Residential Mortgages

We arrange first-time buyer, home mover, remortgage, product transfer, large, self-employed, new build, complex income, adverse credit and foreign national mortgages, plus secured loans.

A broker compares lenders across the market, while a bank can only offer its own products. Some lenders lend only through brokers. You don’t have to use a broker once you’ve found a property, but we can still check criteria, arrange an Agreement in Principle and manage the application through to completion.

Lenders typically offer 4 to 4.5 times your annual income, and some go higher in certain cases, up to around 5.5 times. The amount depends on your income, commitments, credit history and deposit. Use our residential calculators for an estimate.

Most lenders require at least 5% of the property price. A larger deposit opens up more lenders and can secure better rates. A deposit can be gifted by family in many cases. See our guide to first-time buyer mortgages with a gifted deposit.

An Agreement in Principle is a lender’s initial indication of how much it may lend you. We can often arrange one within 24 hours once we’ve reviewed your details. It isn’t a guarantee, and the lender may carry out a credit check.

A mortgage offer is usually issued two to six weeks after a full application. A purchase overall typically takes 8 to 12 weeks, depending on the chain, legal work, valuation and lender. Providing accurate documents up front helps.

Usually proof of ID and address, recent payslips or tax calculations, bank statements and evidence of where your deposit has come from. If you’re self-employed, lenders usually also ask for accounts or SA302s and tax year overviews. We’ll confirm exactly what you need before we apply.

In England and Northern Ireland, standard rates start at 0% up to £125,000. First-time buyers pay 0% up to £300,000 and 5% on the portion from £300,001 to £500,000, with no relief above £500,000. Scotland and Wales have different taxes, and additional properties pay a surcharge. Rates change, so check before you buy.

Yes. Many lenders lend to self-employed people, usually asking for two years of accounts or tax returns, though some accept one year. Contractors may be assessed on their day rate. See self-employed mortgages.

Often yes, through specialist lenders, depending on the type of issue (such as missed payments, defaults or a CCJ) and how recent it was. Expect a larger deposit or higher rate. If you’ve been declined, don’t keep applying. We can find out why and match you to a lender whose criteria fit. See adverse credit mortgages.

Start looking three to six months before your current deal ends. A remortgage moves your loan to a new lender, while a product transfer switches you to a new deal with your existing lender, often with less paperwork. Early repayment charges may apply if you switch before your deal ends.

Yes, with some lenders. They usually ask for proof of your visa or residency status, evidence of income and often a larger deposit. See foreign national mortgages and, for landlords living overseas, expat mortgages.

Lenders may limit how much they lend on new build flats and can view developer incentives cautiously, which can affect the valuation. See new build mortgages and how new build incentives affect your mortgage.

Yes. We advise by phone, email and video call, so you can arrange a mortgage wherever you are in the UK.