When you apply for a mortgage, lenders will go through your bank statements with a fine toothcomb to help them decide how much you can afford to borrow.
Luckily there are loads of things you can do to help boost this amount. Checking your bank statements to see where you can cut costs is a good place to start. Could you ditch that monthly gym membership seeing as you've only ever been there twice this year? Or could you take a packed lunch to work, rather than buying a sandwich every day?
Look at your household and motor bills too to see if you can make any savings there. You might be able to cut your energy costs by switching suppliers, or reduce your car insurance premiums by shopping around for cover elsewhere when it's time to renew your policy.
Try and pay off any debts you have before you apply for a mortgage as well. If you've got a big balance outstanding on a credit card, for example, that will work against you when a lender is trying to calculate the amount you can afford. You could use some of your savings to pay off your debts, but remember to keep enough for your deposit, fees and some in case of emergencies. Some lenders will also want to see that you would be able to afford any increase in payments if interest rates rise in future.
Showing you're in control of your cash will really boost your borrowing power, so don't delay, get those bank statements out now and start sorting out your finances.
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