Joint mortgages 'alleviate stress for first-time buyers'

Joint mortgages can alleviate the stress involved with getting on to the property ladder, one expert has suggested.

A spokeswoman for Nationwide said this week that first-time buyers keen to get on to the market can often face the stress of financing a new home on their own and that with a joint loan some of the pressure can be lifted.

She also noted that as with all mortgages it was important to shop around for the right deal and that there is a wide range of options available, which may interest people looking to buy a house in Scotland.

"As with all mortgages it is important to ensure you can meet you monthly payments and that you choose a competitive deal that meets your needs," the spokeswoman said.

She added that fixed-rate mortgages offer the kind of stability that many people find comforting and that this can often be helpful in situations where more than one party is paying the mortgage.

According to a recent survey by Scottish Widows, joint mortgages are increasingly being taken up by university graduates – including those looking to buy a house in Scotland.