First time buyer... First mortgage...

80four

Hello,

I am looking for some advice or pointers on a mortgage. Currently I'm renting a room from a family member in london at a cost of £100 a week, but i'd like to start thinking about or getting myself prepared for a mortgage. Slightly outside of central london, maybe hertfordshire?

I've been working full time for just over 2 years on a perm contract. I am 21 and earn £26k / year and work for the local government, my contract has just been agreed for a further year, there is no reason why my job would be at risk. My current savings stand at £10k, I have no student loan, but do have £800 on a credit card which will be paid off by september.

Currently my ongoing monthly payments (phones, internet etc) amount to: £280

My additional weekly outgoings (food, petrol etc) will probably come to around: £100

My girlfriend is a university student doing research, her earnings (part time)will come to around £7K / year. All her outgoings etc are paid by me.

I was wondering what people would advise me to start looking into in terms of mortgage? Maybe i need higher savings? any advise would be more than welcome!

Thanks in advance,

80four!