How Going Green can help First time buyers borrow more!

Ben Baccas putting his friend and girlfriend to work while setting up his new home—teamwork makes the dream work!

Being a first-time buyer in the UK has long been a privilege reserved for a select few. With property prices soaring and wages lagging behind, only those willing to make significant sacrifices—like “giving up their daily avocado toast”—stand a chance of saving a deposit amid their usual expenses. Currently, the average age of a first-time buyer is over 30, and the number of new entrants into the market has reached a historic low.

However, don’t lose hope just yet! Lenders are now offering numerous opportunities for first-time buyers who may be able to borrow up to 5.5 or even 6 times their annual salary, making it easier for them to climb onto the property ladder.

You may be asking how lenders can get away with lending so much, won’t this lead to another crash? Well, lenders are absolutely adhering to strict governance and rules to ensure that buyers can manage their payments but there are ways of helping by lending more sensibly.

These particular latest mortgage products mandate that properties possess a green energy performance certificate rating of A or B. This requirement benefits buyers by reducing their fuel bills, as these eco-friendly homes are typically more energy-efficient. The cost savings associated with lower energy expenses enable lenders to offer higher loan amounts, confident that buyers can manage their mortgage payments due to these financial advantages.

I recently had the pleasure of helping my friend and property solicitor Ben Baccas navigate the journey to buying his first home in London. Ben shared his experience, saying, “I’ve known Sarah for a long time and she has started from the bottom and worked to the top! She is very knowledgeable about the mortgage market and adds a humorous, friendly touch. GoGreen will look after your mortgage needs.”

I am eager to assist as many first-time buyers as possible in 2025, so please, if you’d like to explore one of these or many other products available, get in touch for your free initial consultation.

Contact info@gogreenfs.co.uk

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

GoGreen Financial Services Achieves Plastic-Free Approved Status!

We’re overjoyed to share some fantastic news! GoGreen Financial Services has been awarded Plastic Free Approved Status for our efforts in reducing single-use plastic within our business. This recognition comes as part of our journey toward sustainability, and we couldn’t be prouder.

Sarah, Director of GoGreen, accepted the award from Nikki Coome, representing the incredible team at Eco-Friends. This milestone highlights our commitment to creating a more sustainable future and reflects the collective efforts of our entire team.

With Surfers Against Sewage facilitating - Eco Friends and their incredible community of local businesses and sustainability allies have removed an astounding 162,300 single-use plastic items from circulation this year in Newbury and Thatcham — a remarkable increase from 108,252 items in October 2023! Every reusable swap, refill, and conscious decision has played a role in this achievement, and at GoGreen, we’re incredibly proud to have helped towards this impactful milestone.

If you want to become a plastic free ally, whether you are a business, community group, or individual. Contact Eco-Friends on plasticfree@eco-friends.org.uk

In addition to receiving this award, Sarah has taken up a PR volunteering role with Eco Friends. Through this role, she’ll continue championing sustainability, amplifying the voices of others striving for change, and fostering impactful collaborations within our network.

Finally, If you want to help even further, we are offering a special way to support Eco Friends. When you refer friends and family to GoGreen, you receive a £50 thank-you referral bonus when their mortgage completes. Now, you can choose to donate your bonus directly to Eco Friends, helping fund their important work toward a plastic-free future.

If you’d like to make a difference and refer someone to GoGreen, contact us today and let us know you’d like to donate your referral reward to Eco Friends.

Thank You for reading as always!

GoGreen Financial Services ltd

Tips during the stresses of buying, building, moving or remortgaging

A collaboration with Dr Sthiradeva Hubbard a mindfullness and mediation coach

Moving house, buying a new property, or dealing with remortgaging can be some of the most stressful experiences in life. With countless tasks to juggle and decisions to make, it's easy to feel overwhelmed. However, incorporating mindfulness techniques into your routine can help you manage stress and find balance during this hectic time. Today, I'm collaborating with Dr Sthiradeva Hubbard, a mindfulness and meditation coach from Miatri Mindfullness, to share practical tips that can help you cope.

Breathing is something we do every day without thinking, yet it holds the key to releasing stress and anxiety. One of my favourite breathing techniques involves using your fingers. Hold one hand out in front of you and use the index finger of your other hand to gently "draw" up and down each finger. Breathe in as you draw up, and breathe out as you draw down. This mindful movement anchors your attention and calms your mind.

When overthinking starts to take over, a great way to regain focus is to engage your senses. Take a moment to pause and do the following: out loud, name five things you can see around you, four things you can hear, three things you can feel, two things you can smell, and one thing you can taste. This simple exercise helps shift your attention away from racing thoughts and brings you back to the present moment, creating a sense of calm.

When your mind is racing with thoughts about moving, it can be tough to get a good night’s sleep. If you find yourself worrying or catastrophising at night, try jotting down your concerns before bed. This simple act can help you set aside those thoughts until morning. For an extra sleep aid, run through the alphabet in your mind, thinking of words in a specific category (like fruits or animals) that begin with each letter. This fun distraction can help lull you into a peaceful slumber.

Remember, a problem shared is a problem halved. It’s always a good idea to talk through your concerns with someone you trust. Your adviser at GoGreen is there to support you every step of the way, providing guidance and reassurance during this transition.

As you navigate the stresses of moving or remortgaging, be patient and kind to yourself. Acknowledge that your feelings are valid and take time to reflect on them. Utilizing the mindfulness techniques we've discussed can help you better manage your emotions and find peace amid the chaos.

Robert shares an extract from Dr. Ellen Vora’s book, The Anatomy of Anxiety: Understanding and Overcoming the Body's Fear Response, she writes, “Even when we cut out the coffee and heal the gut, we will still be left with a certain amount of anxiety. This anxiety arises from the inherent fragility of life, but it also offers us the strength of our convictions. When life feels misaligned with your values or capabilities, anxiety can act as a critical indicator that change is needed. Instead of viewing anxiety solely as a negative emotion, consider it a signal urging you to pay attention. This awareness can guide you toward actions that align with your purpose and lead to a more fulfilling life."

As you embark on your journey of buying, building, moving, or remortgaging, remember that mindfulness can be a powerful ally. By incorporating breathing techniques, grounding through your senses, establishing healthy sleep habits, communicating your concerns, and practicing self-compassion, you can navigate this stressful time with greater ease and clarity.

If you found these tips helpful and want to learn more about mindfulness, feel free to reach out to Sthiradeva at Sthiradeva@gmail.com.

Thank you for reading!

Sarah and Sthiradeva