Adverse credit shattered Caitlin and Dan's hopes of buying their first home—until they found MAB. Find out how we helped turn their dream home into a reality…
Ever since they first met, Dan and Caitlin dreamt of having a place to call their own, along with their two dogs, Teddy and Neve. Living in Yorkshire, the pair had previously rented before they became a couple, they knew straight away that they wanted to buy together, and moved back in with their respective families to save up for a deposit.
“We’ve lived separately with family for quite some time, and once you’ve had a taste of independence, it never quite feels the same,” explained Caitlin. “I’d been saving up for a deposit for about six years, and I’ve wanted my own home for what feels like a lifetime.”
Becoming homeowners had always been the long-term goal for both Caitlin and Daniel, having grown tired of the ongoing maintenance challenges associated with renting.
“I knew getting a mortgage was more affordable than renting - as well as having many more benefits,” Caitlin adds. “I hated dealing with estate agents and trying to get someone to fix issues - especially ones we could sort out ourselves in a mortgaged home.”
Unfortunately, plans for their dream home had to be put on hold, as adverse credit issues meant the couple faced an ongoing series of rejections.
“We spent ages trying to find someone who would take us on, and all we wanted was good news,” said Caitlin. “Dan had missed payments shown on his credit file through no fault of his own, which meant a lot of lenders told us it would be impossible to get a mortgage.
“Even though my credit file was completely fine, they still said there was no way around this. We found a company that said it was possible, but would charge over £1,000 for the privilege. Having spent months trying to plan how to move out, we’d always remained hopeful, but being told no made us lose all hope of ever achieving our dream.”
No stone unturned
That’s where Meridian Mortgages came into the picture. Having been recommended by family members who had been in a similar situation with their credit file and had still been able to secure a mortgage, the couple didn’t want to give up on their dreams of homeownership. In February 2025, they made the call, and the rest is history.
“We decided to contact Meridian as we wanted to try anything to get our own place,” explained Caitlin. “As nice as it was living with family, we wanted our own space, and as soon as we got in touch, we never went back.”
When the couple approached Meridian, they had a number of preconceptions around getting a mortgage, which the team were quick to dispel.
“Caitlin and Daniel presumed they would need a much larger deposit, and that the interest rate would be much higher than the one we secured for them, which they were pleased with,” said Nyk Reader, Senior Mortgage & Protection Adviser, Meridian Mortgages. “They also had a Help to Buy ISA that they intended to use, so I helped them understand this in more detail, alongside the process involved to get the bonus.”
Never one to shy away from a challenge, Nyk and the team left no stone unturned to find Caitlin and Daniel a suitable deal.
“There was a fair amount of research to find a suitable lender, and a lot of underwriting involved to approve the case, but the end result was more than worth it. I was elated for the couple when they got their mortgage offer, as they firmly believed they wouldn’t be able to get accepted with adverse credit.”
From the start of the process, Dan and Caitlin took advantage of MAB’s digital tools, which gave them an idea of where they stood financially.
“Throughout the process, we used the Home Buying App, which meant we could keep track of where we were,” explained Caitlin. “We also used their range of affordability tools, which helped us to plan for and budget how much our monthly repayments might cost us,” added Caitlin.
While exciting, becoming a homeowner for the first time can raise many questions and uncertainties. But, using a broker helped to put Dan and Caitlin’s mind at ease.
“The team at Meridian really took the time to explain everything in so much detail, and ensure we understood everything we were told,” said Caitlin. “Everything feels scary when you’re first time buyers, and given our financial situation, we were extremely anxious about getting a mortgage offer, as all we’d ever been told up until that point was bad news. When we eventually got accepted, it was like a weight had been lifted.”
Unparalleled expertise
Now moved into their new home, the couple are over the moon that they were able to make their dreams a reality.
“The home we found was perfect for us - a three-bed terraced property with an amazing long garden that we knew our dogs would love,” said Caitlin. “We work from home, so we want to turn one of the rooms into an office. The kitchen was also one of the things that caught our eye when we first viewed the property - as a keen cook and baker, it’s definitely the best bit of a home for me.”
All of this was made possible with the help of a broker, whose market knowledge and access to exclusive deals allowed the couple to get that all-important offer - all despite their previous credit history.
“No matter what your circumstances, speaking to a broker is invaluable, as we have the expertise and experience to get you mortgage ready,” added Nyk. “We can help you decide on the most suitable option for your needs, busting any myths associated with the mortgage process, and saving you additional time and stress you’d incur from going it alone.”
Reflecting on her experience, Caitlin said: “I definitely recommend going through a mortgage adviser, as everything is that much more complicated and scary without a helping hand. My main piece of advice is to be patient, especially if it seems like things are taking longer than normal. It’s a stressful process, but the team were constantly on-hand to answer any questions, and were always happy for us to get in touch for updates, which really helped.”
“Our homebuying experience with Meridian was fantastic from start to finish,” Caitlin added. “They were helpful, kind, and had so much patience - nothing was too much trouble. Our credit file had always been a worry for us, but our advisers didn't think twice. It wasn't a big deal at all, and getting accepted happened much more quickly than we thought. Without their guidance and expertise, we’d probably still be in the position of being refused for a mortgage. We’re so incredibly grateful to them for helping to make our dreams come true.”
Dreaming of your own home, but worried about your credit score or poor financial history setting you back? With a range of mortgage options at your fingertips, your financial history doesn't have to be a barrier. It all starts with a conversation, so get in touch with our friendly team and take the first step to becoming mortgage ready.