Case Study: Equity Release in Hook for an 83-Year-Old

Summary We recently helped our customer arrange equity release in Hook from their residential property at the age of 83. Our customer was retired and wanted to raise £123,250 against a semi-detached property valued at £425,000. The main consideration was their age, as we needed to find a lender that was comfortable providing the amount… Read more
Mortgage For An Inherited Property

Mortgages on Inherited Property: What You Can Do Before and After Probate If you have inherited a property, you might be wondering whether you can get a mortgage on it, and if so, what the best route looks like. You may want to live in the home, buy out a relative, fund renovations, switch to… Read more
Mortgage Options at the End of an Interest Only Term

What to Do When Your Interest Only Mortgage Ends If you’re approaching the end of your interest only mortgage term, you might be feeling a little uncertain about what comes next. You’ve spent years paying off just the interest which would have saved you money monthly, but now the original loan amount is due. For… Read more
Equity Release for IHT Planning

Equity Release for Inheritance Tax Planning: Reduce IHT and Support Your Family If you’re a homeowner thinking about how best to pass on your wealth, inheritance tax (IHT) might already be on your radar. With property values having surged over recent decades, many people now find their estates exceeding the tax-free threshold, bringing the issue… Read more
Mortgages for Listed Buildings

Can you get a mortgage on a listed building? Yes — but it can be more complex than a standard property. Listed buildings are considered higher risk by some lenders due to maintenance requirements, legal restrictions, and resale considerations. However, many lenders are still willing to consider these properties with the right approach. Listed building… Read more
How Much Are Conveyancing Fees

About Conveyancing Fees Conveyancing fees are the legal costs involved when you buy, sell, remortgage or transfer ownership of a property. As a broad guide, conveyancing fees for buying a property can often range from around £1,000 to £2,000 or more, depending on the property, solicitor, searches, leasehold requirements and whether the transaction is straightforward.… Read more
Restrictive Covenant Mortgages

Mortgage with a Restrictive Covenant: What Buyers Need to Know Buying a property is an exciting step, but if the property has a restrictive covenant, it could complicate things. Restrictive covenants can limit how a property is used or developed, which may concern some mortgage lenders. At Kerr & Watson, we specialise in providing personalised… Read more
Mortgage Options as You Age

As you reach age 50, your mortgage options begin to shift. While it’s still possible to purchase a property at or near retirement age, it’s important to understand how age can influence borrowing when you come to take a mortgage. Age and Mortgage Eligibility Many mortgage providers set maximum age limits, which vary depending on… 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
When Will Your Mortgage Be Pre-Approved?

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
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: Later Life Lending