Suzydale, it's good to be prepared. The market is fairly stagnant at present and people much cleverer than you and me forecast it will fall more into line over the next couple of years, meaning you'll probably be buying when most others will be selling (this is excellent).

Without wanting to sound like your mother (or father), if I were in your shoes I'd put my partner on another management plan and set some extra financial goals between now and then. His management plan must be easy street compared to how his debts used to be?.. so he needs to be stressed a bit more before you get into bed with him (in a financial sense of course!).

When you get your first mortage you'll have a shed-load of fees to pay, say at least 1% arrangement fee, 1% legals (so say £2k at least on £100k mortgage). Most wont have the money readily available so will add it to the mortgage. Ask HIM to setup a standing order for £80 per month into YOUR account over the next 2 years ready to go towards the fees. If he can't manage that you need to fall in love with a broker (I'm not a broker and I'm too old and the wrong sex anyway)..Hope this helps..FOTW

Hi Suzy

Its difficult to say what mortgage options you would be elligable for without taking full details from you. As you are not ready to take out the mortgage yet i would wait to see what your circumstances are at the time you wish to take out a mortgage then contact a broker to see what options are available to you or do some reaseach yourself on the high street and internet.

If you want an idea of how much you could borrow, rates and products currently available you could always contact a broker now but bear in mind that this could completly change by the time you come to apply for a mortgage.

Good Luck

Hi Suzy,

When a joint application is made the lender scores on the adverse applicant in all cases, however some are more lenient tahn others. It may not hurt to see a local broker and see what is available, to give you some ideas of rates and products that would be applicable to you.

Hi

At some point in the next year or two my partner and I will be hoping to secure our first mortgage. However I'm not sure what our best option would be as I have perfect credit history but my partner has defaults as he is on a debt management programme.

 If I have perfect credit history would we need an adverse credit mortgage as I really don't to pay out higher rates and also I don't want my credit history to be impaired if we are financially linked.

 Obviously I am just doing research at the moment, but any advice would be great.

 Thanks.