How April Mortgages Helps First-Time Buyers Step Onto the Property Ladder
Buying a home has always been a goal for many people, but for countless first-time buyers, the biggest obstacle is not the monthly mortgage payments. It’s the mortgage deposit that standard mortgages typically require. Rent payments take away most spare income, interest rates fluctuate, and saving becomes harder every year. This is why the idea of a 100 mortgage, also known as a 100 loan-to-value mortgage, a zero deposit mortgage or a 100% LTV mortgage, attracts so much attention.
April Mortgages has introduced a solution designed for people who can afford mortgage repayments but cannot save a deposit. At Step by Step Financial Solutions, we work as a mortgage broker and guide clients through the full process from the first conversation to receiving the keys.
This guide explains how a 100 LTV mortgage works, what the eligibility criteria look like, and why this product can help you get onto the property ladder sooner.
What is a 100% Loan to Value Mortgage?
A 100% LTV mortgage means the lender finances the entire cost of the property. You do not contribute a mortgage deposit at all. If the home costs £200,000, the maximum loan amount you can borrow is also £200,000. You still cover solicitor fees, valuation and moving costs from your own money, but the deposit disappears from the equation.
This type of mortgage is aimed at people paying rent who want to move into their own home but cannot save fast enough. Rent payments make it difficult to build savings, and many clients find that monthly mortgage payments would actually be similar to their current monthly rent.
How Does the April Mortgages 100 LTV Mortgage Work?
April Mortgages created a long-term fixed-rate product available through a mortgage advisor. They specialise in LTV mortgages and understand the particular challenges first-time buyers face. Their solution provides:
• a 10- or 15-year fixed interest rate,
• automatic reductions when your LTV improves,
• no early repayment charges when using your own money,
• unlimited overpayments,
• support for sole applicants and joint applicants.
Compared to other lenders, April Mortgages focuses heavily on affordability criteria rather than savings history. The eligibility criteria are clear: stable income, good credit score, no recent missed payments, manageable credit commitments and a property above a minimum value threshold.
Some clients compare this product to guarantor mortgages or family deposit mortgage options, but the April scheme does not require a family member to secure the loan. It is simply based on income and credit assessment.
Is a 100 LTV Mortgage Good?
A 100% product can be a strong option if you have stable employment and want to stop paying rent. It allows you to join the property ladder sooner and start building equity instead of funding your landlord’s investment.
It works well for people whose individual circumstances are solid, who have controlled household bills and who can show consistent monthly outgoings and monthly mortgage payments.
However, it also comes with a higher risk than deposit mortgages because the entire purchase price is borrowed. When property prices drop, borrowers face negative equity, a situation that can make moving home more difficult. This is why lenders impose strict criteria and why most mortgage providers avoid these loans. High street lenders usually do not offer such products anymore, though Skipton Building Society introduced its own current scheme previously, also aimed at first-time buyers.
April Mortgages tries to address the higher risk by creating a long-term plan: fixed interest rates over a decade and payment stability. This helps borrowers avoid sudden increases in monthly repayments.
Understanding Negative Equity
Negative equity appears when the mortgage balance is higher than the value of the property. With a 100 mortgage, this can happen sooner if prices fluctuate. Renters who have never owned a property sometimes worry that this risk makes the product unsuitable, but the key is understanding long-term expectations.
Negative equity matters most when you want to move quickly or remortgage. If you stay in the property and make mortgage repayments consistently, the risk tends to decrease with time. The lender monitors the loan, and reductions in the LTV over the years help reduce interest rates and bring you into a more secure position.
Who Is the April 100 Loan to Value Mortgage For?
This type of mortgage works best for:
• first-time buyers who have a good credit score,
• clients with steady income and predictable household bills,
• people who have never owned a property before,
• sole applicants or one applicant in a couple whose income is strong enough,
• clients whose credit commitments are under control,
• renters who want to replace rent payments with mortgage payments.
It is not suitable for borrowers with bad credit or recent missed payments, since most lenders classify this product as higher risk.
April Mortgages also clearly outlines the maximum loan and the maximum loan amount based on income multiples. They do not require a family member to guarantee the loan, unlike some family deposit mortgage options.
How Step by Step Financial Solutions Supports You
As your mortgage broker, we guide you through:
1. Assessing Affordability
We review your income, monthly outgoings, rent payments, credit commitments and overall affordability criteria. This helps determine whether the 100 ltv mortgage suits your individual circumstances.
2. Document Guidance
You provide the documents to us, and we explain what each lender requires. This includes income evidence, credit reports and Bank Statements.
3. Submitting the Application
We send your full application to the lender. April Mortgages has strict criteria, so accuracy matters.
4. Underwriter Communication
When the underwriter needs clarification, we provide explanations and help keep your case moving.
5. Legal Stage Support
During solicitor checks, we stay available to explain and answer questions. Our role continues until completion day.
This level of guidance sets us apart and keeps the process smooth for applicants.
Why This Product Helps People Get on the Property Ladder
Many people delay buying a home for years simply because they cannot save a deposit. A 100 ltv mortgage removes this obstacle. Instead of losing money through paying rent, borrowers can redirect their monthly outgoings into their own home.
For clients renting for over a decade, this becomes a game-changer. The product offers competitive rates given the risk level, and the structure allows first-time buyers to focus on stability rather than market timing.
Final Thoughts
A 100 loan to value mortgage is not for everyone, but in the right situation, it becomes a practical way to stop paying rent and finally move into your own home.
April Mortgages offers a realistic alternative to deposit mortgages and provides an opportunity to join the property ladder sooner. With support from an experienced mortgage broker, clients can navigate strict criteria and reach completion with confidence.
At Step by Step Financial Solutions, we guide you through every stage of the process, from assessing eligibility to completion day. If you’d like to check your eligibility or explore whether a 100% LTV Mortgage is right for you, contact us today for a free consultation.
With the right support, buying a home doesn’t need to wait for years of saving. For many clients, it becomes achievable much sooner than expected.
FAQ
What is a 100% loan to value (LTV)?
100% loan to value means that the entire value of the property is financed by the mortgage. The buyer does not contribute any money as a deposit. If the property is worth £200,000, the mortgage is also £200,000. This allows buyers to purchase without upfront savings but means the full purchase price is borrowed from the lender.
What is the LTV 100 mortgage?
A 100% LTV mortgage is a loan designed for clients who have the financial ability to pay monthly instalments but do not have a deposit available.
April Mortgages offers this type of product with long-term fixed interest, a focus on affordability and a structure that reduces the rate over time as the mortgage balance lowers and the LTV improves.
Is 100% LTV good?
It can be a very good opportunity for people who can afford the monthly payments and want to stop renting. It allows them to buy sooner and build equity instead of paying someone else’s mortgage.
The main thing to be aware of is the increased risk of negative equity if property prices fall. It’s important to evaluate long-term plans, job stability and overall financial security before committing.
What does a 100% LTV mean?
It means you borrow the full value of the home without needing money for a deposit. You still need funds for solicitor fees, valuation, moving costs and potentially stamp duty. For many first-time buyers, this is a realistic route to homeownership because the financial barrier at the start becomes much lower.
Bibliography
April Mortgages. “No-Deposit Mortgage – 100% LTV Product Overview.” April Mortgages Consumer Hub. Accessed 2025.
Mortgage Solutions. “Exclusive: April Mortgages Launches 100% LTV Product.” Mortgage Solutions News, 15 May 2025.
UK Mortgage Centre (UKMC). “Can First-Time Buyers Get a Mortgage with No Deposit? April Mortgages Say Yes.” UKMC Articles, 2025.
Skipton Building Society. “Track Record Mortgage – Guidance for First-Time Buyers without a Deposit.” Skipton BS Resources, 2024–2025.
(Summary based on public product documentation.)
Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). “Mortgage Lending Rules and LTV Framework.” FCA Handbook – Mortgage Conduct of Business (MCOB).
ONS – Office for National Statistics. “UK Housing Affordability Trends.” Reports 2023–2024.
Rightmove. “UK First-Time Buyer Market Trends.” Market Analysis, 2024–2025.
Homeowners Alliance. “Understanding LTV Mortgages and Deposit Requirements.” Advice Guides, 2024–2025.
Disclaimer
This article is for information purposes only and does not constitute financial or legal advice. The content provides general information and should not be relied upon as professional guidance.
Always consult qualified professionals before taking financial actions. The author accepts no responsibility for actions taken based on this article.
Risk Warnings
Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up with repayments on your mortgage.
Step by Step Financial Solutions Ltd is an Appointed Representative of Stonebridge Mortgage Solutions Ltd, which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.
Registered Office: Unit 314, Solent Business Centre, 343 Millbrook Road West, Southampton, SO15 0HW.
Registered company number 08946989 in England & Wales.
