We all dream of buying our own home, but as the financial situation in the UK has worsened it has become harder to take out a mortgage.

Recent reports suggest that the economic turbulence of the last few years have seen the average deposit required when buying a house rise, which makes it harder for people to buy their first home.

Buying a home can be even harder if you are a contractor or self-employed as it can be difficult to prove an income, or at least prove to the bank that you have a steady income. Specialist IFAs can help help secure mortgages for contractors, and my advice is that if you are self-employed then you should look to secure the services of a specialist contractor IFA when dealing with mortgages, ISAs or any other financial matter.

Buying a home should be a positive and life-changing step for anybody and the thrill of owning your own property is one I recommend to anyone, unfortunately due to the economic climate this can be more difficult for some individuals, but don’t be disheartened as I mentioned there is help available you just need to look a little harder and to look for help from the specialists!