As early as possible. You don’t have to wait until you’ve found a property. Speaking to a mortgage broker earlier can help you understand what may be possible, the costs you may need to consider and how to prepare. Even if buying a home is still a future plan, getting information early can give you a clearer picture of your options.

How much you may be able to borrow will depend on your individual circumstances and the lender’s criteria. Lenders typically consider factors including your income, regular financial commitments, credit history, deposit and the term of the mortgage. A mortgage broker can help you understand how lenders may assess your circumstances and explore the options available to you.

The deposit you’ll need can depend on the property, your circumstances and the mortgage products available at the time. Generally, a larger deposit means you’re borrowing a smaller percentage of the property’s value, which may give you access to a wider range of mortgage options. It’s worth exploring what could be possible before assuming you need to reach a particular deposit amount.

Mortgage eligibility depends on your individual circumstances and the lender’s criteria. If buying your first home still feels a long way off, speaking to a mortgage broker early can help you understand what lenders may consider, how much you could potentially borrow and the steps you could take to prepare for buying a home.

An Agreement in Principle — sometimes called a Decision in Principle or Mortgage in Principle — is an indication from a lender of how much they may be prepared to lend based on certain information you provide. It isn’t a mortgage offer or a guarantee that your full mortgage application will be accepted.

Being self-employed doesn’t automatically prevent you from getting a mortgage. Lenders have different criteria for assessing self-employed income and may ask for evidence such as accounts, tax calculations or other financial information. The options available will depend on your circumstances and the lender’s requirements.

Your credit history is one of several factors a lender may consider when assessing a mortgage application. Different lenders have different criteria, and the nature and timing of any credit issues can also be relevant. A mortgage broker can help you understand how your circumstances may be viewed by different lenders, but mortgage approval cannot be guaranteed.

It can be useful to review your mortgage before your existing deal comes to an end so you have time to understand the options available. Exactly when to do this will depend on your existing mortgage, including its terms and any early repayment charges, as well as the products available at the time.

It may be possible to raise additional borrowing against your home, subject to affordability, your circumstances, the value of the property and lender criteria. There may be different ways of raising funds, each with different costs and considerations, so it’s important to understand the options before deciding what is suitable.