Have you any questions about our mortgage company or buy your home?
No, you don’t always need a 15-20% deposit to buy a home. While having a larger deposit can help reduce your monthly repayments, there are many mortgage options that only require a 5% deposit — especially for first-time buyers. This means if you're buying your first home, you may be able to get on the property ladder sooner than you think. Some lenders also offer special deals or support for buyers with smaller deposits, or even no deposit at all! If you're unsure how much you need, we’re here to help you understand your options and find the right mortgage for your situation.
A mortgage in principle (sometimes called an agreement in principle, or a decision in principle) is not a guarantee that you’ll get a mortgage. It’s simply an estimate from a lender showing how much they might be willing to let you borrow, based on some basic checks like your income, expenditure and credit score. It can be helpful when you're looking at properties, as it shows sellers you’re serious — but it’s not a confirmed offer. You’ll still need to go through a full application later, where the lender looks more closely at your finances before making a final decision.
No, your credit score is important, but it’s not the only thing lenders look at. When you apply for a mortgage, lenders also check your income (how much you earn), your outgoings (what you spend each month), and whether you can afford the monthly payments. They want to make sure you can manage the loan without getting into financial trouble. Even if your credit score isn’t perfect, you may still be able to get a mortgage — especially if the rest of your finances look good. We look at the whole of the mortgage market when we are helping our customers and work with many lenders that are willing to accept previous defaults, CCJs, debt management plans, and even past bankruptcies. Talking to us can help you understand where you stand and what your options are.
Yes, in many cases a mortgage broker can help you find better deals than you might get on your own. Some lenders offer special rates that are only available through brokers — not directly to the public. Because brokers work with lots of different lenders, they can compare many options and help you find one that suits your needs. This means you might save money or find a deal that’s a better fit for your situation. We’re here to guide you through the process and help you access the best deals available to you.
A fixed-rate mortgage means your monthly payments stay the same for a set amount of time — usually 2, 3, 5, or sometimes even 10 years. This can make it easier to plan your budget because you’ll know exactly what you’re paying each month, even if interest rates go up. It gives you peace of mind and protection from sudden changes in costs. When the fixed period ends, your mortgage usually moves to a different rate, which could be higher or lower. At that point, you can look at your options again — and we can help you find the best next step.
A variable-rate mortgage means your monthly payments can go up or down over time. This is because the interest rate you pay can change — usually based on changes to the Bank of England’s base rate or your lender’s own Standard Variable rate. If interest rates go up, your payments will likely increase. But if rates go down, your payments could become cheaper. This type of mortgage can offer more flexibility, but it also means less certainty. If you're thinking about a variable rate, we can help you decide if it’s the right choice based on your budget and future plans.
Yes, many mortgages let you make extra payments — and even small overpayments can make a big difference over time. By paying a bit more each month, or making a one-off lump sum payment, you can reduce the amount of interest you pay and pay off your mortgage sooner. This could save you thousands of pounds in the long run. Just check if your lender allows overpayments and if there are any limits or fees. We can help you understand your options and work out what’s best for your situation.
No, remortgaging doesn’t mean you have to move house. It simply means changing your current mortgage to a new deal — either with your current lender or a different one. People often remortgage to get a better interest rate, lower their monthly payments, or release some money from their home. It’s something many homeowners do, especially when their current deal is coming to an end. You stay in the same home, but your mortgage terms change. We can help you check if remortgaging could save you money or give you a better deal.
An early repayment charge (ERC) is a fee you might have to pay, if you pay off your mortgage early or switch to a new deal before your current one ends. This can happen if you move house, remortgage, or make a large overpayment. Not all mortgages have this charge, but many fixed-rate deals do — especially during the first few years. That’s why it’s important to check the terms of your mortgage before making any big changes. We can help you understand if an ERC applies to your deal and whether it’s still worth switching or overpaying.
The length of your mortgage term — which is how long you agree to take to pay it back over — has a big impact on your monthly payments and the total cost of the loan. A longer term (like 30 or 40 years) usually means lower monthly payments, which can be easier to manage. But because you're paying the loan back over more years, you’ll end up paying more interest overall. A shorter term (like 15 or 20 years) means higher monthly payments, but you’ll pay less interest in the long run. We can help you work out what term is best for your budget and goals.
Yes, being self-employed doesn’t stop you from getting a mortgage. You’ll just need to show proof of your income, usually by providing at least two years of accounts or tax returns, although there are some lenders that can assess your income by working on either 1 years accounts, or your latest years accounts. Lenders will want to see that your income is steady and that you can afford the monthly payments. The process might be a little different from someone who is employed, but many lenders work with self-employed people all the time. As we look at the whole of the mortgage market we can guide you through what documents you’ll need and help you find the right mortgage for your situation.
Yes, lenders don’t just look at how much you earn — they also check how you spend your money. This helps them understand if you can afford the monthly mortgage payments. They might look at things like your regular bills, subscriptions (like streaming services or gyms), credit card spending, loan repayments, and other day-to-day costs. It’s a good idea to keep your spending sensible in the months before you apply for a mortgage. We can help you understand what lenders look for and how to prepare your finances.
A buy-to-let mortgage is for people who want to buy a property to rent out, not to live in themselves. It works a bit differently from a regular mortgage. Instead of focusing mainly on your salary, lenders will look at how much rent the property is likely to bring in. They want to be sure the rental income will cover the mortgage payments and other costs. You might also need a bigger deposit — often around 25%. If you're thinking about becoming a landlord, we can help you understand the process and find the right buy-to-let mortgage for your needs.
Yes, being over 50 doesn’t mean you can’t get a mortgage. Many lenders offer mortgages to older borrowers, and there are flexible options depending on your age, income, and plans for the future. Some lenders may look at how long you plan to keep working or if you have a pension or other income in retirement. Whether you’re moving home, remortgaging, or buying a new property, we can help you find a mortgage that suits your needs — no matter your age.
Life insurance isn’t a requirement when taking out a mortgage, but it’s often a smart idea. Many people choose to get life cover when they take on a mortgage to help protect their family or partner. If something were to happen to you, life insurance could help pay off the mortgage so your loved ones wouldn’t have to worry about losing the home. It gives peace of mind knowing the people you care about would be financially protected. We can help you look at your options and decide if it’s right for you.
