Concessionary Purchase Mortgages Yes — you can buy a property below market value using a concessionary purchase mortgage, often without needing a cash deposit. The discount you receive is treated as a gifted deposit, which can help you get onto the property ladder sooner. Buying a home can be challenging, especially when saving for a… Read more
Flexible Buy to Let Mortgages with No Early Repayment Charges Investing in property can be a highly lucrative endeavour, especially if you’ve chosen to expand your portfolio through Buy to Let investments. However, one common concern among property investors is the potential cost of early repayment charges (ERCs). If you’re considering flexibility in your mortgage… Read more
Can you get an SPV mortgage? Yes — you can get a mortgage through a limited company set up specifically for property investment, known as a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV). SPV mortgages are commonly used by landlords who want to buy and hold buy-to-let properties in a company structure rather than in their personal name.… Read more
Can First-Time Landlords Secure an HMO Mortgage? Entering the property investment market as a first-time landlord can be both exciting and daunting. House in Multiple Occupation (HMO) properties, where multiple tenants share communal areas, can offer a lucrative opportunity but come with unique challenges. As a first-time landlord, you might wonder if it’s possible to… Read more
Can you get a mortgage pre-approval before finding a property? Yes — many buyers secure a mortgage Agreement in Principle (AIP) before they start viewing properties. This helps you understand how much you may be able to borrow and can strengthen your position with estate agents and sellers when making an offer. Not sure how… Read more
How UAE Residents Can Get a UK Mortgage For many UAE residents, the idea of investing in UK property is both exciting and strategic. The UK remains a prime location for property investment, offering stability and attractive long-term growth. However, the mortgage market as a UAE resident can be complex, especially when dealing with varying… Read more
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
First-Time Buyer Buy to Let Guide – How to Get a Landlord Mortgage When you hear the term “first-time buyer,” your mind probably jumps to someone purchasing a home to live in. But not every first-time buyer wants to buy their forever home straight away. For some, stepping onto the property ladder means investing in… Read more
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
Mortgage Application Approval: What to Expect and How to Speed Up the Process Applying for a mortgage is a significant step in your home-buying journey, and one of the most common concerns is how long it takes to get a mortgage application approved. The timeline can vary depending on several factors, including the complexity of… Read more
Can you get a buy-to-let mortgage based on rental income? Yes — most buy-to-let mortgages are primarily based on the rental income a property generates rather than your personal salary. This is often referred to as a rental income-based buy-to-let mortgage. Lenders apply strict calculations to ensure the rent comfortably covers the mortgage, which means… Read more
Summary We recently helped an experienced professional purchase a two-bedroom buy-to-let flat in Fleet, Hampshire, through a Limited Company set up as a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV). The property was valued at £200,000 and the customer required a £150,000 mortgage over 25 years. Their priority was to secure a competitive five-year fixed-rate product while also… Read more