How I Helped A Landlord Tidy Up Multiple Buy To Let Loans
A landlord came to me feeling that their buy to let mortgages had become difficult to keep on top of. The details are anonymised, but the situation itself is very real and something I regularly see with portfolio landlords across Essex. They owned several properties, each with a different lender, a mix of fixed and […]
What I Wish Every First Time Buyer Knew Before Speaking To A Lender
The very first step into buying your first home can feel overwhelming. As an Essex based mortgage advisor, most people I speak to jump straight in by asking about rates. I understand why, to many first time buyers it can feel like the most important part. But after helping loads of first time buyers over […]
What A Day Looks Like Helping Portfolio Landlords With Their Mortgages
When I talk about a portfolio landlord, I mean someone who owns several rental properties rather than just one buy to let. It could be three properties, it could be thirty. What they all have in common is that their mortgages need to be looked at together, not in isolation. This blog takes you behind […]
The Biggest Mistakes I See When People Try To Remortgage On Their Own
A lot of people try to handle a remortgage on their own because, on the surface, it looks simple. Your deal ends, you compare a few rates online, and you move on. That is completely understandable. Most people want to save time and avoid involving yet another person in the process. But over the years, […]
The Real Cost Of Not Having Income Protection
Most people insure their car, their phone, even their pet. But the one thing that pays for everything, your income, is often left to chance. Many homeowners focus on the mortgage, getting moved in, and keeping life running smoothly. Protection is usually the bit that gets pushed back, not because it is unimportant, but because […]
Don’t Ruin Your Mortgage Chances
If you are planning to apply for a mortgage in the next six months, the decisions you make now can impact whether your application is approved, delayed or restricted. Many buyers assume mortgage problems only arise at the point of application. In reality, most issues are caused much earlier. Small oversights with savings, credit cards […]
How Income Protection Keeps Families Financially Secure
How many households insure their pet without a second thought, yet leave the people who pay for everything completely unprotected? In many homes, the dog or cat is insured, the car is insured, the home is insured, but the income that keeps the household running is not. Your income pays for the mortgage, food, energy […]
Should You Remortgage or Take a Product Transfer
What Is A Remortgage When your fixed mortgage rate comes to an end, many homeowners find themselves asking the same question: should I remortgage or take a product transfer? It is a decision that can have a real impact on your monthly payments, long-term costs and flexibility, yet it is often made without fully understanding […]
4 Things Lenders Do Not Want To See On Your Bank Statements
When you apply for a mortgage, lenders do not just look at your income and credit score. They also take a close look at your bank statements to see how you actually manage your money. For a lot of people, this part feels a bit uncomfortable. It is normal to worry about whether that one […]
How Much Can You Borrow on Your First Mortgage?
If you’re a first time buyer it can be difficult to work out exactly how much a lender will let you borrow. Every bank has its own rules, its own first time buyer affordability system, and its own way of looking at your income and spending. My name is Ian Smith, and I’m a whole […]