An interest only mortgage will allow you to make monthly payments just to cover the interest on the money you have borrowed. Unlike a traditional repayment mortgage where payments consist of both cap[...]
What is a Mortgage Prisoner?
‘Mortgage prisoners’ are people who are unable to switch mortgages to a better deal, despite being up-to-date with their mortgage payments. Where does the name come from? As the name suggests i[...]
Sources of Deposit to Buy a Property
There are several potential sources you can consider when it comes to getting together a deposit to buy a property. Providing proof of the source of your deposit is a key requirement in the applicati[...]
What is the UK Inflation Rate?
Inflation simply put, is the increase in the price of something over time. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) tracks the prices of hundreds of everyday items and these items are updated to refl[...]
Moving and Packing Tips for a Stress-Free Move
Are you moving into a new home soon? Despite being very exciting, it can also be an incredibly stressful time trying to pack all your belongings, book moving vans, and tie up any loose paperwork such[...]
Eight Tips for Saving During the cost-of-living Crisis
Times are tough at the moment with the rising cost of living such as energy bills, food, and petrol. We’ve come up with some tips to help you save a few pennies. Even if you’re not feeling the [...]
Parking Rules Explained
When you’re looking to buy a home, and you own a car, you ideally want to know you’re going to be able to park your car either on your own driveway or at least close enough so that you don’t have to [...]
Top 10 Tips for Selling Your House
Selling your house can be a stressful time, there are several key tips you can do to help maximise your chances of selling successfully. Improve curb appeal Invest some time and effort in enh[...]
Debt Consolidation into a Mortgage
We are often asked if it’s good advice to consolidate “unsecured” debt (credit cards and loans etc) into your mortgage, the answer is, sometimes. As long as you have sufficient equity built up in [...]
What Does The SDLT Reduction Mean For Homeowners?
At the end of September 2022, during the Growth Plan statement, the Chancellor announced some changes to Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) in England and Northern Ireland. These changes have been a welcome [...]
Mortgage Tips To Help With Rising House Prices
Over the years, properties have become more and more expensive. If you speak to your parents or grandparents, they likely paid a fraction of what house prices are nowadays when they first purchased t[...]
Why It’s Important To Use A Whole Of Market Mortgage Adviser
Whether you’re buying a home or remortgaging, taking out a new mortgage is a big responsibility and it’s crucial to ensure you’re choosing the right mortgage deal. It’s highly recommended that you sp[...]
How Will The Proposed EPC Changes Impact Landlords?
Back in April 2018, the MEES regulations came into force and any property in the UK private rental sector now requires a minimum rating of Band E on an Energy Performance Certificate. It became unlaw[...]
How Accurate Are Mortgage Salary Multipliers? | What Factors Affect It?
The majority of people require a mortgage to purchase a property, especially now that house prices have skyrocketed. Whenever you’re browsing the property market, it’s useful to know how much you’re [...]
How Does A Mortgage Valuation Report Affect A Mortgage Offer?
Before a mortgage provider agrees to lend you the money you need to purchase a property, they will conduct a mortgage valuation. This compulsory assessment is generally paid for by the borrower, but [...]
Useful Tips For Switching Mortgage Providers
If your current mortgage deal is no longer competitive and you think you could save money by taking out a new mortgage product, you will have two options to consider; switching mortgage deals or[...]
Top Tips on Preparing Your Property for Viewing
With Summer coming many will be considering selling their home with a view to moving onto pastures new. Late Spring and Summer is recognised as a great time to sell, largely because the weather is[...]
Why Do People Take Out Secured Loans? | What Are The Benefits?
When they require quick access to funds, most people will consider taking out a loan. Loans can be useful for a number of reasons and there are lots of different ways you can borrow money these days.[...]
Common Reasons Why Mortgage Applications Get Rejected
The whole process of applying for a mortgage can be quite stressful and your hopes of getting on the property ladder or purchasing your next home can instantly be ruined by your mortgage application [...]
Using Equity Release To Buy A Second Home | How Much Do You Need?
Using Equity Release To Buy A Second Home Equity release is known for being a brilliant way to release some of the money that is tied up in your home. The lump sum you receive through an equ[...]
Top Tips For Remortgaging Your Home
Once you have been living in your home for a few years, you may want to consider remortgaging. Switching mortgage providers is actually quite common and there are a number of different reasons why pe[...]
What Can Stop You From Getting A Mortgage?
People tend to assume that getting a mortgage as a first-time buyer will be really straightforward and, for the most part, this is true. However, some will find it much more difficult to get mortgage[...]
Securing A Mortgage On A Low Income – How To Approach the Situation?
Getting a foot on the property ladder is becoming more and more difficult for people of all ages. Not only is the price of property in many parts of the UK continuing to rise, but the majority of bus[...]
How Covid-19 Has Changed What Property Buyers Want
The last 18 months or more have been a strange experience for many of us. Those that have continued to work have had to adjust, in many cases, to a new way of working. This has meant the home being m[...]
What is a Property Chain and How Does it Work?
If you’re new to buying a home, you may hear lots of familiar phrases that you don’t fully understand. One of these phrases commonly used is ‘the property chain’. If you’re unsure what this is and wh[...]
What is a Debt Management Plan (DMP) and How to Get One
A Debt Management Plan is a mechanism by which you can have a third party negotiate with the people to whom you owe money and set out a plan by which you will make a single, affordable mont[...]
The Government’s Mortgage Guarantee Scheme Explained
The Budget of 2021 saw the UK Treasury announcing another state-funded scheme aimed at helping to keep the UK housing market fluid. Known as The Mortgage Guarantee Scheme, the newly announced initiat[...]
What Does Virtual Freehold Mean?
It’s a little known fact that pretty much all land and property owned in the UK is actually the property of the Crown. Really! But don’t worry, in practical terms, if you own the freehold interest in[...]
Can I Remortgage my property to buy a Second Home?
Yes. Probably. Equity release is simply a way to realise some of the value in your existing home by increasing and/or extending the existing loan on your existing home and using that loan capital [...]
The New 2021 Help to Buy Scheme Explained
The UK Government’s new ‘Help to Buy’ equity loan scheme allows first-time buyers to purchase a new-build property with just a 5% deposit. The lender will lend up to 75% Loan to Value (LTV) and the G[...]