Mortgage advice

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Practical guides and expert advice to help you make confident decisions about your mortgage.

Illustration of a house with a price tag beside stacks of coins representing stamp duty when moving home

How much stamp duty will you pay when you move home?

Stamp duty is usually the biggest cost of moving after your deposit. Here's what you'll pay at typical North London and Hertfordshire prices, and how to plan for it.

19 October 2026Read more →

Illustration of a house on top of rising stacks of blocks representing borrowing more than 4.5 times salary

Mortgage Basics

How to borrow more than 4.5 times your salary

The 4.5x cap isn't a law. Some lenders stretch to 5, 5.5 or 6 times income for professionals and higher earners. Here's who qualifies and how.

7 October 2026Read more →

First-Time Buyers

Your First Home scheme: what first-time buyers need to know

A 2.5% deposit and a 20% government equity loan on a new build. Here's what we know about Your First Home so far, and what you can do right now.

30 September 2026Read more →

Illustration of a piggy bank on a stack of coins beside a house representing saving a mortgage deposit

First-Time Buyers

How much deposit do you really need to buy in North London and Hertfordshire?

You need less deposit than you think. A local guide to 5% deposits, what's worth aiming for, and how family can help in North London and Hertfordshire.

18 September 2026Read more →

Illustration of a briefcase beside a house with coins representing a company director's mortgage

Self-Employed

Mortgages for company directors and business owners

Run a limited company? The right lender can count retained profit, not just salary and dividends, and it can transform what you're able to borrow.

6 August 2026Read more →

Illustration of a house with a key supported from beneath representing a joint borrower sole proprietor mortgage

First-Time Buyers

Joint borrower sole proprietor mortgages explained

A JBSP mortgage lets family boost your borrowing without owning the property. How it works, the pros and cons, and what supporting borrowers take on.

27 July 2026Read more →

Illustration of a path forking into two directions representing a two or five year fixed mortgage choice

Mortgage Basics

Should you fix for 2 or 5 years?

There's no single right answer, but there's a right answer for you. A clear guide to fixing for 2 or 5 years and how to decide which fits your plans.

14 July 2026Read more →

Buy-to-Let

Is buy-to-let still worth it in 2026?

Buy-to-let can still deliver in 2026, but it depends on the numbers more than ever. An honest look at yields, rates, tax and whether it stacks up.

1 July 2026Read more →

Illustration of a family beside their home with a protective shield representing life insurance

Protection

Do I really need life insurance with my mortgage?

Life insurance isn't a legal requirement with a mortgage, but for most families it's one of the smartest things to put in place. Here's what you need to know.

18 June 2026Read more →

Illustration of a house and calculator representing mortgage borrowing

Mortgage Basics

How much can I borrow for a mortgage?

How much can you actually borrow for a mortgage? A clear guide to income multiples, affordability, and what lenders really check.

3 June 2026Read more →

First-Time Buyers

A guide for first-time buyers in North London and Hertfordshire

Buying your first home? Here's what you need to know about deposits, mortgages, and getting from your first call to picking up the keys.

14 May 2026Read more →

Self-Employed

Getting a mortgage when you're self-employed

Self-employed and worried about getting a mortgage? Here's what lenders actually look for and how to give yourself the best chance of approval.

14 May 2026Read more →

Illustration of a calendar and house representing remortgage timing

Remortgages

When should you remortgage? A simple guide

Your fixed rate ending soon? Here's what you need to know about timing your remortgage and avoiding the standard variable rate.

14 May 2026Read more →