On The Ladder Ep3 | Stamp Duty 2025: First-Time Buyer Relief Explained
Release Date: 01/16/2026
On The Ladder Ep.5 | Is Your Credit Score Mortgage-Ready? (What First-Time Buyers Need to Know
The Mortgage Mum Podcast
Getting on the property ladder starts long before you find your dream home — it starts with your credit score. If you’ve ever taken out a phone contract, car finance, or a store card, you already have a credit profile. But do you actually know what it says about you — and how it could affect your chances of getting a mortgage? In this episode of On The Ladder, award-winning mortgage expert Sarah Tucker, founder of The Mortgage Mum, sits down with Mortgage Mum adviser Gemma Bennett to break down everything first-time buyers need to know about credit scores. They explain what lenders are...
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M's The Word | E9 Mental Health & Burnout - You Are Not a Candle but Burnout is Real!
The Mortgage Mum Podcast
In this episode, we explore the viral claim made by Natalie Dawson on The Diary of a CEO: “You are not a candle, you can’t burn out.” Sarah, Gemma, Shelley and Jade come together to share their perspectives on burnout, productivity, and the pressures of modern life. This is an open and honest conversation, particularly for women, about the expectation to keep going, the emotional weight of unfinished to-do lists, and the internal conflict between resting and feeling “lazy”. Rather than offering definitive answers, this episode creates space for reflection. Burnout isn’t always...
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M's The Word | E8 Maternity Leave - The Truth About What to Expect!
The Mortgage Mum Podcast
Maternity leave is often painted as a dreamy, slow, joy-filled chapter… but the reality can look very different. In this conversation, four mums share the honest truth about maternity leave — from the emotional highs and lows to the financial pressure that so many women aren’t prepared for. A recent survey found that 62% of women severely underestimated the financial impact of maternity leave, and more than half returned to work earlier than planned because of money. So why aren’t we talking about this more openly? In this episode, we explore: The financial reality of maternity leave...
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On The Ladder Ep.4 | How to Find the Right Property (Estate Agent Q&A)|
The Mortgage Mum Podcast
You’ve found a house you love… now what? This is the part of the journey that can feel the most exciting, and the most overwhelming. From knowing whether it’s really “the one” to making an offer and navigating negotiation, there’s a lot to get right. In this episode of On The Ladder, we break down exactly what to do next once you’ve found a property, including: How to define your non-negotiables and make confident decisions What to look for when viewing properties (beyond the surface) Why your gut feeling matters, but shouldn’t lead the whole decision What happens when...
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M’s The Word E7 | Managing Miscarriage
The Mortgage Mum Podcast
In this episode of M's The Word, Shelley Shicklehosts to facillate Sarah Tucker, Gemma Bennett and Jade Timson-Proud to talk openly about their experiences of miscarriage and pregnancy loss. Together they share their personal stories, the challenges they faced, and the ways they found support while navigating grief and recovery. The conversation aims to raise awareness, break the silence surrounding miscarriage, and remind others that they are not alone. ⚠️ This episode contains discussion of pregnancy loss. Support and information can be found through organisations such as the The...
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M’s The Word E6 | Moving Day - All Tips You Need For Moving House!
The Mortgage Mum Podcast
They say moving house is one of the most stressful things you will ever do and if you’ve ever been through it, you’ll know exactly why. The paperwork, the waiting, the uncertainty, the endless to-do lists… it can quickly feel overwhelming. We aim to help alleviate some of that stress in this episode. In this episode of M’s The Word, we share practical advice for both a first-time buyer and a seasoned home mover, giving you real-life insight from both sides of the experience. From getting your finances in order and understanding the process after your offer is accepted, to managing...
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M’s The Word E5 | Marriage & Keeping The Romance Alive!
The Mortgage Mum Podcast
The Hardest Part of Therapy? Realising Disney Isn’t Real | M’s the Word Romance doesn’t usually disappear overnight, it fades slowly, when we stop noticing each other. In this episode of M’s the Word, we explore what really happens behind closed doors in long-term relationships. From love languages to emotional disconnection, we dive into the quiet killers of romance and the small, intentional actions that can reignite connection. Did you know the average couple with kids only talks for 24 minutes a day? Amanda was starting to feel like just housemates with her partner, we...
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M’s The Word E4 | Money Mistakes & Credit Card Creep
The Mortgage Mum Podcast
In this episode of M’s The Word, we’re getting real about money mistakes, the ones we’ve made, the ones we regret, and the ones we wish we talked about more. Did you know 1 in 3 women say that credit card debt is their biggest financial regret? From credit card creep to the illusion of “free money” with 0% interest offers, we explore how easy it is to overspend, and how hard it can be to break the cycle. 🎙️ What’s your biggest money mistake? We’re sharing ours (yes, boozy shopping is a thing!), and opening the conversation around debt, mindset, and financial...
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On The Ladder Ep3 | Stamp Duty 2025: First-Time Buyer Relief Explained
The Mortgage Mum Podcast
Stamp Duty, confusing, expensive, and often misunderstood. But if you’re a first-time buyer in 2025, you might be paying less than you think… or even nothing at all. In this episode of On The Ladder, Sarah Tucker, award-winning mortgage expert, founder of The Mortgage Mum, and regular contributor to This Morning, BBC and The Times, breaks down exactly how Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) works in England and Northern Ireland, including the updated 2025 relief rules. Joined by Gemma Bennett, acting Senior Mortgage Adviser, we’ll guide you through: ✅ What Stamp Duty is — and why it...
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On the Ladder with Gen H | How to Buy a New Build with a 5% Deposit
The Mortgage Mum Podcast
Worried your deposit isn’t enough to buy a home? You’re not alone — but a new mortgage solution might help bridge the gap. In this episode of On The Ladder, Sarah Tucker, founder of The Mortgage Mum and mortgage expert on ITV’s This Morning,breaks down the Gen H New Build Boost, an innovative equity loan scheme designed to help first-time buyers purchase with just a 5% deposit. Whether you're struggling to reach the typical 10–15% deposit or looking for a smart way to buy a new build sooner, this could be the solution you didn’t know existed. Joined by our expert adviser, Gemma...
info_outlineStamp Duty, confusing, expensive, and often misunderstood. But if you’re a first-time buyer in 2025, you might be paying less than you think… or even nothing at all.
In this episode of On The Ladder, Sarah Tucker, award-winning mortgage expert, founder of The Mortgage Mum, and regular contributor to This Morning, BBC and The Times, breaks down exactly how Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) works in England and Northern Ireland, including the updated 2025 relief rules.
Joined by Gemma Bennett, acting Senior Mortgage Adviser, we’ll guide you through:
✅ What Stamp Duty is — and why it exists
✅ Who qualifies for first-time buyer relief in 2025
✅ How much you’ll actually pay (with real examples)
✅ Why some buyers pay nothing at all
✅ Key rules for Shared Ownership and buying jointly
✅ Differences if you're buying in Scotland or Wales
✅ How and when Stamp Duty is paid
✅ Smart ways to plan for it in your buying budget
If you're planning to get on the property ladder, this episode is a must-listen.
🎓 On The Ladder is the no-jargon, expert-led podcast for first-time buyers in the UK — giving you the tools, knowledge, and confidence to take your next step toward homeownership.
🔗 Learn more: www.themortgagemum.co.uk
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