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Frequently asked questions

We know that mortgages can raise a lot of questions, and we’re here to make things easier. Our FAQ section covers the most common queries to help you understand your options and feel confident in your decisions.

Mortgages

1. How much deposit do I need to buy a home in the UK?

Typically, you’ll need a deposit of around 5% of the purchase price, but there are lower deposit options available, including some 0% or £5,000 deposit mortgages in certain cases. The more deposit you can put down, the better the interest rate you're likely to get.

We offer a range of protection options to make sure that if you were to pass away or become too ill to work long-term, you and your family wouldn’t lose your home or struggle financially. The right cover can give you peace of mind that your bills would still be paid, and you’d have enough to live on while you focus on getting better.

Life insurance isn’t a requirement to get a mortgage, but it may be recommended depending on your circumstances. If you have loved ones who would struggle to keep the home if you were to pass away, life cover can help pay off the mortgage and ease the financial burden. It’s about making sure those who rely on you are protected.

It usually takes around one to three weeks, depending on your circumstances and the lender’s timescales. One of the benefits of working with us is that we deal directly with the lender and chase them on your behalf, so you don’t have to. Our job is to keep everything moving, keep you updated, and make the process as smooth and stress-free as possible.

Yes, we can help. If you’ve had missed payments, defaults, or other credit challenges, we’ll work with you to explore lenders who may still be able to offer a mortgage based on your circumstances. We understand that things aren’t always straightforward, and we’re here to help you find a way forward.

Yes, there may be broker fees depending on your circumstances. The fee will vary depending on how complex your application is. We’ll always explain any fees clearly before you decide to go ahead, so you know exactly what you’re paying for. Transparency is important to us, and we’re happy to answer any questions you have.

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer to this, as how much you can borrow will depend on several factors including your income, outgoings, level of deposit, credit history, and more. Every mortgage lender also uses their own affordability calculator, so borrowing capacity can vary significantly from one lender to the next. Because there are so many moving parts, the best thing to do is have a chat with me. I’ll look at your full situation and give you tailored advice on what you’re likely to be able to borrow and which lender is the best fit for you.

We want to make the application process as straightforward as possible, so we’ll only ask for the documents the mortgage lender actually needs. This typically includes ID, payslips, bank statements, and proof of deposit. We’ll always provide you with a secure Dropbox link to upload everything safely and easily, and we’re here to guide you through what’s needed

Yes, you can. Being self-employed doesn’t mean you can’t get a mortgage, it just means lenders might ask for a bit more information. Most lenders will want to see that you’ve been self-employed for at least 12 months, with a full year’s accounts or tax return to show your income. This is something we specialise in, and we’re here to make the process as simple as possible. The best thing to do is get in touch, and we can talk through your situation and look at the right mortgage options for you.

A fixed rate means your mortgage payments stay the same for a set period of time, usually 2, 3 or 5 years. It gives you peace of mind knowing exactly what you’ll pay each month, regardless of what happens with interest rates. A variable rate can go up or down, depending on changes to the lender’s rate or the Bank of England base rate. This means your monthly payments could increase or decrease over time. We’ll always talk you through the pros and cons of each option to help you choose what’s right for you and your circumstances.

Yes, most mortgages are portable, which means you can usually take your current rate with you when moving home. However, this is subject to a new credit check, meeting the lender’s affordability requirements, and any other terms and conditions they may have. The best thing to do is speak to me so we can look at whether it makes sense to port your current mortgage or whether starting fresh with a new lender might be better value. It all depends on the rate you’re on, your lender’s criteria, and whether there are any penalties to consider for leaving your existing deal.

A remortgage is when you switch your mortgage from your current lender to a new lender. This is usually done when your current deal is coming to an end, or if you’re looking to secure a better interest rate, reduce your monthly payments, or borrow more money against your home. I’ll compare options across the market and guide you through the process, handling the paperwork and making sure everything runs smoothly. If you’re staying with the same lender but changing your deal, that’s called a rate switch and I can help with that too.

A Decision in Principle (also known as an Agreement in Principle or a pre-approval) is confirmation from a mortgage lender that they’d be willing to lend you a certain amount, based on the information you’ve provided. It’s not a guarantee, but it’s a strong indication that your mortgage is likely to be approved, subject to a full credit check, property valuation, and full application. To obtain a pre-approval, the lender will look at basic details like your income, outgoings, and credit history. Once this is in place, the next step is to submit a full mortgage application. I’ll take care of both stages for you from securing your pre-approval to guiding you through the full application, making the process as smooth as possible

Yes, you’ll need a solicitor (also known as a conveyancer) whether you’re buying a new property or remortgaging. They handle all the legal work, including checking contracts, carrying out searches, and transferring funds between parties. If you're buying, the solicitor will make sure everything is legally sound before the keys are handed over. If you're remortgaging, the process is usually quicker and more straightforward, but legal work is still needed to register the new lender with the Land Registry. If you need help finding a solicitor, I can recommend one for you as part of the process.

Protection

1. What is life insurance and why might I need it?

Life insurance pays out a lump sum if you pass away during the policy term. It can help your loved ones pay off the mortgage, cover household bills, or provide financial security when you’re no longer around.

It depends on your mortgage balance, any other debts, and the level of financial support you'd want your family to have. I can work this out with you during our chat.

Life insurance is usually very affordable, especially if you’re young and healthy. We’ll look at different options to suit your budget.

Yes, that’s a popular option. It’s called term life cover and is often taken out to match the length of your mortgage.

Family Income Benefit (FIB) is a type of life insurance that pays out a monthly income to your family instead of a lump sum. It’s designed to help with ongoing living costs, like food, bills, and childcare.

It’s a great option if you want to make sure your loved ones have regular financial support for a set number of years, for example, until your children are grown up. It can be more affordable than a large lump sum policy and helps provide a steady, manageable income during a difficult time.

Critical illness cover pays out a lump sum if you’re diagnosed with a serious illness such as cancer, a heart attack, or a stroke. It’s there to give you financial breathing space during a very difficult time. Because there are so many moving parts, the best thing to do is have a chat with me. I’ll look at your full situation and give you tailored advice on what you’re likely to be able to borrow and which lender is the best fit for you.

Not quite. Life insurance pays out if you die, while critical illness pays out if you survive a serious illness covered by the policy. 

Anything you want,  paying off your mortgage, covering household bills, private treatment, or even taking time off work to recover.

Each insurer has their own list of conditions they’ll pay out on, but most cover the major ones like cancer, heart attack, and stroke. I’ll go over the details with you so you know exactly what’s included.

Income protection pays you a monthly income if you're unable to work due to illness or injury. It helps you keep up with your bills and maintain your lifestyle while you recover.

It’s similar but it lasts much longer than employer sick pay. Some policies pay until you return to work or reach retirement age.

Most policies pay around 50% to 65% of your gross income, and the amount is tax-free. We’ll tailor it to your income and budget.

Yes, income protection is designed to pay out multiple times if you become unwell again in the future.

Critical illness cover is normally designed to pay out a lump sum if you’re diagnosed with a specified illness such as cancer, heart attack, stroke, or multiple sclerosis. Income protection, on the other hand, is designed to pay out a monthly income if you’re unable to work due to any illness or injury that stops you from doing your specific occupation (subject to underwriting, policy terms and conditions, and a successful claim).

PMI gives you quicker access to private healthcare, including consultations, scans, surgery and treatments, without long NHS waiting times.

Not entirely. You can still use the NHS if you wish, but PMI gives you the choice of private treatment and often faster appointments.

Yes, many policies allow you to add your spouse and children. We’ll look at what’s available based on your needs.

No, PMI can also cover things like mental health support, physio, diagnostics and outpatient appointments, depending on the level of cover.

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