What Makes a House Habitable for Mortgage

What Makes a House Habitable for a Mortgage (and What Makes It Unmortgageable?) When applying for a mortgage, the lender needs to assess both you as the borrower and the property being offered as security. The property normally needs to meet the lender’s minimum requirements for condition, marketability and suitability as mortgage security. Not sure… Read more
High Value Mortgages for Hotels

High-Value Hotel Mortgages: Expert Guidance for Your Investment Investing in a hotel can be a lucrative venture, whether you’re acquiring your first property or expanding your hospitality portfolio. However, securing a high-value mortgage for a hotel comes with unique challenges when it comes to the finance. At Kerr & Watson, we specialise in mortgages tailored… Read more
Land Mortgages

Understanding Mortgage Options for Land Purchases Securing a mortgage for land can be a complex yet rewarding venture. Unlike traditional residential mortgages, land mortgages come with unique considerations and requirements. Whether you are looking to build your dream home, start an agricultural business, or invest in commercial development, understanding how land mortgages work is crucial.… Read more
What are Swap Rates and How Do They Affect Mortgage Rates?

What Are Swap Rates And How Do They Affect Mortgage Rates? Swap rates are one of the main reasons fixed mortgage rates can rise or fall, even when the Bank of England base rate has not changed. Swap rates reflect what financial markets expect interest rates to do over a set period, such as two… Read more
How Much Does a £1 Million Bridging Loan Cost?

How Much Does a £1 Million Bridging Loan Cost? A £1 million bridging loan at an illustrative interest rate of 0.75% per month would cost £7,500 in monthly interest, or £45,000 over six months, before arrangement fees and other charges. For larger borrowing, a £2 million bridging loan would incur £15,000 in monthly interest at… Read more
How Probate Finance Helps Cover Estate Costs

Probate Finance for Executors and Beneficiaries If you’ve recently lost a loved one and find yourself responsible for managing their estate, you might already be discovering how complicated and time-consuming the probate process can be. While probate is a legal necessity, it often creates financial challenges, especially when expenses need paying before any money from… Read more
Commercial Mortgages for Mixed-Use Developments

Mixed-Use Property Mortgages: Your Guide to Semi-Commercial Investments Mixed-use developments have become a popular investment option, combining residential and commercial spaces to maximise the potential for rental income. These properties can range from high-street shops with flats above to more complex combinations, such as office buildings with attached living spaces. However, obtaining a commercial mortgage… Read more
Private Mortgage Lenders

Understanding Private Mortgage Lenders When seeking a mortgage, high street lenders might not always meet the unique financial needs of high-net-worth individuals for a multitude of reasons such as makeup of income. It may be that you require a larger mortgage (for example, £5,000,000) and although you have a significant income, it is from many… Read more
Finance to Convert Properties From C3 to C4

How to Finance a C3 to C4 Property Conversion Turning a single house into a small HMO can feel like a big step. You may know that properties move between planning use classes when they change how they are lived in. A C3 property is a standard family home. A C4 property is a small… Read more
Mortgages for Care Homes and C2 Properties

Care Home Mortgages: How to Finance C2 Properties Investing in a care home can be a rewarding venture, both financially and personally. With an ageing population and increasing demand for high-quality care facilities, the care home sector continues to grow, making it an attractive option for commercial investors. However, purchasing a care home is very… Read more
Freehold vs Leasehold: How It Affects Your Mortgage

Freehold vs Leasehold: Key Differences and What They Mean for You When buying a property, understanding whether it is freehold or leasehold is essential. This affects your ownership rights, ongoing costs, and even your mortgage options. What is the difference between freehold and leasehold? The key difference comes down to ownership. This difference affects everything… Read more
What Does Whole-of-Market Mean?

What does ‘Whole-of-Market’ really mean, and how does it impact your decision-making process? We’ll explain what “whole-of-market” means and why choosing a whole-of-market mortgage broker like Kerr & Watson can make a significant difference in finding the right mortgage and protection solutions for you. What is a whole-of-market Mortgage Broker? A whole-of-market mortgage broker is… Read more

Category: Bridging And Commercial