchasing our first home completely unaware of the process and Tennielle was amazing from start to finish. She kept us fully in the loop and helped us understand the whole process and we can’t wait to get the keys to our home, thanks to Tennielle! We couldn’t have done it without her professionalism, kindness and patience! We were so grateful to Ryan also who done an amazing job keeping an eye on the interest rates to make sure we got the best deal on our mortgage. We couldn’t recommend them both enough
Abid Saleem
7 months ago
Tenielle has been absolutely amazing in sorting our mortgage renewal, she is very thorough and professional in her approach, provided us with all the available options, which helped us make an informed decision, I have been using Tenielle's services from the last 8 years and highly recommend her.
Calvin Semple
7 months ago
Tennielle is fantastic to work with. She’s handled my mortgages and insurance for years, including getting approval on a tricky self‑build. She always goes above and beyond to find the best deal and keeps you updated throughout the whole process. Couldn’t recommend her highly enough.
David B
7 months ago
Tennielle has just successfully completed a mortgage application/ offer for us and i couldnt recommend her commitment and knowledge enough .
Our mortgage application was complex but the support we received from Tennielle was amazing and i dont know anyone who works harder, never gives up and always keeps going to find a solution. Without Tennielle I
do not think we would have received the mortgage to enable us to move to our new home.
I have recommended Tennielle to immediate family who needed mortgages also.
FOLLOW SMART MORTGAGES
Life at Smart Mortgages
See our latest updates and behind-the-scenes moments on Instagram.
LOCAL EXPERTS
Find your nearest branch.
Northern Ireland
Derry
2 Columba Terrace, Waterside, Derry, BT47 6JT
028 7131 1103 →Northern IrelandAntrim
79 Church Street, Antrim, BT41 4BE
028 9433 4210 →Northern IrelandBallyclare
11 The Square, Ballyclare, BT39 9BB
028 9343 8092 →Northern IrelandLimavady
2 Catherine Street, Limavady, BT49 9DB
028 7131 1103 →ScotlandDundee
Unit 2/3 Discovery House, Lindsay Court, Dundee, DD2 1SW
028 7131 1103 →ScotlandGlasgow
9 Fitzroy Place, Glasgow, G3 7RH
0141 378 9271 →SPECIALIST ADVICE
More ways we can help.
First-time buyer mortgages→Home mover mortgages→Remortgages→New-build mortgages→Self-build mortgages→Self-employed mortgages→Limited-company director mortgages→Contractor mortgages→Complex mortgages→Bad-credit mortgages→Mortgages with a CCJ→Mortgages after defaults→Mortgages after an IVA→Mortgages with a debt management plan→Mortgages after bankruptcy→First-time buyer mortgages with bad credit→Mortgages with one year’s accounts→Mortgages using benefits income→Mortgages for NHS and healthcare workers→Mortgages using Republic of Ireland income→Green and energy-efficient mortgages→Buy-to-let mortgages→Limited-company buy-to-let→Family Investment Company property finance→Buy-to-let with no minimum income→Bridging finance Northern Ireland→HMO and multi-unit apartment finance→Commercial mortgages→Business loans→Expat mortgages→Foreign-income mortgages→Visa mortgages→High-value mortgages→Later-life mortgages→Life insurance→Critical illness cover→Income protection→Key person insurance→Directors’ life insurance→Private medical insurance→
FOR BUSINESSES & FAMILIES
Finance the business. Build for the future.
Commercial funding, business protection and specialist property finance for families planning how future investment growth may be passed on.
MEET THE TEAM
Real advisers. Local knowledge.
START YOUR WAY
Useful tools. Human advice when it matters.
Tell us your situation, estimate repayments, prepare documents or find the adviser best suited to your circumstances.
01
Find my mortgage options
Six quick questions give you a relevant next step and document list without a credit search.
Find my next step →02Smart Mortgage Match
Match by location, situation, specialist need and language.
Get matched →03First-time Buyer Hub
Your complete journey from first budget to collecting the keys.
Open the hub →04Mortgage calculators
Borrowing, repayments, LTV, buy-to-let and remortgage illustrations.
Open the tools →MORTGAGE INSIGHTS
What’s happening and what it means for you.
Market updates
Mortgage market update: what buyers should watch
Rates matter, but lender criteria, affordability and preparation can be just as important. Here is how to read the market without getting lost in the headlines.
Read article →RemortgagingWhen should you review your fixed-rate mortgage?
Starting early gives you time to compare staying with your lender against moving elsewhere without making a rushed decision.
Read article →Specialist mortgagesHow lenders assess company-director income
Salary and dividends are only part of the picture. Some lenders can consider net profit, retained profit and the wider strength of the business.
Read article →YOUR NEXT STEP
Let’s make your move happen.
A free first conversation. No jargon, no pressure and no obligation.