Case Study: First-Time Buyer Lawyer Secures 90% Mortgage on New Build with Developer Incentive

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Overview
A foreign national working as an associate at a London law firm approached us as a first-time buyer looking to purchase a new build flat. With a limited deposit and variable income, including just one bonus payment, he faced several hurdles. Our role was to secure a mortgage that factored in his bonus income and aligned with the property’s long lead time to completion.
The Challenge
The client planned to purchase a new build flat, completing in nine months, using a 10% deposit—half of which came from a developer incentive. This meant his personal contribution was only 5%, which many lenders would not accept. In addition, he needed to rely on his annual bonus to meet affordability requirements but had only received one bonus with his current employer. He was also concerned about the possibility of construction delays and how that might affect his mortgage offer.

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Our Solution
We sourced a competitive 90% loan-to-value mortgage from a high street lender that accepted the developer contribution as part of the deposit and was comfortable with a bonus history of just one year. We ensured the lender included an offer extension clause to accommodate any potential delays in the development’s completion. We added the product fee to the loan to help preserve his limited savings and placed him on a five-year fixed rate to provide security, build equity, and avoid refinancing risk in the near term.
The Outcome
We successfully secured a mortgage that met all the client’s objectives—accepting the developer contribution, utilising his bonus income, and providing long-term rate security. The five-year fixed deal allows him time to build equity while protecting against the risk of short-term market volatility. His offer remains valid through to completion, even if the build is delayed.
What Our Clients Say
Kite Mortgages were brilliant from start to finish. With most of my income coming from bonuses, I’d expected the mortgage process to be painful, but David and…
David was really helpful. Provided clear advice on my own mortgage and also helped provide advice to me when my buyers had issues securing a mortgage…
We couldn't be more impressed with the service from our David Walsh! He stepped in and handled everything with incredible speed and professionalism, making…
David has been great. He was very responsive, he found the right deal, and he helped me (successfully!) navigate a few curveballs on the journey!
Mr. Simon Hart helped us during the process of purchasing our first home. As complete new to the experience, we asked many questions and Simon…
Highly recommend! David was a huge help to us as first time buyers. All our options were presented clearly and quickly. David provided excellent advice which…
I am a first time buyer and not originally from the UK so the whole process of buying was pretty new to me. I found Kite Mortgages online which connected me with Simon…
I highly recommend David and his team at Kite Mortgages. David has helped me secure mortgage finance for two homes now, and recently helped…
David and the team at Kite mortgages have been fantastic. They helped us secure mortgage finance for our home and a seamless subsequent…
During a difficult purchase, David was everything we needed from a mortgage broker. He presented us with the best options and took his time to talk us through the…
I was put in touch with Simon Hart at Kite Mortgages by my estate agents Alex & Matteo to help with the purchase of my first property. Simon was super responsive…
We found David/Kite through google search. This was our first purchase so we quite nervous and naive of the process. But we had excellent service throughout…
David was a calm, extremely knowledgeable and very reliable voice throughout the entire process of buying my first flat. He explains complicated and unfamiliar…
David at Kite Mortgages has helped me out on multiple occasions to get the best deal for re-financing. Excellent communication and always quick to respond. I wouldn't…
What We Can Do for You
If you’re buying a new build with a developer incentive, have a limited deposit, or need to use variable pay like bonuses to boost your affordability, we can help. Our team understands the specific policies of different lenders and how to present your case to secure the best possible outcome—especially when timing and structure matter.
Request your fee free mortgage consultation today. No obligation, just sound advice.
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A North London couple needed to upsize to a home requiring major renovation — but still live in their current property during the works. We structured a two-property mortgage plan using interest-only loans, bonus income, and an offset facility to make it all work smoothly.
A UK national working in Saudi Arabia was about to roll onto his lender’s standard variable rate (a much higher default rate after a fixed deal ends). We secured a new 1-year fix with his current lender just in time, saving money and locking in certainty while he remained overseas.
Two doctors with young children needed a mortgage for their dream home in Oxfordshire. We used variable locum income, maternity return projections, and an interest-only element to keep payments manageable during high childcare years — securing 85% LTV on a £900k home.
An Italian CTO earning in Swiss francs and living between Zurich and London needed to refinance his UK home. We secured a competitive high street mortgage using 100% of his foreign income—overcoming currency and age-related challenges to replace an inflexible international loan with a cost-effective long-term solution.
We helped a newly promoted non-equity partner at a US-headquartered law firm secure a £2.48m mortgage on an £3.1m purchase. By structuring the loan with a mix of repayment and interest-only borrowing, we kept monthly costs manageable while meeting complex income requirements including USD bonus earnings.
We helped a law firm associate refinance his home and buy out a former partner by leveraging his most recent bonus income and a high 5.5x loan-to-income multiple. Our tailored approach allowed him to maximise borrowing and stay in his property—without the disruption or cost of moving.
An international lawyer buying his first home in London faced challenges due to a low personal deposit, reliance on bonus income, and a long lead time to completion. We secured a competitive 90% mortgage using the developer incentive, included offer flexibility, and ensured affordability—despite limited bonus history.
A young contractor, told he needed two years of accounts, came to us seeking a 95% mortgage on a £600k property. Using his current contract and smart structuring, we secured the loan with low monthly payments—enabling him to buy now, refurbish, and remortgage on better terms later.
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Kite Mortgages is a trading style of Kite Financial Ltd which is an appointed representative of The Openwork Partnership, a trading style of Openwork Limited which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.
APPROVED BY THE OPENWORK PARTNERSHIP ON 27/06/2025