Buying your first home, moving up the property ladder, buying property as an investment, releasing some of the cash value in your bricks and mortar… There are many occasions when a mortgage is a central part of financial planning, so here’s our suite of guides on how these loans work
TA forms contain critical information about property purchases. We help you get to grips with all the different types of transaction forms to help smooth the buying process.
Stamp duty is a tax you pay if you purchase property above a certain value in England and Northern Ireland – but rules are slightly different in Scotland and Wales. Here we take a look at how stamp duty works and how much you'll have to pay when buying a property.
There can be a lot of confusing jargon when you are buying and selling property, particularly if you are a first-time buyer. Our guide explains what one of the most important terms means and the rights it gives you.
If you want to buy or sell a home, you’ll want to get the most accurate assessment of how much that property is worth.
Here, we look at some of the ways you can estimate the value of a property and get free house valuations.
What is a home reversion plan?Also known as a ‘reverse mortgage’, a home reversion plan involves selling your home to a private company in return for a lump sum or a regular income.
How much it costs to remortgage in the UKRemortgaging can be free – or it can cost you thousands of pounds in fees. You need to do the sums when switching to a new home loan.
Should I buy a house with subsidence? Subsidence can hugely affect a property's structural safety and value, with some mortgage lenders reluctant to lend on properties with subsidence.
Joint vs tenants in commonIf you get a buy a property with someone else you’ll have the option to own your home as ‘joint tenants’ or ‘tenants in common’.
It’s important to know the difference and to make the right decision regarding how your home will be owned.
How a property chain works when buying and sellingA property chain is a series of related property transactions where each sale and purchase depends on the others.
Delays anywhere in your property chain can delay your house purchase.
What happens when my fixed-rate mortgage ends?A fixed-rate mortgage means the interest rate on your mortgage is fixed for between two to five years. But what happens when your fixed term ends?
Should I overpay on my mortgage?Overpaying your mortgage can have big benefits, including clearing your repayments sooner and paying less interest. Read our guide to find out more.
Stamp duty for second homesWhen buying a second property, you'll be subject to paying a higher rate of stamp duty. How much you'll pay depends on where in the UK you live, and in some cases, you might be exempt - read on to learn more.
Can I get a mortgage with a fair credit score?A poor credit rating can be a major barrier to getting a mortgage, but there are lenders prepared to help those whose applications may be refused elsewhere. Our guide explains more.
Are mortgage rates likely to go up or down in 2025?Whether mortgage rates will go up or down in 2025 depends on a few things. While the UK economy remains on an unstable footing, there are signs that the wider picture is beginning to settle. Read on and we’ll explain how this may affect mortgage interest rates and what that means for you.
How the Bank Rate drop will affect your mortgageWhat will the bank rate cut mean for your mortgage and how can you protect yourself from increased costs? Our guide explains how interest rates work and what it means for you
How to gift and accept money for a house depositA gifted deposit from family can help you massively when buying your first home. But how does it work? What are the legal and tax implications? Read ahead to learn more.
How to remortgageYou can often save money by remortgaging to a new mortgage deal. Find out more about the process with MoneySuperMarket’s remortgage guide.
What is a declaration of trust and do I need one? A declaration of trust states who owns a property and it is a vital legal document if you are about to buy property with someone else. Here we explain what it is and how it works.
What is loan-to-value ratio (LTV)?When it comes to taking out a mortgage, the loan-to-value ratio shows you how much of a property you will own and what size of deposit you will pay. It also affects the interest rate you can get.
A guide to mortgage offersGetting a mortgage offer is a big step on the way to buying a home. Here’s everything you need to know about the mortgage-offer process.
Do I need a mortgage broker or a lender?You can take out a mortgage through a mortgage broker or directly from a bank or building society. Using a broker could save you time and money, as they will do a lot of the work for you, but they may also charge a fee. We explain everything you need to know.
What are the pros and cons of having a mortgage?Most of us can’t buy a home without taking out a mortgage, but while they are a useful financial tool for moving home, there are some downsides to consider too.
Can I sell my home to a family member?You can sell your home to a family member, or even gift it to them, but there are legal and tax implications to consider first, as we explain in this guide.
How do mortgages work when you move house?What happens to your existing mortgage when you move house? Can you take it with you, or should you look for a cheaper deal? Our guide explains the options
Getting independent mortgage adviceIf you’re in search of a new mortgage, independent advice can be worth its weight in gold. Find out what to expect regarding mortgage advice before you start.
Mortgage early repayment charges explainedPaying off your mortgage early can save you money in payments and interest but there may be fees to pay.We explain how early repayment penalties work and how to avoid them.
Your guide to additional borrowing on your mortgageLooking to make home improvements or even fund a new car? You might consider borrowing more on your mortgage. We look at how additional borrowing on a mortgage works, so you can decide if it’s the right choice for you.
How much do house removals cost? Moving home isn’t just about the mortgage, you also need to factor in home removal costs. Here we’ll help you get a grasp of how much you’re likely to pay and how to keep costs down.
Can I sell my home without an estate agent?Selling your home privately without an estate agent is possible, but to do so you’ll have to be prepared to put the work in. Read on and we’ll explain how to sell your home without an estate agent.
When to get building insurance when buying a home It can be one of the most important policies to consider when you are buying property for the first time, but when is the right time to take out buildings insurance?
What happens when a leasehold expires? If a leasehold arrangement on a property ends the leaseholder could be a tricky situation. Our guide explains what might happen and how to avoid it.
Do I need a solicitor to sell my house?Looking to sell your home? Then chances are you are weighing up whether to engage a solicitor to help with the process. Read on and we’ll explain what a solicitor does to help sell a house, how they handle the legal aspects of the sale, and whether you should get one.
How much does it cost to extend a leasehold? The length of the lease, when to extend it and how much it will cost, are important considerations if you’re buying a leasehold property. Our guide helps explain the steps you should take.
Mortgage fees explainedWhen you take out a mortgage, you may also have to pay an arrangement fee, valuation fee, booking charge, legal expenses, and so on. Here, we detail all you need to know about mortgage fees.
All you need to know about tenants in commonIf you’re thinking about getting a home loan with someone else, you might want to consider tenants-in-common mortgage. Find out all you need to know here
Explaining Annual Percentage Rate Charge (APRC)You might think ‘APRC’ is just a rugby club you’ve never heard of before. But it is, in fact, a new way of showing the overall cost of your mortgage.
How to choose the right type of mortgageConfused by all the available mortgage types? This short guide explains the ins and outs of different kinds of mortgage rates. This way, you’ll be ready to make the right choice for your needs and pockets.
Remortgaging with the same lenderYou can switch to a new mortgage deal without changing mortgage lenders. Find out more about remortgaging with your existing lender, so you can decide if it’s the right move for you
Joint tenancy explainedJoint tenancy is a type of ownership where two or more tenants have joint and equal rights to a property. Our guide explains how joint tenancy mortgages work, together with the advantages and drawbacks
How does buying a house at auction work? If you know what you're doing, you can bag a bargain at a property auction. But there's a lot to get to grips with, especially if you're a first-time buyer. Read on and we'll walk you through it...
How much deposit do you need for a house? When it comes to buying your first home, it can feel tricky knowing where to start. Our guide for first-time buyers explains how to save for a deposit and work out what you can borrow. Read on to learn more.
Joint mortgage paid by one personRelationship break-down is stressful and having a joint mortgage can make things more complicated. Our guide covers how a joint mortgage paid by one person works, while also showing you your rights.
Should I fix my mortgage or go variable?Fixing your mortgage for a set period means that you can ensure a large degree of financial stability. But going with a variable rate or tracker mortgage can mean your monthly outgoings may drop when interest rates come down. Read our guide to find out which is best for you.
Can I change my mortgage to interest-only?Looking to change your mortgage to an interest-only product? Read on and we’ll explain what switching to an interest-only mortgage means, how you can do it, and what impact it will have.
How long does the house buying process take?There’s a lot of steps involved in buying a house, and the process can take a while. If you’re a first-time buyer in England, Wales, or Northern Ireland, this guide will take you through the timeline you can expect at each stage.
How to deal with estate agents when buying a houseDealing with estate agents can be vexing, especially when you're a first-time buyer. Read on and we'll outline what you should expect from an agent and what key questions you need to ask.
Should I buy a house with Japanese knotweed?Homebuyers’ surveys have a section dedicated to one particular triffid-like plant: Japanese knotweed. But what is it, and what does it mean for your potential new home?
Negative Equity MortgageMost homeowners know that they want to avoid being in negative equity. But what does it really mean, exactly? If you find yourself in a tricky situation, what steps can you take to get out of it? Read our guide on negative equity mortgages to learn more.
