Hannah Godwin, Author at Pocket

The government’s Mortgage Guarantee Scheme explained

March 20, 2026April 2, 2026 Hannah Godwin 2 Comments

Saving a deposit to buy a home is no small feat. Especially in London, where first time buyers typically need around £45,000 for a 10% deposit, according to research from Nationwide.

The government recognises this affordability challenge of raising a sufficient deposit to step onto the housing ladder. So, it launched a 5% deposit mortgage initiative: the Mortgage Guarantee Scheme, allowing home buyers to borrow a 95% mortgage.

Introduced in 2021 as a temporary response to the COVID-19 pandemic’s impact on the mortgage market, which caused lenders to withdraw low-deposit mortgages, an updated version of the Mortgage Guarantee Scheme became permanently available in July 2025.

Here, we’ve broken down what the scheme is, how it works and how it can help you buy your first home.

Things to do in Walthamstow

March 5, 2026March 5, 2026 Hannah Godwin Leave a comment

Living in Walthamstow means living in an area that’s alive with activity. From markets to museums, the neighbourhood is full of sights to see and places to visit. It’s even been named one of the best places to live in London.

If that sounds good to you, explore our Pocket homes in Walthamstow that will put you right at the heart of the action. The community is located on Forest Road, just across the road from Lloyd Park and William Morris Gallery, with easy access to Walthamstow Central station and a host of cafes, bars and restaurants.

Keep reading this Walthamstow area guide to find out more.

Is it better to rent or buy in London?

March 3, 2026March 5, 2026 Hannah Godwin Leave a comment

While renting in London is basically a rite of passage for city makers, there comes a time when the prospect of owning your own place becomes ever more appealing.

Deciding whether to buy a home is one of the biggest decisions you’ll ever make, and what you can afford will most likely sway your decision. For many first time home buyers, the monthly cost of owning a home could actually be cheaper than renting. In 2025, average rents in London reached £2,736 per month, whereas the average first time buyer’s mortgage repayments were £1,162 per month.

Everyone’s circumstances are different, but if you’re thinking about moving from renting to owning, this blog will help you decide whether buying a home in London is right for you.

First time buyer stamp duty explained

February 15, 2026February 18, 2026 Hannah Godwin Leave a comment

When you’re getting ready to buy your first home, knowing how much it will cost can help you budget accordingly. On top of your deposit and mortgage, there are other costs to consider – stamp duty is one of them. The good news is that as a first time buyer, you could benefit from a stamp duty exemption or relief.

We know stamp duty can be a confusing subject, so we’re breaking it down to help you understand what it is, how it’s calculated and when it applies to first time buyers.

The best London boroughs for first time buyers

February 12, 2026February 18, 2026 Hannah Godwin Leave a comment

As a first time buyer in London, you’ve probably asked yourself which borough is right for you. Of course, affordability matters, but so do local amenities and good transport links. Choosing where to buy your first home is a big decision, so it’s important to pick somewhere that suits your lifestyle.

In 2021, we conducted research to rank the best London boroughs for first time buyers, based on factors that matter to them, such as property prices, access to Cycle Superhighways and Green Flag parks and the number of train stations and bus stops. Boroughs that performed well included two locations of current Pocket developments: Croydon and Waltham Forest.

Below, find out why the locations we’ve chosen for our available Pocket homes are perfect for you, the city makers.

How to make your home look bigger

February 9, 2026February 18, 2026 Hannah Godwin Leave a comment

Interior design is so much more than how our homes look; it’s also how they make us feel. Between working and relaxing, we spend a lot of time at home, so the design and layout matter because they shape our experience of living in the space.

We’ve designed Pocket homes to enable you to live and work comfortably, but there are many ways to make them look and feel bigger. All it takes is a few simple steps to have an immediate impact.

From clever lighting to paint colours, we’ve compiled a list of decorating ideas for small rooms to make them appear larger. Read on for our top space-enhancing design tips and tricks.

Bridget’s story – Harbard Close IG11

March 23, 2023March 23, 2023 Hannah Godwin Leave a comment

Bridget (37) has always dreamed of putting down roots in London, but for the past three years she has struggled to find a home within her budget.

“I am originally from North London, and most of my friends and family still live here, so it was always a goal of mine to be able to afford my own home nearby. I rented on and off for 10 years and found searching for affordable and suitable apartments became quite hard work, which really forced me to start looking for my own home. But it wasn’t easy”, says Bridget.

10 tips to make spring cleaning your home a breeze

March 16, 2023February 24, 2026 Hannah Godwin Leave a comment

It’s that time of year again where we all start thinking about sprucing up our homes for the warmer months ahead. If the thought of spring cleaning fills you with dread, then read on for 10 tips that will make the process a breeze!

How to buy a home (home buying timeline checklist)

February 21, 2023February 24, 2026 Hannah Godwin Leave a comment

So, you’re a first time buyer. You dream of getting onto the property ladder but it seems totally overwhelming… sound familiar? We can help! Buying your first home can be daunting, but it needn’t be. Here we have broken down the process so you have a step by step guide on how to buy a home.

Saving for your first home: ISAs, bank accounts and more

December 13, 2022December 19, 2022 Hannah Godwin Leave a comment

For many first time buyers, the most daunting part of the home buying process is saving for a house deposit. In particular, many wonder how to save for a house on a lower income and whether it’s even possible to do it at all.

Pocket Living is built around the idea that everyone should have a fair opportunity to get onto the housing ladder, so we’re going to share our best tips on saving for your first home, whatever your circumstances. We’ve included a range of information on ISAs, bank accounts and more to show you that there are plenty of options to consider to get yourself onto the housing ladder. Let’s get started.