Borrowers with bad debts are getting better mortgage deals than first-time buyers without a deposit. The cheapest deal for a first-time buyer with good credit history but without a deposit is with Bradford & Bingley - 6.89% with £999 fee. But a sub-prime borrower with missed mortgage repayments (in the past year, one of which is in the last six months), could get a rate of 6.69% with a £995 fee with Chelsea BS. However, those with a 25% deposit could get a rate of 4.75% from First Direct with a £1,498 fee. A year ago, 27 banks and building societies offered 100% mortgages compared with just 11 today at much higher rates. As the credit crunch hits banks and building societies, first-time buyers have been left out in the cold.

Tags: 100% mortgages, Bradford & Bingley, Chelsea BS, Credit crisis, Credit crunch, credit history, cub-prime, First Direct, First-time buyers, subprime