Mortgages - Guide Index

Our guides to mortgages

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

Our top mortgage guides

Mortgage calculator

Put in how much you need to borrow, the length of the loan and the interest rate, and we’ll tell your monthly payment

Buy to let mortgages

With savings interest rates so low, many people are investing in residential property with the help of special mortgages

Help to Buy mortgages

A Help to Buy mortgage can boost you onto the property ladder, so here’s all you need to know about how they work

Related Mortgage guides

95% mortgages

Even those without a big deposit can get on the property ladder.

A step-by-step guide to the conveyancing process

Advantages and disadvantages of mortgages

Arm yourself with essential information so you can choose the right type of loan.

Benefits of mortgage advice

Expert advice can help you find the right type of mortgage for your circumstances

Buy to let mortgages

If you’re a would-be private landlord, you’ll need to get to grips with buy-to-let loans

Capped Mortgages

What is a capped rate mortgage?

Compare self build mortgages

What to look for when trying to find the right self build mortgage

Costs of buying your first home

Credit ratings

A poor credit rating needn’t be a major barrier to getting a mortgage

Different types of mortgages

How to decide which is the right type of mortgage when you’re buying your home

Discounted Variable Rate Mortgages

What is a discounted variable rate mortgage?

Equity release

If you’re nearing retirement age, you may be thinking about how you are going to fund your later years. Find out how equity release could help.

Explaining APRC - Annual Percentage Rate of Charge

APRC shows you exactly how much you’ll pay over the full term of the mortgage.

First time buyer mortgages

Are you a first time buyer? There are mortgages designed specifically for you

First-time buyer schemes in Scotland, Wales & Northern Ireland

Fixed rate mortgages

If you opt for a fixed rate mortgage, you lock in the interest rate for a specified term

Halal mortgages

A halal ‘mortgage’ is a financial product designed to help Muslims purchase property without the need to borrow money.

Help to Buy mortgages

Help to Buy is a government scheme designed to help struggling first-time buyers

Help to Buy scheme explained

Home Movers

Getting a mortgage for a new home

Home reversion

A home reversion plan involves selling your home to a private company in return for a lump sum, a regular income or a combination of both.

How does interest on mortgages work?

When choosing a mortgage, the interest rate you’ll be charged is one of the most important factors.

How to raise a deposit

Insuring your first home

Interest-only mortgages

What is an interest-only mortgage?

Joint Tenancy Mortgage

What is a joint tenancy mortgage?

Joint mortgages separation

Here's what can happen to a joint mortgage after a separation.

Lender mortgage schemes for first-time buyers

Lifetime mortgages

A lifetime mortgage is a mortgage taken out on a property that does not have to be repaid until the borrower dies or has to go into long-term care.

Looking for your first home

Low fee mortgages

Low fee mortgages can be attractive, but they’re not always the best option

Mortgage Calculator

Check the affordability of a mortgage

Mortgage Eligibility

Mortgage Eligibility Guide

Mortgage brokers

A mortgage broker is a specialist advisor whose job is to search the mortgage market and find you the best deal.

Mortgage charges explained

Mortgages often come loaded with a range of costs – here’s what you’ll have to pay

Mortgage glossary

Explaining the jargon and technical terms that often surround mortgages

Mortgage overpayments

Mortgage overpayments explained

Offset mortgages

Offset mortgages can work very effectively for those with savings – here’s how

Remortgage guide

A look at the reasons why you might consider remortgaging onto a new loan

Self-employed mortgages

Can I get a mortgage if I’m self-employed?

Shared equity explained

Shared ownership mortgages

Standard Variable Rate Mortgages

What is a standard variable rate mortgage?

Subprime mortgages

‘Subprime mortgage’ is a term that is used to describe a mortgage offered to a borrower with a poor credit history.

Tenants in common

All you need to know about tenants in common

The Mortgage Deposit Deficit

Huge deposit requirements mean buying a house locally might be an impossible dream in certain parts of the UK.

Top 10 tips for getting a mortgage

Tracker mortgages

Read our guide to find out whether a tracker mortgage is the right option for you and your home.

What is a buy-to-let mortgage?

A look at the reasons why you might consider remortgaging onto a new loan

What is a guarantor mortgage?

A guarantor mortgage can help you get on the property ladder if you are struggling to find a deposit.

What mortgage can I afford?

Mortgage affordability is a tricky subject, especially after the 2014 Mortgage Market Review (MMR).

Your first-time buyer Q&A

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