Mortgage Lenders

The right mortgage lender will depend on your income, deposit, credit history, property type, borrowing amount and long-term plans. Some lenders are better suited to straightforward residential mortgages, while others specialise in buy-to-let, complex income, adverse credit, commercial property or larger loans. A mortgage adviser can compare lenders and help identify which option may be most suitable for your circumstances.

No. Every mortgage lender has its own lending criteria, affordability model, credit scoring system, property requirements and risk appetite. This means one lender may decline an application that another lender is comfortable considering. Lender selection is an important part of the mortgage process.

A mortgage broker can help compare lenders, check criteria before you apply and explain which options may be suitable for your circumstances. This can be especially useful if you are self-employed, have complex income, need a buy-to-let mortgage, have previous credit issues or are unsure which lender is likely to accept your application.

A whole-of-market mortgage broker can review a wide range of lenders and products, including high street banks, building societies, specialist lenders and intermediary-only lenders. This can give you a broader view of your options than approaching one lender directly.

An intermediary-only lender is a lender that usually accepts applications through mortgage brokers rather than directly from customers. These lenders may offer products or criteria that are not available by applying directly online or through a branch. A mortgage broker can check whether an intermediary-only lender may be suitable for your case.

Not always. The lowest rate may look attractive, but it is not automatically the best option. You also need to consider lender fees, affordability, criteria, product terms, early repayment charges, valuation requirements, service levels and whether the lender is likely to approve your application.

Yes. Mortgage lenders use different affordability calculators and assumptions. They may treat income, bonuses, commission, overtime, self-employed income, pension income, benefits, debts and childcare costs differently. This means the amount you can borrow may vary significantly from one lender to another.

Yes. Mortgage lenders do not assess affordability alone. They may also review your credit history, employment type, income structure, deposit source, property type, loan-to-value, age, commitments and overall risk profile. Even if the monthly payment seems affordable, a lender may still decline the case if it does not meet their criteria.

Yes. A decline from one lender does not necessarily mean you cannot get a mortgage. Lenders assess applications differently, so another lender may take a more suitable view of your income, credit history, property or deposit. It is important to understand why the application was declined before approaching another lender.

Yes. Some lenders use the latest year’s income, while others average the last two years or assess salary and dividends for limited company directors. Some lenders may also consider retained profit, contractor income or more complex trading structures. Choosing the right lender can make a significant difference for self-employed applicants.

Some lenders may consider applicants with bad credit, depending on the type, age and severity of the credit issue. Missed payments, defaults, CCJs, debt management plans, IVAs and previous arrears are all assessed differently by different lenders. A specialist lender may be more suitable if you have historic credit problems.

Yes. Kerr & Watson can review your circumstances, compare suitable lenders and explain which options may be available. We can help with residential mortgages, buy-to-let mortgages, specialist lending, complex income, adverse credit, bridging, commercial finance and later life lending, depending on your needs.